tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193102002024-03-07T03:24:55.534-06:00MadCrossThe life and times of a cyclocross racer and nordic skier who loves vegetarian cooking.MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.comBlogger520125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-59157790446437075122017-08-21T10:22:00.002-05:002017-08-21T10:27:27.994-05:00Bikepacking "Light" - What I am taking<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">What to take or more like what not to take. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">There is nothing like knowing you have to haul your stuff up and down mountains to inspire packing light. Here is what clothing was in my bag:</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Bike shoes </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Helmet </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">2 bike shorts, 2 short sleeve jerseys, 2 sports bras</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">1 ultra thin undershirt</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Arm warmers, knee warmers, leg warmers</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">2 pair of gloves - light and medium weight full finger gloves </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">(decided against short finger gloves as it wasn't going to be hot)</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Rain jacket and rain shorts</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">1 pair of each - Light socks, light wool socks, medium wool socks, rain socks</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Light hat and buff</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Keen flats</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Skirt and leggings</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Short sleeve and long sleeve shirts - both tech fabric but ones that look good enough for around town</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Down vest</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">2 pair of underwear, 1 every day bra</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Bikini</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I also took:</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Phone and GoPro </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Cable chargers and European plug</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Bike lights </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Tube, pump and bike tools</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Sunglasses and my regular eyeglasses (so I can see to read!)</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Toiletries - Sunscreen, Petal Power chamois cream, face lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, cheap comb, razor, deodorant </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Dr Bronners soap - for laundry as well as for hotels without soap or shampoo </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">All this plus the food for the day and water in a hydration pack, a Rogue Panda frame bag and a Rogue Panda under the seat bag. All on my Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt full suspension mountain bike. </span></div>
MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-362927035023526052015-05-29T12:43:00.001-05:002015-05-29T18:36:39.663-05:00Bike Review - Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt<div>It you are looking for a review that discusses the latest tech, uses words like rebound and dampening and in any way compares the latest to the greatest you are in the wrong place. You might want to go here. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://m.bikemag.com/videos/rocky-mountain-thunderbolt-2015-bible-bike-tests-roundtable-reels/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However if you prefer the ramblings of someone who hasn't paid attention to technology for 12 years and still rides a bike with tubes and rim brakes then read on!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To set the scene you must Picture in your mind Motorless Mition Bicycles, one of Madison's local bike shops, as this is where it all begins.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now I must be honest I’ve been a little bit grumpy about how much mountain bikes have changed in the last 12 years. shopping for a new bike seemed a little like just another task on my lengthy To-Do list. New bikes are like a whole different beast than my old bike – it’s like cassette tapes vs CDs (and yes I know that analogy ages me!).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As soon as I saw the bike at the shop I realized that the poor employees were going to have to explain a lot of things to me. The handlebar had all kinds of things that did who knew what and the suspension systems were clearly a mystery to me. And that was before I knew that you could actually adjust the “radness” of the bike . . . or maybe the progression or really I have no idea what terminology I should even be throwing around these days (if you want the right lingo go back and click on the Bike Mag link). Clearly I should have been reading Bike Magazine for more than the travel stories!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, the poor put upon staff at Motorless Motion all rallied to my cause. They ensured that the bike was set up for me and that I at least had some vague idea of how to adjust it once out on the trail. And they were truly put upon because I don’t even own a bike with disc brakes so you can see that I truly have been left behind the times. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now of all the many features on the bike the one that I still find the most amazing/intriguing/fascinating is the button on the handlebar that allows you to adjust the seat height. Yes, just push the button to lower or raise your saddle. Wouldn’t that have been nice back in the 90s at races when you suddenly realized you were going slowly because your seat post had sunk! (What was it about 1990s seat posts that caused them to slip down so much!!!) Now you can raise your seat on the fly for those longs climbs and lower it down when it comes time to huck off some crazy jump. Back when I bought my first mountain bike (a 1989 fully rigid beauty) I would have laughed at the idea that would ever be possible. Of course, I also thought front suspension might be a fad up until about 1994.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tech mysteries aside what did I think of the Rocky Mountain Thurnderbolt?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just walking out of the shop with the Thunderbolt made me feel giddy and like I was still some sort of bad ass mountain biker. It also made me feel more in charity with the dudes that are always riding around in mountain bike trail parking lots doing wheelies and bunny hopping shit but who may or may not ever actually ride the trails. I now realize they are just overcome by the pure coolness of their rigs. (Side note: I'm hoping that the use of rig makes this review have more cred not less).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course it is all good and fine to look cool in the parking lot but in the end it is the ride that matters. The biggest complement I can give to the bike is that I felt comfortable on it immediately even though it is completely different from my current bike. That’s a big deal to me as that has been one of the issues holding me back from rushing into a replacement bike. Some bikes have just felt awkward but the Thunderbolt always felt comfortable but in a good “I’m going to slay this trail” kind of way. (Please note that no trails were actually slayed during this review). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of the big issues I’ve been getting my head around with the bikes I’ve been considering is that they are heavier than my current bike. Of course I bought my current bike for racing and my next bike is for adventures since I am a washed up has been racer. The reality is that my adventures are usually with Dave who rides a Seven hardtail. I can't afford the liability of a heavy bike as I already can’t keep up with him on the climbs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m not going to lie the Thunderbolt is a bit heavier than the Juliana but it climbs so well that I didn't notice. There are a few sections at Cam-Rock which sometimes I have trouble climbing when my legs are tired and my legs were very tired on my test ride. Several times I came to sections where I thought I wouldn’t make the climb and once where I thought I couldn’t make the climb because of gear choice. Guess what?!?! Each time I made it up the climb even though I had mentally prepared to not make it. That was a shocker because if my mind says I won’t make it then I usually don’t. My mental is always stellar!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Okay, so the bike climbs better than expected. That’s good for someone who hates to climb like me. But what about the fun stuff! I’m just going to say that at one point I actually “woo hoo’d” out loud in one little bermy, flowy section of the trail. The bike just rolled through that section like it was made for it (which I suppose it was). I felt like the bike just knew how to roll and flow. The only thing holding this bike back from flying through everything was me as the bike was more than capable. Certainly more capable than me!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moving up from 26” to 27.5” wheels is also just enough to make logs and rocks just a little bit easier which I appreciate greatly. Those of you who rode with me long ago know that I used to be a bit of a risk taker but 20 years later I find that I prefer caution to scrapes, bruises and blood. So a bike that makes anything easier is good for the ego!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think the thing that really sold me on the Thunderbolt was that at the end of my initial ride I wanted to quit my job, steal the demo bike and just ride. The next morning when I saw it in my bike shed I wanted to call in sick and ride some more since I knew it had to be returned. And if I had to describe the bike in one word it would be FUN and if I could have two words it would be ENDLESS SUMMER.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or if you would indulge me I would say this is the kind of bike that shows </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">those guys that are </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">inching</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">their way on the freeways</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in their metal coffins</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> that the human sprit is still alive. (Shut up I like that movie and I warned you that this wouldn't be <i>that</i> kind of bike review).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br></p></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG93YY7H70a6hhvK_LsOu3ocndKlT0wGUQrqFM1jMkz4_mxnhZBcJldHTwOq1WFP1l0Ab5t1YtljTDgj_G77VcCUlF0jaQRTr27iBlsPHGtH4Rr4hbXJ1llpQ8HrA2idO101OrQ/s640/blogger-image-1608501675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG93YY7H70a6hhvK_LsOu3ocndKlT0wGUQrqFM1jMkz4_mxnhZBcJldHTwOq1WFP1l0Ab5t1YtljTDgj_G77VcCUlF0jaQRTr27iBlsPHGtH4Rr4hbXJ1llpQ8HrA2idO101OrQ/s640/blogger-image-1608501675.jpg"></a></div>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-47201922577862776182014-11-05T19:38:00.001-06:002014-11-05T19:38:32.189-06:00On racing cyclocross again<div class="MsoNormal">
If like me you started racing in 1990 it would seem
that it would be pretty easy to return to racing after only a couple year
hiatus. It would seem that way but it isn't entirely true. It may have been injuries
that brought about my hiatus – first a fractured tailbone in 2012 and then SI
joint issues in 2013 that continue to flare up even now - but it
was a love of the free time that not racing gives you that was truly
seductive. It can be alluring to go out for a ride, a run or a
rollerski at any time and any level of effort that I wanted. No showing
up at the race location with time to register, warm
up, pin on the number, race hard, cool down. Even a short event like cross
can eat up your weekend. Having time to go to brunch, get a few errands
done and still exercise is rather relaxing. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet it has seemed strange to put on a big UCI cyclocross race and then not be a part of the scene after it was over. Yes, I feel pretty burnt out on cross by the time the race is over as I've already spent a couple of months totally focused on cross. But only putting on the race makes it hard to remember all the fun I had racing over the years and makes one question why you should keep promoting such a time consuming event. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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This year I decided to start getting involved more with cross again so I kicked that off by organizing a weekly women's cyclocross practice. There is actually nothing like a group of women showing up some of whom had never even see a cyclocross race and putting their faith in me to show them the ropes. Honestly it was the most motivating thing I could have done - better than training and actually being fast. It reminded me that what I like about cyclocross and racing (be it bikes or skis) is the camaraderie and social aspect. For the whole month of October a whole host of women showed up to practice skills and talk about all the various aspects of racing - from heckling to licenses to starts to being okay with getting off and running sections.</div>
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And that is truthfully why I started racing again – for the fun people.
Sure it feels somewhat rewarding to have raced
hard and pushed myself but after 20+ years I think I know what I can
and cannot accomplish athletically. Sure I’ve had some successes – some
wins, one state championship, a few meager UCI cyclocross points – and
also an overwhelming number of DFLs, a broken finger, a torn
ACL, plenty of bumps and bruises. However, what I really have is lots
of friends and acquaintances that are super fun and truthfully I'm hard pressed to think of very many friends that I
haven't met either through cycling or skiing. </div>
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<br /></div>
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For all my friends who aren't racing anymore come back and hang out with me! My race season hasn't been that impressive and is highlighted by numbers pinned upside down, poorly executed beer hand ups, almost missing the start, and feeble lungs and legs. However, I have reconnected with some pretty awesome people and met some great new people. I've been heckled and cheered and had a great time recalling that cyclocross is the most fun you can have while suffering intensely! And for all of you doing the heckling and cheering - thanks for making it fun!</div>
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Here's some proof that I really have raced! </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt1M02cFBkEqpw4FnCYt4eYu7C0DYAj7wV7SydeqzTXqY3lqmC1NGFjn-5pvE9058XqluXWJsYPNxooGJ_rMGzjsdWHiprIiyOdothXL8bKJ6ijGQ3eYxtuOCPYDihRt1cHuBBg/s1600/sun+prairie+downhill-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt1M02cFBkEqpw4FnCYt4eYu7C0DYAj7wV7SydeqzTXqY3lqmC1NGFjn-5pvE9058XqluXWJsYPNxooGJ_rMGzjsdWHiprIiyOdothXL8bKJ6ijGQ3eYxtuOCPYDihRt1cHuBBg/s1600/sun+prairie+downhill-2.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun Prairie Cup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdQgpRBOFrw5jasiCFv1wMETwVR-2JKeO_GC6HSOiWoi2kssdDfPNgUQbQXOGVosedV2PcAP-n7PsdU7gV9pWn31ur3nWnJRPM7Xh237ZEJAvD2y5Hlim8AOvisD1XqO8FIUMMQ/s1600/Badger+Prairie+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdQgpRBOFrw5jasiCFv1wMETwVR-2JKeO_GC6HSOiWoi2kssdDfPNgUQbQXOGVosedV2PcAP-n7PsdU7gV9pWn31ur3nWnJRPM7Xh237ZEJAvD2y5Hlim8AOvisD1XqO8FIUMMQ/s1600/Badger+Prairie+Start.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badger Prairie Start (I'm the one with the slowest start)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MmuWqTqUiafe87-hPjD4F1x0Txt-r-RHrPNng61mW59Iw4fkd0ntcfDmIGQUIVwwGD6bB-DAl2B2ACKn9rxAFhlnZAsEfWe7SNDpUrqWMJLnFHuSOoCbIT_2CFq8-XjAOfGvkw/s1600/Fitchburg+Cross+Sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MmuWqTqUiafe87-hPjD4F1x0Txt-r-RHrPNng61mW59Iw4fkd0ntcfDmIGQUIVwwGD6bB-DAl2B2ACKn9rxAFhlnZAsEfWe7SNDpUrqWMJLnFHuSOoCbIT_2CFq8-XjAOfGvkw/s1600/Fitchburg+Cross+Sand.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celtic Cross in Fitchburg (I'm the one in green on the left)</td></tr>
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MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-70987678401549638962014-02-24T17:13:00.001-06:002014-02-24T21:21:27.119-06:00Remembering F’igen . . . or actually that F’ing BirkieSometimes all the things you worry about going into
a big event are all the wrong things. As the Birkie quickly approached I
spent way too much mental energy worrying about my lack of training.
Of course I only worried about this long
after it was too late to make much difference. November, December or
even January might have been a great time to do worry about it as you
could still take action. However, I left it until February at which
point I upped my skiing to a record setting 3 days
per week. I even tried to convince myself that I skied 30k one day
(luckily Dave pointed out to me that wasn’t true and eventually I
reluctantly conceded that it was only about 20k).
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I had fantasies of the Birkie being cancelled thus
ruining 10,000 people’s days so I could feel better. I had fantasies of
short illnesses that would cause me to miss the race (the Birkie flu
instead of Birkie fever). Of course a sane
person would have switched to the Kortie on Jan 31 but that particular
day I was overcome with enthusiasm for skiing. Truthfully I am pretty
sure that I was overcome with only enough enthusiasm to not change out
of the Birkie but not enough to go skiing when
I got home. I can’t say for sure but I’m pretty confident that I had a
surge of confidence and then got home from work and mixed up a nice
drink instead of heading out into the cold to ski. I can say with fair
confidence that I kicked back with my drink
and was filled with thoughts of how skiing the Birke with little
training would be fine. Sports psychologists do say that the power of
positive thinking is important!</div>
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The sad reality of life is that no matter what you
do you can’t stop time and eventually Birkie day arrived whether I
wished it away or not. (Apparently the power of positive thinking can
only take you so far!)</div>
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I won’t bore you with details of getting up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1777573417" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5am</span></span>
to get ready, worrying if I had enough Dermatone slathered on to
prevent frostbite, and how much fun it is to freeze in a porta-potty in 2
degree temps (although you can read more about
that <a href="http://madcross.blogspot.com/2012/02/so-i-finally-did-pre-birkie.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Instead I’ll just cut to the chase of the actual race.</div>
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As mentioned I worried quite a bit (although
possibly not enough or too little too late) about my fitness. I was
skiing out of Wave 3 and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to ski that kind
of time this year so I lined up in the back. When
the gun went off I didn’t let nervous energy get the better of me and
send me rocketing towards the front instead I took it easy and just
didn’t worry about the pace. No need to rush around. Plus I’ll be the
first to admit that I’m a slow starter on my best
days especially in really cold temps.</div>
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I thought my plan was going pretty well. By around
5k or so I was starting to feel a little bit more warmed up and
settling into the race. The pack was thinning out a bit already back in
the back of Wave 3 so it wasn’t so crowded. By
the 9k feed station I really thought that the race was going pretty
well all things considered. Certainly not fast but nice and steady. I
was pacing myself off someone whose bib said this was Birkie #28. I
figured he knew how to pace the race with that many
years of experience! </div>
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But then skip ahead to about 17k into the race. At
this point you’ve crossed over Fire Tower Hill but still have lots of
racing to go. Enough that it still seems daunting. This is the point
at which my back started to seize up and was
excruciatingly painful. I had lots of back problems in 2013 but they
really hadn’t bothered me since mid-summer. Apparently though my
problems had not gone away permanently since I was in agony.</div>
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I’m not going to lie – with 37k still to ski I was a
little worried. Luckily my back pain totally took my mind off my lack
of endurance. Instead I focused on trying to find ways of skiing that
would be less painful. Skiing slower was a
big part of the plan as was stretching on every downhill. I also
changed up how upright I was on the skis trying out different positions
to find ones that were less painful.</div>
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At 21k I got to the Boedecker Road feed station and
decided that I needed to stretch out my back. In the past it would
often feel a little better if I could crack my back. I skied into the
aid station, ate a Gu, drank some water and then
found a free space. And I took off my skis, laid down in the snow and
stretched. Then I got up and continued on as what else can you do?!?!</div>
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My back felt a little better for a kilometer or so
but after that the pain was back with a vengeance and at times it was
hard to find any position that wasn’t shooting pain up my back. The next
rest stop was at OO where you can get a bus
if you drop out. That is the half way point for the Classic race and I
wasn’t sure if I could last skiing with that much pain for another 27k.</div>
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So I thought about it and I thought about it some
more. I thought about what I wrote on the toe of my boot – Remember
F’igen. Last September we mountain biked through the Swiss Alps and
the day we rode through Frutigen was pretty horrible.
We had 9 hours of riding/walking with steep climbs and plenty of rain
and lots of misery. I cried once and it took every ounce of fortitude to
make it. Truthfully we should have gotten the bus in Frutigen before we
started the final mountain pas to Adelboden but we didn't.</div>
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One could take “Remember F’igen” two ways – 1)
that if we would have taken the bus when we had the chance the day would
have been tiring but enjoyable or 2) that you can dig deep and survive
things that are really hard and laugh about
it later. Not shockingly I went with the 2<sup>nd</sup>
interpretation. I told myself that if I wasn’t crying and I could still
move forward then there was no way I should drop out. Plus they gave
us the Finisher hat when we picked up our race bib what
would I do with the hat if didn’t finish???</div>
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I got to OO and I ate more Gu, drank more water and
once again found a spot to take off my skis and stretch my back. Then I
put my skis on and went right on by the easiest place to drop out of
the race telling myself that it was the smart
move. I’d regret stopping when it took me one year longer to get my 10
year plaque (or piece of wood as we like to call it). Once again I
felt better for about 1 k and then it was back to pain management.</div>
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There is definitely some bruised pride in having to
go really slow in the Birkie as everyone can easily see that you
started in Wave 3 (based on the number on your bib). And there you are
mixed in with people from Wave 5-7 but what can
you do but keep going slowly but steadily just trying to keep the
kilometer markers going by. You must ignore the fact that you are not
passing anyone while hoards of people are passing you. You just have to
stay focused on checking off Birkie #6.</div>
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After OO the next aid station is about 9k away
which is the furthest between aid stations of the entire race.
Unfortunately this section was particularly painful for my back. I was
having trouble finding any position that was comfortable
but I reminded myself of lots of other painful things I’ve done (got
hit by a car, 35k of leg cramps in Birkie #1, recovering from knee
surgery, riding day after day over the Alps, etc, etc). You also have
to focus on the positive such as I’m more than half
way, Dave will have plenty of time to take the bus back to get the car
and still meet me at the finish, I have cupcakes waiting back at the
cabin, etc, etc.</div>
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I actually thought about stopping before I got to
the next aid station to stretch my back but I told myself to wait as it
didn’t seem to help that much. I was imagining myself having to stop
every K to stretch which seemed futile. Finally
I got to the Gravel Pit feed station ate my Gu, drank my water and
stretched my back. Then I got back to skiing (or maybe just walking on
skis most of the time at this point). I focused on getting to the
Mosquito Brook aid station which I eventually reached
and did the same thing – Gu, water, stretch.</div>
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This is where things got interesting. First you go
up the 39K hill (which is actually the 43k hill for Classic skiers)
which is a nice change of pace because there is a big crowd, music and
spectators to take your mind off your suffering.
I wish more hills had music! Then you have to prepare for Bitch Hill
which isn’t really that hard of a hill but it is steep and it is late in
the race. This is another hill that has a crowd of spectators dressed
up to entertain the skiers. I got up both
just by going really slowly and finding a body position that took the
pain off my back. So far so good really.</div>
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Down bitch hill and you have less than 10k to go
which is awesome mentally because 10k is a distance that doesn’t sound
too bad. But in the Birkie you can never get complacent! I was going
down the 2<sup>nd</sup> downhill after Bitch Hill
when I realized I needed to get out of the tracks to go around a skier
with slow skis. I jumped out into the skate lane but then so did the
slower skier. I was snowplowing so I could slow down and not hit him
when a guy behind me started yelling “on your
left.” Unfortunately I had nowhere to go as to move to the right
required skiing over a mound of snow so he hit me. Given how soft the
snow was it wasn’t really so bad to crash as it was a soft landing.
However, after I crashed he crashed and when he crashed
he landed on my pole and I heard the heart wrenching sound of it
snapping.</div>
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At this point I really couldn’t believe my luck. I
could barely ski for back pain and now I had only one working pole. The
guy who hit me asked if I was okay to which I replied that I was fine.
Then I picked myself up and just skied off.
What can you do. That’s ski racing. I’m not sure if I was more upset
that I had to ski with only one pole or that he had just broken a rather
expensive pole.</div>
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So I started skiing with my one pole and miracle of
miracles it actually felt better in some ways. I broke my left pole and
it was the left side of my back that felt the worst so in some ways it
brought a little relief. Plus you get lots
of sympathy when you have only one pole. Plus the kind of sympathy you
get for having a broken pole is better than the sympathy you get for
being a Wave 3 skier who has slid back to ski with Wave 6 and 7 skiers.</div>
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So there I was skiing along with my one pole just
making the best of what was not a great day. Luckily I was only about
4-5k away from the next aid station where they have extra poles so it
wasn’t the end of the world. At the Hwy 77 aid
station I got a new pole and was so invigorated to be close to the end
that I didn’t even both to stretch. My new pole took a little getting
used to as it was a cheap pole with just a loop off the grip so it was
easy to forget that it wasn’t attached as
firmly as my other pole. It was good though as I didn’t want to ski
the whole way to the finish with just one pole as it does get awkward
after a while. (Big thanks to Yuriy for all those drills with just one
pole over the years though).</div>
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After Hwy 77 you have one big climb still to do
which seemed easier than normal. Funny thing about the back pain is
that I wasn’t as tired as normal since I had been skiing so slow all
day. I was glad to get the climb over with but I
wasn’t as deathly tired as normal. Once you get up and over that you
have a nice long lake to cross before you get to downtown Hayward.</div>
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At the start of the lake is the most important part
of the race – the table with Jaeger shots. And yes I stopped for some
Jaeger. Normally I chug it on the move but this year I stopped and
savored the smooth burn. That fortified me for
what was the worst crossing of the lake I’ve experienced yet. The wind
is always a factor in the lake crossing but this year was the worst
yet. The wind was howling and drifting the snow so the tracks were
completely gone in spots. It was also a very cold
wind which was just a nice touch at the end of a very long day.</div>
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However at this point you know you’ll make it and
when time is no longer a consideration you just keep plugging away slow
and steady. It would have been nice to draft someone but I did not luck
into that. Instead a woman drafted me the
whole way so at least I could provide a nice service (and I felt good
about it since she was from Wave 4 so obviously not her finest day
either). After what seems like forever you finally make the move off
the lake onto the streets of Hayward and finally
take the turn onto Main Street. I was pretty excited to see the Finish
line! Stopping skiing felt so good as did get my 6 year pin.</div>
I admit that I never thought I would ski an almost 7
hour Birkie. And if I am completely honest I would say that there is a
part of me that wishes I had dropped out so that I wouldn’t have that
recorded for posterity. However, the bigger
part of my conscience is glad that I toughed it out and pressed on to
record one more finish. It offered me one more opportunity to see if
I’m tough enough. Truthfully it must not have been that hard as I didn’t
even cry once!<br />
<br />
And it wouldn't be a Birkie blog without thanking some people. Special thanks to CXC for waxing my skis as it is always nice to have the pros taking care of things. Also thanks to the CXC coaches as I wouldn't even be able to ski the Birkie without their instruction. Special mention to the coaching efforts of Igor who passed away this winter as he always pushed me to be a better skier than I thought I could be. He will be missed but his memory will live on with all of us who learned so much from him. Thanks to Matt Liebsch for picking out an awesome pair of Rossignol skis for me last summer as they worked great. And thanks to the awesome group of friends who I share a cabin with each year for the fun and camaraderie that really make the weekend worthwhile. MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-52560795645651760432013-03-11T17:55:00.000-05:002013-03-11T18:08:45.304-05:00Birkie 2013<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I know there is a reason I don’t take this blog down – Birkie Fever. I like having a place to record my thoughts after the race so I can reflect back on all the good times, the suffering and the funny stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Oh wait, is that too cliche a start to this post??? I realize that some of you know that I said that I </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> have a great Birkie this year. But what about those best of times???? Let's start with that.</span></span></div>
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The great part about the Birkie is all the stuff outside of the race really (well, except that 5am alarm on Sunday). You are surrounded by a huge celebration of skiing and with tons of other people many of whom are people you really like but maybe don’t get to see that often. I know that a lot of people don’t like the Birkie because of all the people and hoopla and insanity. However all those things also make it awesome and set it apart from all the other winter weekends.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_8ukjGoQepseGjvTohXskBRjL758yhH-misalv3MZOF98WeS4MnQ2DqeNkdURjCtrDr-lF3CKcLYHTJ628vmkW9hFP57-1qnhxFxSrdt-yfKzTOL46vleG_-_3lS5cTgiGa2yQ/s1600/photo+(20).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_8ukjGoQepseGjvTohXskBRjL758yhH-misalv3MZOF98WeS4MnQ2DqeNkdURjCtrDr-lF3CKcLYHTJ628vmkW9hFP57-1qnhxFxSrdt-yfKzTOL46vleG_-_3lS5cTgiGa2yQ/s200/photo+(20).JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnebirkie</td></tr>
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For me I love to get there as early on Thursday as possible but with work commitments I often don’t get to see the Barnebirkie. However, this year I was determined to be there as I wanted to cheer for the kids who would be doing the event in sit skis (which was a first). Plus I can’t lie to you I love the Barnebirkie. Who doesn’t love seeing all sorts of little kids out skiing? It’s the one time of year I think it would be cool to have a kid so I could do the event with them. (Don't get the wrong idea about that comment as it is more like I'd like to borrow a kid than have my own).</div>
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Then on Thursday there is the Main Street Sprints which are also quite an enjoyable time. Being on the CXC Master’s Team there is usually someone I know racing. This year was especially fun because my favorite racer, Jennie Bender, won the women’s sprints. Who doesn’t love watching their friends win?</div>
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After the Sprints it was off to the Expo and Bib Pick Up. Bib Pick Up can be a very crazy undertaking depending on when you arrive. Luckily Thursday afternoon wasn’t very busy yet so no long lines. In the expo I saw one of the Smartwool reps that worked at the USGP and chatted with him about CX World’s (I like to talk biking at ski races and skiing at bike races). I also bumped into quite a few people I hadn’t seen in a while including a few other CXC Master’s teammates and even a former WisDOT co-worker. Then I got to hang out at the CXC booth and watch people try out their new poling machine which proved quite entertaining.</div>
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After the Expo it was off to Cable for dinner at one of my favorite places, River’s Eatery, for some pizza. I had made plans to rendezvous there with Jennie Bender so we could catch up and we werealso joined by some other CXC Master’s which provided a perfect group for hilarious conversation. I’m just going to admit that there are few people who can make me laugh as much as Jennie so good times for sure. Some might say too much fun but is that really possible??!!?? </div>
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On Friday my only goal was to get out for a short ski since I hadn't skied in a couple of weeks. On Friday I always have this overwhelming feeling that I've completely forgotten how to ski in any sort of reasonable manner. This year was no different but being this is my 5th Birkie I've become used to that feeling. Instead I just ignored my own problems and let myself enjoy all the people out trying out skis and waxes. Lots of people out sweating which pair of skis to use. I already knew that I would ski my lucky skis which have seen me through all my classic races. They are a little soft which is less than ideal under some conditions but fine for the type of snow we ended up having. Besides even though they are a little soft they are lucky which makes them always the right choice. When in doubt go for the lucky skis!!</div>
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Friday also has the giant ski, the barkebirkie and the sit ski race. Plus the obligatory stop at New Moon to look for things you don't need but might buy anyway in a fit of nervousness. Dave and I even got interviewed on the radio while we were watching the sit ski race. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Once you get into Friday night then it is time for dinner, selecting the clothes you are going to wear, stapling your energy gels and agreeing on what time we'd leave the cabin to get to the start. Luckily this year the temps were in the mid-20s so deciding what to wear was easy. I already had a sense of what Clif Shot flavors I wanted - chocolate for the beginning of the race, a citrus for the middle and chocolate cherry with extra caffeine for the end. Not the combination for everyone but to each their own, right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now on to the racing . . . . </span></div>
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The fact that I had a bad race is pretty shocking. Oh wait . . . I didn’t do any mtn bike races, cyclocross races, ski camps, long rollerskis, ski intervals, strength nights, Elver races or other silly things like that. I did sit on the couch quite a bit and occasionally worked up the motivation to jog 3 miles. I did go on some nice weekend skis this winter but I certainly avoided mid week skis particularly those on man made snow. What I’ve learned is that you don’t have to train too much to ski the Birkie but you might be happier if you did. </div>
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So what happened out there?</div>
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Unlike last year I had my act together this year at the race start so I avoided any unnecessary drama or stress which is a really good thing as I didn’t need that on top of my lack of preparation. Learning from last year’s experience I arrived with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately this means getting up way earlier than I prefer. You see I’m the only Wave 3 skier in my cabin. There were five Wave 1 Classic skiers, two Wave 5 Classic skiers and one Wave 5 Skate skier. So I went with the Wave 1 Classic Skiers which meant leaving the cabin at 6am. I suppose in reality you never actually sleep that well once the first people in the house gets up anyway so I might as well join them.</div>
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For those of you who haven’t skied the Birkie before it is a logistical nightmare. There are 10,000 skiers all trying to get to one of the designated parking lots, get on a bus and get to Telemark Resort in time to walk down to where the start is located. It can be a bit of a crush. However, if you are going with Wave 1 Classic skiers it isn’t as bad because you are getting there pretty early. We arrived at the start area by around 7am and it was pretty quiet still. It’s always hard to believe because in even half an hour it is super crowded.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbJzhCXTmqX4jO0oM_0HLoHhDGbjQppaQyYCEKaHgVvomEVdX0KQbo9LGP_QB_8H-CfhsQseEaQSds9ByWATE0vOxVWSmL-MWAAeKod7oGrMzl8IewaFsjVi9KRvVcNJvqnbImA/s1600/726583-1001-0034s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbJzhCXTmqX4jO0oM_0HLoHhDGbjQppaQyYCEKaHgVvomEVdX0KQbo9LGP_QB_8H-CfhsQseEaQSds9ByWATE0vOxVWSmL-MWAAeKod7oGrMzl8IewaFsjVi9KRvVcNJvqnbImA/s200/726583-1001-0034s.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Jennie Bender at the start</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnxwXaOX1QhXDfi6owMwJsJFjqiwA4qYwA5HZck-ZCrL0M8VkCwf3sBRHSY_jxfBa-b6nGLJ1I3S58noybf2uW20uJI2_taXjQwbmFF_0sAKPFlLjEZLzBsMfAu6dp_S1sn20jg/s1600/726583-1001-0037s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnxwXaOX1QhXDfi6owMwJsJFjqiwA4qYwA5HZck-ZCrL0M8VkCwf3sBRHSY_jxfBa-b6nGLJ1I3S58noybf2uW20uJI2_taXjQwbmFF_0sAKPFlLjEZLzBsMfAu6dp_S1sn20jg/s200/726583-1001-0037s.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Dave at the start</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For the first time ever I tested my skis out on the little warm up loop. I never do that. I basically prefer to just have faith (or just have no time). I did my warm up loop and then since everyone else seemed to be asking for one more layer of wax I did too. Personally I had no idea if I wanted another layer or not because the warm up loop is basically flat so I </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">couldn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> really say if I had good kick or not. However, everyone asking for another layer were better skiers than me so I felt like I should have one too. (At this point I should confess that I am on the CXC Master’s Team so my skis are waxed by the team).</span></span></div>
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After ski testing I had tons of time to kill actually. I had time to sit around, time for 2 port-a-potty visits, time to drop my bag off without rushing, time to cheer on the women’s elite skate wave, and even time to pose for photos with friends. I arrived at the start of Wave 3 Classic in plenty of time and with no rushing around. It almost didn’t feel like I was at the Birkie. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the Women's Elite Skate Race</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Now I will confess that in the back of my mind I had some concerns about this race but I had stomped those thoughts down. I instead focused on reminding myself “that I’ve got this.” What’s the big deal I’d done this event 4 times before including one year with 35k of leg cramps. I’d skied for 3.5 hours with bad back pain at Mirror Lake only 2 weeks beforehand so I knew that I could make it. (I fell on some ice a few weeks before the Birkie and my back was pretty bad but thanks to my massage therapist and acupuncturist I felt hopeful that I would be okay).</span><br />
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With all my doubts firmly pushed to the very dark recesses of my brain I set off on my 5<sup>th</sup> Birkie with all the optimism that a beautiful 20 degree day in a snow covered woods can bring. Luckily for me my brain sort of fuzzes out much of the minute details of the event and leaves you with just a thrill of completion. This means that you will not have to endure a kilometer by kilometer overview of my day (which would be unbearably boring as it really is just glide, pole, shuffle, breathing too hard, slow down, get passed, walk on skis, try to glide, get passed, shuffle . . . . ).</div>
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Of course I remember the congestion of the start. It’s not as bad as the skate race but even the classic race takes a while to get sorted out. I like to start slow so it doesn’t bother me and I’ve never been tempted to wait until everyone is gone to start (the race is chip timed so people do wait and go a little after their wave starts). I feel like that congested start can give you a nice sense of camaraderie with the other people in your wave if you can avoid the occasional jerk in the crowd. And even the jerks are probably nice people who are just too amped up on caffeine, gels and nerves.</div>
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I would say the start was pretty smooth except for one little incident at around 3k. Luckily for me my skis were running pretty fast. CXC had done a great job with the wax. All in all this a good thing except during the most congested period of the race when you encounter people in front of you with slower skis. I’m pretty conscientious of this fact but around 3k I was flying down a nice hill and was starting my glide up the next uphill. All of a sudden this guy moves into my track and I glide right into the back of him and take us both down. Now we’re both flailing around to try to get back up on a steep hill section which was not a pretty site. Truthfully I was pissed with him for veering over into my path but since he seemed annoyed with me for taking him down I apologized while he grumbled. But really, is it really too much to ask for people to hold their line especially during the first 5k? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">At this point in the story I think it is important to mention that it snowed about 6-8 inches the day before the Birkie and didn’t get cold. If you aren’t a skier you probably think that sounds great. Skiers like snow and you probably remember how I complained about the abominably cold temperatures two years ago. Well, sure but not exactly. The fresh snow was not able to be compacted into a solid classic track (or skate deck really) which means that the skiing is slow and it </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> take much to completely obliterate the tracks. </span></span></div>
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One of the great things about the Birkie Classic trail is that the hills are not as steep so it is much easier to stride and you don’t need to herring bone as much. Of course the tracks were soft so after probably the elite wave most of the hills no longer had tracks left as they were completely churned up. This meant much, much more herring bone than normal and much more than I had prepared for during the skiing I did do. This meant a very slow pace for me compared to normal. This meant much more tired legs than I would prefer in the first half of the race.</div>
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Even in the first 9k of the race I could tell this race was coming off the rails. I was passing hardly anyone, skiers from the wave behind me were passing me way too soon and my legs were already feeling heavy from the effort. However, I did what anyone would do which was carry on in a slow and steady fashion and think positive thoughts. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After the 9k point the Kortie skiers cut off and the trail is instantly less congested. Of course, you are also in a pretty hilly part of the course and given the need to herring bone it did seem even more relentless than normal. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Plus at this point you see the mileage markers and it is always a bit overwhelming to realize that </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">you've</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> skied 20K but you still have 34k to go. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I think I always get a little depressed at this point because the finish seems so far away but you feel like </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">you've</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> been skiing for quite awhile. I actually really like this section of trail – well, when I’m just out for a fun ski at least – but it does have a couple of tricky downhills. This year because of the loose snow they were like little luge runs. The fresh snow had all been pushed off by the skiers into banked turns with scraped up hard pack that you had to negotiate around and down. I was going down one of the trickier corners and was doing my best to carve my skis around the turn. Part way down my left foot (which is doing the most carving) gets an arch cramp. All I could think about was not crashing while my mind was screaming that I was doomed. Somehow I made it around the corner but it was pretty touch and go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Once you reach the Double OO food station you feel like </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">you've</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> reached a turning point in the race. Shortly after that the classic and skate races come back together into one trails. The bad part is that you now only have 2 classic tracks which given the soft snow are even more likely to be in bad shape as skaters ski over them. I noticed this year that even with both the classic skiers and the skate skiers on the same trail that it was pretty quiet. Not a ton of people talking. Usually I like to make little quips or jokes or comment on the passing kilometer markings but I had no energy to spare for talking. It seemed like I </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> the only one suffering.</span></span></div>
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Around the half way point (27k to go) I realized how tight and sore my back was starting to get. Since I knew this might happen I had some strategies. Basically I would stretch my back on every downhill and try do deep breathing. My massage therapist had recommended stretching with deep breathing if my back started to bother me. I’m not sure if she meant I should stop and do that but there was no way I was going to stop. I knew my best bet was to just keep going and to ignore the pain as much as possible.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Luckily it </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> as bad as it might have been. There were times when my back hurt too much to bend over on the downhills to stretch. There were times when double poling was painful and times when striding were painful. Luckily there were also times when I felt fine. I just had to remember that if double poling hurt to try kick double poling or striding. I felt bad about my very slow speed up the hills but at this point I just wanted to get to the finish.</span></span></div>
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In reflecting back on the race I find that the mind is an interesting thing. You have a lot of time out on the trail and your mind has to have something to do. Obviously keeping track of how many kilometers remain take up a great deal of the end of the race. I’m always calculating things although each year when that starts is a little different. I think this may be the first time that when I got to the 11k marker that my mind actually thought about how I was 20% done. I know that when I get to 30k to go that I think of that as “just 3 10ks” and when I get to “2 10ks” I feel even better.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of course you also look forward to the various places on the trail that have a lot of spectators. Double OO obviously has a lot of people which is nice. The 11k to go group has music and when you get there you know you are almost to the infamous Bitch Hill. Bitch Hill has a faux preacher to absolve you of your sins. Swearing being probably one of the biggest sins of the moment. Then there are always some costumed people at the top of the hill encouraging you. Bitch Hill </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">isn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> really that bad of a hill in the scheme of things but at that point your legs are tired and the short steep pitch does make your legs scream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After a very long ski I finally reached the start of Lake Hayward where I could finally get my long anticipated Jaeger shot. Most years I just take the Jaeger shot because it makes the people at the table happy but I don't care one way or the other about it. This year though I really wanted that Jaeger shot. Truthfully I’m not a huge Jaegermeister fan but I needed some sort of distraction this year. And it worked. For the next .5 k or so I felt better. I </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> ski better but I felt more optimistic about making it across that stupid never ending lake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of course I continued my trend of getting passed and several more classic skiers passed me on the lake but I </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> even care. I just wanted to get done. As always you eventually make it across the lake to the sugary snow of Main Street. It seemed like the downtown was packed when I arrived and I got cheered on by quite a few people I knew who were still hanging out watching finishers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">At the finish line both of the First Aid guys were grilling me about if I was okay or needed anything. All I could think was that all I needed was to finish so I could stop skiing and I accomplished that so what else was there. After my mumbling, </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">noncommittal</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> "I'm fine" they finally asked if I'd like them to take my skis off. That was much more what I needed than any first aid as I feared if I bent over I would never get back up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After that I wandered around in a serious haze attempting to find my drop bag. Not as easy as it sounds since the 1st-3rd wave bags are not in the same place as the later wave bags so I went to the wrong place. Some nice volunteer took charge of me though and </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">commandeered</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> my bag. Dave was waiting near my bag so located me so he could steer me along to the changing tent and then produced some food for me. He was my </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">savior</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> for sure!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">After that there was nothing left but the beer drinking, story telling, food eating and assorted other good times that are Saturday night after the Birkie.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So basically thanks to all my friends as without you I probably wouldn't be thinking that this particular Birkie weekend was awesome. Luckily all my friends ensured I had a great time and so obviously I'll be signing up for Birkie number 6. I think I'll prepare a little bit better this time . . . . </span></span></div>
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MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0Cable, WI 54821, USA46.2079443 -91.29325719999997146.1639848 -91.373938199999969 46.2519038 -91.212576199999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-11544952125348604022012-02-29T17:51:00.000-06:002012-02-29T22:27:02.001-06:00A Birkie in Two Parts: And Now the Race<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The upside to being totally disorganized and losing all of your mental faculties the morning of the race is that you have less time for over thinking the race. Then when you arrive and start at the very back of your wave it is much easier to not be tempted into going out way too hard. I think this is particularly important if the main part of your training plan has been resting and tapering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would say that most years I line up more towards the back of my wave than the front but never before have I been at the actual back. It does make for a much more chaotic and slow start. This might bother some people but I went into the event with fairly low expectations and a hope that this wasn’t the year that the Birkie was so hard I hated it. I could have done with a little less of the going, going, stopping, going, stopping, stopping, trying not to run into people stopping, going, stopping, getting run into. It is what it is though and is just a part of the fun and excitement of a big race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In some ways a long 54k race is somewhat of a blur – a blur of people, of suffering, of self talk, of feeling okay, of feeling bad, of passing people, of being passed and more self talk. The race for me kind of broke down into segments by aid stations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first part of the race is mostly about the group getting sorted out and thinned out. The worst of this is the first 9k while the Birkie and Kortie skiers are all together. At 9k the Kortie turns off from the Birkie Classic trail and there are a lot less people. Until that point you are jumping from one set of tracks to another to pass the slower people in front of you. Sometimes though things are just so jammed up that you just have to wait as all three tracks are full enough that it isn’t always reasonable to get around someone who is slower. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me the biggest problem was the fact that my skis were like rocket ships. I’m not complaining but it does make the first part of the race a challenge. On every downhill I would try to leave a nice gap between me and the person in front of me but every time I would catch them. I’m just going to admit that I was “that person” who sometimes skied up onto the skis of the person in front of me. I really was trying to not do that and I had to do the one ski snow plow so many times in the first 5k that it was ridiculous. However, with rocket fast skis and the tracks full there wasn’t much I could do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now some of you are probably thinking I’m exaggerating about the speed of my skis but let me assure you that I am not. One of the perks of being on the CXC Master’s Team is that they wax your skis. Suffice it to say they do an awesome job! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I said, the first 9k are really the worst for congestion and after the Birkie/Kortie split you know that things will be much better. Patience is required as everyone gets sorted out through the first part of the race. I was happy to take it easy though as I knew it would be a bad idea to get too caught up in the moment and leave myself with nothing for the end. s better to save something for the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not going to lie I was pretty nervous about how much this year’s Birkie was going to hurt. It’s not like I thought I couldn’t make it but I didn’t know how much suffering would take place before I got to Main Street in Hayward. I was definitely taking it super conservative in this part of the race. I was passing people but I wasn’t killing myself to do it. I was just looking for people skiing at a pace that felt comfortable for me and slotting in behind them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 9k has two feed stations-one at the Power Lines and one at Timber Trail. This also helps break the race into segments as you are just trying to check off getting to the next one. The Power Line feed comes really early so you don’t really need anything substantial. I grabbed a cup of energy drink since I didn’t have time for anything at the start line. In many ways it is just a psychological boost but the mental game can be key in the Birkie. It's better to eat/drink early and not let yourself get into a deficit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Approaching the Timber Trail Feed at 9k I ate my first Clif Shot. I like to have a food plan and the early food stations I had decided to go with the citrus flavor. I can’t tell you why but I like to have early race flavors and later race flavors. In a long race I really like having more than one flavor to keep me from getting completely sick of energy gels. I also like my later race flavors to pack more caffeine. I have no idea if it actually matters but it makes me feel like I have a plan and it always seems like a good idea to have a plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At 9k when the races split it’s possible to feel like you can just ski a little bit more. Back in Wave 4 there are still lots of people but without the Kortie skiers it is less congested. At this point you are catching Wave 3 skiers but Wave 5 skiers are also catching you. You are moving from track to track a bit and trying to be mindful of not skiing in a manner that makes it impossible to pass. I feel like you need to pay attention to what is going on to make the day go smoothly for everyone. At this point I tried to focus in some on my skiing and think less about the distance and more about my technique. I still have a long ways to go in becoming an efficient/proficient classic skier so focusing on my technique is important as my technique needs so much work. It's also just a great distraction from obsessing about how far you have to ski.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you get to the third feed station, the High Point Feed, you’ve done some climbing and so I went for my 2<sup>nd</sup> Clif Shot – again going for the citrus flavor. I’ve really gotten much better in the feed stations and don’t waste nearly as much time as I did when I started ski racing. In the Birkie it is easy to know the stop is coming up so you can grab your Clif Shot from wherever you have it stapled (bib, water carrier, etc), get it open and in your mouth as you’re going into the feed station, get water from one of the later volunteers to avoid the worst of the congestion, and then drink it as you’re exiting the station. I’m not super fast but I’ve gotten much more efficient. The feed stations are combined classic and skate so there is a lot of pandemonium and the volunteers are amazing to put up with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the high point are some super screaming downhills that last year were a bit scary fast. This year they were just super fun and my wax was still running so fast that you couldn’t help but enjoy yourself. Even big guys couldn’t match me. Oh sure, they would start down and pick up speed faster but I would pass them and then eventually glide way farther up the hills. That was a super sweet feeling! Fast skis are just another one of those things that helps mentally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually I’m plugging away and I finally reach 20k. That seems like such a great thing . . . . until you realize you still have 34k more to ski. That always freaks me out. This year was no different as I was hitting a little mini-rough patch at about 20k. My legs just felt a little rough at this point . . . you know, like I hadn’t skied much this last month. For a couple of kilometers I would start to think about how far I still had to go and how I felt and obsess about the possibility of cramping, seizing up or just plain being in agony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily this would pass and I would get back into a good rhythm. The nice part is that I’ve skied the High Point to Double OO more over the last couple of years so the trail had a certain familiarity. Normally I don’t like knowing what is coming but I’ve actually had some really fun skis over this section in the last couple of years. It put me in that good place where you feel like you’ve got this under control and can do it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the Bodecker Road feed I was planning to take another Clif Shot. I got it out, opened it up and just as I was going to eat it I dropped it. I could have stopped and grabbed it but I really hate to mess with forward momentum so I decided to go with energy drink and a water instead. Luckily I knew that the aid station at Double OO is pretty close so I wasn’t concerned with this change in plans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through this section the familiarity with the terrain has me in a comfortable spot and I'm remembering that I did this in the Pre-Birkie and survived. I'll be fine for sure. At this point though I’m lamenting the crappiness of my double-poling (and couldn’t help wondering why I did cross practice instead of ski strength night) but still I’m feeling like I’m passing as many people as are passing me. The fact that I’m not yet at the half way point is intimidating but I still feel like I’m on track for avoiding a death march finish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Double OO is always a great feeling as it has the most spectators cheering and ringing bells. It’s super fun and festive to finally reach that point. Since it is a ways to the next food station I always have a Clif Shot here and decided now was the time to go to the Chocolate Cherry flavor. I thought I better eat the one I had stuck in my waist band at the start but it was not there. I look down and find that it has slid down to my knee and it looks like I have some sort of weird knee protrusion. I know I’m going to need that one eventually but I just go for the one still stapled to my water carrier since I don't want to stop and figure out how to retrieve it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Double OO the classic trail has some fairly flat terrain for a little bit. At this point I’m really clear on how weak my double poling is this year as I’m not my usual self and I have to force myself to keep at it. I even have to throw in some kick double poles to keep the momentum rolling. But if there is one thing I've learned in the last few years it is how to tough it out with double poling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s not too long after this that the classic trail and skate trail join together and you get to see how the skaters are doing. I have to say that in 3 years of doing the Classic race I have never regretted my decision to switch over to the Classic Birkie. I always see the skaters and feel like it looks like no fun but I’m sure they think the same thing. I probably was thinking that back in 2009 when I skated the race (oh wait, I had a leg cramp for 35k so I wasn't thinking anything seemed fun).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually you come to the Gravel Pit Feed Station which is maybe around 15k from the finish and it’s feeling tough-time for another Chocolate Cherry Clif Shot. I had actually pushed the Clif Shot that had fallen down my tights to my knee back up to my waistband on one of the downhills so I could use it. It just really started to bother me that it was stuck at my knee. It's weird what you can obsess about over the course of a long race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty much from 20k to go until the end all I do is self talk, “20k isn’t that far. It’s just two 10ks which isn’t really that far.” Then “Okay, 19k that’s doable. I can do that. I’ve done that plenty of times.” And then “18k, okay 18k, yep 18k, 18k more, okay, sure, great, you’ve got this.” Finally it’s more like “17k, wow 17k, okay then 17k . . . where the @#@ is the 16k sign, maybe I missed it, no probably not, oh thank god there it is.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15k to go is nice as somehow numbers divisible by 5 make me feel more optimistic. Weird but true. At the Mosquito Brook Feed Station I go with my last Clif Shot (once again Chocolate Cherry) and try to psyche up for the remaining hills. First up comes the 11k to go hill which is made much more enjoyable by the huge cheering crowd playing loud music. Somehow the music made it really tolerable for me. Well, tolerable as in I was slowly herringboning up the hill but the music was giving me some groove. However, this momentary relief from the feeling of trudging along to the finish was tempered by the knowledge that the infamous Bitch Hill was next.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The thing with Bitch Hill is that it really isn’t the worst hill ever. The start of the hill really isn’t that bad and it only really kicks up right at the end. However, when you’ve skied 45k it feels so hard. I always try to stride as far as I can but I know that I will eventually plod up in a slow herring bone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s always a nice feeling to have that behind you but you know that there is still more to come. For me about 1k after Bitch Hill I could feel my back start to tighten up in a uncomfortable knot of pain. That’s never a good sign so I started using every downhill as a chance to tuck and stretch out the back. It seemed to be working luckily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the self talk is really going on and at this point it isn’t even as interesting. I’m pretty much just chanting over and over in my head how many kilometers are left – as in “7k, 7k, 7k, 7k, 7k”. Every time I have to change tracks to pass someone the effort gets a little harder and it becomes easier to think maybe you shouldn’t pass them. Maybe their pace is really okay. In the end though you do as you also have this overwhelming need to get to the finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the Hwy 77 feed you know you are almost there. I grabbed an energy drink and kept on moving as to me it feels too dangerous to stop – like maybe you would never be able to get going again. The climb after the highway is always a killer but for me the real test is getting down the last hills without falling. You want to go as fast as possible but the legs ability to corner, get in or out of the tracks, or handle any terrain changes is now getting to be very difficult. We all want to use gravity to move us along but with spaghetti legs many people end up in the snow bank at the edge of the trail (or for me 2 years ago cart wheeling down the hill).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always feel good when I have safely navigated these final challenges and am headed towards Lake Hayward the real final challenge. I could tell I wasn’t going to make a good showing in these final kilometers as my double poling was falling apart. This was mentally tough for me as that has always been my strength in classic skiing but not today. However, before I made my attempt on the lake crossing I had one final hurrah. As you start onto Lake Hayward there is always a group of people set up with a table with Jaeger shots. It’s right on the left next to the Classic tracks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I came by I held out my hand, they handed me up a Jaeger shot to great cheers, and I downed it as I slowly skied by. This year I got a very full cup though and I have to confess that I was only able to swallow half of it. Whenever I take the Jaeger shot I always have a split second where I think it was a bad idea and this year was no different. However, if I give it a minute it’s always okay and for me takes my mind off the interminable lake crossing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon realizing that I didn’t have it in me to double-pole the lake this year I just started striding as best I could (which luckily is improving). I just threw myself into it with complete abandon. n the moment I felt like it was some super awesome striding but that could be because I had a Jaeger shot and was barely functioning mentally. I probably looked like some sort of crazed weeble wobble who had learned how to ski the day before. This was topped off by the fact that I was in the worst possible position for crossing the lake – I was all by myself. The key to the lake is drafting but there was no one behind me to force to pass me so I could draft and no one close enough that even a hard effort would allow me to catch them. At this point it is best to just think about the burning in your mouth from the Jaeger shot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After what seemed like forever I can finally see the end of the lake and there are more and more spectators hanging out in the sun cheering. I even got a final boost when I passed the spot where former CXC (and now Green Team members) Maria and Bryan were as they cheered me like crazy. That gave me just the push I needed to switch to a kick double-pole (a slightly more respectable technique for the lake) and gear up for the entry to Main Street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow the exit from the lake to Main Street seemed even harder than normal. The snow for this section is trucked in as late as possible but it seemed especially deep and surgery this year. However, then you’re coming around the corner and onto Main Street. I’m happy to report that I pulled myself together so I could double pole the final stretch so at least I would look like I was doing just fine. (Proof is online at <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20692468" style="background-color: transparent;">http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20692468</a> at 22:22).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossing the finish line I was so relieved to see 4 hours 58 minutes on the clock. I'd really want to come in under 5 hours and I'd made it! I felt relief to be done, relief to not be horrendously slow. That's really the word - relief. That was fun but so very glad to be done.</span></div>
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<div style="<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, my relief turned to surprise later when Dave got me a results print out and it said I had finished in 4:41. My addled brain never thought about the fact that if I started in Wave 4 that my finish time wasn't what the clock said but actually was the time on the clock minus 15 minutes (which is when the elite skate race starts) minus the 2 minutes it took me to actually cross the timing mat (since there is chip timing).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So guess what . . . somehow, against all odds, I actually set a PR by 6 minutes. I guess working on your technique can help to compensate for lack of training. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now for the obligatory thank yous . . . . thanks to Jason Cork and the other CXC wax techs for making my skis wicked fast, thanks to all the CXC coaches for all the help with my technique, and thanks to all my CXC Master's teammates who helped keep the training I did do fun. A special thank you to CXC's Jennie Bender for the lesson in West Yellowstone which totally revolutionized my striding (although it may not always look that way!). And, of course, thanks to Dave for putting up with my good and bad ski days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that's left now is to wait and see what wave I'll qualify for in 2013!!!</span></div>
MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-92116179119583434872012-02-27T18:38:00.004-06:002012-02-27T18:40:44.520-06:00A Birkie in Two Parts: Part One - Pre-Race<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Birkie race morning is always a little chaotic since there are over 9,000 racers in a small town trying to get to a parking lot to get on a bus to be dropped off at another parking lot where they walk in a large crowd of nervous people to the start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some reason I can never truly remember how long this will take so on more than one occasion cut things really close. Of course I never realize I’m cutting it close until the start is 15 minutes away and it’s crunch time. Of course it isn’t actually necessary for me to start with my wave as the race is chipped time so I can technically start anytime after my official wave time of 8:40am (Wave 4 Classic). However unlike some people I do want to start with my wave. It gives that official crazy Birkie feeling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s start this story with my morning with getting on the bus. It was 8am when I was on the bus and so I felt like I had plenty of time. Once the bus made the short trip from Pilot Fish Inn parking area down the road to Telemark Resort I briskly walked to the start area where I needed to:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go to the bathroom;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get my skis from CXC (who waxes the skis of all the team members and brings them to the start)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put on my ski boots</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not a long list of items so it seemed like I would be right on schedule. I started with going to the bathroom. I know of a porta-potty that is a little out of the way and it has always worked well for me in terms of avoiding super long lines. Things looked good this year with only maybe 4 or 5 people waiting in line which is pretty short by Birkie standards. But then I’m waiting, waiting, waiting. What are these people doing??? I decide to put on my ski boots while I’m in line to save time. Okay, that’s done and I’m waiting, waiting, waiting. For real what is taking people so long??? I decide to take off my overpants so I have one less thing to do. At this point the elite men's skate wave is going off so it is now 8:25am. then the elite women at 8:27am and I’m still in line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a little freaked out with less than 15 minutes to go and still I’m just waiting. What the hell are people doing?. FINALLY I’m in and thanks to my “ninja” porta-potty skills I’m in and out fast. However at this point I’m freaking but I still think I’m okay on time if I hustle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up is finding my skis. This is where trouble sets in for me. I make a pass through where I expect them to be but I don’t see a Salomon tent or banner or flags which is what I think I’m looking for to find the CXC team area where my skis are waiting. I walk all the way down the field from my porta-potty to where the main porta-potties are located and I don’t see a tent or flags. I’m getting a little nervous but I figure I’m just confused as to where they are so I look in the next possible location.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time is getting tight and I worry is starting to creep in. My teammate Ann sees me and asks if I know where the skis are as she is in the wave just 5 minutes behind me and hasn’t found them either. I say no and she goes to the announcers stand to get them to announce where they are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At this point I abandon looking for my skis and just decide to deal with my drop bag. Of course, once you are starting to get stressed it seems like you become unable to even do simple tasks efficiently. I do the same drop bag procedure every year but this year I couldn’t seem to get it together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carrying your extra items for the finish line around in the plastic Birkie bag is a recipe for disaster. It is awkward to carry on the bus and to the finish line. Plus it is very easy to rip it such that you are left without a bag. This has led me to using a Timbuk2 tote bag that I put all my items into and then put inside my Birkie bag. It is easier to carry and if the plastic bag rips you can just tie it onto the tote bag handles and still have it transported and located at the finish line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds well planned, right? It is a solid plan and it has worked for me not just at the Birkie but at other races with plastic drop bags as well. However for some reason this year I was floundering around at the drop bag area. I already had my warm up pants in my tote bag and had my winter boots in there as well. I had no trouble getting my down jacket in and got out my water belt (with stapled on Clif shots) and got the correct gloves on as well. The tote bag zipped up no problem even with extra clothes, boots, warm up pants, down jacket and dry gloves and a hat. However, I couldn’t seem to get the tote bag into the plastic Birkie bag. I knew it would fit as I had done this every other year. However, my nervous excitement over my rapidly approaching start time was making it impossible for me to figure out how to accomplish this relatively simple task. Yes, the tote bag is a tight fit in the bag but far from an impossible puzzle. After maybe four times. . . . and the passing of what seemed like an eternity . . . I finally got the tote bag into the plastic bag and into the right truck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now my friend had got an announcement made that CXC skiers should get their skis by the flag poles. Now I feel like an idiot as I had passed by there thinking that is where my skis would be but in my nervous rushing around had not seen them. At this point the wave which is starting 5 minutes before me is going off and so I’m in full on frantic racer mode (you know, where normally smart people behave like idiots because their brains are no longer functioning). I get over to the flag area and luckily one of the waxers, James, is there to assist me as I do not think I could have found my own skis. Not that it should be that hard as they are labeled with my name and are one of the few pair of Rossignol skis in the lineup. James luckily finds my skis and hands them to me. Of course, now I can’t even do a simple task like take the ski holders off so James takes them from me and removes the holders. At this point clearly I’m not capable of coherent thought and I may or may not have thrown the ski holders on the ground. I had nowhere to put them them since I’d already gotten rid of my drop bag (where they normally get put so I have them later at the finish).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to stop now to give a huge shout out to James who must think I am the most sketch person ever for arriving to get my skis so late, not being able to find them myself, not being able to remove my ski holders and for (possibly) throwing my ski holders on the ground. I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your patience, assistance and clear head. I really am not usually like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, so now I finally have everything I need but literally time is of the essence. So I’m running (yes, actually running) towards the start area, the adrenaline is flowing and I’m just hoping I’m going to make it. Of course, at this point it is clear that I have completely lost my mind so I can’t even get to the start area in a sensible and efficient fashion. No . . . instead I get into the area behind the start line where people go prior to their start. Of course, if your wave is already on the start line then you are in the wrong place. Finally I get my head together and I realize I’m surrounded by the chaos that is Wave 2 skate. SHIT! Now I have to fight my way out of the holding pen which I luckily accomplish by climbing over the snow fence and luckily have just enough self respect left not to trip and fall. I throw a few elbows to get the crazed Wave 2 skaters trying to get into the holding pen out of my way so I finally reach the starting area where the other Wave 4 Classic skiers are lined up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve got a minute and a half to get my skis on, my poles on and get myself focused. Let’s just say I’m not in heart rate zone 1 or 2 at this point. Somehow I do have mental capacity to get my skis and poles on in the allotted time. I do somehow manage to knock one of the Clif Shots stapled to my water belt off but I have time to grab it and shove it in the waistband of my tights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arriving so late I am lined up so far back that I can feel the breath of the psychotically crazed Wave 2 skaters (who all believe they should be in the elite wave) breathing on my neck. I just hope that they don’t pull the gate for them to move into the starting pen before I can clear the area (this has happened before and classic skiers were trampled!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then BAM goes the gun and we’re off . . . . well sort of. This is the Birkie after all and it takes awhile if you’re lined up in the back, back, back for you to really feel like you’re going but I feel a huge sigh of relief as I’ve made it and I have the right skis and poles. I’ve remembered to remove my warm up items. I changed into the right weight of gloves. I remembered to put on my water carrier with the stapled on Clif Shots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made it! Chaos, disorganization, lack of ability to make good decisions, poor decision-making skills . . . . it must be the Birkie Fever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the kind of crowd you find at the start area so it can be difficult when you're running around crazy.</span>
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</div>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-12467891604255651432012-02-17T15:43:00.001-06:002012-02-17T16:00:43.930-06:00So I finally did the Pre-BirkieIf you’re into outdoor sporting activities you’ve probably spent your fair share of time in porta-potties. Every running race, bike race and, yes, ski race has the ever present lines of people waiting for their turn. I feel like the easiest sport for the porta-potty stop is running as it is just shorts, sports bra, and running top. Biking is a little more complicated as you have to stow the bike somewhere and it gets more complicated if you are wearing bib shorts or a skinsuit. Ski racing though presents more challenges especially the colder it gets.<br />
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The start of the Pre-Birkie was around minus 3 degrees F. This means you have lots of layers to manage. It’s not like you want to go into a freezing cold porta-potty so you definitely go before you leave your lodging. It’s never enough though even if you aren’t all that nervous. Being just a little bit nervous combined with some morning caffeine means that you are destined to visit the blue plastic throne.<br />
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First you have to find a good location for your skis and poles where they won’t be in the way, won’t get knocked over in the wind and where you will be able to find them later. Nothing like looking desperately for your black Salomon skis propped up in a row of similar looking skis and all you can remember is that you left them in a snow bank to the left of the park shelter. <br />
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Once you have your skis and poles settled you hope the line isn’t too long as you are closing in on start time and you still have to deal with your drop bag (for your extra clothes) and negotiate the almost always icey path to the start line.<br />
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Once inside the porta-potty you have to decide what to do with your gloves, deal with the fact that you’re wearing somewhat bulky overpants, along with lycra tights, long underwear, boxer briefs, and on this particular day, also wicking underwear. That’s a lot of layers. Of course, it’s getting them back on that is the real challenge. <br />
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Given the sub zero temps I decided to go with the all in one motion. This is where you attempt to get all your layers back up in one good tug. This sounds great but can be fraught with issues. On this particular occasion I immediately knew there was something amiss; something was just not quite right. No quick wiggle or tug would solve the problem. <br />
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Unfortunately the root of the problem was that the quick tug only worked for 4 of the 5 layers. Yes, the underwear were still in their original dropped position while everything else was back up.<br />
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At this point you are more or less back to square one and you just have to admit defeat and go back to the method of pulling up only one or two layers at a time. Once you get the underwear and boxers situated back into their spot you can move on to the long underwear and lycra tights. Get those adjusted and get your overpants situated and zipped/snapped so they don’t fall down as soon as you leave your plastic castle.<br />
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Of course your efforts are not done yet but at this point you can elect to leave the porta-potty if you would prefer to fidget around outside instead. Yes, your pants are all up but you still have to get yourself retucked so as to avoid unnecessary drafts once you start skiing.<br />
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Luckily I only had to tuck in my one long underwear layer as I had opted to go for Craft long underwear top under my Bjorn Dhalie Olympic jacket (which is an awesome jacket combining warmth and moisture transfer such that it actually works for racing).<br />
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Sometimes I think it is amazing that anyone gets to the race start line on time given the clothing gymnastics required in the porta-potty. However somehow ski racers make it to the start line on time or at least close to on time (I’ve never been in the porta-potty when the race gun went off but it certainly has happened to friends). It’s easier if you’re not worried about your start position as you don’t need to worry about the announcer’s constant countdown until start time.<br />
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Once out of the porta-potty it was on to the next challenge – the drop bag truck. It’s always a fine line between too early and too late on the dropping off of the drop bag. When it’s below zero with a nice wind you want to keep your extra outer layers as long as possible. However, you also don’t want to be running to the start line and still trying to get your skis and poles on as the start gun is fired.<br />
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Eventually you just have to face the reality that you are going to be cold for a little while. Then it’s time to determine how best to get your over pants off over your tights without slipping on any ice while wearing ski boots that have slippery plastic bottoms. Finally you are forced to also relinquish your coat and realize your only hope is to ignore the cold. Then make sure you have your skis and your poles (sounds simple but trust me that this can be an area that gets you into trouble). Next up is getting into starting position which may or may not require some jockeying around. <br />
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Jockeying yourself into position can take many forms – elbowing your way to the front row because you’re a master blaster who thinks they belong with the elites or the exact opposite which is creeping backwards anytime someone lines up behind you. You can play it either way. <br />
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In a weird twist at the Pre-Birkie I actually could have lined up on the front row without throwing any elbows. The Classic race was a new addition to this event and it was a fairly small group. Still even at a small race it usually isn’t that easy to be on the front line especially if you don’t show up early. For some reason though at this race almost every classic racer felt that they had to be lined up in the groomed tracks and not in the wide open skate lane. I cannot explain this since we were starting on a lake and we were going to have to double pole a kilometer or two at least. It was just the oddest phenomenon to see all these people lined up ski to ski in the tracks while a small percentage of us lined up wherever we felt like it in the skate lane. <br />
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And then the race was off and we were double-poling across the lake.<br />
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The race was a race. The only thing that differentiated it from many a ski race is this: a ways in to the race a guy catches up to me on a hill. As he's passing me He turns to me and says that he's been behind me for about 2 hours and that I provided a better view than anything else out there.<br />
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About one minute later he gets out of the tracks and let's me repass him.<br />
MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-89655128545317060102012-02-07T22:35:00.001-06:002012-02-07T22:35:49.790-06:00On Instructing<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve always been a rather reluctant instructor. If you’ve been in a mountain bike or cyclocross clinic where I’ve instructed that might sound odd. Especially since I am always planning and participating in clinics. However, I generally feel like I’m not enough of an expert at anything to be teaching others. This has been especially true for skiing as I feel quite new to the sport. Part of that is probably that many/most of my training partners have been skiing for 20 years so I always feel like I’m the least experienced skier. Plus I’m not that fast (just average as I’m just a Wave 4 Birkie skier).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, I’ve had it in the back of my mind that I might give ski instruction a try and attended a short training that the Madison Nordic Ski club held for potential instructors. That got me on the email list that the club uses to put out a call for instructors when they are providing free lessons. This last Saturday I finally heeded the call and said I would help out with the instruction at Mirror Lake. After agreeing I felt simultaneously excited and nervous. Would I seem like I knew what I was talking about, would they notice my bad technique, would they develop my bad habits, would I be discovered as a skiing fraud once they found out I’d only done 3 Birkies?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course the answer is no. Both Dave and I were first time instructors (although as Wave 1 Birkie skier he seems so much more legit) and so we were assigned the beginning classic skiers. That was perfect for me as I have been working the last year really hard on my classic technique. At the very least I know what a person should be doing even if I have trouble doing it myself. Of course no one thought either Dave or I wasn’t legit since pretty much everyone in our group was on skis for the first time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a little bit of a tricky day to teach skiing as the snow was rapidly disappearing (it was 40 degrees) and the snow was sticky in the sun and crusty in the shade (with blades of grass and brown patches developing). However, I think everyone had fun and learned a little something. We did some shuffle drills, practiced moving our hips, indoctrinated them on double-poling, and practiced some basic striding. The area we had to work with was fairly flat but we did our best to simulate climbing and descending so they would be prepared when they headed out on their own. The goal was to practice more and talk less but I did end up talking a bit more than I hoped due to the lack of terrain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone seemed pretty enthusiastic and like they were having fun skiing so I considered it a successful day. It made me pretty psyched on skiing to be able to share what I’ve learned. Plus it was nice to be able to pay it forward. Way back in the day when I skied my first Kortoloppet I showed up at the free Madnorski ski lessons the weekend before the race because I wanted to learn how to ski up hills. They did what they could for me and it was very appreciated. Hopefully one of the people in my group catches the skiing fever like I did (it took me about 5 years but eventually I succumbed to the Birkie Fever!!).</span><br />
<br /></div>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-44514823740627384282012-02-01T21:42:00.000-06:002012-02-01T21:46:31.026-06:00On Volunteering<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s rare that you get to volunteer at a sporting event that really makes you feel like there is nothing else you’d rather be doing. This weekend was that event. I had the opportunity to volunteer at the International Paralympics Committee Nordic World Cup which was held in northern Wisconsin’s Telemark Resort. Thirteen countries sent athletes to compete in this event which has not been held in the USA since 2005. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What did I do as a volunteer? One of my primary jobs was working the visually impaired biathlon competition. I know you are probably thinking – blind people with rifles??? Don’t worry, the visually impaired skiers use laser rifles and you zero in on the target based on a series of sounds. And guess what, it’s not easy. As a volunteer on the range I got to try out the laser rifles and I really couldn’t hit the target unless I closed my eyes and really concentrated on the series of tones and pitches that change as you get closer or farther away from the center of the target. Truthfully I sucked and barely could hit a target.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course the athletes had to hit the targets after skiing a difficult and hilly course (with a guide calling out corners, etc). They would ski into the range, the guide would direct them into their shooting area, volunteers like myself would pat the ground at the end of the rifle so they could find it, then they would put on earphones which were resting on the stock of the rifle, listen to the sounds and take their five shots. Those of us volunteering would also have on headphones so we could hear them zero in on the target as well since racers are required to try and aim. They can’t just come up fire off five shots without aiming and then just do the penalty loop although if you are a bad shot and a great skier that might be tempting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then when the racers skied away we would make sure the headphones and rifle were ready for the next racer into our shooting area. We would also signal to the scorers that the racer took all five required shots. The scorers would mark down any misses and then signal us that we could reset the targets. It was pretty fun being right in the middle of the action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then on Monday I got new jobs as the biathlon was just Friday practice followed by Saturday and Sunday races. On Monday the races were 5k/10k freestyIe races with one competition for sit skiers and one for standing skiers. In the morning I got the job of being a forerunner for the sit ski racers. It had snowed about a half inch over night so Dave and I were sent out to ski in the classic tracks which the sit skiers would be using. Basically they want people to ski in the new snow so the tracks aren’t slow for the first skiers who go out. It was eye opening as to how hard the course really was when I got to ski it myself. I would not have wanted to double pole up all the hills in the 2.5k sit ski course. I was really happy to be able to stride and not have double poling as my only option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily I had a chance in the middle of the sit ski race to take a break from my volunteer duties to watch some of the race on one of the hills. It was amazing to see how strong some of the best athletes were as I am positive they were double poling faster up the hill than I was striding it that morning. But the hills were not easy for all of the athletes especially for some of the women. I think they made it up on pure determination as the hills were not made easier for this competition. Let's be honest, it kind of brought tears to my eyes a little bit seeing their determination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Later on Monday I got to work at the finish line as athletes were coming in to the finish line. The volunteers in this job were to be ready with a blanket, the athlete’s bag of warm up clothes and something to drink if they wanted it. It was a great opportunity to get to talk to a few of the athletes and they were incredibly grateful to all of us who came out to help make the event possible. I just wish it could have been more like the finish line of the USGP Planet Bike Cup with more photographers, more reporters and some videographers asking questions. It’s not like that with nordic skiing in this country though and even more so with Paralympics nordic skiing. However, Paralympics is just like any other sport in that the question you get when you are headed to the podium is the same one you hear many times over . . . "do I have any snot on my face I need to wipe off before I get on the podium. " </span></div>
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<a href="http://jamesnetz.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Photos</a></div>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-81974299769405061342012-01-26T20:48:00.001-06:002012-01-26T20:48:32.799-06:00Reflections on starting ski racingEvery year Elver Park in Madison is host to a weeknight ski race series in January and February sponsored by the Madison Nordic Ski Club. For a number of years Dave was the race director and I assisted him with registration. However, my relationship with the Elver Park series started long before that. Back in 2004 I decided to give skiing a try by which I mean I bought skate skis, took one hour lesson and decided to sign up for the Kortie. <br />
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As luck would have it most years the midweek race series offers a 3k First Timer’s race that takes you on part of the normal race course. You do just the ball diamond loop as well as one daunting hill up to above the soccer fields area and right back down. I figured that since I had skied many a loop around the ball diamond and even though I always found that particular hill quite daunting that it still would be a good place to kick off my racing career. It was just one hill after all. I checked in with the race director who I knew well and made sure that the First Timer race was not actually a kid’s race. He assured me that was not the case. So I arrived at Elver Park at the appointed time, registered, got my bib and lined up. I looked around and noticed an interesting detail about the race . . . it was just me and about 4 middle school kids. False advertising for sure!<br />
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At the start line all the kids are getting a little pep talk and their pictures taken by excited parents. At this point it is too late to turn back so what can you do but try to ignore the fact that everyone else is a kid. The gun goes off and it’s on (well, in a not that fast but ski poles flying with little control sort of way). One of the middle school kids is out fast and puts a gap on me immediately. I am flailing away like crazy trying to separate myself from the rest of the kids. It’s not pretty but I’m doing okay on the flats. Of course, it’s only 3k so we hit the hill way too soon and I’ve got a gap on all but the star racer (probably a ringer). The hill is where the troubles begin as now I’m like a gangly foal with out of control of limbs with no idea what to do with my appendages. <br />
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The good part is that I didn’t know enough about skiing to know just how bad this was going. I finally flail my way to the top of the hill gasping desperately for breath but determined to keep those other little pip squeaks behind me. At the top you make an immediate 180 and zip back down the hill. Zipping down the hill sounds great but is fairly terrifying for the new skier as keeping those little skinny boards with no metal edges together is quite a challenge in the beginning. I don’t totally recall the downhill but there is no way that I wasn’t snowplowing to avoid the kind of increase in speed that would send me flying into the snow bank along the edge of the trail. Sure, speed is your friend but it can also bite you in the ass (literally!).<br />
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Once down the hill you are headed back towards the start line and I know I’m not going to beat the one middle schooler but I’m psyched to be putting it to the other little kids. Finally I reach the end of my 3k of race torture where all the parents are waiting to snap even more photos of their budding ski race progeny. Of course now I’m feeling a little shamed to be so proud of trouncing little kids. That’s when the inevitable peer pressure starts flowing to do the “real” race. Not shockingly I succumb and I end up signed up for the 5k race. I figure now that I’m experienced it’s time to jump into the big kid field. <br />
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That’s a shock to the system as that race is bigger, there’s an even longer hill and worse downhill. At the start people are flying out at warp speed and the poles are deadly and there is etiquette that I don’t even understand. Luckily and not unexpectedly I get dropped very quickly so I don’t have to worry about these details anymore. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I didn’t have to worry until the 10k racers (who do 2 laps) came flying by me but I just got the heck out of the way as that etiquette seems to work in any sport.<br />
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I can’t say that I did the Elver Park Race Series every week in my lead up to the Kortie but I did it a number of times. Upon reflection I’m kind of impressed that I did that as I was so slow that I would get lapped by the leaders of the 10k race every single week. I think not knowing what you’re doing in some ways makes it easier. No expectations – just going for it. MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-31583287194507857442012-01-20T19:21:00.000-06:002012-01-20T19:37:14.010-06:00Unintended consequences of energy efficiency or why I miss my down comforter<br />
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Just over a week ago we completed our latest home project (by which I mean contractors finished the work). Our 100 year old house is now way more energy efficient than before so now we can feel like such uber green environmentalists, right?!?! Oh wait, I think the green we had in mind was greenbacks as we’ve spent a lot of money letting the heat out of our house. We’re not new to this game actually as over the 14 years of home ownership we’ve slowly been checking things off the list -</div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">Replace all the louvered windows because who has those in Wisconsin. This isn’t Florida people.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">Improve our attic insulation beyond that of an unfinished garage</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">New furnace, air conditioner and water heaters because ones from the 60s just aren't that groovy anymore</li>
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This time we went all out and joined the Green Madison program, got an energy audit and did all the recommended items on the list. </div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">In wall insulation because crumpled up newspapers just aren’t as cutting edge as they were 70+ years ago</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">Insulation for the basement joists and window wells because it's nice to be toasty when you're down in a stone basement waxing some skis</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10pt;">Insulation in the crawl space under our back room (Dave won’t have to freeze when he sits in his "man closet" any more)</li>
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The upstairs apartment renters said they could feel the difference immediately which is awesome. The unfortunate "downside" to all this energy efficiency is that our apartment is noticeably warmer as well. It was so warm that I had to take our down comforter off the bed because it was way too warm. I don’t like that. I love how cozy it feels to be under the down comforter when it is a little bit cold. Now don’t get me wrong I find it absolutely impossible to get out from under the comforter in the morning if it is cold. Really though who doesn't like to be all warm and cozy under a warm comforter when it's cold.</div>
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Why not just turn down the thermostat you ask? Here’s the thing – one thermostat for two apartments. Two apartments means two different opinions on the temperature. It wouldn’t be as bad if the upstairs apartment wasn’t a couple with a new baby so they are often up at night. Oh yeah, and he’s a medical resident so he has a variable schedule.</div>
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Of course the thermostat is in our apartment and we’re the owners so we really could just be mean and turn it to whatever we want. The only problem with that plan is we gave them a key so they could get in our apartment to adjust the thermostat during the day if they were too hot/cold. <br />
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The true victims of this story though are our cats. They are not very happy about the loss of the down comforter to sleep on all day long. They were very displeased when we put the comforter away.</div>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-29484848660681232942011-11-24T17:31:00.001-06:002011-11-24T18:15:27.783-06:00Going to WestWhat happens at the West Yellowstone <a href="http://www.cxcskiing.org/site_pages/masters/mastersTeam.htm" target="_blank">CXC Master's</a> Camp you ask? I probably could boil it down to ski, eat, sleep but that would be boring.<br />
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First off I'll start with a photo of the CXC team that went out to West Yellowstone. This is a mixture of the Master's team and the Elite team. It's a great group of people!<br />
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If you are a member of the CXC Master's team you have the opportunity to spend the Saturday - Tuesday before Thanksgiving working on your ski technique at West Yellowstone (or at Telemark Resort in Cable). Working on your technique is a great way to try and start off your season.<br />
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Our primary coach was Yuriy Gusev, the CXC Executive Director, but we also got to ski with Elite Team Coach Jason Cork and with the Elite Team members. It's really an amazing opportunity to become a better skier and get psyched up for the upcoming season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU7VNjYj5P7Tzs-iJBAK70yZXsJbtLVe7kIL6dswXE5vrSdabf8XuRIaoueO0lVTOwJho1GqRSN-tj9H65JSCCI2i4KVfDdaJpWkZIRod9meXAyF70HlM1VN_WsqiqvDtCsrWFQ/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixU7VNjYj5P7Tzs-iJBAK70yZXsJbtLVe7kIL6dswXE5vrSdabf8XuRIaoueO0lVTOwJho1GqRSN-tj9H65JSCCI2i4KVfDdaJpWkZIRod9meXAyF70HlM1VN_WsqiqvDtCsrWFQ/s200/IMG_0107.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Luckily there was plenty of snow on the trails (it snowed most days during our team camp actually). Our days would start at 9am where we would head over to the trails and we would either be skating or striding. We would head out and find a section of trail that wasn't being used by others and start doing some drills. In this photo we are skating and are about to start skiing while holding the poles overhead. We would also head out every afternoon at 2:30pm for more drills. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeIxBwpoF7V6jyy-cU1N-K3wIHrKINh6Y92XlJPX6yCRwnWPo5l5o8xUZgnPtTGljSNw3yzJf3ZyNc_-trZ5dah6gb5tS-ROVH1L7ChsN8RsvwYrW9rk0qyRV6zD9LkW9ycXJ8w/s1600/drillswiththeeliteteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeIxBwpoF7V6jyy-cU1N-K3wIHrKINh6Y92XlJPX6yCRwnWPo5l5o8xUZgnPtTGljSNw3yzJf3ZyNc_-trZ5dah6gb5tS-ROVH1L7ChsN8RsvwYrW9rk0qyRV6zD9LkW9ycXJ8w/s200/drillswiththeeliteteam.jpg" width="200" /></a>Not every session but 3-4 times throughout the 4 days we would have a video analysis session as a group after we skied. Yuriy would video tape us and then we would meet up as a group to go over our issues. Luckily no matter how good you are there is generally something you could do better. Of course, I'm not such a great skier so there was always tons of things to pick from for me to work on. <br />
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Some of my main issues are ankle/knee bend, being more upright, and my poling (which includes a multitude of craziness). It's hard to change your habits but the first step is knowing what you need to do.<br />
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On Monday the Elite Team was on a rest day so they were conscripted into being our coaches. It's always fun to work with the Elite Team because they are a fun group of people and they know their stuff. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0-indVlBo2ZZypK_yrMs0KBjkyDCCNCZjaHfCoqOFedXS1fjEpGPgq9vha40M1Xr5N3CUv3khafYiA9pzOoRG3AdJ5pf3FvN4r-Se4h-kDIyRMM71LKwcTsUjNWedUbCA3gmYQ/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0-indVlBo2ZZypK_yrMs0KBjkyDCCNCZjaHfCoqOFedXS1fjEpGPgq9vha40M1Xr5N3CUv3khafYiA9pzOoRG3AdJ5pf3FvN4r-Se4h-kDIyRMM71LKwcTsUjNWedUbCA3gmYQ/s200/IMG_0084.JPG" width="150" /></a>The other great part is that you tend to get really specific instruction. I decided to do a Classic skiing lesson since I'll be doing the Birkie Classic again. I lucked out and got paired with the 2011 Birkie Classic Women's Champ, Jennie Bender. Jennie is not only a fast skier but also a great instructor. I first met her at a CXC women's ski camp in 2010 and I was impressed by her instruction style immediately. It also helps that she is super fun and funny as that always helps when you're trying to remake your ski technique.<br />
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Lori and I were both paired up with Jennie and we went right to work on our issues - knee/ankle bend, being upright and moving our hips. Jennie was such a fun instructor that Lori and I didn't want to stop working with her. I have to say that I love classic skiing but I have lots and lots of technique issues. However, I'm planning to keep Jennie's advice in my head and try to make some improvements before the 2012 Birkie!<br />
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What else do the CXC Master's do while they are in West Yellowstone? Besides skiing twice a day we also socialize. The first night we had dinner with the Elite Team so we could all meet each other since we have some new Elite Team members and some new Master's Team members. One night the Master's Team ordered pizza together and Yuriy updated us on CXC successes and future plans. We also went out one night together. Then on Tuesday the West Yellowstone expo opens so you can see some outdoor movies, pick up some ski posters, check out the expo vendors and watch all the high school skiers go crazy for free schwag and pro skier autographs.<br />
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If this sounds like a good time to you maybe you should join the team! There is still space for a few more on the CXC Master's team! And no, you don't need to be a great skier to be on the Master's Team - as I'm proof! <a href="http://www.cxcskiing.org/site_pages/masters/mastersTeam.htm" target="_blank"> Find out more here.</a><br />
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<br />MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-28651196145156882192011-11-18T18:53:00.001-06:002011-11-18T19:20:24.583-06:00First Day on SnowAfter I decided to really learn how to ski I had this idea that the first day on snow would be sooo amazing. My first year of rollerskiing I had this fantastical idea that once I transitioned from rollerskiing to snow I would be this amazing skier. I mean really, if I could learn to rollerski then certainly I would be an awesome skier on snow. Unfortunately that fantasy was shattered in a not very pretty fashion. <br />
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That year my first time on snow was at ABR over Thanksgiving weekend and it was not my finest life moments. I was so crushed by the fact that skiing felt hard, really hard and not at all magical like I imagined it should be after "getting serious". Poor Dave had no idea what to say or do so he picked the best possible option which was leave me alone to ski in my own personal misery.<br />
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Luckily after that weekend I realized that I wasn't the only person in the world who struggled with the transition from rollerskis to snow. A much better skier than me was talking about having trouble getting comfortable on snow the first couple of days out. If only I had heard that before my sad, pathetic weekend instead of after it would have made life a lot better. I probably should have inquired about that my first season so I wouldn't have been so hard on myself that weekend at ABR. It definitely is a weekend that I (and Dave) won't soon forget!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5J05knbsWNm7qWWHmtWBC_Mo0EsozGO4zOE8Q12dvPrsT9ieamLLgL8UJHOxU9UDtIDxMKBxtdUjz_j5ZiCTwayQwRnQ4XWDqna_ZAjx2p85Tq3V-DyBpPS_a3ARVZLtQplWUA/s1600/WestYellowstone-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5J05knbsWNm7qWWHmtWBC_Mo0EsozGO4zOE8Q12dvPrsT9ieamLLgL8UJHOxU9UDtIDxMKBxtdUjz_j5ZiCTwayQwRnQ4XWDqna_ZAjx2p85Tq3V-DyBpPS_a3ARVZLtQplWUA/s200/WestYellowstone-5.JPG" width="150" /></a>Since then I've remembered that when you go from rollerskis to snow that the skis will seem really long, really slippery and that they won't magically do what you want. It's best to ease into it. Today I got out on the snow for the first time and the first 60 seconds were the usual - these skis are hard to control . . . oh no I'm losing my balance . . . why are these skis so slippery . . . why can't I get any kick. That first kilometer it is hard to believe you ever skied the whole Birkie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOOwuC_PCTjtcI_5TQqWjSrN7WPlrt_aOiVUTPc9yzpuY9JsbmVWGBiOeS5bLpfQ9RwyJKILTuif4sERFNgsRMbMJko81BiB-62YalxswR8VEaZr2UgKc_e6lsgGvDI9j7_FOyA/s1600/WestYellowstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOOwuC_PCTjtcI_5TQqWjSrN7WPlrt_aOiVUTPc9yzpuY9JsbmVWGBiOeS5bLpfQ9RwyJKILTuif4sERFNgsRMbMJko81BiB-62YalxswR8VEaZr2UgKc_e6lsgGvDI9j7_FOyA/s200/WestYellowstone.JPG" width="150" /></a>I was surprised though that I was feeling pretty okay with everything today. I actually remembered to ease into it. I also remembered that if you fly into West Yellowstone, MT from Wisconsin that the hills are going to seem a bit harder. I'm never one to adjust quickly to altitude so I should just stop and rest periodically and remember that this first weekend is not a reflection on how my entire season will turn out. I'm here to have fun after all and I luckily I don't have to ski the Birkie for a couple of months!<br />
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<br />MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-14468038843574318542011-11-17T18:19:00.001-06:002011-11-17T18:28:08.665-06:00Cam-Rock 2Some days you have and some days you don't. Sometimes you don't have it for very long. That would be Cam-Rock. I have to say that my head wasn't really in race mode as I was already thinking ahead to my vacation - my ski vacation. Skis to wax, cold weather gear to dig out, etc, ect.<br />
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Still it's cyclocross and the race is close by so of course I'm going to be there. I have to admit that I didn't do much of a warm up which is a bad habit that I've always had (even when I took things much more seriously). That is never a really good idea with cross.<br />
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On the plus side of this race I once again got a good start. Fast starts were my one claim to fame when I was a Cat 2 but it seems that ever since I've become a Cat 3 slow, slow starts are the norm. For the 2nd race in a row I was not the last person off the line.<br />
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I'm not going to go into another drawn out discussion of every twist, turn and maneuver of the race. Instead I will say that I had one good lap in which I was in front of my teammate, Michele. It felt like old times with me going out fast and Michele passing me later in the race. I will also say that I didn't ride the log even though I should have but my mind was saying "play it safe, you're about to leave on vacation." That was lame. To make up for being lame I remounted part way up the hill which is something I NEVER do. I always think I won't make it as I'm not someone who ever put out the big watts. It was fun though.<br />
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Of course no post about Cam-Rock2 would be complete without mentioning the muddy spiral. Watching the morning races I wondered if riding it would be the best move but I wasn't motivated to get off and run it. Luckily riding it wasn't a big deal but it was some of the slowest racing ever. Tight spiral+greasy mud does not = fast.<br />
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For the conclusion - the race ended with Michele pulling away from me, me slowly falling back and then a very unglorious finish. Still it was fun to be out racing.MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-65739711777087446052011-11-10T17:57:00.000-06:002011-11-17T18:17:05.341-06:00Estabrook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't say that I was totally excited about Estabrook as it doesn't play to the very few strengths I have as a race. I really need off-cambers, corners, and other technical features to even vaguely hide my lack of fitness. Estabrook doesn't have much of those but it does have lots of long straight sections. The best part of the race was probably that Heidi P. showed up as we always have fun racing against each other. I was psyched but I also knew that meant I would have to work hard. I don't know for sure who has beat who more at Estabrook but in my mind it was advantage Heidi.<br />
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After having some really horrible race starts in recent weeks I was determined to do better at this race and actually got going in a semi-decent fashion. I tried to race smart and pedal hard down the straight stretch and never let off the pedaling as we entered the grass and a couple of slight turns. I know that a lot of times it is easy to let yourself coast a little bit into that transition especially since Estabrook is bumpy so I didn't as I knew I would need every little advantage.<br />
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Right after we took the sharp right turn into the more tree lined area Kari came by me which was to be expected as I wouldn't expect to hold her off after a long straight section. That left me and then Heidi at the back of the race. I tried to work the turns to my advantage but I have to admit that the turns at Estabrook are not the flowly kind that I love but still something I can try to milk for a few seconds. By the time I hit the spiral the first time I could see that I had a small gap.<br />
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Exiting the spiral and then over the barriers by the parking lot I knew that I had to keep working on the long flat towards the woods. As I headed down into the woods I put the bike into its biggest gear to "hammer" and try to get a few more seconds on Heidi by ripping it through the woods as fast as possible. Next up is the short run-up which seemed to offer just choppy footholds. Once up and over that you hammer to get out of the woods, take a few more turns, hit a crazy bumpy stretch, make a sharp turn and then you can get another look at where the competition is. I was maintaining a slight gap still on Heidi as I headed towards the finishing stretch. <br />
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This stretch is one of my biggest nemesis on this course as it is bumpy, annoying, long, and straight. My mind is yelling at me to shift down but I told myself not to do that. Well, actually I think I did shift down and then I forced myself to shift back up and pretend to be a racer.<br />
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On lap 2 I was onto the bike path section and I could see a guy up in front of me. I realized he was just riding through the park and not a racer and I hoped I would be able to get around him smoothly. Luck was not on my side though and I caught up to him just as I wanted to make the right into the grassy, woody section. He seemed oblivious that there was a race going on and stopped right where I wanted to make my turn. I yelled out that I was going around him on the left and turning right. Luckily he stayed stopped and crisis was averted.<br />
<br />
As I headed into the turns around the trees I was convinced that I had lost precious time to Heidi with slowing to get around him. Luckily when I hit the spiral it seemed like the gap was pretty close to the same and the race was still on and I needed to get on it!<br />
<br />
The race pretty much went the same from there on in with me trying to not slack in the straight aways and using the spiral to judge if Heidi was gaining on me. With a couple of laps left to go the Cat 3 guys started to lap through and that is usually a sign that your place is probably not going to change. At this point you are focused on staying out of the way of the guys and not worrying about the person in front or behind you. Sure sometimes (like at the Sun Prairie Cup) when the guys are pretty much through you realize you are super close to one of your competitors still and the race is back on but that isn't the norm.<br />
<br />
All in all a super fun race on a seriously bumpy course. It wouldn't have been nearly as much fun if Heidi hadn't been there to spur me on to race and push myself. It's great having some people to race against even if I came into the season completely unprepared. It really makes cross much more fun!MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-10027693556676062132011-10-31T22:17:00.005-05:002011-11-01T19:27:31.287-05:00Weekend OffSo what does a person do on a Fall weekend if they don’t race cyclocross. Probably nothing that sounds very exciting but still plenty to keep you busy. I love cyclocross but it makes me behind on everything else in life. If I race, update MadCross, buy groceries, cook something that will have leftovers for the next work week and do some laundry I usually don’t have the energy for too much else. With a big vacation looming I knew I needed to take some time off from racing and get some things done.<br /><br />The weekend featured a few things – root vegetables, yard work, rollerskiing and a visit with my mom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7D4blxQwuHIyePUpIGteCDVQvwu-0SyIHSXDmhwB8e5oum-mDQ9D41dFO3u1S3kP_AJ9xCIUw62REJ8GT0QFG4wSBhoUHRZvzP5QauN4rgXKMeecnkwKrrKZiFQ2jJqL7fJ6dg/s1600/rollerskis.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7D4blxQwuHIyePUpIGteCDVQvwu-0SyIHSXDmhwB8e5oum-mDQ9D41dFO3u1S3kP_AJ9xCIUw62REJ8GT0QFG4wSBhoUHRZvzP5QauN4rgXKMeecnkwKrrKZiFQ2jJqL7fJ6dg/s320/rollerskis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670187108316503538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Saturday looked like some beautiful weather so I dedicated myself to getting a long over distance rollerski done since I’m headed to West Yellowstone in a couple of weeks. Last year I had done tons of rollerskiing in preparation for going to the <a href="http://yellowstoneskifestival.com">big start of the nordic ski season</a> whereas this year not so much. Saturday Dave headed out with me to support me in my first ski around the Capitol City loop (sans crashes as well!). I can’t believe that last year by this time I had probably done this loop almost ten times but this year it was my first really long ski. I am behind on fitness for everything it seems!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgzd-wtL8izw8W7FFQjT67yMpbLmwgKXHM3y881nwGufhE30XLon96BpwreeRclLWerjlkejcgd_ywGu2A10hGSDKB3b8RyNsVS0EiebDVNZFgkaQ4kYln4htogu8Je3n1v9Jtw/s1600/weekendwork-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgzd-wtL8izw8W7FFQjT67yMpbLmwgKXHM3y881nwGufhE30XLon96BpwreeRclLWerjlkejcgd_ywGu2A10hGSDKB3b8RyNsVS0EiebDVNZFgkaQ4kYln4htogu8Je3n1v9Jtw/s320/weekendwork-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670184569999459922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8iZ9ubbKY7uIXQ9IsxpqQ5GwFCDHa8P4Fm38dv6foptY9LlQQS5nyzeIJUkdWgtgQVc0bbXPUheU4Ub_TGHM4FYjRN7LhCMqCVmoYF7k92NlLUOv81MCXPc0CP-cTJcoV4KmaQ/s1600/weekendwork-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8iZ9ubbKY7uIXQ9IsxpqQ5GwFCDHa8P4Fm38dv6foptY9LlQQS5nyzeIJUkdWgtgQVc0bbXPUheU4Ub_TGHM4FYjRN7LhCMqCVmoYF7k92NlLUOv81MCXPc0CP-cTJcoV4KmaQ/s320/weekendwork-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670184575179472802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next up was the joy of home ownership – yard work. Dave and I settled in for a marathon session which included cleaning leaves out of the gutters, cutting back our grape arbor, raking leaves, putting away the potted plants and trimming back the summer plants in my flower gardens. It always seems like it won’t take very long but in reality we probably did 3-4 hours of work and still have a little bit left (which it is unlikely we will ever do – until Spring). We did a better job than last year though so I feel good about that. Hopefully the home appraiser who will be coming soon (because we are re-financing) will be impressed by how well maintained our home is. Well, let’s be realistic, let’s just hope she doesn’t think our house doesn’t look like anyone takes time to maintain it. First impressions do matter. I bet you can’t wait to read my blog posts about home improvements. <a href="http://madcross.blogspot.com/2008/04/before-and-after.html">It’s been a few years since I blogged about that fascinating topic.</a><br /><br />Sunday was all about visiting my Mom. except maybe towards the end of the visit when I told her that Dave and I were planning to go to West Yellowstone for 10 days. That was when the fun began. My mother greatly dislikes travel of any sort but especially travel in an airplane and travel to mountainous locations. Couple that with the fact that I won’t be visiting for Thanksgiving and you have one happy Mom. Normally I like to wait until the day I’m leaving to tell her about my vacation plans but I thought I should tell her in person so she could get all of her venting out of the way at one time. Okay, I’m sure I’ll hear more about as we get closer to departure but that’s to be expected.<br /><br />Okay, and now on to the truly fun part of the weekend – the root vegetable part. I had quite a few root vegetables still awaiting usage from my last CSA delivery. This weekend I went to work on using them up. Friday night I made butternut squash enchiladas, Saturday morning I made carrot pancakes and Sunday night I made beet risotto. It’s hard for me to decide which of those delightful recipes to share with everyone since all of them were great. However, people ask for the carrot pancake recipe the most since it is somewhat carrot cake like (and carrot cake is sooo very delicious as well).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP5v1VVvd7ypQcB9ncd_Pvo7CJY6S1N7eoV7FLPzE7ap14HbjuodUmXN7-keDpIpqur4y37CTgXZzpD26Bg_5U1-j4FyDe0nRJ3flWfZSHWsVANJuNYvn9eqg3bKm2fEwxlRJ0A/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP5v1VVvd7ypQcB9ncd_Pvo7CJY6S1N7eoV7FLPzE7ap14HbjuodUmXN7-keDpIpqur4y37CTgXZzpD26Bg_5U1-j4FyDe0nRJ3flWfZSHWsVANJuNYvn9eqg3bKm2fEwxlRJ0A/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670185167382859490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carrot Cake Pancakes</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1 1/4 cup flour<br />1/4 chopped walnuts<br />2 teaspoons baking powder<br />1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br />Dash of ground cloves<br />Dash of ground ginger<br />1/4 cup brown sugar<br />3/4 cup buttermilk (or soymilk with 3/4 tablespoon lemon)<br />1 tablespoon canola oil<br />1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla<br />2 large eggs, lightly beaten<br />2 cups finely grated carrots<br /><br />Directions:<br />1. Combine flour and next 7 ingredients (through ginger). Combine separately brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through eggs). Add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in carrots.<br />2. Cook and enjoy.<br />3. Serve with maple syrup or with 3 tablespoons of butter mixed with 2 tablespoons of honey (the honey/butter mixture is quite delicious with these pancakes).MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-34453881298275810162011-10-24T19:41:00.002-05:002011-10-31T22:16:26.859-05:00Double Race WeekendI've been avoiding double race weekends due to two reasons - 1. needing to get caught up on life post-USGP and 2. the fitness isn't there. However, this last weekend both the MWI Cross team and the Brazen Dropouts (Paul R.) had races so I felt like I should go to both as both the MWI guys and Paul are such big supporters of the USGP and cross in general. Plus both sounded great.<br /><br />I'm happy to report that doing both was the best decision EVER. I'm just going to tell you that both days I was still DFL but it was the most fun DFL in a long time.<br /><br />Saturday was a new venue at Doyne Golf Park with a great hill, some sweet turns, and a little off camber for fun. Race started off and I was instantly in the back but I was with the group which is a good sign for me. I was sitting behind one other woman and she was slower than me in the turns. Still I was kind of just sitting behind her thinking about how we should go faster because I didn't totally see a point in passing her given that I'm always last. It seemed like a waste of effort to mess with fate like that. Finally I decided that I should at least pretend to be a racer and passed her on a short little uphill. After I went around her I kept expecting her to come around me once I hit some of the longer straight stretches. Once I'd decided to start racing though I felt like I was obligated to see how long I could hold her off.<br /><br />Let's be honest though I hit a point where I was kind of hoping she would just get it over with and pass me as it was seriously painful to keep in front of her. There was one short steep uphill to off camber turn that was making my legs scream in pain each time up it. However, on lap #2 I could see that I actually had a manageable gap on the woman behind me so I had to press on suffering immensely. By lap 3 I had a sweet gap going actually and by the time the first guys lapped me I felt like I was not going to be DFL.<br /><br />So now you're maybe thinking I had a mechanical or something that put me back into DFL. Nope not that. So now you're thinking I just cracked and couldn't make my legs carry me up the short steep little uphills. Nope not that either. Then what??? Nothing super exciting. The woman behind me apparently dropped out with 1 or 2 laps to go thus putting me back in DFL. Still super fun race and definitely one of my best races of the season in terms of feeling like I could race and not just ride around.<br /><br />Next up was the Sun Prairie Cup and I have to say upon arriving I was thinking it was a huge mistake to try and do a double race weekend. Sheehan Park is also home to a steep little hill that we ride up and run up and go around (and stand on to heckle people) and I knew it was going to hurt.<br /><br />I had by far my worst start of the season with a complete inability to get in my pedals and was basically gapped on the starting stretch. Luckily the course quickly narrows up and takes some tight turns which allowed me to get back on the back of the field.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSULsb3I2OJaR-eUUV7t9gv8Bo6KnJ5ak6Q8lm2Sz2EKgQT8HeFWUGFLN3i_5GyrD2FReoUpzOeWM9mMxr8gS4ekUF_qnQdKI0iYRwld8uNDuAPczu5JIYSxEXPCdBQ2vTb2s5w/s1600/sunprairiecx.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSULsb3I2OJaR-eUUV7t9gv8Bo6KnJ5ak6Q8lm2Sz2EKgQT8HeFWUGFLN3i_5GyrD2FReoUpzOeWM9mMxr8gS4ekUF_qnQdKI0iYRwld8uNDuAPczu5JIYSxEXPCdBQ2vTb2s5w/s320/sunprairiecx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669860140971565010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Me in the way, way back - photo by djonny mac</span><br /><br />Once again I had one of those days where I had to race and race hard. My teammates and I were fighting hard for the back of the pack and we all felt obligated to make each other hurt. I dangled just behind my teammate Shannon lap after lap. Eventually the guys started lapping through and I stopped paying attention to Shannon's whereabouts and figured it was inevitable I would be last. But then with one lap to go the guys were mostly by us and I realized we were still unbelievably close to each other.<br /><br />Then it was game on again. I gave it my all to drag myself up closer and closer and closer. I told myself it wouldn't be fair to just let a teammate have it. I had to make sure she suffered as much as me. On the last set of barriers I gave it everything I have and I really was so close but when we got to the long stretch towards the finishing pavement I couldn't close it down. I expended too much getting back up to Shannon and couldn't finish it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKDc_7kjLlBj1mRH-eEExOreFViedl8KsHJ_Ii96HuhZRM86tdqTw568BC1SlJHvqBKL1a-ICnol7GUywlt6GyQHSJ_gNPVlxrvp0Iowf39NV85029Rj50ubBxb5oI3fBvBSDGg/s1600/sunprairie+chasing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKDc_7kjLlBj1mRH-eEExOreFViedl8KsHJ_Ii96HuhZRM86tdqTw568BC1SlJHvqBKL1a-ICnol7GUywlt6GyQHSJ_gNPVlxrvp0Iowf39NV85029Rj50ubBxb5oI3fBvBSDGg/s320/sunprairie+chasing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669860145270831906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Me chasing after Shannon - photo by djonny mac<br /></span><br />I think that may have been the most fun that both Shannon and I had had in a while racing. Hopefully we can push each other to keep it up (and maybe improve for next season!).MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-71556745965962530232011-10-21T18:57:00.003-05:002011-10-21T19:18:41.130-05:00Recipe: Basked Winter Squash with Moroccan CouscousI haven't posted any recipes in a really long time so I thought I'd throw one in to mix things up. I have a bunch of winter squash thanks to the most awesome CSA - <a href="http://www.vermontvalley.com/home.htm">Vermont Valley</a>. I needed to use the oldest ones up and I had the urge to make something new. I've been trying to find time lately to try out new recipes since it is fun and tasty. Here's what I did with 2 of the squash. Recipe is thanks to one of my favorite cookbooks - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Planet-Irresistible-Recipes-Fantastic/dp/1558322116">Vegan Planet</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-bWYqIm1UH7302wX9N_FNMxApNQJofZvqOTsi2PCVniqltflAjw0wJDUtdUvkQgUFmlLnMSre4bBtlnKl8JhtuC07SaBHIKpdsh8QCMwWjlcjlXnUf3YHLIWDwku1_By4kvmkQ/s1600/bakedsquashwithcouscous.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-bWYqIm1UH7302wX9N_FNMxApNQJofZvqOTsi2PCVniqltflAjw0wJDUtdUvkQgUFmlLnMSre4bBtlnKl8JhtuC07SaBHIKpdsh8QCMwWjlcjlXnUf3YHLIWDwku1_By4kvmkQ/s320/bakedsquashwithcouscous.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666103325783516402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Baked Winter Squash with Moroccan Couscous Stuffing</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br />1 large or 2 medium winter squash<br />water<br />1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />1/4 teaspoon cardamom<br />1/8 teaspoon ground cloves<br />2 tablespoons olive oil<br />1 large onion, chopped<br />1 garlic clove, minced<br />2 cups chopped mushrooms<br />2 teaspoons peeled and minced fresh ginger<br />1/2 cup raisins<br />1/2 cup chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts<br /><br />1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Plash the squash cut sides down in a shallow baking dish. Add 1/4 inch of water, cover tightlys, and bake until just tender, about 30 minutes (I baked about 35 minutes but it will depend on the size of your squash).<br />2. While the squash is baking, cook the couscous according to the package directions. Cook the couscous with the cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.<br />3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, ginger and salt/pepper to taste. Cook, stirring a few times, until the mushrooms are soft, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.<br />4. Fluff the coucous with a fork and add the onion mixture, raisins and peanuts. Divide the stuffing equally among the squash halves. As an FYI, I had more couscous than I could stuff in the squash.<br />5. Bake the stuffed squash another 15-20 minutes until heated and squash is soft and ready to eat.MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-89587035056274623782011-10-10T22:02:00.001-05:002011-10-10T22:07:16.424-05:00Operation Race Myself Into Shape Continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLT4ScOyY9xtJvLb54AeMSyW3Kp1b8_T89PMnq54II43q_BzPejwKk-waoJjppYEsnWa08T2sq7Nrhnagg4jzR0oLPs_Y-XWZ89LsHKgsh9S4_kPVxR3FcBV7Mcaq_BX7-j2IOA/s1600/UWWCamRockCross-173.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLT4ScOyY9xtJvLb54AeMSyW3Kp1b8_T89PMnq54II43q_BzPejwKk-waoJjppYEsnWa08T2sq7Nrhnagg4jzR0oLPs_Y-XWZ89LsHKgsh9S4_kPVxR3FcBV7Mcaq_BX7-j2IOA/s320/UWWCamRockCross-173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662065658754345298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3b92v2jDhDFz9mnD_Xozz5Tdyw-26dBcsucr-Z3wdtm7g0um8pHvCRbeCuYXcgSU0irthQzZaKzzgqJMC0g5v9ulSC35JuytN6RV8VImxztmnP5bkd6ivWevYGOLX-YYGbKcw/s1600/UWWCamRockCross.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf3b92v2jDhDFz9mnD_Xozz5Tdyw-26dBcsucr-Z3wdtm7g0um8pHvCRbeCuYXcgSU0irthQzZaKzzgqJMC0g5v9ulSC35JuytN6RV8VImxztmnP5bkd6ivWevYGOLX-YYGbKcw/s320/UWWCamRockCross.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662065650489230674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I haven’t exactly come into this season with an optimal fitness for racing cross. The end of summer/beginning of Fall saw me tapering into little riding or other training. That means it is time for “Operation Race Myself Into Shape.” This is not the easiest approach to racing cyclocross but it is better than not racing.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><div face="arial"> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Race one, Cross the Domes, was a serious shock to the system but the first cross race of the season is always a bit of a shock. This was perhaps more shocking than normal but one has to start somewhere. On the plus side I felt that Cross the Domes suited my strengths with some off-cambers, no huge climbs, and some stairs.<br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: arial;">Up next for me was the first race at Cam-Rock. I actually saw my first cross race ever at Cam-Rock and then did my first cross race ever at Cam-Rock. For those reasons I do have a certain fondness for the race even though it doesn’t really fit my strengths unless it is muddy (like last year). This year people said to me “it’s a dirt crit” and “you have to be on the gas the whole time.” Neither of these things are good for me ever but especially right now.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: arial;">I will put this race down in the category of a great workout which hopefully helps me build towards ski season. I was off the back from the word Go and that was that. I had a poor start and was gapped off the line. I closed in on the back some on the bumpy downhill but once the pedaling started I saw the back of the field pull away. I put in a solid effort for where I’m at right now which is really all I want to do right now. I felt strong on the run-up actually and am sad to say that my strengths are definitely not the biking sections. Any section that just requires lots of watts into the pedal are not sections I will do well at right now.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: arial;">On the plus side this week did seem a little less shocking to the system than last week so I have at least mentally adjusted some to the pain that is cyclocross racing. This week’s race was a little bit hampered by my rollerskiing incident. Although once you start a cross race the pain in your lungs and legs overshadow anything else. The only time I really felt that all my scrapes bothered me was going over the barriers as it wasn’t very comfortable to bump into my elbow.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: arial;">Now today, Monday, I can feel the aches and pains a bit more. I have some nasty bruises from my crash and the hand I landed on is really stiff and achey. Luckily everything looks to be healing up though and as a courtesy to my co-workers I’m well bandaged and wearing long pants and longsleeves.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: arial;">Up next is FurtherCross at Badger Prairie. I’m excited to race close to home again but I can’t say that I’m a fan of Badger Prairie as it is another course where power is important. I’ll be spending a bit of time at Badger Prairie though with the race <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318302114_0">on Saturday</span> and work day <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318302114_1">on Sunday</span>. In between those two I’ve got a USGP Volunteer Appreciation Party and hopefully a longish rollerski. Because the Birkie is only 138 days away and so there is still time to be prepared for that.</div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div> </div></span>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-77350648195248344872011-10-08T12:01:00.003-05:002011-10-08T12:16:59.646-05:00Ooops . . . rollerski accidentOn a nice 70 degree Fall day like today you get lots of funny looks and random comments about snow if you go out and rollerski. You get even more funny looks if you're bleeding while you ski down the path.<br /><br />Today started out like many a weekend rollerski with just a plan to do an easy, endurance ski. I wanted to take it easy since I don't have the fitness to crank out a huge, hard ski and then race cross the next day. When the weather is nice it is always busy on the path with lots of bikers out which is not a big deal except you have to pay a bit more attention as you try to weave your way around the worst cracks (because some of the cracks are the perfect size to grab your ski wheel).<br /><br />Anyway, things were going great. It was a lovely day and I was out on the rollerskis. I can't say I was feeling awesome but I was just getting in some good double-poling mixed in with some kick double pole. I was about 3/4 of the way through the ski when I moved over to the far right side of the path to let some bikers go by.<br /><br />Unfortunately there was a huge hump in the pavement right after the bikers went by and it was bigger than I anticipated. My front wheels rolled over it but then skis bottomed out and I lurched forward. It's like so many crashes . . . it just happened so fast I didn't have time to do anything useful to save myself. Instead I lurched forward and took a hard knock to my elbow.<br /><br />Of course my first thoughts were . . . did I break a pole, will this affect my race tomorrow?!?! Luckily the pole wasn't broken but I do have a huge hole in my gloves. And I should be able to race tomorrow although it will be a little painful I think as my wrist is a little sore and my elbow has a deep gash.<br /><br />After crashing I got up quickly since no one ever likes to have people seeing them on the ground bleeding. However, I didn't make it too far as I was seriously light headed and my stomach was super nauseous. I skied like 1 minute before I had to find a spot to sit down and recompose myself.<br /><br />Then I got up and did what had to be done . . . .I skied back to where I was headed. You always feel great when you're rollerskiing or biking or trail running and you've got blood oozing.<br /><br />Now don't look if you don't like a little blood<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4qIqJFrZpTLb-SudyjoY6l904IRuRVxvnGX1OGr4cGkmPof4sPlf8dBkzNdBPWMEISPbluB6iITqHXqGlRR7w3UNcs8jlu8ts_eik25TruB61xYefsB6NC5YqWZ8jIDnjTjObA/s1600/CrosstheDomes-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4qIqJFrZpTLb-SudyjoY6l904IRuRVxvnGX1OGr4cGkmPof4sPlf8dBkzNdBPWMEISPbluB6iITqHXqGlRR7w3UNcs8jlu8ts_eik25TruB61xYefsB6NC5YqWZ8jIDnjTjObA/s320/CrosstheDomes-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661170354322168514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIqirNHPfVdrEu2lnrqGKeWVz1MnLn04Iux-uf9G5v5rzTAPNR68QJUJ9UZvquxqmRMLSQ3M2rbGF6Ur0-MAfjiSyerds5MaTImYkbq50U4lGMrs118cfwK8bGKZSCwAG54swOg/s1600/CrosstheDomes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIqirNHPfVdrEu2lnrqGKeWVz1MnLn04Iux-uf9G5v5rzTAPNR68QJUJ9UZvquxqmRMLSQ3M2rbGF6Ur0-MAfjiSyerds5MaTImYkbq50U4lGMrs118cfwK8bGKZSCwAG54swOg/s320/CrosstheDomes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661170344157617250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />** Do you like how my cat wants to be part of the rollerski wound photo shoot!</span>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-87241100106049200232011-10-07T18:10:00.004-05:002011-10-07T19:34:42.444-05:00Cross Racing BeginsRace time is here. The USGP is over and now my season really begins. Luckily I pre-registered for Cross the Domes because I know myself. When it was time to get up on Saturday and get going all I wanted to do was sleep in, go out for brunch and just chill. However, the Team MadCross jerseys had arrived in the nick of time for the start of the WCA season and since I had the box I needed to go. Plus I'd already spent the money and I'm not one to let good registration fees go to waste.<br /><br />Was I glad I went? Of course I was. The MWI guys are awesome and I knew they would again put on a great event. The course suited me and I loved it. It's my current fave course (after the USGP but I actually didn't ride that so I can't say for sure). The only problem is my complete lack of fitness which actually is behind even last year's horrible fitness. Oh well, I guess I'll be racing myself into shape again this year.<br /><br />Race highlights are that my first lap went better than I expected and I was riding near my teammate Gail. That was fun. By the second lap I knew that was over and settled back behind her just far enough that I knew I wouldn't be able to catch her. I kept my eye on my usual nemesis, Heidi. We've been racing each other long enough to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. I excel on the more technical aspects but not on the pedaling. Heidi is good at the pedaling but psyches herself out on the technical parts (for no reason since she rides them just fine but don't tell her that as I need the advantage).<br /><br />I have to say that cyclocross is one painful sport. If you haven't done any hard efforts in almost 2 months it will kick you in the butt. With 2 laps to go I was wondering if there was any chance the leader of the men's race might lap me a 2nd time. Unfortunately I could see where he was and knew it wasn't going to happen. On the last lap my legs were in some serious pain and I was so glad to be done.<br /><br />It was super cool to be out sporting the new team kit though as I could easily spot my teammates and people were yelling "Go MadCross" which was cool.<br /><br />Normally I'd post a photo now but I don't have one. All that blather about new team jerseys and now I have no photographic proof. Maybe this weekend I'll remember to have someone take a photo of my and the teammates instead of me just taking pics of everyone else.<br /><br />Suffice it to say our new team kits are SWEET.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and on Sunday I did a 2 hour over distance rollerski. It may be too late to be prepared for cross racing but there is still time to get ready for the Birkie!MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-37813585878869787272011-07-27T22:16:00.007-05:002011-07-27T22:36:56.720-05:00Evolution of an Everyday Athlete<span style="font-weight: bold;">The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ John Dewey</span> (you know, the early developer of the philosophy of pragmatism and one of the founders of functional psychology)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiI_2aqMREln8sZUmTsXstQd4aUcBhVYd3gsCjfy7_VJMk8YT-5tpN6KIvw_onq9QwNQtLNKABoNQXJC7iHYPLUyqmsArJDA9GLJMXq89XReHGlS3Btzc7LgglWVCU9uVZCzDgQ/s1600/Renee+on+the+trainer.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiI_2aqMREln8sZUmTsXstQd4aUcBhVYd3gsCjfy7_VJMk8YT-5tpN6KIvw_onq9QwNQtLNKABoNQXJC7iHYPLUyqmsArJDA9GLJMXq89XReHGlS3Btzc7LgglWVCU9uVZCzDgQ/s320/Renee+on+the+trainer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634239307432916546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aXZxqCr8Pq1qO0bE6taavqxK7Yo4lHCAssRpJv_KCm4FeS2wmHW06MYJw5Qt_wrfMK_ovKlFL_RrDDBESlXHTtnliNshkmipKYBZ-sah70LAq97rr5uqZlLB507mfgcbd9F04w/s1600/a+lonely+stretch+of+south+dakota+highway.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aXZxqCr8Pq1qO0bE6taavqxK7Yo4lHCAssRpJv_KCm4FeS2wmHW06MYJw5Qt_wrfMK_ovKlFL_RrDDBESlXHTtnliNshkmipKYBZ-sah70LAq97rr5uqZlLB507mfgcbd9F04w/s320/a+lonely+stretch+of+south+dakota+highway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634239318209224450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy63Syvaqf-ulIphHvzw3N16sJAucCjwyLOWgMY8jpIy56QNf-iFXYZqil0iJ8Pq-3zcoVRYgAG5zBMnK8YA1BdhD0SM07lqahX9mZpCdiBc1296DI8aD0PcHWTLwZWYRQq_T3yg/s1600/Renee+cx+champ.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy63Syvaqf-ulIphHvzw3N16sJAucCjwyLOWgMY8jpIy56QNf-iFXYZqil0iJ8Pq-3zcoVRYgAG5zBMnK8YA1BdhD0SM07lqahX9mZpCdiBc1296DI8aD0PcHWTLwZWYRQq_T3yg/s320/Renee+cx+champ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634239995113283250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiZ0V_S5bXAMpIlHUnjHFIYjqFPlLSrn_3XROyojq_LAb4-5IUR8G2CDeeUNoYBrX9c0xg7HPdedzF5HdSCEXiIeypUFv0R01u3M8gm4moCRGgd5er-1zanpI00GYFKyO6ryWPA/s1600/20110116_Winter+2011-2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiZ0V_S5bXAMpIlHUnjHFIYjqFPlLSrn_3XROyojq_LAb4-5IUR8G2CDeeUNoYBrX9c0xg7HPdedzF5HdSCEXiIeypUFv0R01u3M8gm4moCRGgd5er-1zanpI00GYFKyO6ryWPA/s320/20110116_Winter+2011-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634241536180938978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I first started riding I simply rode. It felt like I rode a lot but in retrospect I realize that it really wasn’t that much. However, it felt like it because I was new to the world of biking and a few miles was a big deal. A few miles of mountain bike trail were an even bigger deal. I remember the first time I rode all the way around Lake Wingra without stopping and even though I realize now that 10k isn’t far back then it was a big deal. I remember my first mountain bike race (in Spring Green, WI) and I remember stopping at the top of the “big” hill to catch my breath. Back then even the idea of entering a race was a huge deal.<br /><br />I spent a lot of years just riding and racing not that far or that fast but just doing it without thinking about it too much. There were successes. I’ll never forget a really cold, wet race in April in Black River Falls where against all odds I completed the race. I opted not to bail at the short race cut off and for the last 6 miles the sweep ATV rider was behind me and even asked me if I’d like a ride to the finish. I didn’t and I made it but as soon as I arrived everyone (and I actually mean everyone except Dave) left. I also will remember winning my first mountain bike race in 1992. It was snowy and cold and I didn’t really have the right clothes for the day. Truthfully I think I won because my toes were so cold that I was going as hard as I could to get back to warm them up.<br /><br />Eventually I lost my desire to mountain bike race. It seemed to take up too much time, the thrill had warn off and if I was truly honest with myself I was probably tired of not being very good at it. Funny thing was that as soon as I stopped racing I started riding more. I had finally bought a road bike and that added new opportunities for fun. I took a weird turn and decided to run a marathon which as a hardcore non-runner seemed somewhat inconceivable. Of course, it was conceivable and doable. Then I started doing fast group road rides. In a weird twist I became faster than I was when racing.<br /><br />Of course all of that lead me back to racing and the discovery of a little thing called training. I never really understood training. I never participated in any sports as a child or teen so I never was introduced to the concept of training. If we talked about it in physical education class I wasn’t paying attention (which was the norm for me). Sure at that point I’d done tons of racing but I’d never trained for it. I maybe rode more or less and with slower or faster friends but if someone had asked me what to do for training I would have said “ride your bike.”<br /><br />However, I was suddenly overcome with a desire to be “faster” so I bought a training book. All it took was one chapter for me to realize I would never actually read it and use it. However I live in the age of the internet so I got an online coach. I became very motivated by the fact that I was spending money each month so I better do what he said. I got excited to race mountain bikes again. Then I went to a few races and quickly realized that I didn’t actually want to race mountain bikes again. I decided to throw myself into road racing. That was also a short lived experience as try as I might I never really took to road racing. It was one of those things I always felt like I was doing “because it would be good for me” and not because I was excited about it.<br /><br />And then I decided to give cyclocross a try. I’d watched a race before but always felt I was much too uncoordinated and much too unwilling to suffer for such a sport. Little did I know that the wackiness of the sport would eventually overcome those concerns. I completely threw myself into the sport and in an unexpected turn of events was the Cat 4 Women’s State Champion in my first year of racing thus showing me that training does actually work.<br /><br />From there I was quite hooked and upgraded to Cat 2 in a short time, overcame knee surgery and continued down this exciting new road called training. It was motivating to have a plan for the first time and do things intended to make me a faster and stronger cyclist. For the first time ever I actually did races where I employed tactics beyond just go hard as long as possible. The results were neither great nor horrible with some successes, some failures and lots in the middle. None of that really mattered though because it was fun. Racing was fun again and training was this new exciting thing.<br /><br />However, although training paid off and I was “faster” the newness of that wore off. I missed spontaneity and not having a plan laid out. I felt bad for spending money when I wasn’t that committed to the cause of being faster. So I gave up the coach and gave up on training. Luckily cyclocross remained fun even without the successes brought by good training.<br /><br />But then along came skiing . . . . oh sure, I’d skied a little for a few years but not much and with no technique at all. However, I realized that I wanted to ski the Birkie before I died and I wasn’t getting any younger and my skiing wasn’t getting any better. That little idea led me down a whole new path and that path needed rollerskis, technique lessons and a whole new world. It was new, it was cool and there was plenty of fun to be had. I skied the Birkie – skate and classic (thus covering all my bases). I took things differently for skiing. Training was less structured, more focused on technique and occasionally fraught with freak outs that I needed to ski X many kilometers today or all would be lost.<br /><br />In all of this I realized that I absolutely love to do it all – mountain biking, road biking, skiing. I sometimes miss snowboarding and dream of buying a kayak. One of these days I'm goign to finish learning to swim. Sometimes I even like to go for a run. Who knows I may eventually get around to climbing the Grand Teton (something that was derailed by snow the year I planned to do it).<br /><br />It’s been an evolution – from having no idea what it meant to be an athlete, to a singular obsession with being an athlete, to a realization that not being great at any one sport leaves more time to enjoy them all. I also realize that I may want to try being great at something again and that I have what it takes to chase that dream too.<br /><br />There’s no right way to pursue your passions. For many people racing is what makes them happy or just being the fastest person on the group rides. For me it’s knowing could probably do whatever strikes my fancy on a given day – running a 5k, railing some singletrack, riding some southwestern Wisconsin hills, gliding my way down a snowy trail or leaping off a perfectly good bike to run over some barriers. I’m not the best at any of those things but does that really matter?<br /><br />I guess what I'm saying is just get out there and enjoy life and don't be afraid to change direction from time to time.MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-22295773223036975622011-07-19T21:52:00.001-05:002011-07-19T21:52:14.089-05:00Going Up NorthAnd now for a summer vacation post . . . both in June and July I went "up north" for a week. Yes, it is true I like the north. Both times I spent some time in Cable, WI and then the rest of the time in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan.<br /><br />Here's some reasons why you might want to go "up north" too.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFxDFIraExe2D3y1zl6VLKKnUTsKb__6DIV-xlyHcckd4zN5-wN8iBc6C5KlO0PcY1_OCqKYTiW8825T-jr3Skvt7RiBGOq_a2nsFLadu6v5O2J7BLzgGMJEGSYxxdPy7asggvQ/s1600/Keweenaw-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFxDFIraExe2D3y1zl6VLKKnUTsKb__6DIV-xlyHcckd4zN5-wN8iBc6C5KlO0PcY1_OCqKYTiW8825T-jr3Skvt7RiBGOq_a2nsFLadu6v5O2J7BLzgGMJEGSYxxdPy7asggvQ/s320/Keweenaw-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631259985062519986" border="0" /></a><br />The Jam Pot in the Keweenaw has my favorite bakery items. YUM.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKsY8MYf-G1tI93Qj6yObwFgxQbxHxKdjyBLfYZh5ca7YSHVv2RrMHhNlYIqQ32wkjaLdLI0pQnBsnmBppCb3CnemLvV4Zt6rQUVZYzFdqYOmzwY3OCOBUuUqt0TAVTGF89kv5g/s1600/Keweenaw-17-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKsY8MYf-G1tI93Qj6yObwFgxQbxHxKdjyBLfYZh5ca7YSHVv2RrMHhNlYIqQ32wkjaLdLI0pQnBsnmBppCb3CnemLvV4Zt6rQUVZYzFdqYOmzwY3OCOBUuUqt0TAVTGF89kv5g/s320/Keweenaw-17-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631260010653572930" border="0" /></a><br />Lake Superior is probably my fave lake.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeYHlVim_4bnj47kMpl6BChYIQ5nKkyXwKqxS3HJ5re9hpuxsIKqxpOGwo0mtxb545ec42mUZ2qNOSHyAp28YRrBDGpaDaAshCuJs2DVKPWJKirKjNufcmnMBFutC6d6MDIJujg/s1600/keweenaw-10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeYHlVim_4bnj47kMpl6BChYIQ5nKkyXwKqxS3HJ5re9hpuxsIKqxpOGwo0mtxb545ec42mUZ2qNOSHyAp28YRrBDGpaDaAshCuJs2DVKPWJKirKjNufcmnMBFutC6d6MDIJujg/s320/keweenaw-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631255594090514610" border="0" /></a><br />The top of the On the Edge trail in Copper Harbor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaN0NOyHQNUEm4NtarukY-Y4J6_7qVc_9LbyoTHmRStX3pfVAl3Ymdv59h_w_JQDqjNgYxGtdr0r2hYC3HSqJV7kkPhCpt7nfvGft-KbCaNQj9kOaF8IsDbql_ONGq9F6PBPrVQ/s1600/keweenaw-11.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaN0NOyHQNUEm4NtarukY-Y4J6_7qVc_9LbyoTHmRStX3pfVAl3Ymdv59h_w_JQDqjNgYxGtdr0r2hYC3HSqJV7kkPhCpt7nfvGft-KbCaNQj9kOaF8IsDbql_ONGq9F6PBPrVQ/s320/keweenaw-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631255603172422082" border="0" /></a><br />The Flow Trail in Copper Harbor. I love to ride up it and to ride down it. It is possibly the trail I would most like to ride. It's a bummer it is so far from home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJWri3svLeLdzpx6zWRzCqF9zP5ibmNrVA5HPKNacnxdEKnr55RSHIZmhfCPK0Ti8E_jBmOtxz23WbqGNbmF2Mu_c6AWBZhwhLZx6-0QR0KTOxc__otUYCoOjDdJ7QSb6uLPHIA/s1600/keweenaw-7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJWri3svLeLdzpx6zWRzCqF9zP5ibmNrVA5HPKNacnxdEKnr55RSHIZmhfCPK0Ti8E_jBmOtxz23WbqGNbmF2Mu_c6AWBZhwhLZx6-0QR0KTOxc__otUYCoOjDdJ7QSb6uLPHIA/s320/keweenaw-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631254343344032338" border="0" /></a><br />CXC Ski Camp for rollerski fun. So far I've been to two camps and I've worked hard on my technique.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu4Nf-d1Am8AO5tsFtNl4ZdCM2lmTXOks_AoqQrRWzUhLKCV-rDklzmDw5ygFhrGEwcPVnItGbFZ9gVhDmUYlPT-av5g4zOBT2NfOe3FjjXFDddjdqJgUpCe8X-fcyOEVgomQsg/s1600/keweenaw-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu4Nf-d1Am8AO5tsFtNl4ZdCM2lmTXOks_AoqQrRWzUhLKCV-rDklzmDw5ygFhrGEwcPVnItGbFZ9gVhDmUYlPT-av5g4zOBT2NfOe3FjjXFDddjdqJgUpCe8X-fcyOEVgomQsg/s320/keweenaw-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631254338913465426" border="0" /></a><br />At 11am it was 63 degrees in Calumet, MI on July 15. LOVE!!!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWEM-FaV88x0cQsfP-kn47kVRtKAMJi0Phyphenhyphenz8ilUlgFS6BF47HpCqbHhJsC65ZNmrpreHqQTV4ptFgDjowWJ52ngScvuLnQNvkT9v822MF4R9POki5OYPhDb7E218wqj4B6bGw/s1600/keweenaw-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSWEM-FaV88x0cQsfP-kn47kVRtKAMJi0Phyphenhyphenz8ilUlgFS6BF47HpCqbHhJsC65ZNmrpreHqQTV4ptFgDjowWJ52ngScvuLnQNvkT9v822MF4R9POki5OYPhDb7E218wqj4B6bGw/s320/keweenaw-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631254319347361922" border="0" /></a><br />Paddling fun. This time on an inland lake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqEjtnekY4nbNGwjGIz07-q5VamwuIEJ6BwUuEPokNtCbykuXc-i1GAoSyYTQeDvUUFehNjuvbMWoJQ5pE1bGVqoAyJHGAqpGHAQ-qGK0TRo6ykYtQ9Y79Xqgcl_3Mm0eg9XwEw/s1600/keweenaw-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqEjtnekY4nbNGwjGIz07-q5VamwuIEJ6BwUuEPokNtCbykuXc-i1GAoSyYTQeDvUUFehNjuvbMWoJQ5pE1bGVqoAyJHGAqpGHAQ-qGK0TRo6ykYtQ9Y79Xqgcl_3Mm0eg9XwEw/s320/keweenaw-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631254357990193746" border="0" /></a><br />The Objibwe Trail in Cable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjejW_F1dLkqy2bKOv-C670WBsCJf4CBxoZ0K0LPYbPk8XsS1IagG0_OkhDn323nbI24OHsuosUmm7cEoZBv-6nyPFdvFywGGcOlBDDlBcjvkg-EERdLeHbH-xKVJ-fz3ZxTdyQ/s1600/keweenaw-3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjejW_F1dLkqy2bKOv-C670WBsCJf4CBxoZ0K0LPYbPk8XsS1IagG0_OkhDn323nbI24OHsuosUmm7cEoZBv-6nyPFdvFywGGcOlBDDlBcjvkg-EERdLeHbH-xKVJ-fz3ZxTdyQ/s320/keweenaw-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631252519816892850" border="0" /></a><br />Canoeing fun. Rented from the Keweenaw Adventure Company.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl3LYL5Xs4n1v6KU17b_02EQdtdBzo_PuEqOov2cF0zl-ia140s_Dixgyqy2LOhxED_vElaoL8E3c6a1XswodCanU-t48YsNwj8DknYGSFvcGjtSEy8gTv55HN3FO3g5PO5I7fg/s1600/keweenaw-2-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl3LYL5Xs4n1v6KU17b_02EQdtdBzo_PuEqOov2cF0zl-ia140s_Dixgyqy2LOhxED_vElaoL8E3c6a1XswodCanU-t48YsNwj8DknYGSFvcGjtSEy8gTv55HN3FO3g5PO5I7fg/s320/keweenaw-2-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631252500006917922" border="0" /></a><br />Namekagon Trails outside Cable, WI<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUqQMzR44QFCtNPJWlkmOdWM0cCSJ-mvGPivVs7S03oEhDh6uo_9uLtorFloS06Zga3px9o4wsbptPv6t8A7nfU3vpZWpmqphHS7ppjGeTLpHxI_7Ly1IbcaE014WCQXxvd4gSg/s1600/keweenaw-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUqQMzR44QFCtNPJWlkmOdWM0cCSJ-mvGPivVs7S03oEhDh6uo_9uLtorFloS06Zga3px9o4wsbptPv6t8A7nfU3vpZWpmqphHS7ppjGeTLpHxI_7Ly1IbcaE014WCQXxvd4gSg/s320/keweenaw-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631252489255546530" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty lakes of all sizes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa4WdFKUjtqqq39K-wKYQhNPNg1SUKyI0srcYdAFcoW9weMhHp1rtk_YkvuKOIRWoX6cC3lK0qZHSRMf0_mDEibEwynzTLr_ifSmRBN1tAX590c1_UvL4rjrpnfERsleGEjWqHQ/s1600/keweenaw.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa4WdFKUjtqqq39K-wKYQhNPNg1SUKyI0srcYdAFcoW9weMhHp1rtk_YkvuKOIRWoX6cC3lK0qZHSRMf0_mDEibEwynzTLr_ifSmRBN1tAX590c1_UvL4rjrpnfERsleGEjWqHQ/s320/keweenaw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631252477298387426" border="0" /></a><br />Swedetown Trails in Calumet, MI<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizALEkkW2i5NY4dp8eo9aR2FIYCR-eJ4reybi9j83tTuKLKeizASiGtxlQJlQAIqKfkhU8Cd932JFvybHc8RqeBq_MZlkTHlFH39Z3W77rtO62a-GXYuNXibbEmOARAGB3wpck5A/s1600/keweenaw-3-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizALEkkW2i5NY4dp8eo9aR2FIYCR-eJ4reybi9j83tTuKLKeizASiGtxlQJlQAIqKfkhU8Cd932JFvybHc8RqeBq_MZlkTHlFH39Z3W77rtO62a-GXYuNXibbEmOARAGB3wpck5A/s320/keweenaw-3-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631252533030267570" border="0" /></a><br />Makwa Trail just outside Seeley, WI<br /><br /><br />If you're a mountain biker and you haven't been up to ride the trails in the UP at Copper Harbor, Calumet, Houghton and Hancock then you need to go immediately. They are just that good. And, of course, the CAMBA trails in the Cable and Hayward aren't to be missed.MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19310200.post-81645363390736716222011-04-01T19:04:00.002-05:002011-04-01T19:10:20.628-05:00Hey, what about that Birkie?!?!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> 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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Somehow the Birkie came and went and it was such a crazy time that I never wrote anything about it. All I can say is that the need to participate in democracy was greater than my need to document my 3<sup>rd</sup> Birkie.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, I have now decided a month later to chronicle the race to keep the documentation going of my ongoing transformation into a skier.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This year was one of the coldest Birkies ever actually.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Someone in the know about these things was saying he thought it was likely the 3<sup>rd</sup> coldest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The temp was -6F when I started and I think 6F when I finished.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now it’s not like I don’t ski at much colder temps than that but I wouldn’t normally be out for such an extended period of time (by which I mean just short of 5 hours).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The evening before the race was full of discussions of what to wear.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I settled in on a plan pretty early on as I’ve skied in the cold enough to have a sense of what I would need.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The CXC race kit is super light (thin lycra really) so I went with warmer Patagonia Capilene 3 midweight long underwear on top and bottom along with craft boxer briefs on bottom and then just the CXC suit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For my feet it was Smartwool socks and then booties over my ski boots.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For my hands it was Toko Artic Mits which are lobster claw style.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For my head I had a Buff which I pulled up over my ears and put my Seeley Classic hat on top.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I then slathered my face in dermatone as exposed skin in the cold is never a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then on went my sunglasses to protect my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All in all I was very pleased with my choices.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was a little cold on a couple of the crazy fast downhills but otherwise good and no frostbite (which was all too common actually).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now on to the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I should start off by saying I once again raced Classic which for some reason always seems to come as a surprise to people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I haven’t figured out if people are surprised because I’m not that great a classic skier or if it is because the race is 4k longer or if because it takes longer or what.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After doing skate one year and classic one year I currently can’t imagine going back to skating it but I suppose I will one day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, as to the race it was good but I never really felt like it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I started in Wave 5 this year and it was a pretty relaxed group.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Classic waves can be up to 350 people but I’m pretty sure Wave 5 was smaller than that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wasn’t feeling super crazy Birkie Fever probably because I had spent the 2 weeks leading up to the race protesting the insanity of Wisconsin’s Governor and his budget repair bill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>something to say for having bigger issues than your Birkie to keep you from stressing out about racing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I made it from the Pilot Fish parking lot on the bus to the start line with enough time to use the porta potty one last time, get my skis from CXC, get my warm ups off and into the drop bag, and get into the start pen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t have a lot of extra time but still plenty of time which really was perfect given that it was cold.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t want to have too much time standing around.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the end I didn’t test my skis even though I had them waxed by CXC but instead just put my faith in them (which was warranted as my skis rocked the whole race!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And now I would like to thank Jason Cork and the whole CXC waxing crew for taking such good care of my skis!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So anyway I started out in the middle of the pack and took it pretty chill in the beginning of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you’ve only ever done the Birkie Skate then you won’t really be able to understand that even being possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Basically I just lined up with a few minutes to spare and got a nice spot in the middle although I could have gone straight to the front if I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The countdown is on and I’m dancing the music being played over the loudspeaker to keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hope no video exists of this behavior!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This whole time I feel a little self conscious wearing my CXC kit but I do notice one other CXC Master in my wave which makes me feel better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s not that being on the CXC Master’s team means anything other than<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>you support CXC but since the elite team kits look the same as the Master’s there is a little self-consciousness that I feel when I’m wear it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Being so cold it was awesome to finally get started so I could keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone is pretty polite in Wave 5 so there were no incidents with people stepping on poles or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It always takes me awhile to get really warmed up and really get going so I was skiing mid-wave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since I don’t really consider marathon distances my “thing” I wasn’t really concerned with who was passing me or who I was passing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was just focused on getting into a groove and not going too hard in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really start marathon races just hoping to make it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mostly the first part of the race wasn’t too eventful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the powerline I gave my usual shout out to Gary Crandall (of the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival) and thought about how thrilled I was not to be on the skate course.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All of us Classic skiers were just having a nice time over on our course.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At 12k into the race I had the pre-requisite race fall as I made a last second decision to jump out of the tracks but then totally lost control and went down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was really more of a sliding wipeout so I was back up fast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh but I should mention the aid stations . . . so as I mentioned it was pretty cold which is never great when you are relying on energy gels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each time I took an energy gel it turned into a real production.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Last year my goal was to not spend so much time in the aid stations but get in and out efficiently.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And if I do say so myself I’ve really improved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Birkie was a challenge though.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I approached the aid station I would rip the gel off my drink belt where it was stapled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would get it open but then I couldn’t get it out of the packet so I would be fumbling around pressing on it as hard as I could.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Eventually I would get it out and get as much jammed it my mouth as possible waiting for it to warm up enough that I could swallow it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Normally you can open it, get it in the mouth and grab water fairly efficiently but with the energy gels so cold you’d have to take extra time before you grabbed water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At one aid station one of the volunteers saw me struggling and helped me by taking my gel packet and pressing down on it against a table to try and get it to come out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, you can’t ski for as long as I was and not take the time to ingest some fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The kilometer markers can seem to go by slowly sometimes. 54k is just a long way to ski.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I definitely had some moments around 20-25k where I felt really tired or at least felt like it was going to be a really long day. However, I just kept plodding along knowing that these feelings will come and go throughout the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have to admit it’s never a great feeling when you are feeling tired and you aren’t even quite to the half-way point.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In looking at the results though it shows that in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of the race I started to pass people which seem to fit with my memory of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did think that I sure was passing a lot of people with bibs from other waves and as it turns out quite a few from my own wave as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, even with the number of people that I did end up passing it never seemed congested or problematic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In some ways it probably ends up making the day go by easier to be seeing lots of people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I can’t say that I really felt like I rocked it out though as I felt super slow going up some of the hills and at times felt like my technique had totally escaped me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(And the <a href="http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=75343&BIB=15348&LNSEARCH=1">pictures</a> I saw of myself prove that my technique clearly escaped me and I was skiing like I was about to give up!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the infamous Bitch Hill (which was sans bitches this year) I herring boned up at a crawl and felt super psyched to be done with it even if I felt like I was crawling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So the true final challenge of the Birkie is skiing across Lake Hayward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now if you aren’t a skier you probably think that skiing across a lake sounds easy enough but this particular lake isn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is several kilometers long, you can see skiers far into the distance, and it always has a headwind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you first enter the lake there is always a friendly group of people set up cheering and at their table you can get Jaegermeister.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As it happens they are set up right next to the classic tracks so it is impossible to miss.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One again this year as I skied by I asked if they had Jaeger shots.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They weren’t prepared for my request but quickly jumped up, ran up alongside me to hand off a shot which I gulped down while only slowing slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone has strengths as a skier and I have determined that mine is taking Jaeger shots during races.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I know this wouldn’t be the case for most people but that shot of Jaeger made me feel just a little bit better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good thing as I felt really worn out at this point and the lake seemed rather daunting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was also feeling a little bummed at the lack of Classic skiers who happened to be near me at this point in time as I desperately needed a draft.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just prior to the lake I had passed a bunch of classic skiers and now the crowd had thinned.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily there was one guy ahead who I was able to catch fairly soon and I just sat behind him drafting the whole way across the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d like to say that I was able to double pole the whole thing but I didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I truthfully was slowly striding with the occasional double pole or kick double pole but mostly a very slow stride.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was no way I could have passed the guy I was drafting as catching him was the last bit of energy I had.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After what always seems like a lifetime I made it across the lake and made the turns onto Main Street.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Main Street usually gives you some more energy but I can’t say I felt a surge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was just thrilled to be done and thrilled to have someone take my skis off for me. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will admitted to being totally wiped out.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now I’m going to be honest and say that at first I was a bit disappointed in my finish as it was 4 minutes slower than the previous year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Truthfully I had hoped to improve.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, as I was making my way through the finish line and to pick up my drop bag I heard people being announced that were finishing behind me and it included people I had never beat before.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of course the true test is your wave placement for next year. . . was your finish time at least good enough to be placed in the same wave or will you move down or will you move up. It’s the true test mostly because eventually you get asked what wave you are if you hang out with skiers too much. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Birkie sends out the 2012 wave placement times a few weeks after the race so immediately after the race you can only speculate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m happy to report that in a nice turn of events I will be skiing from Wave 4 next year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not that it matters or anything but it is reassurance that my skiing is improving although I realized I was improving as I ended up finishing in the top 30 people out of Wave 5. I ended up in about the top third of women finishers and about the mid-point of all finishers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think that’s great and more than I would have expected when I first decided to take up classic skiing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There you have it – Birkie 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>MadCrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01918990645200774682noreply@blogger.com1