Yesterday I got back from training at Royal Gorge and thank goodness this is a rest day. After our downhill practice in the morning, our coaches had us ski a 14 km course they mapped out (in yellow on the map below). It was long and there was lot’s of skiing up and down hills. I was exhausted at the end.

It was also warm with the temperature in the 50s. I had my Camelback backpack filled with water and lots of snacks to nibble on along the way. The coaches have been telling us we need to be eating every 20 minutes or so to avoid running out of fuel and “bonking” or “hitting the wall”. This was the first training where we did not stop for lunch in the middle and we had to bring our own food to get through it.

I did not bonk, but no matter what I ate or drank I felt run down. It was probably the altitude again and the effects of not being in the snow for two weeks. I did some training at home and jogged 10 km a couple of times, but that apparently is not enough.

The course was not too difficult at first. Then we came to some significant downhill sections. Hey, no problem! I just smiled and snow plowed down with as much control as I could muster.

I fell a few times and had one spectacular head first fall when my skis caught an edge in the slushy snow. A woman coming up the hill asked if I was OK. “Yes, fine” I lied, with my pride more hurt than my body.

“You were working on that fall for quite a ways down the hill!” She said, referring to my lack of control on the steep hill. Thanks a lot lady. I am glad our coaches are more encouraging!

Then near the end of the course at about kilometer 11 was a steep uphill on the Yuba trail. It was a challenge but we made it. My skiing buddy was Beth who lives in Reno and seemed more acclimated to the altitude. Go Beth!

And she did go - up the hill and around the bend before I could get to the top. Our training captain Stephanie was also hanging with us and was very encouraging. Finally the lodge was in sight and I made it to the finish line.

I completed the 14 km course in just over 3 hours. Blah! Is it really going to take me over 5 hours to finish the 25 km race in Alaska? I hope not.

My teammate Ron, a six year veteran of the XC team, says about two-thirds of the team gets discouraged by the course at Royal Gorge each year. Well I know which group I am in.

Although I have to say I am less discouraged than afraid!  I’ll have to get serious about my dry land training this week and the rest of the time before the race which is just a month away.

The good news is the Tour of Anchorage is not as tough as this course at Royal Gorge and it’s at sea level.

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