MRS PRESIDENT SAYS…
Keep Dreamin', Keep Training
Chemmy Alcott on getting mentally and physically fit for a winter of uncertainty
Preparing for the unknown is a really difficult thing to do. I read the news. I read social media. I read my emails and personal messages, and I know many of you have already written this winter off. The internal political decisions of European countries on whether or not to keep their mountains open is ever changing.
We may not know if, when or how we’ll ski this winter, but we must get away from the 'ifs' and be ready for any eventuality to ski or snowboard - be that in our favourite resort, a quick weekend in Scotland or even in Cumbria! (Yes, Ski Sunday has a feature this season on skiing in England!)
But how do we stop the naysayers from diminishing our passion? By ensuring we are mentally and physically fit, so that when the green light comes, we can drop everything and escape, knowing we’re ready to enjoy every one of those turns. The last thing you want is to make massive efforts to get to the slopes only, after just a few runs, to be too tired to maximise the opportunity.
I have been working with the Ski Club for years now, supporting skiers with specific fitness sessions from pre-ski activation to month-long developmental programmes. During the first lockdown, I max-ed out Zoom with 100 members joining me for my weekly training sessions. I’m now looking forward to sharing some fabulous new winter workouts with you for the coming season!
I’m writing this while juggling work, hunting snow and spending time with my family in Finland but, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I won’t let my physical development slip. I encourage you to do the same: find something you love and follow it.
There are so many fitness options online now – you can download an app, follow a social media influencer or join video workouts on the Ski Club’s YouTube page.... Variety is the key to being ready for the slopes. It helps you respond efficiently when that corduroy piste turns into a mogul field or a vertical ice-skating rink. It helps you ski harder for longer - getting more out of that lift pass. It gives you the strength to manipulate your body into new and improved positions. It helps you recover quicker day after day. It also improves your health so that even if you aren't lucky enough to make it to the mountains this winter, you will still be improving your immunity, mental health and all-round wellbeing.
How do you mentally stay positive? I can only really share what works for me, which is trying to schedule two mindfulness sessions a week. I use apps to meditate with, taking me away from daily stresses and enabling me to escape reality and fantasise about skiing, turns and just opening the curtains and seeing the white stuff and breathing cold, crisp, clean air!