Guest Blogger: Tips from John Egan, from Sugarbush Resort

Pre-season conditioning tip – move your road run to the trails!

As many already know, running is a great way to get in shape for the ski season. It not only improves your cardio, but it also wakes up those skier thighs!

However, no matter how hard you train on pavement, it never seems to be enough. Day 2 soreness seems inevitable. It’s true – there is no better prep for skiing and riding than skiing and riding.

Whether you like bumps, trees, or groomers, snow sports require both an agile mind and body. You are required to constantly react to variable pitches, surfaces, and conditions. Your typical road run on the same route at the same time of day, cannot fully simulate and prepare you for the variable and dynamic nature of skiing and riding.

The good news… you can enhance the effectiveness of your pre-season runs simply by moving them to the trails. The uneven surfaces, hills and elevation better address the mind body dynamics of skiing than a road run. Here are some things to keep in mind to make your trial run fun, effective and safe:

• Look for uneven surfaces and terrain (hiking trails are great, even the side of the road right off the pavement can be good)
• Start out on trails with lesser elevation gain and gradually build up
• When running, place your feet on the bigger, stable surfaces and avoid plants and wobbly things – this really works your eye/foot coordination
• Watch your feet and each step, but also don’t forget to frequently look ahead to see what’s next
• Run with a friend and follow all safety and environmental rules as any hike or run

- Tips from John Egan, Sugarbush Resort