American Birkebeiner

The 2009 Birkie challenged both my body and personal convictions in a way I never expected. Two weeks before “B day” the flu found me. I was still hoping for a big recovery and another placing in the top 100 of the elites just as the previous year, but life had a different plan.

My hope was high at the start line, a super course was before me and I had trained for it. I skied at a controlled pace from the gun and took fluids, everything was going as planned.

Then, just past OO my hopes changed to a very different reality as my body quickly deteriorated into a limp rag. It was an immense challenge just to keep in motion. Later I found out my previous flu had rebounded and I was suffering the effects. Best laid plans of mice and men…

Strangely enough I found my thoughts were not of frustration but of my friend John who was diagnosed with Guillian Barre'Syndrome last year. “GB” is similar to MS, it is a devastating malady where nerves are damaged leaving the victim in varying degrees of paralysis.

Being ill and exhausted gave me a tiny insight and appreciation for the challenges my friend and many others must be going through every day of their lives. I realized, “what better gift could I have ever asked for?”

Right then and there I decided I was going to finish this race at all costs, for my friend and all the MS sufferers who couldn’t ski it themselves.

Short story long I made it across the finish line barely able to stand but not without becoming a better human being for the struggle. Maybe my best race ever in a humble way. Thanks for the lesson John, keep on fighting.