Waxing with a Respirator 

Hello,

I've read some things recently about the dangers of ski waxing. Most recommendations say work in a well ventilated area and use a respirator. I was wondering if you have any recommendations on the type of respirator to use. Obviously a cheap cloth mask is not gonna cut it, but there is a long list of various respirator types for varying pollutants. Do you know of any respirators that protect from the particular dangers of ski wax?

Thanks,

D

First, it is always important to work in a well ventilated area, ideally one that has exhaust fans and a fresh air supply. Next, never expose waxes of any type, especially flourocarbon and fluorinated hydrocarbon waxes to open flames. This means no open flames, period, torch, heat guns, space heaters, fire places, ect. There is a chemical danger associated with flourocarbon waxes when they are overheated. Having said that, when used properly and within the recommended ironing temperatures, Swix waxes will not breakdown and become harmful.

If you are doing a lot of waxing and feel that your exposure amount to waxing is extensive, Swix recommends using a respirator mask. It should be a cartridge type for filtering organic vapors. During my time with the US Ski Team as the Head Wax Technician, I used a full face forced air respirator unit. It was battery powered and came with removable cartridges and a fully enclosed face mask. Ok, I am not waxing as many skis now as I was with the USST, which was basically every day from the beginning of November to the end of March, but I still use a full mask cartridge unit that is not battery powered. For some more information, you can visit the following link, swix-nordic-racing-manual  This is Swix's Nordic racing maual for the 2010-2011 season. There are many useful topics in this manual on waxing, base structuring and safety recommendations from Swix. I hope you have a great winter and hope to see you on the snow.

Best Regards,

Chris Hall Swix Nordic  Racing Director

Have  your waxing question answered by Chris Hall at the West Yellowstone Ski Festival Swix Wax Clinic Wednesday Nov 23 7pm

I was amazed at the activity level in this peloton; what actually went on besides running. Tightly packed, many were engaged in hefty, loud, highly animated conversations, while others were exuberantly celebrating the marathon screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs while moving as much in every direction as forward. Being in a culture where awareness of personal space, or consideration whatsoever, is reserved for a faint few did of course add to this picture. Some wore costumes; the most noticeable were the groups of classic Hellenic warriors with helmets, breast-plates, shields, spears and all. Although fully expecting massive show-boating through the streets of Athens, these scenes with 41K to go suggested this would be a long day under the hot sun for many.

A quick assessment of the situation made me join the brave folks taking alternate routes around the masses. It was stop and go, zigzagging, onto the rock and concrete sidewalk, down on the road again for a few feet, in the borrow-pits and ditches, cross-country dodging trees, culverts, spectators, traffic furniture and everything else, back into the crowd... This action, especially the vertical leaps and impacts, would be a wicked expensive toll on the legs, but clearly a calculated opportunity cost. I found it worth risking premature leg fatigue and a few very slow final miles rather than adding hours to my time stuck where I was. The congestion eventually started to loosen up although there were intermittent solid road-blocks up to the 10 mile mark and crowded well beyond that.

The half marathon point was passed in fine form with 6 more miles of uphills ahead. Knowing "Bitch Hill," "Heartbreak Hill" and the alike, it is common for marathon courses to save the best for last, and reaching the highest point was a memorable climb. I worked hard up the final hills, but felt fine and kept passing people. The last 7 miles were wide boulevards, flat and downhill, and perfect for good finishing speed. My legs turned to concrete cylinders once starting to go down and I was happy to bring them forward a step at the time at low heart rate. Pushing hard would have been painful and unproductive; riding on the energy from the enthusiastic crowds was just the opposite. Everything went nuts approaching the finish in the historic Panathenaic Stadium. Wild crowds celebrating culmination of the 2,500^th anniversary marathon hyped by deafening sounds of Zorba and Mikis Theodorakis met us in the gardens and entering the track. This moment alone was worth the run and all the travels and everything else going into this project, and thanks to Pheidippides who go the whole thing started.

My watch read 3:17:45, 26.37 miles at an average pace of 7:28 min/mi, gaining 1,146 ft with heart rate of 136 bpm and 170 strides/min. This was truly a memorable day in my athletic life which may even have sparked the interest in running and trying another marathon. Thanks to everyone who supported and motivated me in this effort, including PowerBar, Rossignol, the Sun Valley Masters and all my friends in US skiing, as well as the Durance Cycling Team and my Idaho riding buddies. Special thanks go to Darlene who also ran the race and signed me up in the first place.

Jon Engen - www.xcskicoach.com
Master Skier, 3-time Winter Olympian & Enthusiastic Athlete

thenordiclink.com

Kick off your ski season with area's top coaches helping you improve your skills. A remarkable collection of coaching talent including former Nordic Olympian Sarah Konrad and top area coaches will assemble for the 2-day instructional camp to take place Friday evening at Ski Haus, and Saturday at The Lake Catamount Touring Center and Sunday at Steamboat Ski Touring Center

The Camp caters to all ability levels: true beginner to advanced and race oriented. Clinic groups are divided by ability and group size is small so that participants can get the most from their coach. Thanks to Ski Haus, 10/11 Nordic ski equipment will be available to demo at the "try before you buy" demo tents: Fischer, Salomon, Rossignol, Atomic, SWIX, Toko, Madshus representatives will be on hand with equipment and information to assist you. Last but not least, hearty lunches, happy hour, great prizes and fun camaraderie add to this "not to be missed" Nordic event. For more information and to register: thenordiclink.com
Early registration fees are $165 for two days and $100 for one day through Dec. 4th. Register online at Active.com or in person at Ski Haus. Sign up early, this camp will fill up.