Well my first real movement towards improving my fitness for the coming season started today with a run to and from work. I reckon it’s roughly 2 1/2 miles each way so it’s a good enough distance to build up with. I figure if I don’t do the work, I’ll end up looking like a gaper for the first few weeks.
Until this year I’ve never really had any issues with fitness while being away, but my first trip last season (Jan 2006) kinda caught me out. I don’t know whether it was because I was simply less-fit than the times before, or because the runs in Meribel were longer than most. I do know that I was riding continuously for longer stretches because it was a much smaller group, so less waiting around. Whatever the cause – for the first time ever I was getting some serious leg burn! The type that makes you want to stop and rest. Once or twice I had to stop.
That first trip definitely served as a warm up, as I snowboarded un-hindered by time I got to Chamonix. But who wants to use a week to warm up? Who wants to feel hindered due to fitness? Not me, if I can help it.
So, with around 8 weeks until I visit Morzine/Avoriaz, I’m going to start running again and add in a few strength related exercises. I’ve also written a list of the very best snowboarding stretches. The target is to be able to ride hard all day, each day that I’m on snow this season.