Race Coverage

Winter Doesn't Have to Suck....

Wednesday, 11 March 2020 23:10

By Peter Wikman

I’ve always struggled with winter. Some felt better than others, but without miss I would find myself resentful by mid-January, counting the days until it was spring.

I can definitely say this winter was much different... Between early November and late-Feb I put in about 600 miles (mostly at Hylands) on the sticks, and never once felt hesitant or unmotivated to get up in the morning and go.

All this built up to The Birkie, which did NOT disappoint! I was worried about the weather in the build up to it, but my biggest struggle ended up being the “first time, last wave” experience that everyone goes through as a rookie at this amazing race. I guess sometimes races are meant to test your fitness AND your patience 😅. That aside, the experience was filled with perfect weather, amazing trails, great sportsmanship, and hills for days. Couldn’t have asked for a better first cross country ski race, hopefully of many...

Skiing has been an awesome way of giving my joints a rest (mostly), getting outside during the hibernation months, and coming out on the other end fitter than before! — in Hayward, Wisconsin.