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8.2 (1)

Jan25

XC Skiing for Cross Training and LOVE GROWN GIVEAWAY

Morning kids.

It was a great Canadian weekend, complete with a winter hike and some cross country skiing.

Screen Shot 2016-01-24 at 7.50.43 PM

I have had a pair of classic XC skis for a couple years now, but never learned how to use them properly. I decided that this winter was the year I was going to tackle it and I joined forces with the local varsity team last week and learned some key movements and drills. This weekend, I headed out to practice for a couple hours and am excited to get the swing of things.

Why Cross Country Skiing is Great Cross Training for Runners

I love cross country skiing in the winter because I don’t do any of my interval training outside as I don’t want to slip on ice and get injured. Cross country skiing is an awesome simulation of running that is aerobically challenging and uses just about every muscle in your body.

To properly master cross country skiing, you need to do a lot of single leg work which helps to even out imbalances that a lot of runners have, strengthens runners ankles and makes them more balanced and flexible.

The downside is that is a very technical sport and it requires snow. If you are willing to learn and live in a cold environment, amazing!

Then you need to decide whether you will chose to do Classic or Skate skiing. I chose classic because it is easier to learn and is great for trails and tracks. Skate skiing mimics skating and requires you to have access to groomed snow. It is, however, a faster form of skiing than classic.

Form tips for Cross Country Skiing

The movement of XC skiing is not innate. Classic skiing is not “walking on skis” or even “running on skis with a glide”; it’s a completely different gait. You do move your ski poles in a diagonal movement, just like walking or running, however, the actual leg movements are different.

I started without poles to make sure I had the correct movement. Some basic tips?

  • Lean forward and bend your knees, keeping your hips open.
  • Focus on your weight shift. Push off of one leg before committing weight to the other and focus on gliding. Really push down in the centre of your ski – it is how you get your grip and propulsion.
  • When you go up hills, you want to herring bone. When you go down hills, you want to snow plow.

I won’t be racing XC skis anytime soon, but it is always fun to learn a new sport.

Before I let you go, I needed to let you know about some hugely exciting news for the carb lover in me.

8.2 (1)

Love Grown Foods introduced a kids cereal line!

This past week, I gave them all a sample to see what I liked best and the chocolate lover in me certainly loved the Comet Crispies, however, if you are a fan of Fruit Loops, the Sea Stars tasted EXACTLY like them. The Polar Puffs tasted like Blueberry Vanilla which can’t be shock to anyone.

IMG_1214

Love Grown Cereals are great because they are low in sugar and made with navy, lentil, and garbanzo beans. This means they are free of genetically modified ingredients, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

I would love for you to try some of the new cereals!

Just let me know in the comments what one you most want to try and I will announce the winner next Monday!

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Filed Under: Favourites, Lifestyle, TrainingTagged With: Classic Skiing, giveaway, Jessica Kuepfer, Love Grown Foods, Review, Winter, xc skiingJanuary 25, 2016

Comments

  1. Colby says

    January 25, 2016 at 7:12 am

    Comet crispies for me!!!!

    Reply
  2. Grace says

    January 25, 2016 at 7:40 am

    Sea Stars would be a treat!

    Classic skis are such a great way to spend some time in nature in this weather, can take your mind off the cold. If you are crazy enough I know some people for you, night skiing in Schneiders bush 🙂 cannot say I’m there yet to join them but you seem to master things quickly and never shy away from a challenge!!

    Reply
  3. kathy says

    January 25, 2016 at 7:44 am

    Hi jessica
    I eat the love grown original bean blend cereal every weekday morning with berries! Delicious and good for you!

    Reply
  4. Laurie says

    January 25, 2016 at 7:47 am

    Um the Polar puffs sound actually really yummy! I have a blueberry vanilla granola I put on top of yogurt that I love! I still haven’t seen this brand in any store around me yet.

    Reply
  5. Katherine says

    January 25, 2016 at 8:34 am

    Polar puffs!!!

    Reply
  6. Bert says

    January 25, 2016 at 8:47 am

    A magical blend of all three in one bowl.

    Reply
    • lacesandlattes says

      January 25, 2016 at 9:16 am

      You know you will get that already. Saving mine for a #cerealparty.

      Reply
  7. Marc says

    January 25, 2016 at 10:27 am

    The Sea Stars doing great for me!!
    …I mean my daughter 😉

    Reply
  8. Victoria says

    January 25, 2016 at 11:24 am

    Comet Crispies! That was honestly the first thing I saw when I opened your page. I don’t think I even noticed the other two cereals haha! I, like you, am a chocolate lover 🙂

    Reply
  9. Susie says

    January 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    I would love to try the Comet Crispies! I haven’t had fruit loops since I was a kid, and I’m sure they’d bring back awesome memories. I already eat the Power Os and Super Oats most mornings, and I think these would be an awesome addition to the rotation.

    Reply
    • Susie says

      January 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Woops, I meant Sea Stars!

      Reply
  10. Alyssa says

    January 26, 2016 at 10:02 am

    Would LOVE to try the cocoa crispies. Such a fan of love grown products 🙂

    Reply
  11. Jason says

    January 26, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Sea stars please

    Reply
  12. linda says

    January 26, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    Would love to try the Chocolate Comet Chrispies.

    Reply
  13. Brittany says

    January 26, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    I’ve never been skiing, but I used to snowboard. Not well though, and I think I’d be better at skiing actually! I AM ALL about that chocolate cereal.

    Reply
  14. Heather says

    January 27, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    i’d really like to try the fruity sea starts! i loved fruity pebbles growing up, but would never buy them now 😛 love that love grown has such a great list of ingredients

    Reply
  15. David says

    January 29, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    The Comet Crispies would be my first choice. All of the varieties look good.

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    January 30, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    Love to try the polar puffs!

    Reply
  17. Ashley says

    January 31, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Polar puffs

    Reply

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MY NEXT RACE:

Seattle Half Marathon | Burlington, ON | November 2018

Hi, I'm Jessica and this is my endurance sport blog where I share my training, races and sports nutrition. New here? Feel free to learn more about me here and if you are looking for a place to start, check out my popular posts.

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