American Birkie

SixinSixty©

Determination, fortitude, courage, and consistency

(Two Cross Country and four running marathons at 60)

American Birkebeiner

Hi Folks:

I completed the American Birkebeiner with personal best for a skating technique in XCski with a time of 3:36:48 on a 53 km course.

On the day of the race the temperature was -20 C and dressed accordingly with a head warmer and mitts. In fact I over dressed and had to remove clothing part way into the race at the 10 km mark. I was in wave four at the starting line.

The first part was flat and I was able to advance ahead of the pack with a consistent one skate technique. On the hills at the start I was able to advance on skiers with an off-skate technique however, I could not pass because of the number of people on the hills.

The next 13 km was rolling hills where the one skate technique on the down hills and off set on the hills was the norm. Then I was pleasantly surprised to see the 34 km mark. At first I thought I had 34 km to go but later confirmed I had gone 34 km when I saw the next 1 km marker at the 35 km mark. I was pumped realizing I was over half way. Excitement continued to grow as I passed skiers along the way. On one occasion as I tired to pass a lady on the course we collided and become entangled with our poles and skis. After few pleasant remarks from her like: “get off me”. We are up and on our way.

After 3 hours of skiing in zone 3 and the remaining 3 km of the course being flat I was able to gain momentum with one skate technique and my heart rate moved into zone 4. It was during this part of the race that I passed numerous skiers that were starting waves ahead of me. The last 500 m was down the main street of Haywood where my momentum continued to the finish line.

This is the first of six in my journey. In 5 weeks I will start on my second race in Norway.