2015 Exercise Log/Challenge

[Crankin]

Well, despite some very good instruction, I do not believe there will be skate skiing in my future. It's all technique and when done badly, exhausting! I think if I had not been classic skiing for almost 25 years, it might be easier. We got our classic skis back and did a 10k ski, along a river, with beautiful scenery. Ate lunch outside, no long underwear, short sleeved base layer, and a vest instead of a jacket. The bad side of this is the condition of the snow is pretty bad. But, I am enjoying it.

[Crankin]

Today we skied 13K in a different direction. Very pretty, slightly more rolling, surrounded by big mountains. Ate lunch at a shelter on the trail, but by this time, it had to have been 55 degrees out. I was skiing without a jacket or headband, just glove liners.
We drove to our new location after, at the other end of the valley. Much more upscale lodge and amenities here and near a funky small town. Obviously, the snow conditions are getting icy or slushy at these temps, so we may snow shoe tomorrow.

[Crankin]

The trails at the other end of the valley are more challenging, but the conditions were crazy icy. The hotel is awesome, though. We got out right at 9 and skied until 11 or so. Lots of climbing and descending, most of it the skating lane as the tracks were just trashed by pine needles, ice, or slush. It was a great workout.
Just came back from a massage, where she unlocked my SI joint and worked on my shoulders, as well as all of my other issues. It was great.

[Catrin]

Had a good group session last night, more conditioning work. I've found a used 16kg KB to add to my home KB herd for half the cost of a new one, so my herd is growing. This is for fitness/conditioning exercises, NOT for sport lifting. With my shoulders as they are I am not even slightly tempted to attempt to put it over my head. I like having arms and shoulders that actually work...

Sounds like fun Cranking, glad you found a good sports massage!

[Crankin]

Yes, I would say working arms are good!
Today we did the most awesome snow shoe. It was about 3.5 miles, lots of climbing, and spectacular scenery. I was sweating like crazy. After that, we went into the town of Winthrop and ate lunch and shopped. Lots of stores closed, as this is the shoulder season, but I managed to buy a locally made top and a scarf for my DIL's birthday. About to head off to a wine and cheese party and then out for our last dinner. We will ski in the morning and then head back to Seattle.

[Catrin]

We had our first training session meant to gear us up for a Penthalon later this season (which is 5 lifting exercises, 6 minutes per arm with a rest between each exercise). Scoring uses a weight-related coefficient and there is a max number of reps beyond which doesn't count - so it will be fun! Took my new (to me) 16kg kb home tonight. Very happy at the price I got it for and that was the only way I could have justified it. For the forseeable future my herd is complete.

Sounds like so much fun Crankin! I've never used snow shoes, though they have me curious. With my ankles I will never try skiing, but snow shoes sounds a more reasonable alternative given my restrictions.

[Crankin]

Well, it was snowing when we woke up yesterday, but the temperature was about 40. That meant the snow was like paste. Good thing was we were dropped off at 8:45 and we did not see anyone else until quite near the end of our ski. We tried to enjoy the scenery, despite no glide and feeling like we should have had snow shoes. And, we did not have our soft shells, so by the end, even my Ibex jacket was wet and I was worried about hypothermia. We had the leader drop us back at the lodge to change as soon as we got back.
We had a long drive back to Seattle, but last night we stayed in a very nice hotel and had a great dinner there. Now waiting for our flight. Unfortunately, we have to fly through JFK, for a 45 minute flight to Boston.