Weekly training on Snow

Living in Belgium is no advantage to learning cross-country skiing. The number of days a year we can cross-country ski here can usually be counted on two hands. And even then, most trails are not, or not really well-tracked. But luckily, we also have indoor ski slopes.

My roller ski instructor is also active in a club in the Netherlands: "Nordic Sports 4 All". In this association, all kinds of Nordic sports are done, including weekly XC skiing in the indoor ski hall SnowWorld in Landgraaf. Since 1 September, I have also joined this club. Getting up early on Sundays is sometimes a challenge. At 5:50, the alarm clock rings. I always made sure all the equipment is loaded in the car the night before. Breakfast in the car on the way to Landgraaf. Lessons start at 7:30. The lessons are in a system of 3 weeks of training on skating technique, followed by a week of classic style. This is also how I learned skating technique. And I must agree, I like it a lot. The training sessions consist of stretches of endurance running, intervals, and pure techniques, under the expert guidance of Maurice and Harry. Once a month, against time, we run all the way up the slope with "op naar de top". After the lesson, we always get together for coffee and chat about cross-country skiing, travel and sports. I felt completely at home after only 2 lessons and enjoyed the weekly training and being together with these nice people. And I learned a lot in preparation for the Vasaloppet. Leo, a worldloppet master, has done Vasaloppet multiple times. As well as Resi, who also finished 3 other marathons this season. She’s also on track to become a worldloppet master. Nina prepared for and finished the Vasaloppet this year. And finally Maurice and Harry have finished multiple marathons over de last years. All of them like to share their experiences and insights.

On Sunday, 30 March, we already had the last training of the season, with the finale of "op naar de top". I still have a lot of steps to take to get to the front of the pack. But on the other hand, with 6:32 this season, I have made progress of 1:17 at the same distance. So technique and fitness have improved.

But above all, I would like to thank Maurice, Harry and Tiny, Pierre and Mia, Bas and Nina, Mart and Resi, Huub and Els, Richard and Desiree, Leo, Louis and Ton for the warm welcome, the fine lessons, the nice chats and the many experiences shared. I am already looking forward to the start in September. But we will definitely meet on the roller skis this summer.

For me personally, the season is not ending yet. I am eagerly awaiting to go to Austria this Saturday. A week of Cross-country and Alpine skiing. And after cancelling the Koasalauf in St Johan in Tirol to run my alternative version in Warth.