Training Log Archive: coach ld

Another sunny spring-like Saturday - so another busy, busy day fro Highlands nordic. No sign that there's a state of emergency and "stay-at-home" order. If the province allows a place to stay open then they can't really expect people not to go there. It was as busy as I ever seen it. Luckily because you can't go inside for lunch, more people than not, leave once they've done a couple of hours so the parking spots open up again midday - but we almost ran out today. Everyone is quite compliant and cooperative, wearing masks from the car until they were out on the trail, trying to stay spread out etc.
I did a sweep at the end of the day. There are always a few people still trying to squeeze out a few more kms after 4:30 so I send them down. Then I get to keep skiing in case there's anyone still out there:). It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. Conditions continue to be fantastic.

Needed to keep myself occupied while waiting for the keys for our new house, so despite feeling the effects of fair bit of distance this week, I went skiing:). I decided to do some short speed stuff and not climb the escarpment.
Warm up lap and a half of the green
slight incline:
10 x 45 secs. double pole sprints up, legs-only long glides back
5 x 45 secs. legs only sprints up, easy legs only back
5 x 30 secs. one-skate sprints, easy back
3 more loops of green
The snow was a bit warmer and not as fast as earlier in the week but still pretty sweet

Tricky grip today. Sort of klister conditions but not quite. Tracks were glazed, but not uniformly and it was warm this afternoon. I tried my skins which worked ok but not great. I was tired too but was still waiting to hear I could pick up the house keys. Course I was at the very farthest point on the back red trail when I got the call. But it's official now - we own a house in Collingwood. We just can't live there yet.

C • Congratulations! 3

Thurs. ski date with the ladies - but we had to split into 2 groups so we'd be within the 5-person limit for "gathering". I skied with Goose (special guest "lady") and Susie and we were all a bit tried from so much skiing on the great conditions this week and with the spectre of closure looming. Still, it was a good ski on excellent grooming again. Such great gliding conditions. We were all counting our blessings for such an amazing winter for xc so far and how lucky we are to be able to ski at Highlands. I can't believe they're allowed to stay open. It may not last, but while it's open we're making the most of it.

Had arranged to meet a slow skier to do some flat trails. Did Teal's Tango legs only while I waited for her. Then we did 2 more loops working on balance and timing. It was quite warm but the trails were still in great shape.

The snow and grooming are still damn good. Chanse just tills in the thin layer of ice from overnight freezing rain and it's like Italian ice cream out there - a bit of iciness but creamy smooth. Such great glide.
After a quick loop of Teal's Tango I met et up with my old friend Hunt-man, as well as Mrs. Huet and Deb. They dropped us eventually since he is not a regular skier and has vintage retro gear so they were definitely a bit too fit and fast for him. We had a really nice ski and catch up though.

It was too nice not to go back out. Happily glided around for another lap and a half. It may be one of the last skis but it's hard to tell from the premier's announcement yesterday. Too vague and wimpy.

C • On Monday night, I just abo... 6

Goose and I skated while Susie and Jenn classic skied - and it was just about the right pace for us today. Feeling pretty good after yesterday's long ski, but not a lot of pop. Skied the works and chatted happily. Conditions were exquisite. A bit of freezing rain overnight meant Chanse tilled it in with the snow and it was buttery corduroy and easy gliding:). He is an artiste with the grooming.

Goose announced this morning that he was doing a distance day. Spurred on by some other skiers who had big ski days this weekend he wanted to do 50 classic. We should have eaten more breakfast. I wasn't really prepared or psyched up for that but the snow is fantastic still and the track was pristine and hard. Awesome classic skiing - or skate. Off I went at my pace and my wax was the bomb! I felt great. Did about 30 before I started getting really hungry. Goose had long since dropped me and he finished 50 classic. I had to get some food. Then I switched to skate. Both were excellent today:)

Feeling pretty good but tired after classic this morning. Skated the green loop with the stadium and racer out x4 to avoid big climbs and then skied Teal's Tangos x 3 in a bit of a trance. It was lovely easy gliding again. Hopefully we get to keep skiing at Highlands. Fingers crossed.

C • Fingers crossed! 1

Skied after work but not a full sweep just an easy skate working on dbl pole and one-skate. The snow was amazing again today. Fast easy skating. We have been so lucky with weather and snow:)