9th Week, on snow again, Uphill, Downhill

The skiing today was pretty good with actual classic tracks.
Using the uphill you practiced the herringbone. The herringbone is the slowest movement you can do unless you do the sidestep. The herringbone has the hands and feet working in opposites. This means that one pole and opposite ski come into the contact with the snow at the same time. Try not to use an edge but just the wax until it gets too steep. Try doing the running herringbone instead of walking if you are fit enough. Almost 50% of your time is spent going uphill so try to double pole and then diagonal stride up as long as possible before switching to herringbone.
You then tried a half herringbone going uphill. This move is used a lot when slow people are going up the middle and you are able to ski up the tracks and use the half herringbone when needed. I must stress that in a classic race you cannot use the half skate. :(
I also introduced you to the running diagonal side step which comes in handy at times. Always point your ski tips toward the middle and the tips should be pointing downhill slightly if you are able. Remember to use both the wax and the inside edge of the lower ski and the outside edge of the upper ski. This technique also enables you to quickly switch to either herringbone or diagonal stride.
Going down hill you practiced some step turns in both directions. The vast majority of the time you will be turning by doing step turns or snow plow turns in the Birkie.
On the trail you practiced turning in the tracks while gliding around a curve. You tried to stay in the tracks by pushing the hips and knees to the inside of the curve but you weighted the outside ski with your shoulders as your body creates a bit of a C curve. Remember, keep that your shoulder weighted over the outside ski with hands low.
On the same curve you practiced a two steps(skate) turn. You can normally recognize when to do this when there are 2 are or three sharp grooves created in the snow by skiers before you in the snow. Weight your outside ski and push off completely onto to your inside ski. It should be a quick push and be ready to do that a couple more times. You must not continue to do half skating however or you will be disqualified! If you are able and there are 2 tracks, use the inside track in case you have to drift out of the tracks, like where we practiced.
Once again try to get out and ski at least 3 hours plus in one chunk of time.