Inconspicuous George

What’s in a number? A lot if you are a Birkie skier. Ten seconds a kilometer does not sound like a lot but it makes an Elite wave skier out of a first wave skier. I believe anyone can ski 10 sec/km faster by doing one simple thing.

LOOK UP

If you look at the best skiers they invariably are looking down the trail. It does a lot actually. In the simplest sense it opens up your windpipe, you get more air. Technically you tend to “follow” your eyes which puts more weight forward and over the gliding ski, you carry your speed better and longer. Tactically having your head up makes you conscious of what is coming. If you are traversing a flattish section and you see Bitch Hill coming you might want to save your arms a little. Watching others ahead gives you an idea of what’s coming…and who to avoid! On downhill’s looking farther out is critical. At 40kph things are happening fast. If you have a few seconds to react you stand a much better chance of being a non-event than a good chuckle for spectators. If nothing else you will look better in the photos and say what you want, looking fast is better than being fast. I always ski better when people are watching.

There you go. Eight and one half minutes absolutely free. As you cruise up Main Street think about having to go back a couple k’s on the lake. Yea, that would be fun.

Things went well last night. As Steve’s HRM shows it was not too easy. Lots of good things coming together. I predict good things at the Birkie.
The Stump Farm Classic is on for this Sat. See http://www.ashwaubenon.k12.wi.us/NewFiles/pdfs/hs/athletics/ski/2009%20Stump%20Farm%20Entry%20Form.pdf for the entry and info.

The snow is still there but icy. I think we will get it back but what a weird way to go. The good news is that from here on out it is mostly a taper anyway so no need to panic. We have our Birkie Wax Clinic Tonight at 7:00pm. We talk Fluor’s and more. Wax can give you another 10 sec or more per km. I’ll take anything. Speaking of numbers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiY_QxjsgN0 this always was good for a couple seconds.

Nice night. We will wrap up the year with a softer workout next year and some goal setting. We have 34 more skiing days, get out and enjoy them.