Skinnyski Race Team Weekend Recap: Birkie Story

I signed up for the 2004 Birkie last summer at the cheaper rates. All season I was having second thoughts, half wishing I wasn't signed up. I was uninspired about the race, primarily because I knew with my current training level, I had no chance of improving on my 11th place finish in 2002. With two small kids to look after, my 'training' most days consists of skiing 2 or 3 km at four year old pace in 60-90 min. Not exactly what they recommend for ski marathon racing!

Despite that, I am happy to report that it was my most fun Birkie ever! Going in with the attitude that I had nothing to prove out there on the trails made the skiing ever so enjoyable. I didn't worry who was ahead, what place I was in, that my skis weren't the fastest ones out there. I just skied according to how I felt, and enjoyed the comraderie of those around me. Of course the great trail condtions and perfect temps added to the mood.

I was skiing in a group of five up until about 30 km. I was feeling good, climbing well and enjoying the enthusiasm of Joan Rundman who was unbelievably spirited and encouraging to all of us in the group. I usually worry about when and where to drink out of my bottle as I don't want to chance falling off the pack. This year I was relaxed, drank regularly and still stayed in contact. I had no difficulty with getting the bottle back in the holder, no tripping on my poles, etc. I was really pleased with how fast the kms were passing, how well I was climbing, and the company I was keeping up with. I got a new bottle from friend and babysitter Anne at OO, and kept the pace steady. Having done only a couple of 2 hour + skis all season, and no races longer than the 35 km at Mora, I was presuming my legs would give out on the hills at some point. I was happy to have not reached that point yet!

Around 30 km, the burn started though, so I backed off a bit, dropped from my group of five, and took my second gel. The next hills felt just fine, so I just kept plugging along on my own, drinking often and taking a 3rd gel before the final hills. I allowed myself to single stick it up Bitch hill and was pleased that my legs were still hanging in there, and that the hill actually seemed a lot shorter than I anticipated - steep, but reasonably short! Of course the hills keep coming after that, but I was catching a factory team skier who had clearly hit the wall, so that spurred me on. By the top, I was starting to wish for a finish in Duffy's field like 2002, but I figured oh well, there's only the lake left. Ha ha, 'only' the lake! I guess having finished on Main Street just once, I had forgotten the pain of the lake. First wave men had been passing me for the last 30 km, but now there was not a soul to draft! So I dug deep for the V2 grunt into the wind. No more happy-go-lucky skiing, just grit the teeth and count down the seemingly endless kms across the lake. Main Street does eventually emerge in the distant distance though, and I was thrilled to push it in to the cheers of the crowd, having maintained a pretty even pace throughout, and placing 37th. My only regret is not unclenching my jaw, and really taking in that electric atmosphere of that final stretch. As soon as I crossed the line I was glowing with satisfaction, glad I had indeed signed up and done my third Birkie.

Next year I promise I'll smile back to the cheers of Main Street!