Jay Richards

I can't think of many athletes that have shared their knowledge of their sport like Garrott Kuzzy If you read his blog, you will see what I mean. Kuzzy wrote a nice column in Ski Post which was sent out the other day and not sure how much it gets around so thought I would post with the first snows soon to come.

Across North America, cross country skiers are preparing for their annual pilgrimage to the western Mecca: West Yellowstone, Montana. As I pack for my eighth consecutive trip to West, I am as excited as ever for my first ski of the season. Whether your first ski of the year is in West Yellowstone or your own back yard, try focusing on the quality of practice, over the quantity of training, to engrain efficiency at the start of the season.

Last year, I kicked my season off with the best start I have ever had. Reviewing my training log, it was not the volume or intensity of my training, but rather the quality of my practice that helped me get faster. I started every workout with a clear, simple goal and practiced that goal with 100 percent focus.

US Ski Team development coach Bryan Fish spends a lot of time studying the physiology of a variety of sports and applying that to skiing. He recently recommended reading "The Talent Code" by Dan Coyle. In the book, Coyle discusses case studies of successful development programs in sports and music from around the world. Coyle highlights the importance of long-term, highly focused practice, estimating that it takes over 10,000 hours of practice to reach an elite level of a given skill. At 700 hours of training per year, that's only about 14 years to become an elite skier. Pretty easy, eh?

Here's my challenge to you as you hit snow for the first time this winter. Try to focus less on "training," like the hours you hit, specific heart rate zones, or beating your friends to the top of the hill. Instead, focus on practicing. Practice balancing on one ski. Practice taking the fastest line around a corner. Practice getting the perfect kick on your classic skis. Practice keeping your hips forward on your double-pole. You know the things you need to work on. Practice accomplishing one specific goal every workout. You will find that the hours come easily and the heart rate stays in the correct zone when your practice is focused and efficient. More importantly, you will feel your technique, coordination, and balance improve to make you a more efficient, faster skier.

Good luck and have fun with your practice as you hit the snow for the first time this winter!

Kuzzy, Jack Hinkens and Jake after Cable Off Road Classic in May. It was good to see Garrott hit some mountain bike races this summer.