Race - 2012 Rubble Creek Classic

Sarah and I went to Squamish on Saturday night and stayed with my former roommate Nick. Sunday morning we got up exceptionally early and headed off in the dark to the Garibaldi Lake Trailhead North of Squamish. We met our friend Ed there at 6:30 and continued on to the Chekamus Lake Trailhead near Whistler.

Physiology - Lactate Threshold Testing

Many athletes and coaches use the term lactate threshold. Sometimes it is used in reference to a particular workout intensity and sometimes to testing but many times the meaning is unclear.

What is lactate and the lactate threshold?

We are able to live and exercise because our bodies are incredibly efficient at taking food and converting it into energy that we can use. Fat, carbohydrates, and protein are the three main types of nutrients that we can convert to energy.

Gear - Black Diamond Drift Ski

Rogers Pass ski touring.

For the 2011-2012 season, the Black Diamond Drift was my go-to ski. Training at Elfin Lakes, steep chutes at Blackcomb, skimo races in the rockies and powder days on the Duffy Lake Road, I used them for everything. A light and fat option from BD's Efficiency Series (and bigger brother to the Aspect ski) the Drift is designed to make life easy when skinning and sublime dropping into powder stashes off Crystal Chair.

Physiology - DiMM

Last weekend I got the chance to tag along on the first day of the Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine, Diploma in Mountain Medicine Course in Whistler BC.

The course is put on by a group of physicians, medics, SAR techs, and UIAA guides to train personnel in mountain medicine techniques. A majority of the students were physicians, many ER and ski patrol docs.

Gear - Suunto t6 Heart Rate Monitor

 
The t6 is Suunto's premier training heart rate monitor and has been on the market for several years. Thanks to its compact size, the t6 doesn't even look all that different from a basic sports watch compared to most bulky heart rate monitors, but when paired with its heart rate strap, it becomes a valuable training tool.

September Sun

We have had a mix of things going on lately, with moving, the semester starting, and Sarah's new job, we haven't been getting after it as big as usual but we have still gotten out plenty here and there.

Race - Semi-Alcoholic Traverse

Three weeks ago, Stano and I set out to do the Semi-Alcoholic Traverse. This is a high alpine ridge run from Brandywine Mountain to Cypress Mountain. Aparently the proper Alcoholic Traverse finishes at Brew rather than Cypress Mountain but we decided Cypress was a better finish on a more logical route and with a better scramble at the end. We made it up Brandywine in good time but turned around as the weather deteriorated.

Nick and I set out again to do it this week on a perfect crisp day. The hardest part of the traverse is arranging the cars, as you start and finish in two different places - both very far up logging roads. Having heard of epics involving mountain bikes and hitchhiking, we opted to each drive a car and do the shuttle.