Birkebeiner in Review

It's hard to believe that it has only been three weeks since we did the Birkebeiner, especially with the recent spring summer weather.  Although we didn't have much of a winter this year in Minnesota, Matt and I still spent our weekends enjoying Wisconsin's winter.  Due to the lack of real snow here, we drove to and from Hayward every weekend leading up to the big day!

During training time, I turned the big 2-5 and tried to avoid a mid-life crisis meltdown by focusing attention elsewhere - to the Birkie.  Unfortunately, the crisis wasn't completely avoided when I thought I saw my first gray hair in the mirror one night.  After proceeding to call my dear husband to check it out and give a verdict, Matt reassured me that it wasn't what I thought.  Whew!  But, I'm still not completely convinced yet. :)   

We woke up at 4:30 a.m. on race day to catch the 6:00 a.m. bus from the hotel to get to the starting line, despite our wave not leaving until after 9:00 a.m.  It was such a beautiful day!  Light snow fell at the start line, but the sun came out and the 20-30* temperatures were ideal.  Papa did an awesome job waxing my skis, and they worked great the entire day.  The whole Birkie experience is like no other that it's hard to try to describe it in words.  I will say that hearing the drums and cheering spectators up huge hills, loud music and dancing, and the true Wisconsin charm of the partygoers on the lake offering beer and high fives to every skier that passes by are just some of the things you get to experience while participating in the 54K race.  The Birkie is a true thrill, and we loved every minute of it (yes, even the hills)!  It was so very special to do this with my grandpa, and we look forward to doing it again next year! 

Before

 Halfway Point

 After the Finish

 Notice anything on both sides of us?

 We'll be back again next year!

Registration opens April 15 for Birkie 2013 if anyone is interested!