Back from the cold...

[Abraham]

Some of you may have missed me on this forum, for better or for worse.

I've been on winter holidays, more exactly I've training and taking part in the Engadin Ski Marathon. This is a yearly 42 km cross country marathon in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.
Although I am an experienced "Langlaufer" and participated for the 11th time, things were different this year.
The night before the Marathon a cold front moved in, so the temperature at the start (12-03, 09:00) went down to - 12 C. and hardly got any higher during the event. Furthermore, there was a strong headwind blowing (Bf. 5) wich created a windchill and blew snow particles in the faces of the 11.000 participants. Temperature sensed like - 22 C.
In the second half of the race I ran out of strength, I couldn't focus anymore in the distance and my toes and fingers started to freeze. One out of ten of the participants gave up during the race. I did finish, but only barely and got a mild idea of what Scott and Admundson must have gone through on their way to the Pole.
My time was a new personal record; the worst time ever. But who cares, at my age...
:-?
Next year I'll do better.

P.S. Some of my fingertips are still completely insensitive. This may reflect on my postings.
:D

[Sixpack]

Welcome back, Bram :up: I wondered what kept you.

Anyway, I kept a close eye on this forum while you were maxing in the snow.

[Sixpack]

Welcome back, Bram :up: I wondered what kept you.

Anyway, I kept a close eye on this forum while you were maxing in the snow.

[Skybird]

Next time you do 42 km, try inline skates. Makes you go faster.

Also is not so cold and exhausting :smug:

[Happy Times]

Abe does cross country! Your an honorary Finn in my book. :up:

[Abraham]

@ Sixpack:
Thanks for keeping an eye on the forum. I knew we Dutchies could rely on one another.
Thanks for keeping an eye on the forum. I knew we Dutchies could rely on one another.
:)

@ Skybird:
Inline skating is for Yankees, skating for Dutchies. But life is never a smooth field.
Gimme classic or freestyle langlaufen. At least you can conquer the hills on your path.
By the way, nice avatar you've got in the meantime. Better than that old sailors face with the Nazi cap...
:lol:

@ Happy Times
I like that.
Next autumn I might go to Finland with a group to do some early snow training near the Polar Circle. Ive been told that you Finns even made an artificial snow loipe in case it's not cold enough up there...
(Will be quite a contrast with Israël, where I'll have to be in August or early September...)
:D

[Sailor Steve]

Who are you?


You talk like you used to be a regular here. I don't remember.



Oh, yeah; that's 'cause I'm getting old.




Welcome back, Abe.

[August]

Glad to see you back Abe.

[porphy]

Good effort Abe :up:
Wind and cold combined with hard physical work can really drain a person quick. Not to mention the frostnip you brought home as well. :-?
Reminds me of coming back from moutainering in Peru this summer. The tip of two toes took about 3 weeks to recover. Now they are ready for Khan Tengri this summer...
Ever thought about doing the swedish race Vasaloppet over 90km? I haven't done it yet. :-j http://www.sweden.se/templates/cs/Article____11166.aspx

Cheers Porphy

[Happy Times]

I like that.
Next autumn I might go to Finland with a group to do some early snow training near the Polar Circle. Ive been told that you Finns even made an artificial snow loipe in case it's not cold enough up there...
(Will be quite a contrast with Israël, where I'll have to be in August or early September...)
Grin They sure do and you can even come in the summer, we have ski tubes were you can ski year around. Im going with my friends to one cross country ski center this month, but this time to test curling. :D

[Torplexed]

Welcome back! Wondered where you had gone. Next time be sure to drink your Swiss Miss. You won't be so cold. :sunny: Nothing quite like faux Swiss powdered hydrogenated cocoa to hit the spot!

http://www.price-club.co.jp/cgi-bin/tkxdoc/goods_img/Swiss%20Miss%20Rich%20Chocolate%20L.jpg

[Iceman]

Thank....that ya still got your fingers and toes huh?....Welcome back buddy was wondering about ya just ducking out like that.Good to get away from the computer huh? Sounds like a coooool time.

[STEED]

Abraham no time for a beer :P welcome back

[Abraham]

I'm really amazed by the amount of friendly responses I got on my little "back to the forum" message. It just shows what a great place subsim.com is.

When I saw that Torplexed had reacted I first feared a cartoon of an exausted moderator on ski's with a Captain's Cap, but I escaped such humiliation.
:-?
And Iceman, that frostbite is nothing serious. At the moment only the tip of my (right) middlefinger is still a bit insensitive. But since I was raised as a decent boy, I'm not using that finger too often anyway...
:D

Good to be back with all of you again!