Mora Vasaloppet 2002
By Jill Troutner
February 10, 2002
Mora brings out what is best in Minnesota
What is it about Mora that inspires me? I have not put skis
on snow since the King Boreas about 3 weeks ago and have been
haphazardly biking, running, nordic tracking, and hockey skating
instead. I am completely bummed out about the weather. I'll
even say that I feel betrayed by old man winter. I am a Minnesotan,
and as such, I am cold conditioned. The thought of going out
on a lake and "skiing around" as my only option held no appeal--until
today. I train to race. I love to race. I don't always love
to train. This was my second "Mora Experience," and once again
I could have been better prepared. I could have actually trained
on skis. I could be without a sinus infection. And just like
last year, I was darn glad I was there.
So here are my Mora highlights in haphazard and random thoughts...
This event is just the nicest darn ski race. The lake was awesome.
The classic track was great--how did they do it? The volunteers
are just so NICE and there are so many of them. And again, they
are just so Darn Nice--this day was like a snapshot of Minnesota
at its best. You hit the finish line and the Swedish Princess
with her sash puts a medal around you--can you beat it? The
start is nice and calm and "friendly" --unlike the frantic "move
it or get out of my way" unpleasantness I have experienced in
other races. Something about Mora just rubs off on everyone
and brings out their best attitude.
Maybe we are just grateful to have a ski race not get cancelled-but
it is more than that. Little things in this race have some
serious charm--like the fact that there were enough porta-potties
(hey--this can really be a problem--last winter's Birkie springs
to mind) and that Katie Campbell (who is way cuter and fitter
than the Average 30 Year-Old American Woman--really--take
a look around next time you go to Mall of America or some
such place) gets the "oldest female skier award for the marathon
race" award.
Also charming: the high school band played the National
Anthem; Chad Giese and a slough of other Mora natives take
home some horsies; blueberry soup; Sara Zimmer (women's marathon
winner) was absolutely charming to a complete stranger who
just bumbles her way up to her and says "Hey, are you Sara
Zimmer?" and complete stranger then proceeds to offer her
LEFT HAND to shake because right hand has important food items
in it (these would be my hands); the nordic ski building and
the fact that it has a sauna in the men's and women's shower
room; also sort of charming (but not at first) was that when
I arrived at the race I heard "Who let the dogs out" over
the speaker system. When you put it all together the Mora
Vassaloppet defines all the things that make me proud to be
from (imagine Jesse Ventura saying this) Minnesooohta.
So I am inspired, again, by this race to get out and train.
You will be seeing me out on the frozen lakes of the Metro
area even when and if the grass starts to show. Thanks Again
to the Mora Vassaloppet Organization, the volunteers, and
Mora itself.
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