Day Two
- Started off slowly as I was awake at 4:30 and warm-up didn't start until 10:30.
- Made Espresso and did some on-line Christmas shopping that is bound to disappoint on Christmas morning.
- Went to Oval and watched the little kids races. They actually did a 10 minute race - long track mass start with kids as young as 7. Oh it was ugly.
- Finally got to warm-up. Did 2 laps and could stay up on my left skate in the corner. Rushed inside and decided to go old school and change blades. Cut my finger taking the blades off. No band aid in sight. Fiddling with the clap blades, dripping blood everywhere, finally got the old blades on - went out for the remaining 5 mins of warm-up. Did not slip in corner. Phew, it's not me, it is the blade.
- Decision to 'old school' it made as now no time to try and re-sharpen and try the claps again.
- Wait forever to race. 500m, doesn't feel too bad, but it's hard not to rush your strides and lack of practice was not helpful. 52.2secs, but I had a lap of 38.8 which was a pb.
- Wait forever. Finally race 3000m. I am determined to catch the Master in the quad ahead. Start on the inner - that's good. Finish on the outer, that's bad. Grind out a 5:15. Given the wind and lack of claps, I'll take it. A 13 second pb.
- Sharpen claps again and put back on boots. Sneak out to try them. It's a result. Will wear them for practice tomorrow and get used to them again.
- Write blog and prepare to shower and ht the mall. Must get antisceptic for my finger.
- Drive starts at 8:15am. Pissing down with rain, happy to have the winter tires on.
- Slightly amused when car in front finally decides to overtake a transport, just as another driver attempts to pass in outside lane. I could hear the cursing in my car.
- Bright sunshine just over the border in Quebec is replaced by slippery wet snow about 40kms before Riviere du Loup. Car in front puts his flashers on. I slow down. Car behind me almost goes off the road, but manages a save. Truck ahead was not so lucky.
- Didn't last more than about 20kms, then it was plain sailing.
- Saw a flag man wearing camoflage pants and jacket - surely that cannot be standard issue.
- Saw a police car stop a speeder - those guys!
- Made it to Quebec and found the Hotel without using the GPS or taking any wrong turns.
- Went to the Mall to do some Christmas shopping. Traffic lights and traffic define a real city.
- Shopping in Quebec has its drawbacks. What is the traslation for 'tripod flashlight'?
- Saw a book titled "Live and Survive in the Woods". Could be interesting - will pop back and get it if I sense the appocolypse coming.
- Got hungry and wanted to get a cranberry muffin, but had to settle for a blueberry as I didn't know the translation for cranberry and it was awkwardly positioned among the other pastries.
- Went to practice at the oval. Tomorrow I will have edges again.
- Now watching the Leafs do what they do best - give up goals on the penalty kill....
