Went to a #skimo race for the first time with some friends this weekend. I've been heavy weights training focused more recently, but this was sure a system shocker!! Cool to try something new and good to support! I dont think my HR was under 180 during most of the first half... I set a new one hour lactate threshold PR of 175 that beats out all my previous bike trials and even my experiments running straight up hills max out with a summer pack filled with water jugs. Maybe this is the toughest sporting cardio challenge! I also learned it's pretty important to freshly re-wax your skins the night before or carry a spare set or block of wax at least. I was lucky to borrow some halfway through after feeling like I was skiing against a velcro escalator. #rookiemoves haha! Can't say I can remember the last time I've sweat so much this recently either. Maybe at 48 hour Race Across Oregon on a road bike when it was summer 109 F out? Seriously sweating like crazy enough I might go wide open chest bike Jersey and running shorts on any kind of sunny CA winter day if allowed! Also most importantly I'd carry at least 2 - probably 3 honestly - separate pairs of sunglasses and a towel for the sweat on my face. My glasses were fogging up so bad I had to take them off during most the uphills and squint eyes closed against the bright sun + wiping the burning sweat out of my eyes with mostly my fingers... The other half I'd look ahead to point my skis at the next trail marker or yell off randomly at other skiers & then try keeping them on and it was like looking through a foggy kaleidoscope windshield while marching on up the skinning track. Luckily on the last lap it got overcast and things felt and went much better!!! Anyhow probably went out too hard, but hard to gauge if my HR threshold really is 30 beats higher than on a bike and not doing this before. It feels like a max out event which is great high intensity training for us enduro runners and cyclists. I learned a few good lessons, and finished feeling strong. Pretty fun going with a great group of local friends too! We should have a couple events like this officially or unofficially on the Eastside soon! (at Sugar Bowl Resort)