After spending a super tour race weekend In Minneapolis, this past weekend the team raced the American Birkenbiener in Cable, Wisconsin. It was a 50 kilometer race from Cable to Hayward.
Mariahs recap:
This was the 2nd time for me personally racing the Birkie, last year being my first. I felt much more prepared this time around as I had never raced a race so long before last time. This year I was more on top of hydration, feeding, and pacing than before which I believe really helped me to have a better race! The outside temperature started a little cold at the start but gradually warmed up throughout the day, resulting in a pretty nice weather.
The vibes of the Birkie race are something else. In other words Birkie fever is definitely a thing. Before the start I overheard on the speakers that every single state was being represented in the big race (Louisiana being the exception)! I thought it was pretty impressive to have such good representation. There were international racers as well, and I skied the race with a girl from France for a while.
The whole event was organized super good and it was great to do another Birkie. I was happy with improving my performance to last year and I think the majority of the team felt similar. It is always a learning experience to do a race that big and it is a fun scene regardless. I saw a lot of friends on the race and finish and there were many smiles and experiences to be shared!!
Finns recap:
I have been very excited for this race all year. The Birkie is a great place for people who can grind and push the limits of the body. The weekend prior, I finished 3rd in the 20k mass start classic, and the body felt very good! I have been racing quite a lot this winter so I was unsure if I could keep pushing, but this result proved my fitness is as high as ever. My plan was to really relax and find the flow state for the first 20k. In all the Birkies I have races, the pack has stayed together until 20k into the race. So I thought this year would be no different. Unfortunately I woke up slightly sick, apparently my body was tired from all the racing, and the nerves and stress of the Birkie got the best of me. However I was here and I was going to race solely due to the fact that this is the best race atmosphere of the season, topping all World Cups I have skied.
So today I went to the back of the pack, knowing I had no fitness or health to try and push the pace. David Norris, had other plans this year. From the very start he put the hammer down and by 2k he had a 20 second lead. I stayed in the chase pack before decided to drop off and ease up. There is nothing worse than bonking and being sick. I ended skiing the next 40k alone, and the feelings got better, I started to push harder and crawled back towards the chase group. The race ended too soon for me, but I was happy to feel how I did during the second half. Coming down the finish stretch, I was reminded of how fun my life is. Sometimes I feel torn between skiing, and starting my dream of becoming a pilot. But the finish, with thousands of spectators is amazing. I hyped the crowd up and crossed the finish with a huge smile! Like I said last year, I will be back next year!
Now the team is returned back to Bozeman, Montana and taking some focus on recovery and resetting before the final blocks of racing for the season. Some are going to Italy for OPA races, some are racing domestically, and others are going to world cups! After that comes spring series in Craftsbury at the end of March and the season will conclude.
Happy skiing 😊
