XC Skate Skiing race 1:55:17 [5] 19.0 mi (6:04 / mi) +2500ft 5:24 / mi
shoes: Atomic skate II
Noquamenon Ski Marathon. Changed to a 31k from 50k due to melted snow. They put me in wave 1 of 5 from my pre-birkie time. I stuck out like a sore thumb with my non-skier like attire. Barely made the bus due to 50 miles of snowy roads and got to the start with less than a minute to spare. Started in the back and pushed to keep up with someone my speed. With the modified course we looped around and got stuck in the 4th wave for a couple miles and then didn't see anyone in my wave for 12 miles. Then the last 2k got passed a few times and had a 4 person sprint at the end. Made my goal of not having anyone from later waves pass me though some had better times. 84th of 242. 5th in age group. Had a great time at the race. Snowed 5 fresh inches during the race and made it progressively harder.