And they are off at the Birkie
Yesterday marked the 40th running of the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon in Hayward, Wisconsin. Over 10,000 participants skied the combined four races that make up this great event.
Skiers climb a hill at the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon
With a 54 kilometer course running through the northwoods of Wisconsin from Cable to Hayward, it is an event that is hard for media to adequately cover. I strapped a GoPro video camera to my chest to take some video as we cruised through the beautiful pine trees in northern Wisconsin.
Here are five videos from different parts of the race.
Video one – the start
I actually missed the start. They had the on deck group with their skis off, and I accidentally got in with them instead of my wave. I was late getting over there because I was taking pictures of the wave before me starting. When I lined up I was in the wave after me on deck. With 30 seconds to go to my wave’s start, I realized I was in the wrong place. I ran up under the rope and put my skis on after the gun went off. With such a long race ahead of me it was no big deal as it is good to start off slow anyway.
Video two- Near the beginning
The 26 kilometer Korteloppet starts at the same time as the 54 kilometer Birkie, so the beginning is pretty crowded until the Kortie veers off about 7 kilometers in. This video was taken while the two races were still packed together.
Video three – Water and food station
Every seven or eight kilometers the town of Hayward and Cable set up food stations manned by volunteers who distribute water, energy drinks, fruit, and even cookies. These morsels are much needed and provide a short respite for skiers during the arduous marathon.
Video four – I make a move
One of my last burst of energy during the last third of the race, I shot past a group of skiers. I really petered out at the end and this was one of my last second winds. I pretty much went into the walking dead mode for the last ten kilometers.
Video Five – The finish line in Hayward
The Birkie ends in downtown Hayward, Wisconsin. They actually truck in snow to cover Main street where the finish line is located at.
TT
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Glad to see you’re out having fun. Enjoy the snow!
Jason’s Travels recently posted..Celebrating a Night Out in Germany
It was a great week and a great race. Thanks Jason!
Looks great fun Ted! I think I read somewhere that the fittest man in the world was a cross country skier. Had a resting heart rate of 14 or something silly!
Non Stop Traveller recently posted..Visiting the German Industrial Giant
I believe it. Cross-country skiing really works your whole body from your legs to your backs and arms. Plus, it has a great cardio component too.
I need that camera this week in Telluride. I can make it not record what I’m saying though, right?
Leah Travels recently posted..London: A Walk in the Park Lane
I think you would have to know how to edit to mute. Have fun in Telluride.
The walking dead mode is none the less impressive. That’s quite an accomplishment and one that makes me think I should actually think about training so I could pull it off. A huge congratulations!!
Leigh recently posted..The Bus Ride From Hell: Bogota to Guican in 14 Hours
Thanks Leigh,
I am proud to have competed, finished, and taken 25 minutes off my time.
You are HARDCORE. I think the Captain and I need to get into cross country skiing! You should write a post with tips/tricks for getting started 🙂
Tawny of Captain and Clark recently posted..The Big Blog Map
Cross-country skiing is really easy to get started. Just rent skis and go. Lessons are good, but not required. I definitely will be writing tips in the future, but many will only be relevant to the Chicago area as to where to rent skis and go skiing.
OMG, I love it! The GoPro video perspective is so cool.. I wished we brought a GoPro with us on our trip.. then maybe I wouldn’t have dropped our camera so many times. LOL
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..The things WE DID WRONG on our RTW trip
The GoPro is definitely handy. It also can take a series of pictures every 15-30-45-60 seconds. I need to start using that feature.
Cool videos! I *almost* feel like I could do it.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A pier in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Anyone can cross-country ski. It is not easy, but all experience levels can enjoy.
i LOVE that you do this race. i’d actually be interested in something like this too. hmmm…add to the bucketlist of lola’s challenges!
lola recently posted..what is a bloggie, anyhow & why should i win?
I will definitely be doing it again next year. I am hooked. I want to beat my time again next year.
looking at you blowing past those slow pokes!! mannn, what a bunch of losers.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
Haha,
Unfortunately, many of those people probably passed me at the end, but I don’t have that video 🙂
Way to go Ted! Next year I wanna be drinking a beverage cheering on all the finishers. Perhaps a Birke tweetup:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The New and Improved Picture of the Week
I’ll be there next week. Hayward is fun town during Birkie weekend.
This is awesome! Love getting your perspective through the GoPro. I’ve been meaning to get one, and this is exactly why.
The World Wanderer recently posted..SA Sunday: Reasons to Head to French Guiana.
They are quite handy. They also have a mode where they take photos every 15-30-45-60 seconds. I have yet to try this feature out. I was going to do it for the race, but I was too tired to fiddle with my video camera after awhile.
Impressive video Ted! You ‘almost’ tempted me to return home for some winter activities as I’m sitting in a cafe in Malacca wearing shorts and t-shirt 😉
Samuel Jeffery recently posted..Illuminated Chinese Dragon Lantern | Malacca, Malaysia
Enjoy the beautiful weather while you can. The cold winter weather will always be there waiting for you when you return.
Yea Ted passing all those other skiiers like a champ!! =D
Gabriel recently posted..Wallpaper Wednesday – December 11th – Leaf Lines
I think they all passed me back later in the race, but at least I have this video. I doubt they have video evidence of passing me back, so I win 🙂
Haha, proof or it didn’t happen right =P
Gabriel recently posted..Hard Beds and Weird Breakfast