HOORAY FOR THE BUBBLEHEADS
Corduroy Carpet to Moon MountainKudos to the Sisters Sno Go-Fers Snowmobile Club. Last Friday night they groomed the #6, #7 and #8 roads linking Dutchman Flat to the Three Creeks Sno-Park. Skier Larry Katz circulated an e-mail around the nordic community earlier in the week and by Saturday morning I had scored a ride to Dutchman and a pickup at Three Creeks from a friend. Another group of skiers we passed coming the other way had orchestrated a key exchange, somewhere around Moon Mountain, I suppose. By getting an early start, we were all treated to 18 miles of idyllic white corduroy winding through spectacular Cascades backcountry. With the Nordic center closing Sunday and Meissner grooming coming to an end, it was a wonderful grand finale to skate season. The diehards still have the PPP course and crust cruising, but I'm happy to finish on a high note and get out some other toys.
In regards to the snowmobilers, Katz said, "Several of us have met them on the trail and they are good people and are happy to share the trail with us." I want to echo that sentiment. I'm all about human-powered recreation. More than anything else, I ski at Wanoga with my dog all winter and 99.9% of my encounters with snowmobilers have been positive. We step off to the side of the trail and wave and they slow down and signal how many in their group. I'm grateful for the friendly permission from the Moon Country Snowmobile Club to share their groomed trails. Yeah bubbleheads!
CATCH THE ALOHA SPIRIT
Hawaii's first Polynesian settlers arrived via outrigger canoes more than 1200 years ago. Oregon's early settlers came by covered wagon 200 years ago. So who would have thought you'd find outrigger canoes in the Central Oregon high desert today? The Bend Oregon Outrigger club (BOO) has been paddling up and down the Deschutes River for almost 20 years now and you can experience the Aloha by joining them.
At 10am on Sunday May 3rd, BOO will be holding an introductory meeting, including snacks and beverage, at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Regular practice for novice paddlers will be on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30pm starting May 4th.
"Outrigger canoe paddling is a sport accessible to all. This is a great way to meet new people, get in shape and enjoy the scenery," says coach Jacque Wolbaum. For more information, contact her at [email protected].
DON'T FORGET TO SHAVE & TAPER
Whoa, PPP is only a month away! When I was way into triathlons and Masters Swimming, one of my favorite training techniques was the "Shave & Taper." You've got a few more weeks to hone your fitness and perfect your skills, but come the week of the race, the best thing you can do is mentally prepare and physically rest.
For swimmers, shaving can enhance hydrodynamics ever so slightly. The real benefit is psychological, however. Shaving helps you feel the water and feel fast. For PPP, do what you can to reduce pre-race anxiety by making sure your gear is ready, your support crew is committed and practicing your transitions until you feel fast.
Some athletes take tapering to the extreme, with pint glass curls as their primary workout. Others consider it tapering when they skip spin class before their ten-mile run. Whatever rest means to you, take it easy for a couple of days before PPP, but keep moving. My secret little luxury is a pre-race massage.
For more inside advice, the MBSEF is conducting a presentation titled: "Pole Pedal Paddle Prep - A Gathering of Success." Alternatively titled "How to Shave Time (Not Just Your Legs)," the free presentation on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30pm at the downtown branch of U.S. Bank will feature tips and quips from past champions including:
* Marshall Greene, PPP Men's Champion 06, 07, 08
* Sarah Max, PPP Women's Champion 2008
* Muffy Roy, Women's Champion, 94, 03, and multiple team wins
* Dan Simoneau, PPP Men's Champion 86, 87, 88
I spotted Muffy driving around last weekend with her downriver boat on the roof and wearing damp clothes. Perhaps she will reveal which category she is entering at the talk.
For more information, contact Molly Kelly at 388-0002 or [email protected].
