The Power of Support

My initial draw to the Birkie 17 years ago had has much to do with the enthusiasm of the event as it did with trying to ski an incredibly long distance. The throngs of people along the course, the cow bells, and the packed sidewalks of Hayward were all part of the magic.

So today's reflection is not so much about the severity of the Penokee-Genobic divided but is instead about the sporadically placed spectators and volunteers along the course. Their enthusiasm and encouragement are to be applauded.

• At the 4km mark, towards the end of the power line, waits a massive drum line. I'm guessing there were probably 15-20 folks pounding drums, stroking washer boards, shaking cowbells, and chanting rhythmical support.

• The food stations are lined with not only those who offer energy drink, water, bananas, and oranges, but also includes the motivators. Those who laugh with you, push you, and encourage you to get to the next food stop. There are eight food stops total...so having these as strategically placed keeps a skier motivated to get to the next one. Each food stop has their own theme...Bob Marley music, or Jimmy Buffet music, or pulled pork sandwiches (I did not have one)...anything to keep the skiers' minds on something other than pain and fatigue.

• At about the 20km mark is snowmobile corner. Here awaits the drunks and the loudmouths. These folks wait halfway down the most dangerous S-turn on the course. After climbing "Tourette's Hill" the skiers are faced with a fast and icy downhill. The snowmobilers wait to either cheer you or boo you, depending upon your fate. I made it through the curve without falling, so of course I got booed.

• A couple of km's past Hwy OO, the halfway point of the race, sits "Whippoorwill Hill." Several hearty folks hike back into the top of steep hill "whoop"their support. Fun stuff. Veteran Birkie skiers will whoop their own greeting.

• My favorite group of supporters is the 39k zone. Starting at about the 38.5 mark we begin to see signs along the trail announcing that we are entering the 39k zone. As we begin yet another difficult climb we can hear rock 'n roll music in the background. The closer we get it is clear that the Jimmy Hendrix Experience will support us through the zone. They have a campfire. Energy drinks. Protein bars. Even alcohol. Of course, I don't consider that at all appealing.

• Lake Hayward is filled with supporters. They drive their trucks, bring barbecues, crank their own music, shake cow bells, and will us along in our last bit of misery.

• And of course we finish on Main Street. Amazing their nearly seven hours after the Elite Skiers left Telemark Lodge the street is still filled with enthusiastic supporters. No one knew me, yet as I neared the finish they cheered loudly as my name and age were announced. It probably helped that at age 51 I was finishing my first Birkie.

The support all these people offered along the way truly helped the experience. The smiles, the nods, and the high-fives I gave were all as important as the energy I consumed along the way.

Race Day...360 Some Days Later

PREFACE:

Before I begin the actually post I want to briefly discuss the past two weeks. Basically it is an explanation why I have not been noting my progress. On February 12th I skied the Pre-Birkie. It is a 42 km ski race and is a prelude to The American Birkebeiner. Two days before the Pre-Birkie the Governor of Wisconsin proposed a bill that would cut teacher's salaries (and all public sector union workers) by about 8.5%. We are a two educator family, so it obviously mattered to us. The bill also proposed the elimination of collection bargaining rights that have been in place for nearly 60 years. If passed my voice in my own classroom could be severely limited. Therefore instead of spending the last two weeks training and blogging about my year long adventure, I was instead participating in demonstrations and letter writing campaigns trying to save my profession. Although our Governor did affect my training schedule, there was no way I was going to let him take this race away from me.

One of 21 waves...over 8,700 skiers this year.

RACE DAY: WAVE 8

Last night I slept horribly, and today I awoke in a bundle of nerves. I'm not sure if it was taking the past two weeks of training off, or if it was just the fact that I was now facing something that I had been preparing to attack for about a year. The morning began with a cold bus ride from Hayward to Cable. Once at the starting grounds I had to wait for almost three hours before my wave was released to the trail. The nerves never really went away while sitting (and sleeping) in Telemark Lodge.

The first 23 km of the race are brutal. Hill after hill after hill awaits the skiers. Within the first 1.5 km we ski on what is called the "power lines." At this point the course is wide, but the only view afforded  the skier is a simple steady climb. It's not pretty. Then after a very short downhill we again begin to move steadily upwards. We reached the high point of the trail quite early in the race, at about 13 km (fire tower hill), yet the next ten are just as difficult, even if they do drop in elevation a bit. Still though by the time I reached Hwy OO, the finish of the Kortelopet, I was feeling pretty good. After the OO food stop the course became quite manageable for the next 8.8 km. Lots of rolling hills, but no severe climbs, and several screaming downhills. I felt strong and I was having fun. Felt it was in the bag. We were definitely losing elevation as we made the long descent into Hayward. And that was encouraging.

But then at about 40 km the course turned upwards again. Skiers everywhere, most of them just stepping up the hills, trying to stay off of each others poles. Very little gliding. People were tired. Then we crossed over Rosie's Field and towards our last food stop. I asked a guy standing next to me if we were done with the hills yet? He smiled and said "first time?" I nodded. He said we have one more--"Bitch Hill." And it started immediately after the food station. It probably isn't even as steep as the other hills, but I am assuming its name comes because we face it after already skiing 44 km.

However after struggling to make it to the top of "Bitch Hill" skiers are provided with an encouraging sight. Below us in the distance sits Hayward and its water tower. And the only way to get there is to go downhill and across Lake Hayward. Still, after skiing this far, the end is probably about 30 minutes away as those last few kilometers are pure hell (at least one with my ability).

Taken yesterday: the finish line looking back down Main Street.

And then after skiing across Lake Hayward comes the coolest part of the race, and one of the things that drew me to this race so many years ago. The finish down Hayward's Main Street. Coming across the lake the signs tease the tired skier... 2 km left and then 1 km (1000 meters). And then 500 meters. And then we climb off the lake and turn right onto Main Street. At this point we can see the huge FINISH sign that hangs across the entire street. And fans surrounding the finish area, cheering and offering support. A beautiful sight! An emotional sight!

And so I skated up Main Street...exhausted...ecstatic...miserable...and grinning from ear to ear... I am certain I didn't look very good, but I did not care.

Tonight I can call myself an American Birkebeiner finisher.

Bonking...a Bit Early!

Today I skied my longest stint of the season. It was difficult. As I write this I am questioning my sanity. I am truly concerned that I am not going to be able to complete this race. By the time I finished I was completely tanked. I had little energy, a stomach ache, and could go no further. One might even call it a bonk.

For the day I made 31 kilometers...a good amount...but the Birkie is 50 kilometers and the terrain, especially the first half, is much more challenging than Mirror Lake. So my doubts creep in.

Mirror Lake State Park is a great track. Probably my favorite place to ski in the area. There are enough uphills to challenge the legs and the heart, and a couple of screaming downhills. The trails meander through a decent size forest--with a good mix between hardwoods and pines. And it is possible to ski over 14 miles of trails while only repeating .4 of a mile. Fun stuff. Good training grounds.  Lots of varied scenery is good medicine for the tired skier.

The Birkebeiner is three weeks from today. Next weekend is the Pre-Birkie--a 42 km race going uphill from Hayward Lake-- back to and around OO. With these two races coming up I knew that I needed to begin pushing harder...pushing for more distance. I knew that my current level of training was not enough. Still,  I really didn't expect to have this much trouble today. I knew I would tire, but not to the level that I did.

Reflecting upon the ski raises a couple of flags for me. First of all it appears as though I only drank about 8 oz of fluids. Not very smart. I also know that my food intake before the ski was not nearly as thought out as it should have been and that I also chose not to eat an energy bar during the training, even though I knew I was losing my strength. Again, not very smart.

The moral of the story is that next weekend is all about diet and toughness. All week I will need to monitor my food and drink. Stay away from the sweets; eat carbs, protein; drink to stay hydrated. Then I will eat a good spaghetti dinner the night before and drink enough fluid and electrolytes during the ski. If I can physically prepare my body then I can put my body in a situation where my mind can carry me through.

I know next weekend is crucial. Not just for confidence, but also for building momentum. If I can complete 42 km's next Saturday I am certain that I will be able to grind out 50 km on February 26th. Elevation gain be damned.

Snowday...

Sidewalk view of the final snow depth. Notice the sun coming out at 11:00. So did the
groundhog see his shadow today?

Sometimes you just gotta throw the training schedule away and a have a little fun. Kinda of like today.

Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning brought about six inches of snow. Then last night after a short lull, Madison got blasted with an additional foot. All total we received 18.7 in about 48 hours. Definitely a fabulous old-time blizzard.

Queen or King of the Hill?

With skiing out of the question today -- this much snow actually makes skate skiing difficult -- I decided to get my workout in by digging out of the depths. I figured I'd get a little dry-land training on a snowy Wisconsin morning. Chloe and I bundled up and headed outside. Slowly the neighbors joined us and we had ourselves a snow shoveling party. Three hours later, which included sometime goofing off time with Chloe, the dogs and her friends, my property was finally cleared.

Ezra getting funky! Running her snout through the deep snow.

Towards the end of the shoveling my neighbor Bob stepped in with his snow blower. Earlier today Allen plowed his driveway and sidewalk, so being the retired Lutheran pastor that he is, he figured he needed to help me with my sidewalk... and so because Bob helped me I helped Deb, and because I helped Deb, Deb and I helped Mike, and then just because I went further around the cul-de-sac and helped my neighbor Kevin finish his driveway. A great work out and an opportunity to socialize with the neighbors.

Katie and Chloe...chillin'

Nothing like a little weather event to bring the neighborhood together.

Dawn at -19 Zero!

Not necessarily about the Birkie...but damn, its a good thing the cabin is built well!

A Cold, Hard Ski...

Sculpture at the halfway point of the American Birkebeiner.

Temperatures were below zero when I hit the Birkie Trail Saturday morning. The snow was slow...or sharp...as hard-core ski waxers will tell you. In fact I was told before the event started that skate skiers would find squeaky snow. And squeaky snow is slow snow. Therefore the cold was never really the problem. I dressed well. I had five layers on the bottom and four on the top. My cheeks were the only part of my skin that weren't covered, and I put some skin protector stuff on those. So as it turned out I had lot more problems with my glide than I did with the cold...although the two are related.

Winter enthusiasts hanging around in the cold!

I read last night that when temperatures get below 10 degrees the snow gets aggressive and starts to grab at skis. Never before did I realize that snow - especially cold snow - has such basic human personality flaws. The writer mentioned all sorts of solutions, only one of which I could attend to, waxing my own skis. But I have two problems with waxing: I'm horrible at it and I find it a bit tedious. I know it is important, but there are so many other things I would rather do than wax a ski. Still though I did take some time to apply two layers last night. But my lack of care hurt me this morning. I am certain I should have taken another hour and waxed at least one more time.

Chili and hot chocolate outside the warming huts.

Today's ski was my most challenging ski of the year. Because of the cold they shortened the race. Instead of starting from Telemark and skiing towards OO, we went from OO to the Fire Tower aid station using the Birkie Skate Trail, and then returned back to OO along the Birkie Classic Trail. Although this setup worked well, and was quite scenic, we had to climb the most challenging hill on the course twice. The volunteer at the Fire Tower told us that we "just skied the most difficult 2 km...in North America." I assume he is exaggerating a bit, especially considering that we are in Wisconsin and not the Rocky Mountains, but I do know that it was the most challenging 2 km I have ever skated. Up, up, and up we skated, a painful experience that has forced me to evaluate how I must attack these last 34 days of training.

As I talked with skiers their complaints were always about the snow ... not the cold. Several times while climbing the hills I could feel the snow grabbing my ski. Literally trying to stop my skis and send me over the tips of my skis. The climbs were slow, methodical, and ridiculously long. The downhills were still fun, but since it felt as though most of my time was spent plodding up the hills, the fun times were rare and difficult to recall. Hopefully when I come back in three weeks for the Pre-Birke the temperatures will be warmer and the snow faster.

Gobs of warm chili after a cold ski.

After the ski however the American Birkebeiner Foundation served up a great spread for the weary skiers. Chili, hot-dogs, cookies, and hot chocolate helped ease the fatigue. I chowed a couple of bowls of the chili and got back some of the energy I expired.

Blueberry in the Cold!

Looking east...and a hair north.

It's Friday. It's three o'clock in the afternoon. And it is 1 degree below zero outside. Early morning wind chills hit as low as -30. Most of the schools up here were out for a "cold day." I am fortunate enough to be inside the cabin, warmed by the hot-chocolate and wood-burning stove and comforted by whiteness and stillness.

I am at the Blueberry Lake compound for the weekend. Back in December, way before I could even guess about a weather report, I signed up to ski the Birkie Tour. It is an untimed, non-competitve, supported ski along the Birkie Trail. I figured it would be a good way to get reacquainted with the trail, work on learning to drink and eat at the food stops, and hang with some skiers.  It's tomorrow morning. And the predicted air temperature at start time is -2 with a wind chill somewhere around -14.  Should be fun.

From the front, looking south. Doesn't Look Cold?

So tonight I am going to enjoy the solitude. I'll grade a few exams, cook a tasty meal, wax my skis, and then finish the evening with a snowshoe out on the lake. I'm sure I won't last long, but I want to experience this cold.  I want to take a wander! 

Good Snow = Better Skiing = Better Skier

January has been a tough month for cross-country ski training. After a New Year's thaw we were left with only a bit of snow, and any snow that could be found was at least an hour's drive away. But last week the weather finally began to cooperate a bit.

Throughout the week we had several Alberta Clippers come through. Then on Martin Luther King Day we finally got ourselves a nice little front-dropping about five inches on the Madison area throughout the day. All total we saw about nine inches for the week. Not a ton, but at least enough to reopen the Madison area trails. So last night after work I grabbed the skies and hopped over to Elver Park.

It felt really good to be back in the woods. Back on good snow. Over the past couple of weeks I skied at Lapham Peak over near Milwaukee-a short loop covered with man-made snow. I also made it to Blue Mounds State Park-beautiful trails, although a bit bare and icy in places, and then I spent a couple of days over at Mirror Lake State Park-the best snow in the area. But even the best snow in the area left me feeling anxious about my ability to train effectively. Last night however lifted my spirits once again.

Skiing on bad snow seemed to challenge my skiing abilities. I tired easily, wasn't able to hold a flat ski very long, and always had to worry about scratching the bottoms of my skis. It seemed as though I never got comfortable, and once again began doubting my abilities to ski 50km. Last night however the snow was fantastic. Its freshness allowed for some strong skating. My strides were long and confident, and I actually felt like my skis were working with me. I was able to hold my striding techniques for long periods of time. The uphills held plenty of snow, and the new found base allowed from some good climbing, and then the downhill stretches were an absolute riot-fast and smooth. And most importantly, I felt like I could ski again. In fact I felt as though the two and half weeks of skiing on lousy snow actually helped me as a skier.

Over the next couple of days we are expecting some very cold weather, temperatures going below zero at night and only reaching single digits during the days. But what I am learning is that cold weather after a good snow makes for some fast trails. Just in time for some serious training. And so with 38 days to go before the Birkie we will likely have some strong snow for the duration.

Will it Go Round in Circles

Reading the ski reports yesterday, I came across this interesting description on skinnyskis.com: "This is a good time to download some Billy Preston on your iPod. The only skiing in the Milwaukee area is the 1.2K loop of manmade snow at Lapham Peak. Will you go round in circles?"

Although I don't ski with an iPod I did find the time and energy to drive to Lapham Peak, about an hour east of Madison, located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The skating was a bit challenging at first. I had trouble holding an edge and it took me a long while before I felt comfortable on my skies. Might have been the man-made snow, or it might have been the lack of wax, but my heavy legs, sore shins, achy ankle, and a week and a day off made for a difficult ski. But I kept going, kept humming a little Billy Preston, kept counting my trips up and down the only small hill on the track, and eventually worked my way around the 1.2 km loop 20 times...for a total of 24 km.

Even with the struggles however, it felt great to be back on the skis. And besides finding snow I also discovered a new area and witnessed a beautiful sunset. Still though, what we need the most around here is a snowstorm or two.

A December Disaster: Warmth and Rain!

December dropped almost 21" of snow on the ground...about eight more than normal. The trails all over the state were in excellent shape. The trails locally had about a five inch base...a strong base so early in the ski season. Obviously, things were in great shape. I was feeling strong and enjoying my daily trips onto the ski trails. And I was beginning to gain tremendous confidence in my ability to ski 50 km. I knew that if I continued to ski about three to four times a week, saving the weekends for long exhausting tours, that I would indeed be able to fight my way to Hayward's main street.

And then it came: A late December melt has destroyed our snow. Two and half straight days of temperatures above 32 degrees. In fact, Thursday topped out at 40, while New Year's Eve day topped out at 46 degrees. Yesterday, along with the warmer temperatures came a long miserable rain. The chronic winter complainers are happy--a respite from their miserable indoor existence.  The skiers are now the complainers,  searching the long-term forecast for any evidence of snow. Only flurries are in sight, and the Birkie is only 57 days away.

So now once I again I must readjust my psyche. I must again lace up the running shoes and head back to the pavement. I must fight off the bad weather and learn to love running the streets of a dirty and yucky Madison.

A tough start to the New Year!