Today is day five of my Western adventure. I celebrated by doing my first intensity session of the camp. The week will be full of celebrations, as Thanksgiving is approaching quickly. Turkey and mashed potatoes are certainly not far behind.

It has snowed every single day that we have been here in Montana. The forecast suggests the same: moderately cold temperatures with snow showers throughout the day and night. The trails here in West Yellowstone are perfect for early season and high altitude skiing. Not only is the grooming superb, but also the trails offer a good variety of different terrain. Most of my time here will be spent on the relatively flat trails in order to prevent my heart rate and lactic acid values from skyrocketing.

For wax, I have been using a combination of Toko System-3 Red and LF Dibloc Molybdenum. Toko Moly is actually my favorite wax. It is sort of like a favorite spice; I find myself using it no matter what the conditions are. I believe that this time of year, when your skis are either new or just back from the stonegrinder, it is important to give them a nice bath of Molybdenum. The primary condition that Toko Moly works well in is dirty snow, but it is also a good additive for long competitions, like marathons.

My new Rossignol skis are currently being stoneground, so I have not had a chance to try them yet. Because Kurt Hoeffler and Jim Fredericks of Rossignol are here, I might be able to get a preview of what I can expect once my skis come back from Europe.

I am particularly excited about the new Rossignol F3's. The new line of Xium Racing skis includes the F1, F2, and F3. Think of the F1 model as being equivalent to a speed-demon Formula-1 racecar. It is for sprinting, thus I will not be getting a pair. The F2 is very similar to last season's TH model, which has long been a successful ski for Rossignol.

The F3 is based on an experimental concept ski that was used last season on the World Cup. It is a thin-tip ski that is lighter and very suitable for moderate to deep snow. A few athletes on the team had it last season, and I was lucky enough to try them. I could not believe how speedy they were in the meter of new snow that we received during World Junior Championships in Poland. If a sizeable amount of snow is forecast for your next marathon race, then the F3 could be a lifesaver.

Happy Thanksgiving - Think Snow

Peace,
Brian