classic ski race (Midland Loppet) 1:15:00 [3] 15.0 km (5:00 / km)
Midland Loppet today at Mountain View It was still bloody cold this morning but with damp air moving in which made it feel chillier for some reason. Conditions were excellent though. great grooming and a good course. However, I sucked. The mass start was ok. I was where I'd expect to be and climbed the big hill with another woman in my category, stayed with her to the top and then my back just seized up? I could hardly stride and double polling hurt. We skied for quite a while around several big open fields so I could see everyone pulling away from me -seemingly effortlessly, gliding beautifully. It was another great day for classic skiing. I was in agony every time I tried to pole hard to step forward. An 11 year-old whop started 5 minutes after me, skated by :(. i cheered her on and resigned myself to just getting through the first section of the race. I figured I had to get down to the start/lap area anyway, and then I'd drop out. Then my back seemed to loosen and I was suddenly passing the 11 year-old. So I didn't drop out. The final 5km is on rolling terrain through a golf course and I was ok in there until about 3km in and then my back seized up again. I finished, and did a cool down - at the same speed I raced!
classic ski warm up/down (midland Loppet) 35:00 [3] 6.0 km (5:50 / km)
Warm up and cool down with Mrs. Huet - who kicked my a$$