Skiing in summer: A CAT Ski update By Greg Marr Last month I wrote about my experience with Dale Niggemann's latest cross country ski training device, the CAT Ski (Classic All Terrain Ski). As the name
implies, it's an actual classic ski that can be used on any surface imaginable. I won't rehash all the details here on how it works; you can read that in last month's issue, online at www.silentsports.net or visit www.planetxc.com. Since
that article came out, I've talked to a lot of people who, as was I, are skeptical, so I thought I'd give an update now that I have a few more miles on the CAT Ski.  For most of us, this thing takes some time to master but the more I've been on it, the better I've become
and I continue to be amazed at how well it works on a number of levels. First, it is very ski specific; second, it's a fantastic workout; third, it actually does teach you to be a better classic skier. Because of the resistance built into it, it's like skiing up a small hill constantly, which provides a quality workout in a shorter time than, say, roller skiing on the roads.
Think about being out for a road roller ski: how many times are you just
cruising the flats or going downhill? How many times do you actually go up a hill? Imagine the workout you'd get if you road skied nothing but uphills for an hour no downs, no flats just up constantly for as long as you can go. That's the CAT Ski workout. And the beauty is that you can adjust the resistance to have a slight uphill or to almost climb a mountain. True, you give up the feeling of flying along the trail, but I argue that as
you get better and stronger you get some of that back. You'll not fly through the trees as you would on a rolling, snow-covered trail but, as you get stronger and more comfortable on the ski, you do get moving pretty well.
Other pluses are that you are off the road no cars! and on an actual trail (or field, or park grass ... ). That alone has me grinning from ear to ear as I bound about on the trail at Swan Park. Finally, that annoying pole
slip when you try to plant the pole onto the hard asphalt? Gone. The poles plunk firmly into the ground.
Each time out, I get better and better, not to mention stronger as a skier and this is spring! I've never roller skied this much in spring, and I've not neglected biking as I did when I became obsessed with learning to row. I can squeeze in a decent 40-minute CAT Ski workout over lunch and still bike in the evening. This past weekend I CAT Skied Saturday,
rowed Sunday morning and had a decent bike ride later on Sunday a near perfect (for me) silent sports weekend. Sure, the lawn didn't get raked or mowed but hey we have to have our priorities, right?
Speaking of rowing, the weather hasn't been helpful but I did manage to dip an oar a few times so far. The first time, on April 13, was a hoot. I had been biking around the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes checking for ice-out and, on April 12, it looked completely ice-free. Sunday morning
was cold but clear when I took the boat down to the lake. I started out slow and easy, getting reaquainted with the sliding seat and the nine-foot oars. I followed the shoreline of Sunset Lake, enjoying the fact that there were few obstacles docks and swimming platforms to be concerned about. I circled Onaway Island and glanced out over the water. The surface of the lake was a peculiar color and then I almost got religion as
I saw gulls walking on the surface of the water. As I rowed closer, I realized it wasn't a religious experience; it was ice. From the island to the far shore, Sunset Lake still held ice.
I rowed closer, thinking maybe it was just some surface skim ice that I might be able to plow through like a mini icebreaker. No such luck; it was eight to 12 inches thick and filled with air pockets resembling honeycomb. No way I was getting through that. I retraced my route and
decided it would be another week or so before the lakes were again mine. I've rowed in rain, dense fog and even snow showers now I can add ice to the list.
I'm looking forward to this summer a season I usually detest for the heat, humidity and nasty biting insects. I doubt I'll ever be a real fan of summers (give me a good old fashioned winter anytime) but with new toys to try, I'll be able to deal with it. My tentative plan for the summer is
a CAT Ski or two, a road ski, some biking, maybe an occasional trail run and rowing each week. Sounds like a lot, I know, but it should keep life interesting and I won't be obsessed with any one activity, which is a problem I seem to have when I'm introduced to a new "toy" like a rowing shell or the CAT Ski. In fact, one of these days I'm going to do a personal triathlon of sorts. It'll start with an early morning row, then a
CAT Ski at Swan Park, after which I'll jump on the road skis, then hit the bike. Maybe I'll get real ambitious and do a trail run, too. Kind of like Greg Marr's personal adventure race. The lawn won't look all that great, but I'll sure be having fun. | 
