Matt  Erlenbusch
Triathlon, United States

Powerblog

Skate love

Right now I'm skate skiing as much as possible before winter passes.  I am also putting in bike training miles for this summer's mountain bike race season.  I'm completely infatuated with skate skiing way more than my long-term relationship with the bike.  Is it just the excitement of a new sport versus the long haul I've had with biking?  Too early to tell probably. Nor is it a fair winter contest when much of my biking is done on the indoor trainer.  Skating is going to win every time!

Here is a youTube clip of skate skiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARRFYgVNl8

This is my second year really getting into it.  I am enjoying seeking the rhythm of it.  When I began last year my energy was very devoted to executing some sort of technique.  This year the technique feels more "wired in" and I find my attention seeking efficiency.  The more I ski, I am also humbled on how never-ending the path towards efficiency is.  As much as flow is tossed around as a descriptor of all things effortless, it's a decent way to describe what I chase in skating.  Even though my skating is far from effortless (my heart rate regularly hits the 150's!)  

I find it an excellent activity to become oriented to my core, and synchronize the force of my core to the sports rhythm.  So many sports have this same element within them (surfing, snowboarding/skiing, swimming, mountain biking, martial arts, running, etc), but it seems especially accessible during skate skiing.  When skiing I try to tune into finding the most efficient and natural placement of my weight and balance while avoiding "forcing" movements.  This translates into using more core power.  I've already noticed a difference in my cycling efficiency and power, something I attribute to my skate ski cross training.  I like!

No doubt summer will find me infatuated with biking again but until then I'm just fine.

Posted By:Matt Erlenbusch On 24 Mar 2010 AT 22:27 | 0 COMMENTS
Topics: General

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LOCATION

Oregon, United States

NETWORKS

Triathlon, Athletes/Active Lifestyle

ABOUT ME

BS in biology, MS in exercise science, BS in nutrition/dietetics, Registered Dietitian. 10…MORE