New snow … wrong wax … was slow … interviewed live on the radio. However I'm happy with my first ever Birkie! See what the American Birkebeiner is like and watch this short animated slideshow. Thank you Dr. Ralph Bovard and Exos Medical. Without your cast, which worked perfectly, I could never have finished (let alone skied)!
Post Update – December 2009: Please visit MinnSki (dedicated to Nordic Skiing in the Minnesota region. You'll find a Google Custom X-Ski Search Engine, Garmin measured ski trails … and more!)
Tested wax early… saw Bjørn Dæhlie (Norwegian Olympic X-Ski God) … talked with some Viking Warriors … tested wax again. Watch this short animated slideshow, and you'll see what I mean. 54k for me tomorrow; Bjorn got his sixth gold medal for skiing only 10k! (see below)
It's here! Birke Weekend! On Saturday I will join over 9,000 other cross-country skiers and race 54 kilometers (33 and 1/2 miles). There will be thousands of spectators. There were times when I did not think I would make this race …
However … I NOW HAVE Birkie Fever! Unlike downhill ski racing … you'll note we start by skiing uphill … and then on through 54k of pine forest.I WILL FINISH !!! (next blog post … after the race)
Pond Hockey … I grew up visiting the neighborhood skating rink in the Winter, and bicycling over to a sandlot for pick-up baseball games every Summer afternoon. This freedom allowed me to have fun and learn how to try things I would never had done in a formal practice. We need to give our kids this kind of freedom again. Here in America, we over-schedule children. Watch this excerpt from the Pond Hockey documentary … you will learn what I mean. Minnesota is home to the U.S. Pond Hockey Championship.
As some of you know, I have a ski injury (broken thumb and torn ligament). This past weekend, quite by chance, I met Dr. Ralph Bovard who is the Chief Medical Officer of Exos Corporation … a small medical start-up company. Dr. Bovard was a fellow competitor at a recent cross-country ski race. He saw my problem and offered to help. As it turns out his company has a new product line, moldable casts, which are about to be introduced to the American marketplace. Quite simply, the foam cast is heated to 200 degrees and then cools to fit and protect the person's injury. However, this technology allows one much more freedom … and in my case … the ability to ski with not one, but two poles! Better yet, given the Northstar Nerd lives in Minnesota, I can fit this cast UNDER a glove. Warm hands are happy hands!
In the interests of full disclosure, EXOS has provided me two casts at no charge. I have agreed to provide their company feedback during my training and the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race. I have received no compensation, and have no investment position in EXOS. I am just an injured skier who still wants to compete this year. Thank you, Exos and Dr. Bovard!
Post Updates:
Jan. 2010: Bad fall re-injures thumb .. back in an EXOS cast .. more later
Dec. 2009: Check out MinnSki (Nordic Skiing in Minnesota)