So, that means that for only TWO months this year did the athletes go without real, actual skiing -- on snow; without wheels. Can you say LUCKY???!
While the vast range of off-snow conditioning techniques afforded to cross country skiers certainly are crucial and have their advantages, the importance of skiing on snow simply can't be overstated. I mean, you have to run to be able to run, right? Well, same idea here. Specificity is key! So, needless to say, our athletes have been hugely fortunate this year to have had such an extended spring (and summer!) ski season, and now to be on snow again in early October. I think it's safe to say that the majority of juniors in the United States have not had a similar opportunity.
Who knows what will happen next, and how long the white stuff will stick around, so we're certainly not out of dryland training mode just yet. Nonetheless, the first snow is always exciting, and even more so is the first ski -- especially when it comes so early. Thursday's workout was simply a reminder of how much we love our sport -- a little teaser of what is yet to come. While we made our own tracks, and undoubtedly showed that it is tough to have good technique while tromping through two feet of fresh powder, we got out there, and we did our sport in its purest form; no modified version. We did what we love. And we had a blast!
Regardless of what the weather Gods have in store for us, we're prepped and ready to continue working hard and fine-tuning our bodies as we draw nearer and nearer to performance time. And now, more than ever, we are totally psyched up for the season ahead!
--Coach Kara
(A belated photo of Brandon and Julien post-Boca-double-pole-TT)
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