Training Log Archive: Soupbone

North Routt Coureur Des Bois, Steamboat Springs, Co
Billed as the toughest ski race in America, if you did the 100k, I only survived the 55k. We stayed at the Crawford House, thanks to Sharon Crawford who also skied the race as well as Jan Lande and some of my first tenants.
The weather and course conditions were perfect. The beginning of the race was hard cord and fast. Skiing into the Wyoming border was the 2nd aid station of only 5, I was offered among other things bacon and shots of booze, which I of coursed declined. At this point it skiers were scarce.
At one point the lowest evelation was 8500 feet. Now the climb and the ski on the continental divide had some of the toughest hills you will ski in a race hitting 9800 feet evelation. Sorta of dreading the ski down due to fast conditions and sharp turns. Well the sun softened up that part of the trail and I had good control, even passing up a guy ahead of me who ended up third in my age group. The 55k was plenty and if I tried to ski the 100k, it would of done me in.
We even had energy to go out at night and hit the town.
Jan was the fastest male in the classical race and Sharon took 3rd in the last age group of over 60.
Heading home to more skiing, sorta of unheard for this time of the year.
Ending a great orienteering/ ski trip.

C • Glide 6

3rd day in a row skiing Leadville's Mineral belt. Once again started at Stringtown and skied up hill all for 9.5 k and than met Bill from the other direction and than headed down hill most the way back. It was glazed over so it was much faster today except when you hit places where the sun hammered the trail and it was sticky. Yes it was sunny again and warm, no hat and one layer on.

Another day here in Leadville, Co and they had just groomed the mineral belt trail. It was sunny and getting warm as usual. Bill dropped me off at Stringtown and started from one end, we met and turned around and I headed back down. This trail is all uphill, than all downhill, not at all like the Midwest that has ups and downs all the time.
I hope I will be ready for the Glide the Divide ski marathon. It will be so tough if the sun slows down the snow.
The mountains were so nice to look at today, lots of great views when you pick your head up and look out.

Leadville, CO mineral belt, at 10000 feet, it was a grunt but I did the whole thing.

C • Cooper 9

Eldora Co for a high altitude ski. It was pretty slow and tiring. Hopefully it will get easier tomorow and the next couple of days.