Training Log Archive: jtorranc

Event: OOC - Fitzroy Provincial Park Ski-O
 

OOC Ski-O at Fitzroy Provincial Park - great fun on the first sunny day of the weekend in a not terribly large park but one with a gratifyingly complex trail network, including some showshoe trails that messed me up one time early when I initially mistook one of them for the ski trail I wanted, having completely failed to read the trails that weren't green in my glance at the map before leaving the previous control. Wish I'd either not worn my ski racing suit or not decided to go off trail down a big hill - put a small tear in the right leg of the suit that I'll have to see to patching.

My first OOC event since another ski-O the year of the ice storm, when the Winterlude Triathlon was cancelled (speaking of which, I'm thrilled that OOC will be hosting the Canadian Team Trials). For once, I was able to renew my membership in person instead of asking someone who still has a Canadian dollar checking account to help me out or swallowing the outrageous cost of buying a CA$ money order in DC.

Parked at Penguin, climbed up into the tangle of trails surrounding Camp Fortune and disappeared into as many of the classic technique only ones as I could manage in the available daylight and gloaming (some fabulous views of Ottawa and Gatineau lights and the sunset at times). Made my way out to Western Trail mostly on trails 17 and 11, descended Western to the Fortune Lake Parkway, then headed back towards Penguin mostly on trails 11 and 8. Had some exciting times in the last half hour or so during which it became progressively harder to make out the twists and bumps in the trail before you were on them in descents. Fortunately, trail 8 heading downhill towards Kingsmere is a relatively straight and gradual downhill.

Saw hardly anyone else, not surprising after the first hour since there's no compelling reason for locals to tempt fate by intentionally skiing past sunset the way I did but even before then I only encounted four other skiers on the trails I spent time on excluding unavoidable short sections of Ridge Road and the Fortune Lake Parkway. Baffling and perhaps slightly sad but it does save me having to deal with passing people much so not all bad.

Couldn't leave town having only skated on the canal once. Though it was not a great outing based on the quality of the skating - after a weekend of heavy use, the ice was in quite rough shape almost everywhere except around Fifth Avenue. Still, there's something special about skating on the Rideau Canal after dark when not many people are about - well worth cutting my already short sleep ration for the night even shorter.

A fabulous weekend of winter frolicking. And a good thing too since it's the only one I get to do this winter.

Winterlude Triathlon in Ottawa

C • Tri 4

Skate leg of the Winterlude Triathlon. Usual routine - stayed with the lead pack once the wheat had been separated from the chaff after the mass start. The ice surface was in fairly rough shape, resulting in more falls relative to the number of people I was keeping tabs on that usual - 2 people out of a cohort of around 10. Went into transition in fifth or sixth place.

Run leg of Winterlude Triathlon, including run to ski transition. I made it onto the path still in fifth or sixth and quickly passed a few people on the way to passing Rick Hellard, the race director. The path had been cleared at some point in the night but there were at least a few centimeters of snow left, somewhat trodden down by pedestrians, so I regret the decision not to wear O shoes - I don't think the studs would have reached the pavement often enough to be really painful but I would have had better traction. Oh well. Had two collisions with slower racers after the turnaround - one guy's pack with his skates in it clipped my left bicep and a woman who didn't look right to see us coming as she exited the stairs up from the ice surface, with whom I collided in earnest, though we both managed to stay upright. Also saw Emily Kemp just starting her run - if she'd had long blades, I think she'd have been at least nipping at the heels of the eventual female winner. Rick passed me back around Bank Street. I stayed a few steps behind him for the rest of the run.

C • Unnecessary dangers 3

Winterlude Triathlon ski leg - the course had been groomed that morning but, with all the fresh powder that fell overnight, was still rather soft such that whichever ski you were trying to apply power through often gave way slightly beneath you. I made my depressingly usual inelegant way around the course, getting caught by four people. I must say I prefer the usual format with the run last on emotional grounds, since I get to finish the race as the hunter rather than the hunted but this was better for me objectively, since I didn't have to yield to overtaking skiers as often as I do when there's only the speed skating leg in which to try to get well ahead of them.

In any case, fifth overall - in the ballpark of my better results over the years. Though this year way warrant an asterisk on account of the Eastern Canadian Championships in nordic skiing that were going on at Nakkertok at the same time probably removing a few strong competitors from the triathlon field.

Got more clothes on and went back out to watch people, Emily in particular finish. Ran into Randy Kemp also waiting for her to come in. Impressive debut - not sure how much she beat the runners up in the female 15-19 but I believe she was fifth or sixth female overall despite the disadvantages of hockey skates and being, if I've got things straight, quite new to ski racing.

Easy ski in the afternoon with friends on the Gatineau Parkway.

One week to Noism 08 NINA materialize sacrifice - make not other plans

My first outing of the weekend. From Asticou uphill, mostly on trail 15 to within a kilometer of Kingsmere. Classic technique. Once past Pink Lake I think I may have been on trail I'd never skied on before. Established that there was at least half an hour of useful light for skiing after official sunset.

A pretty easy outing on relatively gentle trails rather than the expert stuff I usually seek out for thrills - wanted to do this mostly with legs so my arms would be relatively fresh for the triathlon.

Commute to work by way of the aquatic center.

Another failure to get to the pool early enough for a long workout. Oh well - it may be best not to overdo it before the weekend in Ottawa anyway.

C • Enjoy!!! 1

Blustery work commute in - some gusts were strong enough to be hazardous if they caught one unprepared. Home by way of Dave Hauver's place to catch a ride with him to the QOC BOD meeting.

Cycling to work. Home by way of the pool.

C • a bit of photoshop... 4

The organiser seems to think the Winterlude Triathlon on Saturday will include all three disciplines this year - must believe that the ice is thick enough everywhere so it's just a matter of them grooming the surface from Bank Street to Dow's Lake. Though I'll still hold off on registering until Thursday.

Perhaps even better, I've been reminded OOC is holding a Ski-O on Sunday. Time for my first OOC event since the year the ice storm forced them to cancel the triathlon.

A bit of breast stroke and freestyle then flutterkicking.

Until my stomach told me I hadn't done enough to fill it before leaving work and I therefore needed to get home forthwith.

Cycling to work. Home by way of both TPSS locations.

Another attempt at getting back into doing these consistently.