American Birkebeiner

Four years ago I transferred to Hayward on January 2nd to pursue a position I was offered by my employer. Almost immediately, I heard people talking about something called the "Birkie". I had heard of it, because I had dabbled in cross country skiing years ago in Mankato, MN. A friend of mine, from there, was training to ski the Birkie. At the time I thought he was out of his mind! Who would want to ski 50 kilometers as fast as you could, for fun? Cross country skiing was quite a vigorous exercise even to travel two or three kilometers. No thanks, it was not for me.

But then, since I was in Hayward working on race day, I made my way to Main Street to witness the elite finishers. Wow! I immediately knew that this was for me!

I didn't know what to do or how to go about it, but my younger brother, Kevin was skiing near his cabin outside of Seeley. I started skate skiing with him after buying some equipment. My past skiing experience was nothing compared to the intense skiing Kevin introduced me to. Now, it is about endurance and marathon distances, really pushing for best personal times and control.

Then, after a season of learning the basics, I entered and finished the Kortelopet. (I had qualified for Wave 3 by competing in the Pre-Birkie that year.) I was happy with my finish time, and I contracted Birkie Fever. The next year I trained harder, longer and more often. I signed up to race the full Birkie, and on race day I was ready! But the weather had other plans. The race 2 years ago was a tour except for a half race for the elites -- I would have to wait till the next year. Bummer!

But again, I trained and I put many kilometers on my skis. I skied the Pre-Birkie for the third time, and I was ready once again because Birkie Fever had me in its' grip. But then, only 10 days before the race I contracted a terrible case of influenza -- the flu. No! No! No! I coughed and coughed and coughed -- I was so sick it turned into pneumonia. I was coughing up blood, and lost 10 pounds in 7 days. I was unable to eat much, and for days I didn't have the strength to even get out of bed. I had a fever alright, 104 degrees. But this fever would not break my Birkie Fever!! No way would it get the best of me. On the Thursday before the race I forced myself to leave the house, strap on the skis, and get on the Birkie Trail!

I could only manage about five kilometers in an hour. I had forced myself to ski and it helped me break the grip that that terrible fever had on me. Each day I felt stronger and when I pulled myself to the starting line at the Cable airport I allowed myself to 'do it for fun'. I knew I was not going to finish in the time I had trained for or even with those 3rd wavers I was lining up with, but finish I did! It took me 4:12:31.5. I made it to the finish line on Hayward's Main Street, and what a trek it had been. It was the culmination of three years of effort and determination, and not even a fever like I hadn't known for years could stop me. I had sweated out the sickness and the fever it left me with is one that I hope I never lose -- Birkie Fever!

See you at the start, race you to the finish...hoping to have the time of my life along the way!