15 dedicated bounders braved some rather blustery conditions (37 degrees and wind) to have what was probably our best night ever. Both technically and physically things went up a notch. We finally found more people skiing than running with some looking quite good. Effort wise the tempo was quick and time between reps was nominal. We did the same number of reps as two weeks ago in 15 minutes less time!

I think that the group as a whole is getting much more efficient. That efficiency translates into faster recovery and therefore faster skiing. REMEMBER: Skiing is NOT about pacing. It is about the ability to recover between higher efforts. You will suck air on big uphills but can coast downhills. If you start the hill recovered you will be able to go up longer, faster and with greater efficiency. Unlike other sports, XC skiing produces a vastly greater range of heartrates. Trips to the anaerobic zone for most athletes produce greatly diminished results but in skiing, those spiky heartrates are the norm. Kind of like flooring your cars gas pedal and then coasting a lot....over and over. It might not be great for mileage but if you train yourself for it, it becomes possible.

With luck we can get some photo’s linked in soon. Watch for that. I think you will see some positive images….and if not you will look positively tired!

We head up the hill at 5:30 pm next week. Dress in layers, you only stay cool for a short time.