Birkie Wrap Up. March 1 and Beyond.

Brrrrrrrrrrr...... from minus 9 to only plus 6 it was one of the coldest Birkies ever. The good news was that for most it was still one of the fastest as well. It was only about 2-3% slower than last year and the depth of the field was much stronger. The classic race produced fast times, pushing the skaters which is expected in cold hard conditions. The good news was that it was not really a wax race as there were several formulas that produced good results and most folks knew in advance what to use.

I don't think I ever saw as much frostbite before in my life. Estimates were that one in four skiers had some nip on their skin. The medical people were dealing with a constant flow of frosted skin and extremities in addition to the normal fatigue and cramps. They sure earned their keep on race day. I saw numerous cracked lips and bloody noses as well as the occasional pole plant to the face. A hearty thanks should go out to the volunteers who literally survived a long day to make sure everyone got home safe and happy, don't hesitate to send a note of thanks to the folks at the Birkie, the race would not happen without them.

Despite the challenging conditions the race itself was great. It went off as planned and the course was in great shape and times were good. I am always impressed by how hard an event this is and the determinationof it's participants, from the jubilation of the winners to the physical release that occurs when skiers cross that finish line. I watched a woman cross the line crying and as she stood there I asked her if she was alright. She said she was fine, that she was just so happy to be there. I understood. I got to watch my ten year old son Hans ski the Junior Birkie for the first time this year. He was Mr. Intensity before the race but he sure had his eyes opened wide by some of the older kids. He wore my old team jacket in warm ups and Deb's old uni suit. Deb surprised me by asking if I thought he looked like me when I was a kid. I guess he does, it sure does take me back. I sure hope he likes it as he grows up so I get to watch him come skiing up Main Street. There are few events that command as much repeat loyalty as does this race and I hope he felt a twinge of that this weekend. I know I did.

Congratulations to everyone this year. You are part of something that is bigger than any one person. The history and the trials of this race make it special beyond words and I'm glad you are all a part of it.

Birkie Class Review Takk Skal Du Ha

About 23 weeks ago a few dozen of us met on top of Bairds Creek Ski Hill for the start of a fitness tradition that would entail hours of panting, buckets of sweat and more than a few friendships. At the risk of sounding a little melodramatic I think I will miss it and mostly the comraderie of everyone who took part. For some these workouts became the focal point of the training week and for others a chance to get together for a little hard work and to have some fun as a group.

We had a fairly easy soft finish tonight. I mean it when I say that the improvement was more pronounced this year than in years past, it was probably the added women, they have a positive outlook for each other...and for the guys, well we just like to look macho around them. We have a lot to do so lets get to it.

www.skinnyski.com has trail reports, weather for Hayward (54821 is the Cable zip) and waxing and race info. www.birkie.com will give you race specifics and last minute adjustments. Read these over as this year the format is different.

For those at the Stump Farm Race last week you can see results on www.skinnyski.com and for the Bay Nordic Parents pic's are up at http://shoffmanphoto.smugmug.com/CrossCountrySkiing-2010/Bay-Nordic and the Fox 11 video can be found at http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/sports/sports_edge/State-budget-crisis-reroutes-skiers Be sure and check out Ari's article on skinnyski.com about Birkie doings. The weather looks solid for the weekend and colder which while logistically harder generally makes for a faster more consistent race course. Cold makes waxing easier and makes it less of a wax race as everyone is more or less even. Classic skiers are reporting binder with hard wax over is working well. That is pretty standard fare for a marathon. Don't forget "throw" clothes for the start and SKI SLEEVES for the finish. In your gear bag don't forget to put in some warm dry duds and some money, they don't take sweaty polypro at Anglers.

Hope you all do well and feel good about your event. The Birkie does not define you as a person but being part of something with an 800 year history is pretty cool, this is a lifestyle that is worth being part of. Have fun, keep your focus and look out for others that you know. The hard work is done and it's all over save the race itself.
Nice work this year and thanks for letting me be part of it. I'll see you at the finish line, god tur.

Birkie Class 2-15-11 Zipper Dicken Temps

I was a little taken aback tonight, speechless as it were (not impossible). At one point, doing a V2 and nearly everyone was in sync, doing it right and in rhythm. I didn’t know what to do. Fortunately we went into a dip segment and that all changed.
Collectively everyone is doing amazingly better, stronger and faster, too bad we are almost out of time. Now is the time to put it all to good use and we will talk about that next week but for now be confident, you all look pretty good.

Lots to do so let’s get to it.

Santi Ocaris, former UWGB skier and now CXC member is in town to do a clinic tomorrow. See attachment. The venue has changed to Neshota but everything else is the same. It is not often you get a chance to ski with an elite athlete (he finished 2nd at Mora this weekend) plus he is a good kid with a mammoth work ethic. Tomorrow, Wed. the 16th 4-6pm at the shelter at NESHOTA (not the camp)

The camp is closed: The gates are closed at the camp in an effort to preserve the snow and keep walkers from cratering the system. I think this is the best course of action until temps cool by Friday.

The Stump Farm Race and Bay Nordic events are on for Saturday. for more info. This is a good tune up for the Birkie and because it is fast is a good confidence builder.

Congrats to our marathon finishers this weekend (Dave, Jo, and Ces) they did two marathons...the race and the 7 hour drive home, uggg.

I am off to the MWSRA ski show tomorrow. We look at (fondle) all of next years gear and get out the crystal ball to decide how much to bring in, 9 months before we need it. It's a wacky system but when in Annecy....

We are already thinking about Birkie waxing and are stocking waxes we "think may work" but for everyone else put it out of your head. This weather rollercoaster we are on reminds me of the Zipper Dicken being built down at Bay Beach...without being a tax burden that is...up one minute...down the next. Good effort tonight, if it felt easier then good, it means things are happening, take that as a positive. We ramp down with our last effort next week, stay loose, work on balance and try and ski some. Nice night, we'll see you at 6:00pm next go-round. Feel free to email me at goincomp@att.net with any questions.p://http:// ">

Birkie Class Feb. 8th. Uber Mench Pays a Visit

For such a bitter cold night things really heated up fast. The new steps really came in handy, this will help out with the crowding in the future. I would like to orient them differently as well which should help as well. I even saw some genuine pained expressions last night (as opposed to the painted on ones you normally use to make me feel bad).
Those "push back" drills are really an effective use of the upper body. They are really effective at mimicking the "feel" of a V1 on a steep uphill as the timing and velocity are very similar.

Badger State Games went well for a lot of the group. See www.skinnyski.com for results and trail reports and more. Dave Hess is off to Mora this weekend, wish him luck. The 58Km Vasaloppett is the longest point to point marathon in the US, this should be on your bucket list, it is a great race. As the tempurture rollercoaster continues be sure to keep up on your waxing. These weekly swings dictate that you wax often but that is good, skis get faster with every coat. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYmy3952ZXg for a cool wax testing aid, very neat! As we approach two weeks to the Birkie this would be a good time to do one last long ski. Practice drinking and eating and being steady. Keep waxing your skis and build up that reserve of wax in your ski. This is also a good time to fine tune your balance, get out the wood and do it.

It is amazing how improved everyone is getting. It may not feel so good it but remember that we have also increased the intensity and duration of the efforts. Next week we will work on breathing and breath control, get ready for a big blow. Valentines day is next Monday so be sure to do something nice for your sweetie. Check out our latest newsletter by signing in at http://www.incompetition.com/html/register.psp

The weekend promises to be nice and warm, perfect for a long ski. Plan on the Stump Farm Classic on the 19th and be ready to go at 5:57pm next week as we Climb Firetower. Nice effort this week, now go ski.

Birkie Class 2-1-11 Groundhog Tetrazzini, mmmm

With the winter winds blowing just feet from our feet we had what I characterize as the best workout of the season, the above photo not withstanding. The highlights include vastly improved balance work. Notable core strength increase and most importantly: FOCUS. There was no "eyes down" and shallow breathing. It was all business and it was good. Jen had what I consider perfect Power V Up's....we have a role model/victim for next week.

There remains some room for balance and timing and we want to be cognitive of the reason we do things perfectly (muscle memory) and that it can go both ways, you will memorize things whether you are doing it right or wrong...do it right. Get on the wood this week. Those that practice balance are the ones WITH good balance, quite the concept!

Lots to talk about and some more homework.
We have our last skate ski clinic this Saturday the 5th at 9:00am See
www.incompetition.com for more.
Badger State Games are this weekend. Check you weather forecast as we are going on a roller coaster ride temp wise (no not the Zipper Dicken). http://www.sportsinwisconsin.com/node/251
Santi Ocariz is putting on a skate clinic at the camp on Wed. the 16th and we have our annual Birkie Wax Clinic on the 9th. Email me at goincomp@att.net for more on those.
Lastly, the Stump Farm Classic Race is the 19th at the Camp, it is a good tune up for the Birkie. See http://skiwithanst.org/

The snow is great now, best of the year and the temps are going to be warmer this weekend, it could be the best weekend to ski this year. Check www.skinnyski.com for reports and weather. I challenge anyone to ski the Quad this weekend. Neshota, Camp, Brown County GC and Barkhausen. All have their unique qualities. Put a post up at Skinnyski for all four and win a pair of ski slides. I am actually gratified to notice the improvement in the workouts. It may not feel easier but it looks better and as always it is now how you feel but how you look. Nice work. Three weeks to go, next week we start out at 5:54* Now go ski.

* we'll see if that works.