Birkie or Bust

After the Chequamegon Fat Tire I usually need a break from training. I tend to take a couple months off and it usually ends up being a couple too many. And as soon as the snow flies I bring out the running shoes and anticipate the first snow storm that will being the first ski. This year was different.

After the Fat Tire I kept my road bike out and logged in a couple of hours here and there and before I knew it I was biking well into November, something that was new for me. I also ran across a kick butt deal on a pair of Marwe roller skis on Ebay. And so I had a wonderful transition from the bike to the snow...oh wait...that transition period, yea, that ended up being four months instead of what use to be the typical two and half months.

I was stoked for the cross country ski season. I logged many hours on both my MTB and my road bike. I even managed some great roller ski workouts later in the fall and was raring to go come snow time. And so November passed with a small snow storm that left 8" of wet stuff that was gone by deer season. December came and so did the rain. Christmas was brown and the new year was brought in with a mix of rain and snow. Great...eight weeks till Birkie and I have yet to get on snow.

We eventually got our snow on January 15th and by the 24th we actually had poor skiing. But I was skiing and by then I had spent so much energy watching the weather and thinking I could control it that I lost all motivation what-so-ever to train and before I knew it I wasn't looking forward to the Birkie. Weird feelings to not be looking forward to Birkie time.

And so last weekend was Birkie weekend. On the Wednesday before the race it looked as if it were going to be a bust. 50 degree weather and rain! But by Friday the call had been made. The elite would competitively race while the remaining 5,000+ would ski the Birkie non-competitively and untimed. I was bummed and yet in the back of my mind I jumping up and down.

And so here is your perspective from the middle of the pack. Man was it a blast. I skied with Aaron Halberg, Hank, Sarah, and Kevin Westlund. Kevin is my mentor and its because of him I'm the skier that I am today. Aaron, Sarah, and Hank are all friends who encourage each other, give a little competitive trash talking here and there...but most importantly they are there to make the sport what it is.

And so we all skied together. Talking, laughing, and having a great time. Was was great to ski the Birkie and finish with the people who care for you and the sport of cross country skiing. I admire those people, my friends. For it is in them that find encouragement and dedication! Kevin passed on the passion for skiing that I have today. And it is because of this passion that I someday yearn to have the perspective from the elite wave. I strive for that Birkie race day when I will have that perspective. Till then, enjoy the view from the middle of the pack...with friends!

Ski on

Sturgie

Three time Olympian, 1998 Birkie winner, and former professional Mountain Biker Carl Swenson wanting his picture with me.

Saturday Night post race party at the Sawmill! Two suave dudes with their fiances!

Sunday took the dogs out on the lake for a post Birkie ski! Wouldn't you know it...night after the Birkie Hayward gets hit with 10" of snow!Taking time out from wedding planning to do a little R & R on the skinny skis!