Sounds great on the fells today, Ken. Where did you hike?

I revive tired muscles with the cold water immersion treatment and ten minutes elevated legs (no rude comments, please!) After the hot shower, I direct the nozzle onto the legs and gradually decrease the temperature til it’s cold.

Works wonders after a day on the slopes. Funny, but last year I went for a massage in the hotel after a long day on the slopes - thinking that would be excellent treatment instead of the ‘ouch’ icy water - but next day the muscles were really tight and sore. So it was back to the cold water regime.

Have fun in Tremblant, Ken. Please do report back. Oh, and would you collect some food/drink prices for us please!  Cheers.

Wendy

I’ve not left yet! Went up Lord’s Seat, Broom Fell and Barf from Whinlatter. Lot of packed ice & a bit iffy for an easy walk.
You can put your legs where you like. they are yours after all. Not sure about this cold water immersion bit. maybe I’m getting a bit soft in my dotage. I accept what you say though. I use hot water to disperse lactic acid by dilating veins and arteries. ~Cold water shuts them down although the gradual bit make common sense. I’m fortunate (or stupid) in that I had one of these walk in showers with wall jets installed. A bit on the expensive side but with two jets on your calves and the other two on your shoulders is bliss. A very easy way to spend 30 mins in there. I have yet to organise the spot for the wine and beer. Better cut a hole in the screen. The bad news is that the dogs like this as well so it is a shower for three.

The bit about massage makes sense. I’ve tried this a couple of times and found the same as you although I suspect that the muscles are just plain knackered so a days rest is needed. Same principle applies but with a difference. After massage it is a couple of glasses of wine, a hot fire and goodnight Vienna!

I’ll report back from Tremblant in 2 weeks although the forecast sounds crap. 2 days after arrival they have forecast 45mph winds.

Cheers

Ken

ajrduff - 01 December 2009 02:34 PM

I run a reasonably quick (37-38 minute) five miles three times a week, and walk the three miles to or from work every day. I’ve also done some thigh strengthening exercises in the past in order to get fit for a skiing holiday.

Having said that, I can barely stand after a day on the slopes - and I’m hardly decrepit (35). How on earth do people manage apres-ski? Only hunger and the need to soak in a hot bath keeps me awake beyond 8pm.

Based on how tired I get running, I’d say that in a normal day of skiing I do the equivalent of a half-marathon (13 miles) at least.

As you would seem to be pretty fit by any standards, maybe it’s your ski technique that needs some work?  The smoother your turns, the less effort required.  If you’re skidding turns, your legs get tired very quickly (and your knees eventually break down).

E

With regard to this whole topic, the key theme is regular exercise in whatever form. Stretching on a regular basis works well and should precede any form of exercise. Pushing the limits helps in the long term and improves overall fitness. If you are confined to indoors through the weather run up and down stairs a few times! Alternatively I use an indoor climbing wall. Don’t forget the diet though. No good doing all this and then pigging out on crisps and beer!

I must admit I had a laugh about the apres ski bit. Couldn’t agree more. We usually get off the slopes about 4.30pm. Back to digs and take off boots. Next question is who’s turn is it to get the beer out of the fridge i.e. who has the energy left. Go for a long shower, have something to eat and crash out about 8pm. What;s wrong with that?

Ken Ball - 27 September 2010 02:52 PM

With regard to this whole topic, the key theme is regular exercise in whatever form. Stretching on a regular basis works well and should precede any form of exercise. Pushing the limits helps in the long term and improves overall fitness. If you are confined to indoors through the weather run up and down stairs a few times! Alternatively I use an indoor climbing wall. Don’t forget the diet though. No good doing all this and then pigging out on crisps and beer!

Definitely agree. I never understand that mentality when people work so hard to stay in shape. Do their cardio, stretching, weight resistance etc etc and then end the week with a few tinnys and a share bag of doritos!! Completely defeats the object - you may as well have not bothered getting out of breath in the first place!
Everyones entitled to a treat by all means but I definitely try and ‘up’ the fitness routine a few weeks before my ski holiday.

Thought I would add to this topic (as it’s one I am very interested in).

I am a cyclist through the summer but come the winter, I retreat indoors for Spinning classes and I have to say they are very good at keeping the power in your legs (which is great for skiing) and of course the classes build in stretching etc. I find the most neglected area is the core and that stability is really key to skiing. So as well as Spinning for cardio and legs, the gym for some good core exercises seems to work.

I started seriously spinning in January this year, by April it had made a significant difference to my cardio and strength. I have spent the summer on my bike riding between 80 - 100 miles a week and then as the nights drew in, back to my spinning! So when I shoot off skiing in a few weeks I should be fit for anything!!!

Interesting people talk about food ... Pigging out at the weekend is not really a problem if you are regularly exercising UNLESS you are trying to lose weight. Otherwise, sensible eating with a few beers and some bad snacks at the weekend never hurt anyone ... having said that ... I don’t eat crisps and I don’t like beer so I can’t really comment ... However, lead me to the cheese and wine and, frankly, I am doomed!!!

Have a great season everyone
AJ

Hi Wiggyboo

I’ve done spinning too, and really enjoyed a better workout than expected. Was tougher than it looked, and much more satisfying than the gym’s ‘ordinary’ bike trainers.

Sadly, the classes at our local centre ended, so haven’t done it for a while ... until a friend got two spinning bikes at a bargain on Ebay. So, she’s put me through a couple of sessions in her back garden!  Must have given the neighbours a fright in the lycra   Bit cold for that now, but we might try the garage!

A class I find good for all round fitness is Groove FX - basically a very active dance class to all sorts of music styles. Follow that with some boxing (boxercise) which is great for preparing the arms to lug skis around the gondola stations.

Not as fit this year though as had to rest a dodgy knee, but starting to get back into it all again.

Ooops - just been to Bath’s xmas market and pigged out on some stollen [grin]

W

Fair enough. Maybe we get too hyped up about fitness levels. I suppose the key is that if you are able to enjoy what you do then that’s OK. You need to get fitter for the heavy duty blacks but that is mainly because of the huge pressures on the leg muscles at this level. It’s not about macho stuff it’s about enjoyment and if that involves a beer after a long run at 9.00am the there’s nowt wrong with that.

Ken

For our healthy and a long life fitness is a must thing. Swimming is the healthiest activity and health benefits are worth than efforts it takes. It works all the muscles in body. Swimming develops a swimmer’s strength, endurance cardiovascular fitness.Overall it maintains our body shape along with its fitness.

Right on. We’re off to Vaujany in Feb. The skiing/Boarding covers 2 areas and we intend to get the practice you recommend plus some right arm weight lifting. The sort that gets lighter the more lifts you do! For the purists amongst you try drinking a pint whilst running up and down the stairs. You get aerobically fit plus you consume less calories because of the spillage. Reminds me of a comment of one of our Parkinson patients. Do you drink much? No, I spill most of it - genuine quote.

Ken

I don’t really required fitness program,as I regularly do exercise and jogging which made my body fit and healthy.So there is no problem in Ski in slopes.

Fitness programs are not compulsory! But, just because you are fit doesn’t necessarily mean you are using the same muscle sets. I am pretty fit from fell walking and have plenty of upper body and leg strength through rock climbing. That doesn’t help my knees on turning sharply on a board or using my toes when braking sharply so my feet always hurt when I return home. Anyway we shouldn’t get too hung up on all this fitness stuff. the name of the game is enjoyment
Ken