When a big snow prevents you from running on a favorite trail, just ski over it.
By that we mean cross-country skiing, a great form of exercise in its own right.
The recent storm made for some great X-C conditions.
Once the white stuff is deep enough, new tracks can be laid down.
If the conditions are right, you can start by creating a trail right around your house.
As you advance in ability, you can move on to places like the Delaware Canal path. Chances are, someone may have traveled over your segment already, so just jump into those imprints.
X-C enthusiasts usually have to head north to places such as Lake Placid, N.Y., the Poconos or resorts in Vermont to ski in excellent conditions. But right here in Bucks County there are plenty of fine places to ski your heart out
The sport is fairly easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of cash.
A good set of skis, poles and boots can be purchased in the $300 range.
As we wrote in a column a few years back, places such as Tyler State Park, Core Creek Park or the Delaware Canal towpath are excellent places to ski.
As for the benefits of cross-country skiing, there are many. First, it’s both a good aerobic and anaerobic workout. The balance and the pushing motion required really tests the core muscles in your midsection.
Plus, Nordic skiing is different from the downhill Alpine type in that there are no lifts. Alpiners go down and ride up. When Nordic enthusiasts take on mountains, like they do at my favorite spot at Mount Van Hoevenberg (site of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid), you ski down the slope and then you ski back up.
Arms, lower legs, quads, stomach, back and shoulders – everything gets tested.
Besides that, one gets to sight-see throughout a newly formed winter wonderland.
You can be sure veteran cross-country skier Jeff Griesemer will be out there this week. He agrees with our checklist regarding exercise value, cost, safety and convenience.
“Cross-country skiing includes some good benefits such as it’s a full-body and non-impact exercise,’’ Griesemer says. “You can get into a rhythmic groove and glide that feels great, and you can feel part of the winter landscape.
“Also cross-country skiing has a low overhead and is quite accessible. Equipment is minimal and relatively inexpensive plus the sport is not confined to a specified (i.e., expensive) ski area.’’
As mentioned, the key is to get out there and create your own tracks. At resorts, trails are groomed with tracks already in place so there’s no need to arrive at the crack of dawn.
So if you’re favorite running trail is snowed in or covered with ice, head for the ski shop and invest in another great form of exercise. It’s supposed to stay cold for the next week or two so get out there while you can.
>More commentary on Fred Gropper
As mentioned in last week’s column, longtime Bucks County outstanding runner Fred Gropper left quite a legacy upon his passing last month.
One of his closest friends, Tom Fuoco, was instrumental in helping Gropper get from place to place and race to race by automobile as his health declined. It was a labor of love.
“He was a quiet guy, even if he disagreed with you, he didn’t yell at you or get all excited,” Fuoco recalled. “A nice guy who was really smart and knew what he was talking about.
“What I liked about him was that even though he had medical issues, he joked about them. He always kidded around, had a good sense of humor.”
Gropper, Fuoco and John Hibbs all fell within the same 10-year age bracket, so the competition in races was fierce but it was all friendship once the race was over.
>Race calendar
Sunday
BCRR Winter Series Terrible Tyler 15K, 9 a.m., Tyler State Park, Newtown. Contact www.bcrrclub.com.
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