I have a question for everybody. How well do you think certain activities crossover to running training. For Example I am spending this weekend on a hut trip. It will require a 6.5 mile x-country ski each way at altitude carrying a 20 lb pack. My guess is it's helpful for aerobic training but doesn't train specific running muscles or for the concussion of running. Thoughts?

Thanks, I am thinking the muscles used are fairly similar the only thing it lacks is the concussion part. I am mostly wondering if I can kind of 'count' it as my long run this weekend since I won't be able to do it. I have done a few snowshoe races and its a killer workout.

I try to crosstrain at least once/week, to give my body a break from the banging of running. I'll either cycle, swim, or use the elliptical, but to train to run, you basically need to run (from the muscular standpoint). Cardio-wise, anything that keeps you in "the zone" for a period of time is great! I took off from running for 8 weeks due to an injury (but cross trained in the interim), and now, just 2 weeks back into running, my cardio is exactly where I left off. Leg power? Hmmmm...that'll come back