It has been a while since my last blog, so I thought I
would update you all on what I have been doing and and my plans for the next few months. I've been very busy with university and training hard for the national
championships.
Gym Training
Since January and my time in Les Deux
Alpes I have been working on my stability and core exercises. I have been
attending Pilate’s classes every week and have been seeing dramatic results. Pilates focuses on stability, flexibility,
core strength and grace (which I definitely do not have.) Mikala (our
instructor) does her best to adapt exercises for me and is keen for me to
improve. There are some really nice
people in the group and I enjoy banter with them. It's quite funny actually I'm finding I'm getting mothered by a couple of the women there, being the youngest
and one of the only guys definitely has its good points!
I have also started
training with a friend at university (Rob) who is also a
Lecturer in biomechanics. He approached me recently and asked if I would like him to train me. Naturally, I bit his hand off and I am
currently in the process of seeing him twice a week. He is focussing on pure form and is working
on my weakest areas. He has had me squatting with footballs between my legs (to
stop my knees rolling in) and his eye for detail is having a positive impact on
my training. I couldn't believe the difference to my normal
training, I definitely felt the burn!
Ski Training
Since attending Pilates I have noticed a dramatic difference on the slope and in my walking.
Steve (DSUK Coach @ Chillfactore) has been trying to get me to do a specific
drill for the last few months, which involves picking the outrigger (poles in
my hands) up, after initiating the turn with a pole plant like movement. This
gets my weight over my downhill ski more, giving more control. Up until attending Pilates I have not been able
to do this, but two weeks ago I managed to crack it!
If you would like to see a video of me
doing that drill click here.
This has completely changed my style of
skiing and I am focussing on reducing my reliance on the outriggers more and
more, to make my skiing more dynamic.
Steve has been pushing me hard over the
last few weeks and loves winding me up, forcing me to try my best. Although at some times he has told me off for
working too hard. We have a great
relationship and really enjoy working with him.
I have carried on attending the race
training on a Sunday Morning with Carl at Chillfactore, the early starts haven’t gotten any easier
though(5am start)! We have been focusing on working the ski and finishing the turns in
the gates
The course soon gets cut up and is of a
harder style (I hope) than I would see in a real race, giving me a real
challenge. Since attending, I can normally manage a few clean runs, where as at the beginning I was struggling to even
finish on a course that wasn’t cut up. The picking up of the outrigger has helped a lot on this as
I am getting more grip, giving me more control (which is always a bonus.) 
Ski Gear
I am currently looking to buy a race suit
for this next race. My mum made me try one on (typical mum thing) before I bought
one, not bending very well is never a good trait to have whilst trying to
squeeze into a skin-tight one piece race suit! I'm still looking so if anyone knows anyone selling one please contact me ☺
What's next?
On the 12th March I will be
travelling out to Saalbach for the Austrian National Championships and then
onto Balderschwang for the German National Championships for my next race. A friend and I will be driving there over a
couple of days, two men, 3 legs, 2 crutches and a car full of ski stuff will
make the 2600+ mile round trip.
I will definitely be skiing in the Slalom
discipline but I am also hoping to try my chance in the Giant Slalom arena.
This will dependent on whether I can handle the Giant Slalom skis and whether
it would be worth it. As mentioned in previous blogs Giant Slalom skis are a
lot longer than slalom skis and the turning circle is larger.
Exciting things to come but I best get my
university work done first, Speak to you later.
Thanks
Alex
X
Or email me on alexclarke1992@outlook.com
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