Training Log Archive: kensr

Temps today forecast at freezing for the start and 40 an hour later; about right depending on whether you were in the sun. Waxed the Madshus and Peltonen 3's with LF10 and HF10 over lots of wax underneath (last weeks fluoro and glide waxes). Then some Uniblock fluoro rubbed on and ironed in, and 1mm structure. Compared both and the Peltonens were slightly better, and had a much better grind. Track had frozen overnight, so it was solid. Added some fluoro cream on top and off to the start.

Laid back at the start and just wanted to get off without a crash or broken pole (a la 2 years ago). Very clean start and was skating freely within 150m. Skis were hot! Started picking people off immediately. First part was rolling and passed a couple skiers every time we went up, and some more on the way down. Got climbing in some shade and cold snow at 5 km, and the skis slowed a little for a km. Surface was also loose and the stiff skis didn't like it. But knew we would be over the top and into sun soon enough, and just forced myself thru it. Glad there were no more climbs as my legs max'd out.

Came down a long hill out by the road and popped into sunshine and warm snow. Knew we only had about 3 k at that point -- for much less than the expected 14k. Skis just took off and I broke from the group I was with. Got to the gravel pit and saw 5 or 6 masters 200 m off. Cranked it up and gradually closed the gap, until I was almost right behind going into the finish section. Could not overtake them, but finished 3 sec off.

Happy with this race; 1 min behind Ernst, 2 min behind Judd, 3:20 behind Doug Armstrong; closest ever.

Cool down, first by myself and then with Ernst. Enjoying the sun and beautiful day.

Taking it easy as the shoulder is hurting -- for everything except skiing. Can't lift the L arm out to the side. Fortunately, that is the off side for my V1, so had minimal impact on skiing today since I wasn't hanging on it.

C • Shoulder 2

Temp around 20 going up to 28. Waxed short kick zone of blue klister over green klister, and then 3 layers of VR45 on top. Pretty thick pile, but I have trouble getting the kick to contact, and this was quite short. Have to measure the length, but I've used 4 layers of folded paper to establish the ends of the klister zone and it seems accurate.

Track was frozen granular with some water ice showing thru. Kick was okay and glide was good. Swix was recommending some warmer purple klister under the hard wax for the full marathon, but I figured I'd be done with the half before it got too warm.

C • klister zone 2

Supposed to be a rest day, so only did the half. Really fun to do a shorter race. Done before I started to get tired.

Skis were fast on glide. Kick-double poled or double poled for 80% of the race, including the gradual ups. Switching into diagonal stride, I had some, but not good, kick. Definitely lost ground in those sections.

Glad I picked the half, as my poling would have given out on another loop on warmer snow. And the top wax wax gone, too.

C • Spa 4

Well, how can this be? Went out for easy cool down. Stopped and chatted with a course tender at one of the turns. Cutting back on a trail across the golf course, planted a nice firm kick-double pole. Except the ski stopped dead and didn't release from the snow. Firm face plant. Solid impact on my sore L shoulder, which had been behaving nicely, thank you. So now can't even lift the stupid thing.

This guy has been repaired before, but that was in a different area. I think this is just bruised and sore and not ripped off the bone -- like last time.

Classic. Warm, still in high 30's at dusk. Yesterday's purple klister worked better today on the wet snow.

L hamstring tight and strained, felt it with kick-double pole, so avoided that move. Mostly skiing diagonal. Hard to get much rhythm as track is all bends. Will have to figure out different configuration for classic practice.

Classic. Tracks fair, frozen granular, turns pretty tight. Put on purple klister today; short patch for kick. Worked okay, but probably needed another inch or two.

Early morning session. Snow solid and okay smooth. Technique in the fields: weight forward and ankle flex for V1 and then V2.
Couple fast laps at 4.45.

Classic. Temp high 20's with sun. Used VR40 & 50, but temp dropped fast and lost kick not to mention the wax. Lots of double poling.