Heat, Humidity, and Distance

Like much of the country, Wisconsin is right smack in the middle of a heat wave. Today the predictions have us reaching at least 92 with a heat index upwards of 105. Too hot to do much of anything, except maybe a soak in the pool.

But when I started this training I vowed to not let weather discourage me. In the past I have always been a fair-weather athlete, and living in Wisconsin --and its variety of cold, snow, ice, rain, and heat-- I always had plenty of excuses to avoid physical activity. So today I arose early and was in Elver Park before 6:00 am. No excuses!

The run started slowly as I felt sluggish and sticky. By the time I hit the woods and the shade of Elver I was feeling a little better. I followed my usual six mile route--six hills and very little concrete--always a pleasant run. Ezra was also handling the heat well and was specifically enjoying running her snout through the dew-filled grass. Knowing that the rest of the day would find me avoiding the heat I decided to push the envelope a bit. Since I have been wanting to increase my distance, and since I was feeling pretty strong and fresh, I decided to take the long way home.

With the dog still looking fresh and happy I took the challenge. Instead of turning over towards my neighborhood streets I decided to head back down the hill one more time, cross Gammon Road, and make my way home through Greentree Park. I knew this detour would add about two miles to the run. As I left the shade of Elver and hit the sunny pavement of Greentree I suddenly knew that it was as hot as advertised. Yet still I stayed focused on my breathing and my stride.

I could tell Ezra was hot and thirsty, yet still the bounce in her step kept me motivated. If she could handle eight miles, and if she could fight through her thirst and this heat, certainly I could. And so, slowly and methodically Ezra and I made our way home--completing eight miles in one hour and 11 minutes.

Confirmation Letter: I'm In

I don't know whether to be scared, or excited, but it is now official and there is no looking back. The American Birkebeiner association has my money and I have my wave placement.

The postcard tells me I am assigned to Wave 8.

This means that an estimated 6,000 skiers will take off before me. Together those 6,000 skiers will chop, grind, and destroy any good snow in front of me...but it also means that only about 1,000 skiers will start behind me. The pessimist in me says that only about 1,000 skiers need to pass me in order for me to finish last (my greatest fear), and the optimist says I will have a very good chance of passing more people than pass me and leading towards a possible top 5800 finish.

The Birkebeiner: An American Adventure?

Last week I came across a National Geographic Adventure Magazine that I bought in the spring of 2009. I assume I bought it because it lists the top 50 American Adventures. First on the list is biking the Continental Divide Trail, next up is kayaking across Yellowstone Lake to the Thorofare region, then comes rowing down the Grand Canyon, and climbing Mount Ranier. Adventure after enticing adventure is described. Makes for a nice life list ... especially if one is young and fit. Surprisingly, #14 on the list says "Ski the Birkebeiner." Although I have never really considered my goal to ski the Birkie as an adventure, apparently the editors of this magazine disagree:

"When 7,000 cross-country skiers convene at the start of the Birkie, the largest, most vaunted ski race in the country, it's a maelstrom of adrenaline, camaraderie, knit caps, and Northwoods spectacle. Rank amateurs go toe to toe with world's elite to gun for a personal best or a piece of the $20,000 purse. The 50K course is gorgeous anytime, but the race is worth planning your life around."

As I began training for the race I looked at the whole process as something more than just a future ski race. My goal was to use the training to prepare myself for the rest of my life and my future adventures. The words "the race is worth planning your life around" spoke to me and are exactly why I am putting my body through a 12 month "rehabilitation process."

Since undergoing this assault on my body I have come to realize that all of my runs, my bike rides, my swims, my hikes, and even my walks with the dog are all subtly preparing my for a trip down into the Grand Canyon, or to the top of Half Dome, or maybe even to a long paddle in and around Prince William Sound.

Besides the almost daily specific training runs and rides, I have also spent several days simply playing. My wife and I spent a morning mountain biking through the Chequamegan National Forest. I kayaked the Turtle River, hiked in the Porcupine Mountains, and biked through the trails of the Northern Highland-American Legion Forest. At home, nearly everyday, instead of driving, I am biking to the pool, or the fish market, or the movies. For much of the summer I have put my car away and instead am trying to use my bicycle to run simple errands.

When I started this adventure my dream felt big, maybe even a bit undoable; but now, over 500 miles later I am starting to understand the power of birkyness.

Birkyness: Game On

I must confess, as June came to end I was starting to doubt my ability to complete the Birkie. Although I had worked myself into decent shape, skiing 50 kilometers seemed a bit of a stretch for a soft, old guy. School work, child care, poor weather, and an overall lack of endurance had all appeared to catch up on me. But I wasn't yet ready to give up.

I knew that July was an important month in my quest for birkyness. With summer vacation approaching the halfway point, July appeared to be a make it or break it month.

Since March I have tracked every mile I have run, biked, or hiked. It was fun to write down and inspiring to add up, but still, nowhere was I seeing a five hour ski in my future...even if it was still eight months away. Slowly I started committing to longer runs, to more challenging bike rides. I honored my rest days, but began to push harder in my workouts.

As I headed into the last week of July I added up the miles. I knew I had stayed diligent, and was feeling quite strong, still I was surprised at the distances my math revealed. On Friday I went for an 18 mile bike ride...bringing me to 203 miles for the month. On Saturday morning, the last day of July, I went on a four mile run, pushing my monthly total to 62.4 miles. Never before had I completed this many miles. Never before in my adult life have I felt this strong and this fit.

I am so confident in fact that last week I sent in my $80 (nonrefundable) registration fee.

The birkie is on...