B-I-R-K-I-E

This week leading up to the Saturday conjures up the many years of Birkie preparation. The years spent thinking the more pasta I ate the better I would ski. The year I thought just eating salads would do me well. The year I thought that no time spent on skis would be alright. The year I skied a sub three hour race. Or the year I skied my first Korteloppet and took 5th FROM THE LAST!

This is the week that gets you excited for the Birkie. It's your season coming to fruition. all the hard work and pain this season was for this race. Knowing that thousands of skiers will descend upon Hayward from all over the world. My family has already started to place bets on how Adam and I will ski. The plans are set as to where we will eat our pasta the night before and before we know Saturday will be here and I will be on the trail, balls-to-the-wall, thinking about the beer at the finish line.

I'm excited. I feel 100%. By the 40k mark my body will want to quite but my passion, intensity , and mind will not allow for it. I've put hours in on the trail and now is the time to ski within myself. I'm off to Hayward tonight and what better motivation, if you need any, than to rub shoulders with the elite prior to Saturday. I will keep you all posted soon!

Last week I skied the Rib Lake Hinder Binder. I needed a good race to gain the confidance that I lost when I got sick. 22k of solid skiing on some pretty sweet trails was what I needed. I felt awesome and skied away from many skiers in a pack that I was skiing in. I raced to an 11th place over all and finished 2nd in my age. Not bad.

Talk to you all on the otherside of the Birkie! Thanks to many for your support and encouragement!

Cord under the boards! (especially this weekend)

Sturgie