Training Log Archive: kensr

Event: EMPO Pineridge XC ski-o
 

SkiO at Pine Ridge! Conditions warmer than expected and bright sun made it warm further fast to high 40's/ 50's. Snow not transformed, so just became soft and mushy and unsuitable for my colder wax.

Did red course skating. Rough and lumpy grooming made that frustrating and heavy double pole arm work. Some trails to the north controls had not been packed. Bad news when you can classic kick on skate skis with pure flouro on them. Did a bunch of bushwacking to cut distance across the curvey ungroomed trail loops.

Not sure I got all the controls, one was 105 and found 205 in the expected spot. So when 2-1/2 hours rolled past I thought about the two marathons I have next weekend and decided to bail. Turns out I DSQ'd as well as DNF'd because there really was a 105 nearby.

Phil H-T laid out a good course, but conditions changed drastically in the week since he set the controls. Ended up with snow much slower than you'd expect, and some unpacked trails to boot.

As always a good mental as well as physical challenge.

Red - Splits

Yesterday's trails firmed up solid for skating. Today's grooming on some upper trails and the Glade was too soft to ski without punching thru. Almost all field stakes have snow up to the 2' marker line. Some are about to be buried and disappear. Bring it on!

Spent the morning tending with Casey after a tough night. She was very distressed from lack of movement in her legs. Vet found no nerve signals from the bottom part of the spine. Has been progressing over time, but rapid deterioration in the last couple days. Probably from a tumor. In any case, a tough decision made today and now she's gone from the family. A very sweet and loving companion will be greatly missed.

C • Sorry to hear 10

Groomed the snow that accumulated late yesterday. Main tracks are firmed up and worked okay for skating. Widening and adding more each day. Still have to get up on top and in the Glade.

Another 5" today. Regroomed with big machine, but it's all pretty soft. Short classic skiing, not feeling particularly upbeat at the moment.

Dog issues. Casey has been struggling with her hips as she approaches 13 years. Back legs gave out entirely this morning. Not a good outlook.

Classic on soft newly groomed snow. Picked up 18" while I was gone, total base is now 26". Slow but fun.

World Masters Middle 2. Back into the golf course area.

Snow sketchy in places. Went over log in one place at speed and ski stopped short, ending in a face plant.

Started badly with a turn down the wrong trail after the start triangle. Two hundred meters down the hill towards the lake. Had to reverse and chug back up around OOB between me and my target.

Pretty open skiing along the golf course. Came down into a T just as some guy trundled past; had to do a crash stop to keep from flattening him.

Final climb to the stadium was very steep hillside. Everyone around took off skis and ran up.

Challenging and fun navigation for the week. Results dominated by Finn masters, who really race well and probably have been on this terrain many times given all the previous maps circulating.

Of course, would have been kinder to everyone's skis and technique with another foot of snow on the ground.

C • Familiar terrain 5