"Cross country skiing checks all the boxes for triathlon."
 |
| Fun fact: Cross-country skiing became an Olympic sport in 1924 in Chamonix, France |
THE STORY
It's the dead of winter in the Northern hemisphere. Days are short, weather is cold, and the roads are icy. None of it is ideal for running outdoors. Unless I want to spend the whole winter running on a treadmill indoor, I will need to equip myself with some alternative winter training.
 |
| Learning a new sport the second time |
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
In his article "Winter Sports for Triathlon Training," Sutto, the coach of Ryf (current World champion) and Spirig (Olympic gold and silver medalist), argues that cross country skiing "checks all the boxes for triathlon." It works the triceps in the arms, helps the biomechanics of acceleration, builds thigh and glutes strength, and provides a cardiovascular workout without the risk of bone stress injuries allowing longer workouts for 1hr 30min, but be aware that poor skating technique could still cause knee problems.
The "Winter Break" article in the Runners' World magazine also advocates that "a low-impact sport will go a long way toward helping runners maintain fitness in the offseason." For example, the fringe benefits of Nordic skiing include coordination, stamina, and stabilization.
 |
| Foreshadowing: Snowshoeing in the near future? |
If you're not convinced yet, here's an excerpt of the "Cross-Train Your Way Through Winter" article from the Triathlete magazine:
Have you ever watched the Olympic cross-country skiing races? Those athletes are seriously strong from head to toe, which makes sense considering cross-country skiing uses almost every major muscle in the body from the thighs and glutes to the back and abs. Cross-country skiing is an ideal cross-training activity for both running and biking, and is low-impact, highly aerobic and affordable (the average cost of rented equipment and a trail pass is $35 a day). The learning curve of cross-country skiing is initially steep, so it is recommended that you take a lesson in order to ensure you have the correct form before heading out on the trails.
Week #2
Monday: Rest. Happy Boxing Day! Day of avoiding the crowds, fueling with my favourite Acai Bowl, and hydrating with my favourite coffee.
Tuesday: Skate ski clinic, day 1. The 4-day clinic was a sold-out program. The 30 participants were divided into three groups by the initial ability observed. I got bumped up to the most advanced group, and most of them had already skied at least one season. Boy, I had to work my butt off to keep up. So many new terms: herringbone, double pole, free skate.
Wednesday: Skate ski clinic, day 2. Wet day, heavy snow. More new terms: one skate, two skate.
Thursday: Skate ski clinic, day 3. Powder day. More new terms: offset, plow.
Friday: Skate ski clinic, day 4. I got stuck in traffic and missed the class. It must've been a sign that I needed to take a remedial clinic. Skate skiing on my own without instructional breaks literally takes my breath away!
Saturday: Rest. Leg rest day. I thought of going for a swim, but I must've been fighting off an illness. I struggled so hard to stay awake but kept falling asleep like a log through the afternoon.
Sunday: Rest. Happy New Year!
Weekly Review: Another solid week of skiing, building leg strengths with some cardio thrown in there!
No comments:
Post a Comment