Intentional TonicCross Country Skiing (1/25/14)
Last Thursday afternoon, I had a lesson with a cross country ski instructor, Les. When I left our house, it was 30ish, sunny, and no wind. I dressed for that kind of weather but at the last minute, threw a few extra layers in the car. Halfway to the Nordic Center, I started noticing drifts of snow across the highway that only occur in, you guessed it, high winds. By the time I got to the Nordic Center (about 7 miles away from our house), it was 20 degrees and windy. I was super glad I brought the extra layers. This gal is finally learning.
The instructor and I put on all our gear, and skied our way into the trees to get out of the wind. Talk about a fish out of water – I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing! I kept hearing it was “just like walking.” Uh huh. My only ski experience to date has involved a love/hate relationship with downhill skiing. I love the idea of it, hate the practice of it! So, I was trying to apply downhill skiing to cross country. Not exactly helpful, but I was quite happy to be out of the wind!
We worked together for two and a half hours, including when Les made me drop my poles, go uphill, and come back down. I did it, although I was skeptical, but as Les said, “you’ll be going about four miles per hour!” In other words, man up, girl! Afterwards, I was glad he had done that. Introducing the poles was another level of coordination, and we all know how good I am with that!
The last thing we did during the lesson was go through the trees down a small hill, with several turns. I watched Les and then followed. I completely “locked up” at first, having gotten some speed. On my second attempt, I made turns and kept some decent form. Not to toot my own horn, but by the end of the lesson, Les seemed impressed with how quickly I picked up the form. It doesn’t seem like rocket science, but the leg does add a level of complexity.
The whole thing was a wonderful experience: I left our house with a bit of snow on the road, but got out without another up close and personal meeting with the ditch (Ditch 2, Jen 1). I got to the Nordic Center, skied and had a blast, took Scarlett for a long walk and for a visit to the dog park, and got us back home, once again missing a dance with the ditch (Ditch 2, Jen 2). Why do I feel like I am jinxing myself??
I was very, very hopeful I would be able to say this after the experience – I LOVE CROSS COUNTRY SKIING! I have a winter sport I love! I watch the weather/snowfall for a purpose!
I went back to the Nordic Center on Saturday, and felt like I was starting from scratch! But, I went through everything Les showed me and got comfortable again. It was a beautiful day, but a bit icier than lesson day. Conditions made me practice out of the two-track in some areas.
I took the same route we went on Thursday, ending with the patch through the trees. I gave myself a pep talk, made a plan, and told myself, “I’m going to do that… and then wreck.” Ahhh, my brain. So, I talked myself right into wrecking. In my defense, conditions were a bit faster than on Thursday. As soon as I turned my skis downhill, I started sliding and wasn’t really ready yet. Then came the fear, then the adrenaline, and that, for me, equals whole-body lockup. Pure survival instinct made me move enough to miss two trees, but then this..
That track off to the left, yep, that was me
Hello tree! Thanks for catching me!
I had slowed enough to “bounce” myself off the tree, but because I went off the groomed path and into several-feet deep snow completely stopping momentum, down I went. I was not going very fast, and there was nothing dangerous, or scary (other than being up one minute and down the next).
After I recovered (mentally), I got up and made myself do it two more times. I consider this trip a success as well. Even though I took a fall, I didn’t get hurt (always my main concern), I know what I did wrong, and learned from it. As I write this, we have another three inches of fresh snow (and more falling), and I’m planning my next trip to the Nordic Center! I have to get good enough to go other places (West Fork, Lake Fork, Silver Run) so Scarlett can come and get worn out! I think for now, she’s pretty happy with the deal we have going with the follow-up long walk and dog park visit.
But, when can we ski together?
Oh, Scarlett, you’re always ten steps ahead of me!
Keep up the good work! You’ve got more than me!
Woo-hoo, Jen!