Intervals with Border Collie

Today we went for a family ski. I was the rabbit, followed by Noko (chasing the rabbit) harnessed to Enrico, followed by Alex, who is supposed to be taking it easy, since he just had his wisdom teeth out. We did a loop following the skijor trail I set yesterday. We saw family groups of snowshoers and lots of other skiers enjoying the warm day. It was 27 degrees above zero.

When Enrico and I got home (Alex wanted to ski a bit more on his own), I changed my equipment for skate skiing and went out on the skate trail. My first skate ski of the season! I couldn't help laughing out loud with delight. Soon my heart rate zoomed up to 181, so I realized that I needed to slow down a bit, but it is so fun to go fast.

I crossed paths with Alex near the water treatment plant. I took a photo of him and he took one of me, and then we continued on.

I went to Lindenwood Park, where the skate trail ends, and then came back. When I got near the water treatment plant again, I saw a woman skiing, and she said, "You certainly look like you are enjoying your skate skiing." I must have had a goofy happy smile plastered on my face this whole time.

When I got up to the dog park, the skate trail is adjacent to the dog park. A border collie ran right over to the fence. "Let's go!" I called, and he raced me to the end of the dogpark. I had to stop and catch my breath, but he was eager to go again, so I turned back and raced him the length of the dog park again. Hmmm, this could be a great way to do interval training AND exercise a dog. But by now I was tired, so I headed home.

It was warm enough for my lighter gloves today. 

French Braid, Pleather, and Four Deer

With the winter storm that blew through this week, we finally got enough snow for the Fargo Parks track setter to make tracks for the first time this season. I noticed an unusual pattern in the berm between the ski tracks--it looks like the snow has been french braided. I wonder what caused this?

Near Ponte Park, I noticed another new snow texture I had not seen before--it looked just like pleather! The wind was blowing pretty hard in that area, so I didn't want to stop and take off my glove to snap a photo, so I can't show you that one. Just imagine, though, skiing on pleather!

Even though there were set tracks, I decided to spend the first part of my ski breaking a skijoring trail for Noko. Now that he's older, he doesn't really want to skijor through untracked snow. If there is a trail to follow, he is more motivated. Maybe Enrico will take Noko out later on this trail.

I was also a bit worried that the trail was not set up yet because my neighbor, Darren, said the tracksetters were out this morning. I tested the trail on the other side of Ponte Park, and it was firm, so I decided to ski in the new tracks. After a few strides, I melted into a wonderful rhythm thanks to perfect wax, perfect tracks, perfect day.

It was a brisk 3 below and a bit windy when I started out, but 90 minutes later I could feel the warmth of the sun, and I was pretty sure the temperature was above zero.

Although I've been sick with a wicked cold the last couple of weeks and a part of me just wanted to stay in the warm house, drinking tea and reading a book, I'm glad I got outside for a ski. It definitely cleared out my sinuses and filled my lungs with some fresh air. I got to see a group of four deer, too!

Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, so it should be a great time for folks in the Fargo area to get out skiing!