Powder vs Block

Hi,

Simply, what is better, pure fluoro powders or blocks?.  Supposedly the powder is faster, but less durable.  I'm told the blocks last 2-3x longer than the powder vials.  This question pertains mostly to skating in Midwest marathons.

Sincerely,

M

 M,

If you are doing Marathons you most often will want to burn in a 100% Fluor Powder for best speeed throughout the entire marathon. Powder is more durable because you can apply more and burn it on more. Blocks provide simple and fast application and can seem less costly because you can stretch them out. Blocks can be very good for shorter races or if you really cake them on and then burn them in for longer races.

Andy at SkiPost/Start

Light Weight

Hi, my son is a J2 top contender and nationals hopeful who weighs 88 lbs. He is an incredibly self motivated and positive racer with a strong desire to attend nationals this year.  His biggest strength is his amazing hill climbing where he often emerges from the lead pack in the front. His biggest challenge is getting passed, one-by-one on the downhill by larger and heavier racers.  Do any of the experts (possibly one with a similar weight challenge) have any suggestions or strategies for this otherwise gifted youth ski racer.

 Thanks,

Dad 

Hello. First realize that one reason he can climb so speedily is that he has a great strength to weight ratio. The larger kids say, "I beat so and so across the flats on the downhill but he kills me on the hills what can I do? I tell them the same thing I will tell your kid, train your weakness and race your strength.

 Your son likely loves the climbs and hammers on the climbs in training. Have him focus is training on the downhills and flats. Do speed work on gradual turning downhill or flat section. Find ways to maintain his speed through these sections. Work on the uncomfortable sections in training. Learn how to glide. Many small kids are so quick and love a fast turnover and they are light so they do not sink in some snow conditions so they forget to work on glide. Large kids sink in snow that light kids float over so large kids often have a better glide because they have had to work on it. So work on your ski feel and glide. Instead of skating like mad on a slight downhill work on how long you can glide with each stroke. Work on glide efficiency. Test yourself to see just how far you can glide with each stroke. 

Now on race day, race to your strength by hammering the climbs, but do so with a brain.  Do not just pass other racers on the climbs and let them remain just behind you over the top of the climb. If you are going to pass someone do so with conviction and gap them. Either pass them at the bottom of the climb so you can gap them by the top. Or if you catch someone near the top save your energy and draft behind the largest or fastest downhiller on the downhill. You are small, so work on a tiny tuck and work on your glide. Relax on the downhill only apply a skate stroke when you really need to and then do so with 100% effort. Better to do 5 100% strokes than 10 70% strokes. Look for speed by maximizing your glide and skiing efficiency.  Glide Glide Glide. This goes for both classic in skate. Train your weakness race your strength.

Andy at SkiPost  

Intervals vs Specific Strength 

Would alternating between double poling only for 3-5 minutes and skate skiing only for 3-5 minutes for 1.5 hours be considered interval training.  I am 60 years old.

 WG

It would be better classified as specific strength as you are working on one specific muscle group., which is good but likely intervals. Intervals have to do with extending your effort level with increased pulse pushing just past your comfort threshold. To race faster you need good specific strength but also a higher aerobic threshold. But best to do intervals with good technique and all of your body.

Andy at SkiPost

Applying Start Green

over the slightly softer Start Blue

My preferred method is to hot crayon on Start Green by touching it to the iron first and quickly applying it to the base while the wax is still molten. I also suggest you apply the just slightly softer Start Blue under your 1st layer of Green so you can get a better bond and also decrease the chance of over heating the base. You should then let the wax cool completely prior to scraping and brushing it off.

Evan Pengelly

Start Product Manager

Applying Fluor

START - Application of block glider

START - Application of FHF11 block glider cold application

Breath Easier

The polar vortex is back!!  Looking for a way to stay warmer and breathe easier during the temperature plunge?  Try a Lungplus !  Lungplus is a mouthworn humidifier that will warm your lungs and body without fogging up your glasses! 

Lungplususa.com

lungplususa@gmail.com

Cleaning Brushes

I have metal, nylon and animal hair brushes. What should I be doing to clean these brushes and how frequently should they be cleaned.

Thanks, S

S

You can clean your brushes as often as possible using a high powered shop vac.

Andy at SkiPost

Check out the all new Start Waxing Guide.

Start Race Day Wax Recs here

ASPEN XC CENTER 

 Cross Country Ski Extravaganza 

 January 11, 2015.

The Aspen Cross Country Center is located on 70 km of free trails of the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System at the Aspen Golf Course off Hwy 82. The Center is a convenient spot to demo gear, take a lesson or head out on a guided tour. In addition to the retail shop and ski school, we offer ski tuning and repair services, a public waxing room and locker rooms.  The Aspen Cross Country Center is owned and operated by the Ute Mountaineer. Please call 925-2145 for more information.