Skied Again

Martha Kennedy 10 Comments

Some people don’t consider Cross Country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, to be skiing. That’s OK with me. I’ve seen guys strap skins on their down hill skis, climb up a mountain, take off the skins and ski down, and I mean a big mountain. That was 30+ years ago and now the two sports have moved closer together. I know that from the skis I just bought. Like downhill skis, they are “cut in” on the sides and they are comparatively short. They are different, as I’m learning from taking them out, twice now. I can tell from the few little knolls I’ve skied down that they would really like more hills than my golf course offers, but I had to tell them, “Guys, listen. I don’t really remember how to turn.”

“Sure you do,” they said, “just keep at it.”

They’re probably right.

Maybe what I should worry about is having conversations with my skis.

I had the golf-course to myself. Someone was there this morning — the skater guy, I think, from the tracks. In the meantime — night before last — we had a sweet fluff of light snow. It was followed by a warm temps (40 F/4C) yesterday and a bitter wind, bitter enough to make slanted icicles as the day cooled and the melted snow on the roof-lines froze.

I knew this morning I wanted to get out there, but I waited to see what was going to happen with the temperature. If it got to freezing — or a little above, I would go. I knew there would be a crust of ice under drifts, and in shady spots, it was kind of icy, but, overall, I’ve skied on much worse.

I fell — that’s the best thing that happened. I found out that I can get up from a fall and how I would do it. There are a couple of positions I’m not supposed to get myself into, and one of them could be the result of getting up from a fall. It was wonderful to know I can get up.

It was a dazzling blue-sky day. Not many animal tracks and no sign of “my” deer, so I didn’t feel so guilty about having walked the dogs at the high school before going out to “our” place.

10 thoughts on “Skied Again”

  1. “If you walk, just walk. If you sit, just sit; but whatever you do, don’t wobble.” I think you’re doing OK, Martha.

  2. My cousin Roberta was a big cross-country skiier and she really wanted to get me into it. At the time, though, I was living in Israel — not famous for ski trails. By the time I came back … and finally moved up to New England where skiing is possible, I was in my late 40s and more into riding than skiing. It also took a couple of years before I got re-used to the cold! I really enjoy hearing you talk about it, though, because you make it sound like something a normal person can do.

    • I think most people can do it. And you get better with practice. Lessons are a good place to start because it feels weird at first. It’s easier on the joints than walking, and it’s stellar aerobic exercise. But most of all, it gets a person out into the beautiful world of winter. ❤

  3. Yaaaaay go you! I am really happy to hear you’re up and skiing again!! ❤

    I thought that cross country skiing is harder than downhill skiing…or at least more cardio. I hope you keep having a fantastic winter in the snow.

    • ❤ Thank you. I'm so happy. On this very day last year I made my first visit to an orthopedic surgeon. It was a disaster. I didn't know when or who or how at that point, or if I'd ever do anything I loved again.

      I think both kinds of skiing are great, but I think Cross Country is better exercise and more fun. You can really go anywhere once you're good enough. I love them both, but this is the kind of skiing I know I can do and I love my skis and the snow is great.

  4. It’s called “langlauf” here and is very popular. We have popular annual events, especially the Engadiner, where hundreds take part, available for everyone if you enter. Of course it is the so-called profis that win, but I am sure it is fun. It might not be as spectacular as the alpine, but also a sport worthy of its recognition.

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