We came ^this^close^ to cancelling our ski vacation, but after reviewing CDC guidance and seeing my husband’s covid symptoms wane over the weekend, we decided we could make the drive up to Vermont on Monday, for a few days of skiing Tuesday-Thursday. I was so happy to be escaping to the mountains of Okemo Resort, I did not even mind the eight hour drive.
Happy to be on the slopes!
Escaping To The Mountains of Okemo Resort
This was our second time skiing at Okemo Resort in Ludlow, Vermont with my son and his wife. We went about the same time last year and had similar but better weather—no rain! It was definitely “spring” skiing with temperatures reaching the 40s, but they were able to make snow Monday night and it stayed cloudy Thursday which helped keep the snow from melting away. Some people could complain about the snow conditions, but I’m honestly not sure if I’d trade the comfortable weather for “better” snow—I’m not schussing down the slopes either way. 😉
The Sunburst 6 chair lift with optional wind bubble
Last year we dubbed this the “covid bubble” and only put it down when instructed due to wind conditions. This year it was too warm to even want it down.
Once again we stayed at Jackson Gore Inn at the base. As before, we had a suite with a tiny but full kitchen. Although some on-slope restaurants were open this year, we took lunch breaks in our room where we could really relax. After the convenience of ski-in/ski-out lodging it’s going to be hard to go back!
Weekly Run Down
I kept up my daily Peloton class streak by doing a core class and bodyweight class in the living room area before others were up. I also squeezed in a short run before our drive on Monday. Now that my vacation is over I need to get back on track with training for my April 10 milers, and ramping up my distance again. I was ahead of where I needed to be before I got covid with an 8 mile long run at the end of January. Even though I’m behind the Matt Wilpers Training Plan schedule now, I’ve got plenty of time to ramp up, with 6 weekends between now and Cherry Blossom.
I’ve tentatively mapped out the following “long run” distances:
Feb 18: 6
Feb 25: 8
Mar 4: 9
Mar 11: 10
Mar 18: 10
Mar 25: 6
April 1: CUCB 10M
Sunday: 1.5 mile walk+ run with Scooby + 15 min core + 5 Tread Miles
I had been putting off the main workout of the Matt Wilpers training plan for week 5 and feeling like it was now or never. It was sort of a tempo run with 4/5/6/7 min at half marathon pace, and I was dreading those longer blocks. I programmed it into my Garmin so I wouldn’t lose track of where I was and was awarded with my 3K minute badge when I finished.
Monday: 10 min Core + 10 min LB + 2.25 mi Tread
I got up at 5 to have time to squeeze in a workout before we hit the road.
Tuesday: 5 min Core + 20 min Barre + Skiing
Wednesday: 5 min Core + 20 min Bodyweight Strength + Skiing
Thursday: 5 min Core + 10 Bodyweight Strength + Skiing
The ski function of my Garmin VenuSq isn’t as smart as the one on the Fenix (it doesn’t auto-detect skiing vs. lift rides), but I committed to remembering to use the lap function to track my 10 after lunch runs.
After run 5 I went down further to meet up with my son.
I was taking different trails down, but you can’t see much difference here. It was interesting to see that skiing barely got my HR rate up—as I said, I’m not schussing. I did feel it in my quads though.
Friday: 5 min Core + 10 Bodyweight Strength
I told myself I’d walk Scooby when we got home, but I was ready to relax when my husband offered to take him out.
Saturday: 10 min Core + 10 min LB + 6.2 Scooby Miles
Back out with my running buddy! It was in the low 30s and while I wasn’t breathing hard it felt like the cold was bothering my lungs. I know I need to be cautious, which is one reason I started back with the 6 mile distance.
I did wear gloves!
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
Do you have any spring break plans?
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I’m glad everyone is feeling better and you got to enjoy your trip! Sounds like you have a good plan to ramp up mileage in time for your races.
I am glad you ended up going to ski. Long way to drive for 2 days! That MW workout was hard. I am feeling nervous about how soon all of these races are. I think I am going to do the Reston 10 in 2 weeks as a training race.
We had 3 days of skiing, which is about right for us.
Reston is tempting ….
Yes, you definitely have time to train for your race- I would actually say you’re right on schedule.
I’m glad you went on your trip! I doubt your husband is still contagious, and anyway he’s not going to give anyone Covid while skiing down a mountain. It’s sounds really fun, and nice job of keeping up your Peloton streak while on vacation. I’m sure Scooby was happy to have you back and running with him again!
Yeah, we were most worried about exposing my son and daughter-in-law, but I think our timing was OK.
Happy to hear that you were able to go on your ski vacation.
Too bad our vacations were at the same time though there probably wouldn’t have been time for a meet up.
It’s tough because on our ride up we are trying to get to the ski rental place before they close, and on our ride home we are trying to get back to Scooby. Some day we should figure it out though.
Glad you could still get away Coco. It’s interesting how skiing/snowboarding are very active (sore muscles!) but similarly my heart rate doesn’t really go up- unless I’m on a really hard run!
Happy to hear you and your husband are on the mend post-Covid!
i’m too chicken to go fast/hard enough to get my HR up. My son flew by me on his snowboard and worked up a sweat!
I’m glad it all worked out for you to make the trip. I have never skied (except for a few cross-country outings), so I live vicariously through everyone else who tackles the downhills, LOL. My 10K (March 4th) will be the “start” of mile-upping for Cherry Blossom, with increases each week thereafter.
I’m so happy to see that you were able to get away. It almost feels like Covid is no big deal anymore, doesn’t it? A get away sounds perfect. I love that elevation chart, lol!
Covid still calls for caution — maybe more than we gave it — but I’m glad we were able to ski.
That’s great that you were able to go on the skiing trip! I always hear from people how exhausting it is to go skiing so interesting it didn’t push your heart rate. Skiing isn’t for me, because when I was in school we were forced to do it (cross-country skiing) whether we were able to or not so when I had a choice, I promised myself to never ski again.
Ugh. I’ve never done cross-country skiing—I think it’s an entirely different activity really. Don’t get me wrong — skiing was tiring! We all crashed at 8 pm after our second day. 😉
Glad you got to enjoy your ski vacation!
Your schedule looks totally doable, especially with 2 10 milers (just in case!). Good luck with your training. I briefly was tempted by a 10 miler in May, since I’ve never run that distance, but I don’t have the desire right now. There’s a chance we’ll be in ME, too.
I’m so glad you stuck with your plans – sounds like a few fun days of skiing. Your long-run plan looks very doable. I hope both you and your husband continue to feel good.
I have said I’m going to try skiing at some point in time. There’s a couple ski lodges not too far, but I’ve never tried it. I’m glad you got to go and I’m glad you’re all feeling better. I’m impressed that you kept your Peleton streak while away. Even when I’m using a program, I tend to do my own thing on vacation.
What a fun getaway! I’m glad Covid did not cause you to cancel it. Sounds like you’ve got plenty of time to ramp up for your races.
Glad your husband was feeling well enough and was far enough along with Covid that you were able to go on your trip. We used to take the kids out of school for a week in February when they were in elementary school to go to either New Hampshire or Vermont to ski. Fun memories!
I’m so glad you were able to go! Travel has been so iffy lately. But I am glad your husband is better and it was safe for you to do so.
I wish I was more comfortable skiing. It always seems so fun!
How cool that you keep up your core and strength training despite all the skiing!
So glad you got a bit of a break from work. I hope that it wasn’t too crazy when you got back this morning.
You’ll be ready for the Cherry Blossom!!
It’s nuts that cherry blossom is six weeks away. We seem to be six minutes from spring. Funny to see how Garmin shows your skiing vs. that I saw from Jessie a a few weeks ago and another friend this week on Strava. If I ever got back on the slopes I’d definitely have to track it, and yes also would be all about ski in/out. I’m team “hot chocolate in the lodge while friends ski” but good to be so close.
We have never skied out East. The closest we’ve been is Holiday Valley in New York. That’s about the same distance for us to drive as Boyne MI, which is where we went over the weekend – around 4 1/2 hours. I always picture the East resorts having a bit of ice. Sounds like you had great conditions! I took a look at the trail map for Okemo. It looks really nice! We have skied a resort out west that had those wind shields. So odd. It made me claustrophobic! LOL!
So glad that you are feeling better and that you were able to get away for a few days!
Also it’s crazy that the Cherry Blossom race is coming up so soon!