Fifty Plus (50+) - OT, XC skating is hard !

Skated both saturday and today, I had forgotten how tough a workout a longer skate session is. The snow wasn't fast and that makes it even harder especially uphill. If I can pace myself well (not go too hard) I think it is a great way to build stamina for next summers cycling.
Brought my Edge 705 today:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64779417

I bet your right! I find skating harder than cycling.

plodderslusk wrote:
Skated both saturday and today, I had forgotten how tough a workout a longer skate session is.

Yes, skating is quite a workout.... but even more fun at 9,500ft / 2900m :eek:

I skated 20km Thursday at Gold Run Nordic in Breckenridge (9,500ft) .... My 33rd ski
day this season. Breckenridge has received over 300in / 760cm of snow so far this season.

Today (Friday), the temperature in Denver (5,500ft / 1675m) is going to be 60F /15.5C so I'm driving an hour down for an afternoon of cycling and no snow, and then it's back to skiing on Saturday. Tom
http://www.yostwerks.com/GoldRunTom1.jpg

As nice as the weather is, it's still too early for kayaking :p
http://www.yostwerks.com/StruerA6.jpg

Here's a pic from Friday's ride. Guess I was wrong about no kayaking, especially considering that this lake was frozen over last week. I'll have to add paddling to next weeks schedule, weather permitting.
http://www.yostwerks.com/Bike28Jan11B.jpg

Red Rocks.... a few miles from the lake
http://www.yostwerks.com/Bike28Jan11C.jpg

I'm confused. Is XC skating the same thing as cross country skiing? It does look hard, but I think I would really enjoy it if I lived somewhere with the conditions for it. The scenery must be spectacular!

That is just plain cruel! I'll be skiing backwoods and MTN bike on studded tires in 20F if I am lucky. But hey, snow is good.

Enjoy,

Lee

Question on skating, does the snow have to be groomed for you to be able to skate? Or can you do it on ungroomed, untracked, fresh snow?

I'm confused. Is XC skating the same thing as cross country skiing? It does look hard, but I think I would really enjoy it if I lived somewhere with the conditions for it. The scenery must be spectacular!

XC ski skating - imagine skating around an ice ring with ice skates using long strokes - or roller blading in the summer.

Put on some special skis and use a groomed trail and it is gorgeous to watch. I have never done it, but get passed by the ski skaters when I XC skiing in places like Fraseer Nordic Center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brGZlZkCwyk

Below is a pic of a groomed trail for freestyle / skating on the left and machined tracks for classis / diagonal stride on the right. Both are forms of cross country skiing. Classic skiing is not limited to the track, as it's the basis of backcountry skiing.

The skis and boots for each style are a bit different, and classic skis are waxed in the center section for grip and the tips/ tails are waxed for glide. Skate skis are waxed along their entire length for glide as no kicker wax is required since the inside edge of the skate skis provide the kick.

There are several techniques used for skating, as well as classic. The techniques used depend on the conditions enountered such as climbing, descending, and snow conditions. Below is a short video showing a skating competitor climbing using 3 techniques .... V2 , V1, and V2 alternate once over the top. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duA2q2s2-38&NR=1

Frisco Nordic Center
http://www.yostwerks.com/NF1.jpg

Skating can be done year round by using rollerskis. Rollerskis for classic are similar, but are ratcheted to provide kick.
Here's a good rollerski skate video ... Good music to boot ! He starts with V2 ( pole with every kick), then to
V2 alternate ( Pole every other kick which is the most commonly used technique), and then to double poling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0yHq-zfniM&feature=related

Multi-tasking at Bear Creek Lake Park
http://www.yostwerks.com/StatePark7A.jpg

Yep, skate skiing is hard. As is classic skiing, if you do it right. World class XC ski racers are widely considered to be the fittest athletes on earth, and with good reason. Go to youtube and do a search on World Cup XC - it will blow you away.

SP
Bend, OR