Sunday, August 2, 2009

How to Feel Less Fatigued When Skiing

I came across the following question while reading online on Wellsphere:

I just returned from skiing with some buds who never train physically. We would walk up stairs and they would be winded while I could just keep going. Why then, do they just fly down the hills and I struggle??? I have been skiing for 10 years and have taken many a private lesson. I have completed 2 iron-man triathlons, train physically 3-4 times per week and noticed that while I am skiing, my feet are sore. Super sore the next day. This is not from my boots as they are custom Sure Foot boots, but more that my intrinsic foot muscles, calves and quads are just beat!... I am obviously over working myself as I ski and am getting frustrated. I have great balance and feel that I am just working too hard.

Does this sound like you? Well, how about some SkiBlog-SkiBlog advice...

Any time you feel fatigued, no matter what sport, the reason is due to the muscles. Your muscles are what you use to move. Your muscles get tired. Why? All the chemicals in your body that produce the muscle contractions come out of balance.

The answer....steroids. No just kidding (seriously). Actually, time and rest will put your body's chemicals back in equilibrium to make you feel less tired.

To prevent this problem, try standing up a little bit straighter when you ski. This puts more of your weight and external forces on your skeleton and bones, which are designed to support weight. When this happens, less of the force is supported by your muscles. When you lift weights, which is easier and makes you less tired - 100 pound weights or the 10 pounders? Same idea.

So, stand up straighter to last longer on the slopes. Additionally, make sure you are getting enough carbohydrates, sugar, electrolytes, and water (the body's chemicals) while on the slopes. Breaks in between runs or halfway through a run will help too. Ultimately, building these skiing muscles through actual skiing or training are the best long-term solution to skiing fatigue.

Oh, and you have sore feet? Welcome to skiing.