Common Questions (and answers):
Q: I feel sluggish during practice, does that mean I have peaked in my training?
A: This is likely an indicator that your stomach is empty and your muscles are drained of energy because you haven't ate anything recently. If practice starts at 4PM, you should have consumed something around 2-2:15PM. This can be Pop Tarts, fruit, granola. Even if you eat lunch at Noon, too much time passes until 4PM for your energy stores to be ready to workout. Less likely reasons for feeling sluggish include lack of sleep, illness and over-training.
Q: Can I rent skis and poles as a third year skier?
A: Rental equipment is made available and guaranteed to first year skiers. Any remaining equipment is then made available to second year skiers. Equipment remaining after this is then available to third year skiers. Etc, etc.
Q: Do I have to race?
A: No, no one has to race. Nordic is available to athletes that only want to ski at their own pace. You can be on the team and not have to race.
Q: Are we skating today?
A: 1 - review the weekly email; 2 - check the schedule on the website; 3 - check the sandwich board at practice.
Q: Who do I make a check out to?
A: There are several areas of fees in Nordic. The activity fee goes to the school district. The rental fee goes directly to Adventure Cycle; the Nordic team maintains a running balance there to continuously purchase equipment (i.e. skis, bindings, poles, pole tips, wax, etc).
Q: Do I have to wear a hat covering my ears?
A: If the temps are below 32 degrees, yes. If you are racing, an ear band or headband is an option if not arctic cold.
Q: I don't go to weight room, will I be considered for varsity or varsity trips?
A: No.
Q: Are we practicing at SMU today?
A: 1 - review the weekly email OR 2 - check the schedule on the website
Q: If I don't rubberband or bind my skis in my ski bag will that cause immense damage to them?
A: Yes.
Q: What time is weight room?
A: 7AM
Q: Can I buy any ski boots?
A: NO - you need to make sure your boots are "NNN" or Pro-Link compatible. There is another binding system out there and it is not at all compatible with any Winona Nordic team equipment. NOTE: the team is phasing out 'Pilot' equipment. Do not buy anything that is Pilot starting 2021-2022 ski season.
Q: How tall are poles suppose to be?
A: Skate poles are suppose to come up to between your mouth and nose. Classic poles are suppose to come up to your armpit area.
Q: If I miss school can I still come to practice or a race?
A: Probably not. District policy requires attendance in school the day of an event.
Q: If I have a "D" in a class, can I still practice or race?
A: District policy allows an athlete to practice and compete with a "D". However, Winona Nordic team policy states an athlete with a "D" will not travel to any events or races.
Q: Can I weight-lift at home?
A: Yes you can, so long as it conforms with the practice schedule. It is recommended that extra effort be reviewed by the coaching staff to prevent over-training. Team weight-lift sessions are Monday and Wednesday mornings at the high school. Varsity athletes are expected to be present. No substitutions.
Q: How long are ski races?
A: The traditional ski race is 5 kilometers. This is 3.2 miles in length. There are also shorter races for "Sprints" and "Relays." These vary in length from 1k to 3k loops. Varsity athletes will be required to ski several events that require two 5k races in one day; one 5k skate race and one 5k classic race.
Q: Is there a lost and found?
A: Yes, there is always clothing and gear left behind almost every practice. Ask Coach Mork.
Q: I bought new skis, can I come in and wax them in the wax room?
A: Yes, you can arrange to use the wax room. Team wax is just that, team wax. If you need to sink many layers in the bases of new skis, purchase small chunks of yellow and blue waxes. New skis need a minimum of 8-12 layers of wax before first ski.
Q: I want to finish in the top 10 at Sections and top 50 at the State Meet, what do I have to do?
A: At a minimum: roller-ski training in the summer and fall; aerobic training year-round (running, roller-skiing, swimming, cycling, etc); weight room in the summer and winter; core training year-round; and Junior Olympic races.
A: This is likely an indicator that your stomach is empty and your muscles are drained of energy because you haven't ate anything recently. If practice starts at 4PM, you should have consumed something around 2-2:15PM. This can be Pop Tarts, fruit, granola. Even if you eat lunch at Noon, too much time passes until 4PM for your energy stores to be ready to workout. Less likely reasons for feeling sluggish include lack of sleep, illness and over-training.
Q: Can I rent skis and poles as a third year skier?
A: Rental equipment is made available and guaranteed to first year skiers. Any remaining equipment is then made available to second year skiers. Equipment remaining after this is then available to third year skiers. Etc, etc.
Q: Do I have to race?
A: No, no one has to race. Nordic is available to athletes that only want to ski at their own pace. You can be on the team and not have to race.
Q: Are we skating today?
A: 1 - review the weekly email; 2 - check the schedule on the website; 3 - check the sandwich board at practice.
Q: Who do I make a check out to?
A: There are several areas of fees in Nordic. The activity fee goes to the school district. The rental fee goes directly to Adventure Cycle; the Nordic team maintains a running balance there to continuously purchase equipment (i.e. skis, bindings, poles, pole tips, wax, etc).
Q: Do I have to wear a hat covering my ears?
A: If the temps are below 32 degrees, yes. If you are racing, an ear band or headband is an option if not arctic cold.
Q: I don't go to weight room, will I be considered for varsity or varsity trips?
A: No.
Q: Are we practicing at SMU today?
A: 1 - review the weekly email OR 2 - check the schedule on the website
Q: If I don't rubberband or bind my skis in my ski bag will that cause immense damage to them?
A: Yes.
Q: What time is weight room?
A: 7AM
Q: Can I buy any ski boots?
A: NO - you need to make sure your boots are "NNN" or Pro-Link compatible. There is another binding system out there and it is not at all compatible with any Winona Nordic team equipment. NOTE: the team is phasing out 'Pilot' equipment. Do not buy anything that is Pilot starting 2021-2022 ski season.
Q: How tall are poles suppose to be?
A: Skate poles are suppose to come up to between your mouth and nose. Classic poles are suppose to come up to your armpit area.
Q: If I miss school can I still come to practice or a race?
A: Probably not. District policy requires attendance in school the day of an event.
Q: If I have a "D" in a class, can I still practice or race?
A: District policy allows an athlete to practice and compete with a "D". However, Winona Nordic team policy states an athlete with a "D" will not travel to any events or races.
Q: Can I weight-lift at home?
A: Yes you can, so long as it conforms with the practice schedule. It is recommended that extra effort be reviewed by the coaching staff to prevent over-training. Team weight-lift sessions are Monday and Wednesday mornings at the high school. Varsity athletes are expected to be present. No substitutions.
Q: How long are ski races?
A: The traditional ski race is 5 kilometers. This is 3.2 miles in length. There are also shorter races for "Sprints" and "Relays." These vary in length from 1k to 3k loops. Varsity athletes will be required to ski several events that require two 5k races in one day; one 5k skate race and one 5k classic race.
Q: Is there a lost and found?
A: Yes, there is always clothing and gear left behind almost every practice. Ask Coach Mork.
Q: I bought new skis, can I come in and wax them in the wax room?
A: Yes, you can arrange to use the wax room. Team wax is just that, team wax. If you need to sink many layers in the bases of new skis, purchase small chunks of yellow and blue waxes. New skis need a minimum of 8-12 layers of wax before first ski.
Q: I want to finish in the top 10 at Sections and top 50 at the State Meet, what do I have to do?
A: At a minimum: roller-ski training in the summer and fall; aerobic training year-round (running, roller-skiing, swimming, cycling, etc); weight room in the summer and winter; core training year-round; and Junior Olympic races.