Curious about long-distance running?

How to manage a long race

There are many different long-distance races organised in Sweden. Everything from one-mile races to dozens of world record-breaking races. If it's your first time planning to do a long-distance race, we recommend that you choose a distance that is suitable for beginners.

Although most people can manage a race of a couple of kilometres, no one wants to risk ending up in a situation where it is unnecessarily far to the finish. Even a healthy and reasonably fit body needs to be trained to really cope with a longer challenge.

For those of you who are curious about long-distance ski races, we would like to give you four tips that will help you to complete a real long-distance race!

1. Set up a varied training plan - A common mistake that many people make is to do their usual run at their usual pace. To become really enduring over long distances, you must make sure to vary your training. A couple of fast kilometres one day and a few more but slower ones the next. Also remember to alternate your runs for the best effect!
2. Optimising technology - To last as long as possible, you want to make sure you use your muscles properly. With the right technique, you will save a lot of power and energy and thus improve both time and stamina. Take a look and read about how to improve your cross-country skiing technique!
3. Get to know your equipment - How long is the fastening zone for you, which wax suits the day's ride and which poles did you like best? Once out on the trail on a long run, it can be difficult to get help from someone else. The more you can organise yourself the better!
4. Enjoy the ride - The most basic and crucial part is that you enjoy skiing. If you don't enjoy it, it's harder to find the motivation to do a long run!

Train for the long races in Stöten

Archaeological evidence shows that we have been using skis since long before we invented the wheel. Of course, the skis of that time were far from the modern skiing standards we're used to today - but they made progress! And maybe it's possible that the joy of travelling long distances was already awakened then?

If you are interested in training for a long-distance race, you can do so with us in Stöten. For example, we have 45 kilometres of cross-country tracks for both classic and skate. The 6 metre wide tracks are suitable for both curious beginners and experienced professionals.

Finally, we would also like to take this opportunity to wish you good luck. Both for all upcoming training sessions, but above all, we wish you good luck on all upcoming long races!