How to train for cross country ski racing

Strong like Bull: Specific Strength Training

6/7/2010 - By Andrew Gerlach

Elite, recreational and novice skiers alike can increase their enjoyment and performance this winter by working on ski specific upper-body strength and strength endurance.

Fit to Ski - Nutritional Concerns

5/28/2010 - By Bob Morrel - FIS Medical Committee

Proper nutrition has a direct impact on athletic performance both in training and competition. In an easy-to-use ABC format, this article lists simple steps for skiers to maximize their nutritional preparation and knowledge.

Max VO2 intervals: Timing the length?

4/30/2010 - By Bryan Fish

What are Max VO2 intervals? What should be the duration of each interval, and why? Should I start out hard, or ramp up during the interval?

Pancakes Pancakes

4/15/2010 - By Chad Giese

Now is the time of the year when you are most in touch with how the season went. Don't let the weeks go by before you start to forget just how painful it was to bonk at this race, or get beat by your buddy at that race...

How to Maximize Training for the Part-Time Skier

12/8/2009 - By Scott Loomis and Andy Gerlach

Most of us "Master Skiers" have very little time for any sort of structured ski training. In fact, I feel that I have had a good week if I can squeeze in three to five workouts.

Coaches Corner: Focus on specific strength

12/6/2009 - By CXC Skiing

Easy Week. We will continue focus on specific strength in this week. Specific strength is series of dynamic and functional exercises that will develop the muscles and motions you use when cross country skiing.

Coaching Corner: Hard Week

12/3/2009 - By CXC Academy

This our first week with the focus on specific strength. Specific strength is series of dynamic and functional exercises that will develop the muscles and motions you use when cross country skiing.

Understanding and using training levels: Level 4

11/25/2009 - By Justin Freeman

The goal of level four training is straightforward: by skiing at the same pace and effort you race at, you get better at racing. But there is a downside...

Understanding and using training levels: Level 3

11/24/2009 - By Justin Freeman

Physiologically, the major goal of level three training is to improve lactate threshold.

Understanding and using training levels: Level 5

11/20/2009 - By Justin Freeman

The goal of level five training defined this way is mostly neuromuscular. By training at a pace somewhat faster than race pace, but where you can still work for some time with consistent technique, you improve your efficiency at and above race pace.

Understanding and using training levels: Levels 1 and 2

11/19/2009 - By Justin Freeman

Skiers talk a lot about training levels, usually numbering them one through five, but, if my experience over the past decade and a half is any indication, truly understanding when and how to use the various levels is rare.

Calculating training load

8/19/2009 - By CXC Skiing

From the Coach's Corner at CXC Skiing: How to calculate training load.