A likeness of the famous Birkebeiner rescue
2013 marks the 40th year of the prestigious American Birkebeiner Marathon in Hayward, Wisconsin. This year will be my second time competing in the 54 kilometer (approximately 33.5 miles) competition. My goal is to beat my time of 5 hours and 54 minutes.
Proudly displaying my medal given to all competitors who finish their first Birkie
It will not be easy as I am currently not in the best of shape. Last week I kicked off my training campaign with a Christmas ski trip to Wisconsin. I skied the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, then North Kettle Moraine, and finally ended up in the Black River State Forest.
Instead of racing the Birkebeiner last year, I partied it up in Trinidad & Tobago last year – Here I am showing off my gut from lack of skiing
I skied a little over ten miles each day, and I was pretty exhausted after each effort. I have a long way to go. I blame my current lack of physique to two issues. One, we had a horrible winter last year with virtually no snow. I only skied 4 or 5 days last year, so this started my cycle of getting out of shape. The other factor is my love of Chicago pizza. Raul from I live to travel definitely understands.
Raul from I live to travel shares my love for Chicago pizza
The American Birkebeiner, affectionately nicknamed the Birkie by locals and participants, is listed by the Worldloppet Ski Federation as the elite cross-country ski marathon in the United States. The Worldloppet Federation lists one marathon per country as the top race and issues a passport. Each time you finish the race for the country, you get a stamp.
Getting my Worldloppet Ski Federation passport stamped for the Birkebeiner
There are 16 countries that participate and have a race designated with Worldloppet status. Most of the countries come as no surprise as they are ones with a long standing Nordic tradition including Norway, Switzerland, and Finland. The Swiss race is called the Vasaloppet and is the longest race sponsored by Worldloppet at a grueling 90 kilometers or 56 miles.
Having a sapporo beer in Kyoto, Japan – Perhaps another reason for my current state of health is my love for hops, barley,a and yeast
There are a few countries involved that might surprise you: Japan and Australia being the two surprises. The Australian race is called the Kangaroo Hoppet, which is a pun on the Swiss word for “race,” which is loppet. The Japanese race is held in Sapporo, which is also home to a good beer.
American Birkebeiner action photo
After completing ten recognized Worldloppet races and at least one on two different continents, you get recognized as a Worldloppet Master. A Worldloppet Global Skier is designated to individuals who have completed all 16 races. The Worldloppet Federation allows for a unique and fit way to travel the world.
Climbing one bitch of a hill during the Birkebeiner Marathon
The Birkebeiner is named after Norwegian lore. The Birkebeiners were a rebellious party in Norway and in 1174 were credited with escorting the two year old Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, from Osterdalen to Trondheim on cross-country skis. This was a perilous journey through mountains and forests. This historic event is celebrated in Wisconsin and evidence of it can be seen throughout Hayward and Cable.
I will be covering the race through this website and my Wisconsin outdoor website. When I did the race two years ago I did not have a GoPro video camera, so I am excited to take video of the race from this unique perspective.
TT
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Have fun covering this and good luck in your upcoming marathon!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..2012 Best travel moments from around the globe
Thanks Jeremy,
I really love cross-country skiing, so training will be more fun than work.
This looks like a lot of hard work. I think I would do a great job of watching. I do like downhill skiing. I find that the mountain helps with my laziness.
Leah Travels recently posted..12 Favorite Posts from 2012
There are a lot of spectators around the course that help inspire. Downhill is a good work out, but it does not do much for the cardiovascular unless you tool around the bottom of the mountain.
I look forward to following you on the race – good luck! What will be your next race in the series outside of the U.S.? I like the idea of an international series and the passport. And, I feel like sharing, I am still trying to burn off the lbs from that pizza in Chicago in May!
Raul (@ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..How I Enjoy a Good Photo – and a Post-Christmas Giveaway!
Canada would be the obvious choice as it is so close, but one of the extreme ones would be cool. I guess I should do the Swedish one soon while I am young as 90km could kill me even now.
First, can I just say that is the most wonderful vending machine I have ever seen!
I had no idea this marathon existed, and actually, this is the first winter I will attempt cross country skiing. I’m looking forward to it, though I doubt I’d last 54 kilometers! Yikes!
Good luck, I look forward to following you!
The World Wanderer recently posted..2013: The Year of No Limits.
Japan is king when it comes to vending machines. Have fun learning cross-country skiing. You will get hooked fast. It is a fun and great workout. Not many things that are good for you are actually fun.
Oh my, this sounds like proper proper skiing!! And I know how hard it is – hence why apres ski was made for me! Btw, you were seriously sunburn on that photo!! ouch!!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..2012 – My year in travel: 40 flights, 80 hotel nights and 100,000 km+
I sat around a pool all day after Carnival. I was too hung over too move or put on sun tan lotion 🙂
The words “training” and “Deej” rarely collide in the same sentence. This sounds pretty darn awesome though. Love that picture of Raul..
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Discovering Georgia’s History on St. Simons Island
Contrary to what the photo shows, Raul did share. He was just over anxious to try his first Chicago deep dish.
ok so the main thing we got out of this: we need more beer vending machines in the us.
…i don’t think a cross country marathon is in our future, friend.
the lazy travelers recently posted..laws to travel by – #30
I definitely agree with the vending machine comment. When you see the GoPro video of me kicking butt, you might change your mind, but probably not.
It was not the gut I looked at in that photo from T&T, but rather that sexy red skin… It seems you had some fun in the sun…
good luck training and competing. stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..A Personal Island Tour takes me to Daaibooi Beach, Curacao
The day after Carnival we did absolutely nothing and hung out at my friend’s pool. The most lazy day ever traveling, but after three days of Carnival it was much needed.
Both you in the first picture and Raul with the pizza totally look like champions! 😀 I had no idea you competed in something like this, impressive! Good luck this year.
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