Nordic Yard Sale - Free Rollerskis

Back when I first moved to Ohio and buying my first vehicle, a 1980‘s Volkswagon Vanagon, I wanted to offer them more money than they were asking because I thought the price was too cheap. It turned out that an anti-freeze leak also meant a cracked cylinder head so I guess the price

was fair enough. I’ve never liked selling things because it brings out the cheapskates and I’ve never been good at the “wheelin’ and dealing” part of commerce.

With all of the changes going on in my life right now, I do not find it wise or safe to rollerski anymore. My body and my life have taken too many hard hits lately. I rely on my body for work and I don’t think the risks of rollerskiing are worth any benefits they might provide to my racing form. If you’ve followed this blog or you are checking it out now because of the skis, I’ve developed out of that old-school working in the woods, endurance type of training. I’m going to continue in that tradition until things are more settled in my life.

I've also never been driven by the dollar so I am giving away my rollerskis to a Nordic racer or two who needs a helping hand. I have one pair of Marwe classic skis with a Fisher binding and one pair of Jenex V2 xl 100r skate skis (for a skier 125lbs or lighter) fitted with Salomon pilot bindings, speed reducers and 1 brake. These are top of the line rollerskis with minimal wear and tear.

Who gets them? Anyone who is a dedicated Nordic ski racer. This is my way to give back to the sport and encourage its development. Special consideration will be given to skiers from the Midwest and minimal snow regions, female, and independents juggling work and family. I just need some proof that you are serious and not just some cheapskate looking for free skis. Race results, a coach, a note from your supportive family... how ever you choose to tell me how the skis will help you in your pursuit of the sport.

I can be reached by email at: just.kelleh@gmail.com

Nordic Heart

So if anyone is still following this blog, you’re probably wondering what happened. Well it’s called a life which any dedicated skier has to juggle with training and racing. I just happen to have too many changes going on at once. That is part of what happened with my race season. I feel as though I’m being pulled apart and I’m not quite sure how this Nordic Heart will come back together again. I’m lucky I even made it to Michigan for the races (just ask Mike Muha). I am getting older and so is Briggs, my dog. He’s just not keeping up on the early morning runs like he used to, taking more time to sniff the doggy equivalent of roses. I’m trying my best to adjust to his needs without letting him know that I know he’s getting older.

I suppose I’m doing the same in some respects. I have a 98 year old boss who is a cancer survivor. In my ten years here, I’ve only noticed her “aging” in the past year and a half. That’s a big testament to her young spirit and love for life. It’s been tough watching her battle an invasive cancer but she has handled it with the same grace and determination that has carried her through all these years. My neighbor Joan, who lost her husband back in January (my last post), now has her own battle with cancer. It’s been tough watching those closest to me suffer. All I can do is be there for them and help them in what ever capacity I can.

They say that friends are often the family you choose and that is how I have built my life. I was once asked why I was still working the land here when I could be doing “better” for myself. I assume he meant climbing the corporate ladder. For me it is a way of life built around love and family. Intentions in life, love and work are everything and it’s all one and the same.

Soon enough I’ll be facing the loss of a good friend, a job and a home all at once. I’ve always known that but I didn’t know how difficult it would be. So, for now, my heart is elsewhere. This is not goodbye. I thought that I would be well into another training cycle by now but that just isn’t happening. I’m not sure what place racing will have in my future but Nordic skiing will always have some part in my life. We’re just changing things around until life smoothes out a bit...

The Week of 1/19 thru 1/25 Matters of the Heart

I lost my close friend Paul last weekend while I was at the Garland races. He had been battling bone cancer so it wasn't unexpected but it was still a shock. He and his wife Joan are like family so I didn't hesitate to cancel my plans for racing the Noquemanon 50k freestyle race to be at the funeral on Saturday. While that meant I was home for our local ski race, the Nordic Flurry, I didn't feel much like racing before the services. I did take my camera to get some race photos which meant I looked like a bright orange lollipop instead of a lean, mean racing machine:

(photo by Anton Rachitskiy)

The race is run by the staff of Lake Metroparks who staged a terrific winter festival of races despite cold, single digit temperatures and icy trail conditions with a 5k classic race followed by a 10k freestyle followed by a 2k Kids' race. Chapin Forest and the Pine Lodge Ski Center is home to the Ohio Nordic Ski Club and their Hilltoppers youth program. It is a shared-use park so we share the trails with hikers, runners and dogs(including Briggs).

My workouts for the week were insignificant. I skied 1hour and ran a total of 7miles. I felt out of whack all week. I realized I had been eating some Clif bars that were part of the salmonella recall but I really think it had more to do with matters of the heart....

Here are some of my race photos:

(10K Freestyle Start)

(Wipeout)

(The Finish Line)

The Week of 1/12 thru 1/18 Briggs Miffed

I came home from the Garland races and got the cold paw from Briggs. He barely wagged his tail and wouldn't move from his spot in front of the door as I was unloading, and making sure I had to step OVER him each time through. There's nothing like attitude from your dog when you've been freezing your A** off in a ski suit all weekend and then driving in the car for hours to get home to said little dog. Not to mention, ahem, the bachelor weekend with uncle Alan and another hike with his canine buddies.

This training week had some bitterly cold temperatures. Minus 15 on Friday morning. I did a long ski on Wednesday and NO running for the week. I didn't even look at my shoes. In the interest of conserving some warmth, I took Briggs for a NP skate on a really cold Thursday. He pulled me like a freight train. We were turning heads with our blur of furry speed. Too bad I can't pour it on like that in the races... I saw Wendy Anderson out on the trails Monday and she was in the same boat with her dog Aero. Only she was classic skiing and she was hooked to her dog!

Mon: 1hr BC ski with camera and then poles
Tue: rest
Wed: 1hr40min skate ski (860) then 1hr20min classic ski (600)
Thurs: COLD. NP skate with Briggs. 1lap, grocery store and warm paws, 1lap. flying!
Fri: travel
Sat: Garland Gripper 5k. 25:?? min HR avg 175. (120) with 5k warmup and 1lap warmdown
Sun: Garland Glide 11k. 45:??min. HR avg 180. (60) 30min warmup and no warmdown