Back On Earth

After being on cloud nine for my first marathon of the season, there's nothing quite like getting my butt kicked in practice to bring me back on earth. We had our first "Tuesday" today, which is modelled after the "Wednesday" at Weinfelden. I had a lot of trouble with the series of 200m sprints. Basically, after the first five sprints, it became apparent where I belong...at the very back of the pack and I was still getting gapped. I suppose it didn't help that I felt nervous in the corners and I subsequently slowed down my crossovers. However, this is really the first time I experience this feeling of nervousness outdoor...like my wheels will slip under me, just like at indoor! After the first ten sprints, things improved slightly and the gap was not as big. I started mimicking the way W skated the corners and my crossovers became more stable and less panicky.

If there was any cockiness in me because of the race last Sunday, I'm sure they were all gone by the time we finished the 200m sprints. On the bright side, as the titleholder of the slowest skater in the racing and fitness group in the last two years, I can say our club has gotten faster overall.

I felt a lot better in the 10k points race. I was working hard but it was not a complete struggle. In fact, I stayed with the main group until the last five laps while a number of people quit the drill early. After practice, I spoke to coach AH and he explained that when done right, the 10k points race should feel a lot harder than the 200m sprints. However, with less of a dramatic acceleration than the sprints, I was able to keep up because of a more steady pace. Acceleration, the bane of my existence!

It will be the same practice format every Tuesday from now on. I hope to work my way up the ladder so eventually I will not be the last skater when we do the 200m sprints.

Picture courtesy of Chelsea Parry. The Mogema Girls sporting their matching defunct skinsuits. We should take this picture again when SaH comes to practice with her Mogema suit too!

Comments

[Cor]

I am so jealous you have that skinsuit. I wanted one but alas, they don't make them in fat sizes anymore. ;)

Are you doing the RSO this weekend in Ottawa?

[Candy]

Aww, Gavin was selling them off at discount prices so I got one and Sarah got the other. There are also a few more people in my club with that suit too.

I am still tentative for RSO. The weather is not looking good this Sunday. Unlike marathons, we cancel in case of rain for track races (too dangerous). So I don't know...