Sometimes days off just happen!
I hear that stream…
Living in this particular geographic location, we are subject to diverse weather system. Today was a great example of that system.
Today started with the discovery of a blanket of white laying upon the ground. The temperature was -1 degree celcius with a high of 4 degrees. I wasn’t pleased at all, this was not the way I planned to start my day.
Did a back workout this morning, but my heart wasn’t into it. Did a few heavy pulls but only about half the usual volume. Throw in some romanian DL’s.
By mid afternoon the snow was gone and the sun was shining. It was still only 4 degrees but it was dry. How fast the weather can change.
It was a very cold skate. The faster I went the colder it got. Managed 40km before my whimp side got the better of me. By the time I got back to the van I was really feeling the cold. I was smiling however, first month I hit my kilometer goal this winter. Now it goes up to 300km a month, progress!
Feb. Skate Log: 230km Skate Log: 613km
there is no wimp side to a 40km skate in 4 C temperatures.
I put my leg workout off until tomorrow. I was in such a deep sleep this morning, I couldn’t bring myself to wake-up. It was an easy decision to make. I’ll skate and do legs tomorrow since they’re calling for rain.
Now, tomorrows forecast is for sunny with scattered clouds. I’m thinking of doing legs on Sunday. With a huge skate tomorrow to top off the month. Plus give me some serious motivation for next month.
It was 5 degrees celcius with a 7km wind from the East. Sun with lots of clouds but very dry. Got passed by a couple of cyclists at the end of the first lap. Slight upgrade, into the wind and just before the overpass. I held my pace until after the overpass and started to reel them in.
With the help of the traffic lights I caught the only one left on the trail. We both started off at the same time. He took the lead with a quick sprint, I had his draft in a 1/2km and caught my breath. I pulled out to pass him and I think he took offence and started to match my acceleration.
The only thought going through my mind was. A 950# leg press, I don’t think so buddy. The rest is history. Worked hard for 40km and was really happy to put my jacket back on! Tomorrow’s another day and the last day of the month. I will break the 300km mark this month and work for 400km next month.
Feb. Skate Log 270km Skate Log: 653km
There was no sunshine today. It was dry and cold, 5 degree celcius with a wind from the NE at 22km. Started carb loading at 2am by 10am I had consumed over 3500 calories.
The lack of sunshine however made it difficult to maintain a warm core. Sweat, wind and the cold ate up the back end and contained my skate to 40km. Even with all the carbs and the grueling pace I couldn’t keep myself warm for more than two hours.
Had a great skate, got some awesome speed with the tail wind and worked hard digging deep for the head winds. I was spent by the end and that spells satisfaction everytime. Thought of Skidmark at his meet several times and gave it an extra push and sent some power thoughts his way. Hope he nailed all three lifts.
All in all it has been an amazing month. Moved some serious weights and achieved some top speeds. My distance for the month speaks for it’s self. With daylight savings time and spring on the way. I am way up on top of my game.
Feb. Skate Log: 310km Skate Log 693km
First day of March and a 45km skate. It was 9 degrees celcius and the sweat was pouring. Just went out and had a blast. Chased everything that moved and came home wasted.
Mar. Skate Log 45km Skate Log 738km
I think you’ve skated farther than I’ve driven this year so far.
haven’t been here in awhile…checkin’ in to make sure you haven’t been slacking! Obviously, that word is not in your vocabulary! I keep trying to talk myself into a jog/run when it’s in the 30’s and 40’s and you are “walking the walk” in much harsher conditions…my hat’s off to ya!
If it were possible to harness 1/2 your energy they could power all of Ontario.
Thanks guys, that really helps after a gruelling skate. Knocked off 55km, I was sore the entire time. At first I just thought my muscles were really stiff from so much skating. After two laps (26km) I was still trying to shack off the stiffness.
At that time I realized I had a lot of very tender muscles. I stayed upright the whole time. My pace was somewhere in the low to mid twenties.
For the next little while I will be concentrating on my increase in kilometers. I don’t think it will take all that long to get comfortable with the increase in distance. It is however a priority. We will be at the lower end until daylight savings time on March 08.
I’m exhausted through and through. I’d like to think I could sleep for a week, but I’ll take what ever I can. Back to the gym tomorrow. Staying strong!
Mar. Skate Log: 100km Skate Log: 793km
[quote]QuarterTonner wrote:
haven’t been here in awhile…checkin’ in to make sure you haven’t been slacking! Obviously, that word is not in your vocabulary! quote]
I second that!Nice work!
Thanks guys. I had to do a shut down. Last weekend Sat-Mon I got seven hours sleep. My body is weird, the greater my intensity the less I sleep.
I managed six hours last night, broken as usual. I’m hoping for the same or better tonight and tomorrow. Then we’ll get back to it.
I’ve been living like this most of my adult life. My best sleeps are when I’m inactive. Every now and again my body just stops responding. I end up doing an ass drag until I stop and rest for several days.
It’s really weird. It’s not like I don’t try to sleep. I’m in bed by 9-10 everynight but I won’t sleep till after midnight. I kind of lay and meditate for relaxation. Seems to work for me. I do miss those deep sleeps however.
I will admit however I like waking up ready to to. Not all grogged out like I am now. Something in the middle of the road might be nice. Well we are what we are. Best to learn to adapt and make the best out of it. Just being lazy for a while!
For me, reduced amount of sleep comes along with an increase in intensity as well. I wasn’t sleeping as well on the run-up to the competition.
Couple days layoff is just the thing.
when you train allot you sleep less.
It takes the body much more time to actually slow down for sleep and endorphins are sitting around preventing it.
when I did two a day or more in college I had a really hard time sleeping.
with your mega cardio , or semi marathons
you are probably be doing that.
kmc
My situation is starting to make sense. The first week on the brutal Smolov routine, I would stay in bed for like 8 hrs but would barely sleep for 4.
I started taking Tylenol PM every now and then and I think it is helping.
Kind of nice not being aloan in this. Not that I would wish it on anyone. Sometimes I long for a normal sleeping pattern, but only sometimes.
I can handle the 4 hour sleeps. I’m so used to it I don’t really pay it much mind. My sleeping pattern is normal for me. Since my sleeping pattern is so short. When I have sleeping problems my body takes a real beating.
The last couple of days have been major healing days. Like I mentioned in another thread I have learned to listen, it pays off. I’m planning legs for Friday and hopefully a skate on Saturday. Back to normal by Monday.
Got to the gym yesterday. Started doing isolation work on the legs. So it will be, power and speed routine then isolation work.
Isolation workout
Leg press moving seat: 260, 300, 360, 400 @ 12 reps. Explode up, five count down.
Leg curls: 100, 110, 120, 130 @ 8 reps
Leg Extensions: 135, 150, 165, 180 @ 12 reps
Butt Master: 100, 110, 120, 130 @ 12 reps First time using need to go heavier.
Inner & Outer Thigh Press: 80, 100, 100, 120 @ 12 reps First time using, more!
Rear Step Lunges: 50# db’s X 5 X 12 reps
Balance Board !
Doing these as super sets So the volume will be increasing as I remember everything I need to do. Need another 6-8 exercises to fill the time. Open for suggestions on those.
Daylight Savings Time starts tomorrow, Yes! Now all I need is some weather in my favor and I’m a happy camper. Big skates this seasons, kind of looking forward to seeing my best and total distance this year.They’re going to be big!
Tomorrow is a 50/50 chance on a skate, do the gym in the am and see what happens. Getting ready for spring training, I have high expectations. Staying strong and thinking big!
You are straight up hardcore stream!
so you need 6 to 8 additional exercises…
let me wrap my head around that one
you are a volume junkie you animal.
kmc