Getting my cross training on!

My training this winter is definitely different then what I did last year. Last year I did zero cross training, and was already doing my first bike race at the end of January! Unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to go anyplace warm this winter (boo!), which means I have to suck it up and get used to training in cold weather.

The good news is that I'm able to get a full winter of strength training in with Jason. Last winter I was on my own and I will be the first to admit that I slacked off a ton in this department. Basically my training consisted of me doing a plank for ten seconds in front of the TV and calling it good.

This year there is no slacking going on!!! Just look at those monstrous arm muscles...

Even though I would rather be riding my bike, I still had a really great weekend. There was finally enough snow for Scott and I to go xc skiing. I bought a set of xc skis about 5 years ago, but probably have only been out 15 times total. Therefore I have a lot to learn!

The first day we went out to a pigeon creek and skied for about 2 hours. I always forget how much fun xc skiing is-and such a good workout! My legs were toast afterwards....

Great action shot, right? Not so sure what I'm doing in this photo :-)

Incidentally it was also our 5 year anniversary. The best 5 years of Scott's life (ha ha!)
The next day I was scheduled to do 5 hours of any sort of cardio. Sadly I failed miserably at this. We woke up really early with the best intentions and drove up to Crystal Mountain for more xc skiing. My legs were a little sore but my ankles and hands were a wreck. Clearly my ergon grips have made my hands WAY too soft (I guess I need callouses for winter), as I was developing blisters on my thumbs and palms from my ski poles. And to make matters worse my ski boots were giving me blisters on my ankles! I had to keep reminding myself that two years ago I did a bike race on the same trails with a broken clavicle. Suck it up buttercup, right???

First we hit the flat sections and got a good 1.5 hours of non-stop skiing in. There was a lot more snow up North and the trails were groomed and in good condition.

Here I am having a Powerbar moment. All I have to say is hurray for them bringing the cola flavored gel blasts back!!!

After a quick lunch we hit the intermediate trails and this is where I started to fall apart. The uphills were fine, but I think I need a reverse-ski-lift for downhills. Seriously. Anytime there was a downhill with a turn I would go shooting off into the woods until a tree stopped me!

It brought back many memories of my first year of mountain biking. I can't even tell you how many countless hours Scott spent waiting for me in the woods while I was crying on the ground or pulling myself out of a ravine. Ha!

Anyways, at one point Scott was yelling, "shake it off," but I thought he was telling me to "take it off." So I actually took my skis off, and then proceeded to drop one. Watching my ski slide down the hill without me was definitely frustrating...but also really funny!

We ended up getting a little over 3 hours in, and then had to head home so that I could go to work. Initially I wanted to get 5 hours in, but I'm sore enough after 3. I think I would be immobile for a week if I had done 5.

Now it's back to the bike for more tempo intervals. However, if the snow stays I'm planning on skiing again next weekend. I really wish I could get skate skis, but I don't need another expensive sport :-)