Birken +1

Quick summary: the Birken is the Woodstock of nordic citizen racing and not to be missed. I dropped out at 40k, my knees in a world of pain and my gas running out. That said it's the longest ski race, and toughest (most vertical gain) that I have done since 2013!

The ancillary to this summary: like any addict, at Sjusjoen, I would have paid any sum for ibuprofen and kept on going. (Enclosed picture is Hock in the pain cave at 40.6k). But, on this day after, I know that stopping was the right choice. I felt good about my best in over a decade effort. I also felt good at 72, not adding another crash and burn to my resume.

Twenty four hours after the race, I feel quite tired but almost ready to go again. And, I know I'll be back with race skis and not fishscale backcountry skis!

On a related note, it boggles the mind that Stina Nilsson doubled poled that entire course in 2:44 48.