Spring running tips - From Grayson Murphy
Grayson Murphy is a professional runner for team Saucony and Mountain running World Champion
How would you recommend a Nordic skier begin their running season?
'I'd say take it slow initially and get used to the pounding but there is something to be said for prioritizing quality over quantity early in the season. I know skiers like to take it slow but lots of slow running/plodding reinforces bad for which can lead to injury later in the summer. I recommend shorter and a bit quicker runs in the spring. Do a short run and at the end throw in some strides: 4-6 x 20 seconds. It's not a sprint just a stride to focus on running tall and strong"
What exactly do you mean by running tall?
I've noticed xc skiers run really hunched over, probably from doublepoling and developing bad posture. So thinking about running taller and with a more open chest will probably help too.
Any early season running drills you recommend?
Drills like A skips, B skips, high knees, and hurdle walkovers are super easy to do right before strides to reinforce/force good form. We do them at the end of our warm up before every interval session or race.
See video above for proper execution