by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Instructor | Thank you so much for your comments on my 17 Reasons to Cross Country Ski article! I’ve been impressed and inspired by your reasons to ski and I hope that others have too. If you still haven’t tried xc skiing, I urge you – don’t wait any longer! If you’ve been waiting to try it because you don’t know where to start I have your answer…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach | At times, I feel like my sport has a bad rap. People often think that Cross Country skiing is “nerdy” or for those that are “too scared or timid” to downhill ski. I would like to disseminate some of those myths by providing you with a list of 17 reasons why I think YOU should try Cross Country skiing if you haven’t already…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
My days usually go something like this: Wake up, feed the cat, hug my husband and drink LOTS of coffee before packing and repacking for the day ahead of me. I usually train (myself) in the mornings, then change out of my sweaty sporty bra in a parking lot (when I hope no one is looking), race to my office for office work, then coach adult athletes at noon, change out of another sweaty sports bra at a red light…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach & Competitor
There, I said it. I’ve been avoiding the “O” word for such a long time. It’s taken me months to come out and say it but there it is, plain, clear, and simple for all the Internet universe to see. As a professional full-time coach for a private program, my personal racing has always taken a backseat to my job. This year, as I prepare to make the 2010 Winter Olympic Cross Country Ski team…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach & Mountain Runner
To celebrate the 4th of July holiday, I competed in the 82nd running of the Mount Marathon, the most coveted of Alaska’s mountain running races. Temperatures hit a muggy 85 degrees in the trees and I remember standing on the start line with a wicked dry mouth. After the start gun went off, I went from a strong second place to leading the race to a struggle to keep my legs underneath me in a battle for the last podium position, then directly to the emergency room…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
Sandy Ford is a five-foot, one hundred and five pound mother of four. On weekdays she takes care of her children, and on the weekends she works as a registered nurse in the maternity section of the local hospital. Three years ago Sandy joined the APU Nordic Ski Center Master’s training program. She has gone from someone who had never entered a race in her life to an active participant and competitor…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
Someone once told me, “Every skier has to ski the Birkie at least once in his or her life!” Well, this past February I took this comment to heart when I traveled to the Midwest to race in the Nation’s largest cross country ski race. The American Birkebeiner is not just a race but, as many would describe, it’s a way or life or right of passage…

by Holly Brooks, Nordic Ski Coach
Today is the eighth consecutive day of temperatures well below zero in my home town of Anchorage, Alaska. Because cold weather has been on my mind lately, I’ve compiled a list of tips for staying in shape during cold weather…