I had big goals for 2026. After completing the last four Birkies either pregnant or within a year postpartum, this was finally my year. Last year I finished 68th, just outside of the elite wave. In December I was lucky enough to learn that I got in off the wait list. After a couple top 10 race finishes, and some consistent training, I thought top 40 in the Birkie was within reach, and I definitely wanted to ski competitively in a pack.
I stood at the starting line of the Birkie, a bit nervous, but excited to see what I could do. A few warm days during Birkie week created some extremely fast conditions. The gun went off and we set off toward the powerlines, faster than I’ve ever skied that first few kilometers. I settled into a more realistic pace and watched the leaders ski away. About 10k in, my shins started to burn. I wasn’t used to the icy and uneven conditions the recent freeze thaw cycle created. My breathing was labored. The women around me kept the pace fast, and I knew I couldn’t maintain it. I let the group go and I started to doubt myself.
For a couple kilometers near Boedecker, I skied alone. I focused on my technique and recovered. I refueled and adjusted my mindset. While my chances of a top 40 finish were low, there were still over 30 kilometers to go and a lot could change. By the time the next group of women caught me, I was ready. I skied with this pack of about three other women and found a rhythm. We passed OO and the hills were a bit more gentle. The pace was fast but sustainable. At times, I was leading, but most of the time I skied in the draft.
By Gravel Pit, the leading men caught us. As the trail narrowed near Mosquito Brook, things got a bit chaotic. We sort of merged with a group of men as we squeezed through that section. The men took off and our group of women had grown to closer to ten. The pace picked up as we neared the lake. Again my breathing got heavy and I felt that I was nearing my threshold.
I hit the lake and I was alone, but the skiers in front of me were never too far off. One by one, elite men flew by. I tried to sit in their draft, but couldn’t for more than a few seconds. Those two kilometers seemed to drag on as the wind whipped and my energy faded.
I crossed the bridge onto Main Street, and there were two women just in front of me. It took every ounce of energy I had to maintain my technique as I sprinted toward the finish line. I could feel some skiers on my tail, but I couldn’t tell how close. Time seemed to slow down. My muscles were about ready to shut down when I finally crossed the line. I later learned I was the 64th woman.
Looking back on my first Elite Wave experience, I didn’t finish as well as I hoped. There are some things I wish I could have done better. I wasn’t comfortable skiing in a large pack near the start, and I think I could have saved some energy by relaxing a little and maintaining better technique. I also lost time on several of the downhills. I wish I would have spent more time practicing this skill.
Overall I’m proud of the way I trained and the way I raced. The field was extremely deep and I skied alongside some fast women. There were times I had to adjust my expectations, but I never gave up.
Despite not having a perfect race, there are still so many things that went right this year. I dialed in my nutrition and carb-loading strategy. I built strength throughout the year, and it paid off in the winter. I made improvements in my technique and my training strategy. With my family and work obligations, I made every ski opportunity count. I braved sub-zero temperatures and frigid wind chills. I skied OO loops by the light of the moon and my headlamp.
After all the emotions of the race settled down, the one that sticks with me is gratitude. I’m incredibly lucky to be in a position to ski and compete at this level while working and raising two kids. Without the support of my husband, family, and the local nordic skiing community, chasing big goals on the snow would be impossible. I’m thankful for all the fast women I’ve met who push me to be my best. I’ve competed in other sports but none have been as welcoming and supportive as nordic skiing.
I fell short of my top 40 goal but this experience only fueled my ambition for the future. I qualified for the Elite Wave and I can’t wait to see what’s possible with more training and some dedicated effort towards improving my weaknesses.
