Well first off, I am psyched to be a part of the blogroll on FasterSkier! I aim to entertain and keep those interested apprised of the current events on the Nordic Combined circuit, and especially give everyone an idea of how we train for our multifarious disciplines.

Being an NCer in the summer is a difficult balance of power and technical training on the ski jumping side and an appropriate volume and specificity of endurance training for cross-country. On the US team we have adopted a philosophy of “cross country skiers who jump” prioritizing the development of our engines over the long term meanwhile continually seeking to improve our jumping prowess. I personally spend a ton of time on the bike in the earlier part of the summer getting long hours and quality intensity in the form of races. But in general we run, roller ski, hike, bike, double pole and lift like cross country skiers. On top of that we spend 2-3 days a week doing plyometric exercises aimed at developing the neuromuscular snap requisite of good ski jumping, and another 3-4 sessions jumping on the plastic. Much like cross country skiing summer is the time to make technical changes and hone them into habits.

Tags: combined, demong
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