Moronacity Cycling Journal » Cross Training
Week in Review—Baseline Numbers
I follow the European school of thought that the week begins on Monday. Not only is my email program set up to follow this, but so is my workout log. Monday through Sunday counts as one week. With that said, let’s take a look at my workout log since the first of the year. Mountain biking was my only activity for the first three days of the year. Actually, I only rode … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Predicting Weather, Predicting Workouts
I feel guilty when I entertain the idea of not skiing on my new ski track. Even though I have exercised hard for three days straight, including this morning’s snowshoe hike with my brother, I feel like I need to get out for at least a few laps on my short track. This is because snow in Lower Michigan is not usually deep enough for skate skiing, especially in the area where I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Skating My Own Creation
This is the roller I pulled around while wearingsnowshoes. The ski trail after rolling. Notice how deep theclassic skis sink. The trail after 27 laps of skiing – two yesterday,25 today. This trail has fairly tight turns as well asopportunities to build speed. What do you do if you really want to cross country skate ski and there isn’t a trail near your house? You make one. At least that’s what I did. It was an act … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
How to Start the New Year…If You’re Di
“Where’d you go?” my dad asked. “For a bike ride,” I replied. “What are you crazy!?” He looked at me like I was, well, crazy. “Yeah, I am,” I said rather matter-of-factly. __________ This morning, I woke up bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and hangover free. I threw on some comfortable clothes, popped in my contacts, and headed downstairs to see what I could do with my bikes. Some of you are quite aware of my present bicycle situation. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Creative Ski Waxing and Snail Skating
I made the commitment to get out and exercise five days per week. A few of you might be privy to the fact that there is snow in Houghton. In fact, there is lots of snow in Houghton. You might be surprised to find that we had enough base to skate ski after only three days of snow. It’s still snowing. I took the skis to Tech and waxed them in the chalet, yesterday. I ran out of Rex blue after dribbling it onto only one and half skis. For those of you who don’t wax your skis, Rex blue is the best wax for skiing in temperatures in the mid- to upper-teens. Well, having one half of a ski to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Dead Tired and in Pain
Michigan Tech Trails on December 5. With the threat of possible rocks and sticks on the trail, and no wax on my skis as well as no time to tend to them, I decided not to ski; but I couldn’t fully support that decision. I had been in Houghton for less that 20 hours and I needed to do that one thing that is simply Houghton: take the skate skis out for a little … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Blowing, blowing, blowing!
I’m a little in awe of the situation happening at my house, at the moment. Just last week, I was woken, every day, by the warm sunlight and the enticing, bright blue sky showing through my window. This week, I look out the window in disgust at the wet, heavy snow weighing down the branches on my trees. What is a girl cyclist to do? No, seriously. What should I do? Last week, I got three days of excellent road riding in. It was great! It was Heaven. It was every cyclist’s springtime dream. It was in the mid-60s. The skies were blue. The sun was warm. I even came home with a cyclist’s tan just in time to go out … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Cyclists Doing the Hula
For many of us, cycling is more than just getting on a bike and pedaling. Cycling is a lifestyle. It is a culture. It was through a cycling event that I came to Zik’s Bar, in Copper Harbor, and experienced the art of hula hooping. I was quite amused that night. Near the end of the night, after everyone had their fill of tasty beverages, the hula hoops broke out. Let’s get one thing straight before we move on: my friend, Amanda, is a contagious person. For someone her age, she has a lot figured out. She knows how to live well. This can encompass anything from eating right to finding the good in everyone and everything. She has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cross Training
Illumination
I don’t have a camera, anymore, so unless I am with a friend and his or her camera, I can’t show you the amazing things I get to take in while out on the trail. In the meantime, I will have to illuminate your imagination. Still, white birches reflected pastel colors resulting from the illumination of the setting sun. The sky was clear and a nearly half moon was high in the deep blue sky that was transitioning to night. Occasionally, I would spot a star that was previously hidden by the sunlight. This is the vision I saw while finishing my two-hour skate around the Michigan Tech ski trails. After almost two hours of skiing, I would stop at the top of every climb, open my arms … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
Abuse and Personal Records
I’ve been blessed with a body that responds very well to abuse inflicted, by me, on it. It might be due to the fact that this has been going on since I moved to the Keweenaw in 2006. I think, after consistent abuse, the body learns to quickly repair itself and add a little oomph in the process. Maybe it’s just my body. Maybe I’m destined to be a superhero and none of us are wise to that, yet. The inspiration for all of this jibber jabber is today’s skate skiing workout. I spent a little time at work, then a little time at school, and I wanted to spend a lot more time in my comfortable bed. Bed happens to be one of my … Read entire article »
Filed under: Skate Skiing
