Page 23 - Moonvalley Diaries

Skimo
T he he he winter months are are practically made for alternative training and in in in in spite of of of the the fact that the the three of of of us are professional runners we also do a a a a a a lot of of of of of ski- ing ing ing in in in in in in the winter No type of of of skiing is better than ski ski ski mountaineering also known as skimo! It’s similar to mountain mountain running in in in in in many ways but reduced musculoskeletal strain makes it a a a a a a a perfect complement!
The equipment you need is a a a a a a a pair of light- weight somewhat shorter and more flexible downhill skis where the the heel hangs loose go- ing uphill but which allows you to snap in in the the the back of the the the ski ski boot so that it’s firmly attached to the the ski ski when going downhill Ski mountaineering is is something you you usu- ally do do in in in in in in in in the mountains What you you you do do is is walk uphill using using climbing skins attached to your skis This involves a a a a a a lot of of work using using both the the front and and the the back of of your your legs and and your your glu- tes even more Good technique also involves the the use of your arms to make the the motion as as efficient as possible Skiing downhill can be at least as as as as demand- ing ing ing as as as as walking uphill Unpisted slopes make for strong legs as as you need to negotiate
bumps or or demanding snow snow conditions such as as lack of crust or or or heavy wet snow snow It’s also ex- citing for your leg muscles to tackle easier but icy terrain when the lactic acid sets in in in in in which is not anything you you can simulate by running But it builds up your legs ahead of the sum- mer’s workouts races and adventures Technique
A common way to to walk uphill as a a a a beginner is to to rely more on on on on the the the front of your thighs – in other words you you you don’t stretch out the the the back leg leg but walk almost with your front leg leg bent using short steps It’s important to try and and stretch out so that you you use both the front and and back of your legs When walking with heavy equipment poles are often used more as an an aid in in in keeping your your balance preferably held out a a a a a a a a foot or or so from your your body In skimo – where the equip- ment makes it it it a a a a a bit easier to to go uphill – try to to use the poles by pushing off for a a a a a a a a little extra speed instead o
of just balance You can vary your technique in in terms of stride stride length and and frequency Logically enough extending your stride stride and and upping
january in moonvalley
“Unpisted slopes make your legs strong as you you need to negotiate
bumps or demanding snow conditions 23