Here it is kids. The original and grand daddy of them all! The finals in J-Hole this weekend, March 20th. Come and get some pain! Yep, bigger and badder this year with over 7,000 vertical up and down. You will not be disappointed. Yeah, the snow is not what it has been in previous additions but there should be just enough to make it happen. The organizers are busting their asses to work out any last-minute modifications to keep you off any dirt on the final descent.
Everything you have been training for has led you to this point. It's steeper, longer and harder than anything else in North America. Perfect for a race called the "National Championships". How could it be any other way? Weather is looking promising so that you won't be in the soup or trying to find your way around the resort in a blizzard.
The promoters have a nice web site with all the pertinent info you need to get your mind right. Check it out here and check back often for updates.
Be sure to bring enough fluids and calories this time. This is not going to be some fly-by-night 2 hour effort where you can squeek by without drinking a drop. You will bonk and bonk HARD if you don't keep the tanked topped off during the event. Skimo racing is a carbohydrate-driven activity with all the intensity that that allows. However, after about 90 minutes of being pegged, you are pretty depleted and need to be throwing fuel on the fire early. Bring the gels and blocks and make sure you have some mix in the drink bladder. It's bound to be hot on the final couple of climbs if the sun is out which makes the fluid issue even more dire. Caveat emptor!
Sadly, I will not be duking it out with anyone this year but I will be setting track for you guys and gals on Friday. Can't wait to watch you all throwing down. What a battle it's going to be! Rip it! - Brian