Skate Skiing–Want to feel like a kid again? What form of “play” do  you like best in the winter?

Skate Skiing at Bretton Woods=The way I like to “play” in the snow

About two years before I had my daughter (in 2008) I discovered the most amazing new (to me) sport. Skate Skiing! Skate Skiing is like your typical classical country skiing except much faster and much more exhilarating. Skate skiing is an “ultimate endurance sport.” I have never had any coaching (other than tips from friends and the random man who decided to ski with us one day) but my ice skating background from when I was a kid was very helpful because my body already had the muscle memory to feel the skating motion.  The skis and poles are longer than classic and the muscles that you use are DEFINITELY different (Ouch)!

During the winter going skate skiing is my perfect kind of play! I get to go and enjoy skiing with some of my best friends in one of the most incredible settings. The Bretton Woods Nordic Center sits near the base of Mount Washington and the snow grooming is perfect.  I find the trails at Bretton Woods to be absolutely magical. Snow glistening in the trees. Postcard views and “Corduroy” snow perfect for gliding. One day when I was out for a ski by myself I was definitely tracking a moose which pretty cool although I hoped that I would not encounter him later on the trails when I was going downhill.

Skis waxed and ready to “play”

Skate Skiing is excellent cross-training because it is very low impact (unless you wipe out going fast down a hill–haha!) on your joints and is a welcome break from the constant pounding of running.  Skate Skiing is a full body workout and the result=stronger quads, calves, hamstrings, arms, back, shoulders, abs . . .  well, you get the picture. I love skiing with my friends because they challenge me with their effortless graceful gliding and strength. I love to “play” follow the leader and practice matching their skating motion. Sometimes matching a friend’s motion with perfect timing and rhythm reminds me of rowing.  The rhythmic motion reminds me of following the stroke in a double oared shell, listening for the clicks, and the “shuck sound” of the oar in the oarlock and the breathing. The sounds of nordic skiing are similar– patterned breathing, the sound of the skis, gliding and pushing off of the snow and the sound of poles meeting the snow with a crunch as you propel yourself forward. The motion is quiet and beautiful while at the same time requires tremendous effort, power and strength.

For me, this music of these sports is one thing that has me hooked.

Skiing with friends and some Skida to keep my head warm.

Can you relate? What is  your favorite kind of winter “play?”

Bretton Woods features the most heavenly cross country skiing with Mount Washington serving as the amazing backdrop.

Link Love: 

Sliding on Bacon Outdoor Mom

Skaters Get There Faster Gorp.com-GEARZILLA

fasterskier.com

Learning to Skate Ski with Heidi Deitrich Mills Huff Post Healthy Living

Skinny Skis Blog

Winter Hydration: do you really know the facts?–Skate Skiing. NUUN Blog

Freeplay Magazine: Cross Training Revamped page 18

Over the weekend I completed the Team Amp Winter Wild race series. The championship event took place at Bretton Woods and was hosted by Acidotic Racing.
The weather at race time (6:30 a.m.) was an unseasonably warm 40 degrees so I decided it was time to break out my green Skirt Sport running skirt with nothing on my legs but some crazy purple patterned Smartwoolsocks. Very festive for St. Patrick’s Day.

I was super psyched too to try out my new Kahtoola Micro-spikesfor better traction on the way up the mountain (especially helpful in the mushy slush covering the mountain). I was psyched about my new “bling,” a raffle prize from the series given to me by Magrethe a fellow Kingdom Krazy since my luck in the raffle was no luck at all (more on that later).

The race began and I felt energized and strong. My calves and quads have definitely gotten a lot stronger since the series began which will definitely be helpful for my marathon this spring. The mountain was draped in an eerie fog from the warming snow. The runners at the front of the pack disappeared into the fog as they reached the summit. The strong women racers on the mountain have been inspiring at each race, so strong and determined and so fast!
The descent was exhilarating. Today the footing was a little softer and slippery allowing you to slide and glide with each foot strike. Running down the mountain I always feel like a kid, arms flailing, running free and light.

I finished the 4.25 mile course today in 38:57. A fifth place finish which put me in a 3rd place finish overall for the series! Sweet!
It was great to see all of these high energy racers every week which today included my friend Martha aka Outdoor Mom enjoying her first race on skis with skins and Kingdom Krazies too!
The only disappointment for me at these races was that I did not win any of the excellent prizes in the raffle. Wait . . . I actually did win one prize . . . my number was called so I excitedly went to the front to find that I had won some organic eggs. Not just any organic eggs, ironically they were our Pete an Gerry’s Organic Eggs the eggs that we had donated to the race as prizes. Too funny!

All in all what a great experience! We were lucky this year to have mild winter weather to make each race extra enjoyable. This race series is definitely something you should add to your race calendar next year to add a little adventure into your winter. Plus these races are extremely well run by energetic race director Chad Denning.
I can’t wait for the Western NH Trail Series also put on by Team Amp starting this spring.

Happy running and hope to see you on the trails!

Apparently mother nature is a Libra like me. One of the characteristics of a libra being “indecisive and changeable.” this weather this winter has been all over the map. Freezing rain one day, sunny and 60 he next, snowing and cold after that and so on. The variations in weather this winter have actually made this an
excellent training year. This has allowed for a lot of running, a lot of Nordic skiing, and time for making snowmen, sledding and also splashing around in rain puddles with the kids.

Snow today, Spring tomorrow! (Sustainable Athlete at Bretton Woods Nordic Center)

As they say in New England, “If you don’t like the weather wait a minute.

The fluctuating weather makes it extra hard (being a libra) to figure out what to wear pre-workout. I often end up frozen like a Popsicle or sweating like a pig.

BRRRRRR!

Hot! Hot! Hot!

But getting outside is essential for the Vitamin D and the Fresh air even if it means going for a run in a snowsuit (ha!).

2 things to remember when running in New England to deal with the weather:

1. Dress like an onion-Layer, layer, layer!

Layers for changing temps

2. KISS layering (used by hikers) which is a 4 layer system

KISS to stay warm or cool as needed

The other day we received a gift from Mother Nature, an amazing 60 degree, sunny, cloudless sky-filled day. I didn’t have a long workout planned however who can resist going outside for hours on a day like that. Plus in New Hampshire after the cold dark winter 60 feels hot and incredible!

I ended up running a fast 9.4 mile loop with my friends Jenny (and baby T in the Chariot) and Jenny in beautiful Franconia, NH.

Since I am currently following a specific training plan from my coach Denise I felt as though I might get in trouble for adding the extra miles. But, I just couldn’t help myself. Is this a true sign of a running addict?

I just had to . . . It was t-shirt and running skirt weather. Wouldn’t you???

First skirt run of the season! (March 8, 2012)

I mean just look at this day!

Perfect New Hampshire Day