With my little battered wing I’ve had a lot of time to do a majority of my training on foot.  Not that I mind.  I really do like running…quite a bit.  So while we’ve been coaxing my bicep tendon into staying attached to the rest of my arm  I’ve been running in circles.  Lots and lots of circles.

A little bounding.  A little track session.  (a painfully flat two miles followed by my body hitting total failure 400 after 400meter repeat)  My hamstrings are remembering what it feels like to move quickly.  A little more spring in my stride.  I could get used to this.

Last week when I was running up into Henry’s Woods I got to thinking.  What goes through my mind during running intervals and what goes through my mind during skiing intervals are very, very different.  I suppose it makes sense, I’ve been running for a much larger part of my life.   When I run I pick the best line.  The fastest way to get around the course.  to get down the trail.  I listen to my breathing.  My cadence.  My foot strike.  Making my stride efficient based on the terrain.  Pump my arms.  Relax my shoulders.  Lean forward.  Easy gait.  Its natural.  and I find my self focused and finely tuned.

…what goes through my mind when I ski?

“WWWWWEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee!”

followed quickly by, “Please don’t fall down. Don’t fall down. don’t fall down!”

Its an interesting contrast.  But it makes me think.  Often times I’ve had coaches say, “with practice you won’t have to think about all these technique things when you ski”  But i think thats wrong.  With time I hope my skiing mimics my running more and more.  When I can reel in the seconds, and use all my focus to excel.