Audrey Weber Cross-Country Skier: Reindeer, recovery and rednecks

This morning, just as we were getting ready to go out skiing, it started to snow. Thankfully, I hadn't kick waxed yet, because we put on Rode violet klister and covered with super blue. It kept snowing throughout the duration of our 2 hour ski. Now the ground that isn't ski trail actually looks wintery, which makes this whole situation look more natural.

Check out this webcam, click on the one for "Ounasvaara." This is the cross-country stadium where they are blowing snow, but you can also see the snow from this morning. The early snow track ends just over the bridge on the right. Check it before 9AM CST, or else it will be dark.

On another note, this place is awesome! Yesterday we skated in the morning, which kind of rocked me, being my first skate on snow for the year. I needed to rest my balancing muscles, so we went jogging in the afternoon/evening (it being dark at 4PM). We used the fully lit gravel trails around Santa Sport, so it was a great run. I saw my first reindeer on the trail!

After, I hit the pool, and this just made my day. Nick was the only guy who joined me, after the others found out that it was requisite to wear a speedo, and the gym would gladly loan you one in case you forgot yours. Hilarious! I also find it completely amusing that, unlike my gym at home, where you are required to wear a suit or towel in the sauna, here suits and towels are strictly prohibited in the sauna. Welcome to Europe!

I think the reason that Europeans are so fast at ski racing is because they have this recovery thing totally figured out. Half of the lap pool was reserved specifically for my favorite recovery activity, aqua jogging (I seriously love it). Ever since my college running days, I have found that cycling your legs under water makes your muscles feel really great. Next, I indulged in a contrast bath using the hot and cold tubs. The hot tub could have been hotter, but the cold tub made for one of the more leg numbing ice baths I've ever experienced. Finally, I stood under a back and should massaging pressurized waterfall. Today I'm going to try out the wicked hot sauna.