XC-Skiing race 1:45:00 [5] 18.5 km (5:41 / km)
Birkie bummer...oh well, it seems that i was not so fit and ready for the event. It hurt to my upper lung area to take deep breaths since Thursday night. I tried not to be too concerned as the rest of me felt ok. Come the race, Steve and I start together about 4 minutes after our wave went off. Chip timing so you can avoid the crowds at the start. Nice except right away in the -5 degree temps I had no energy, legs and arms tired, I am thinking what the.... I had about to stop on the first hill and continue to stop and rest after or on every hill. I had also really cold hands that I figured I might as well try to warm up since I was moving so slow. At one aide station I tried warm drinks and more food. I stopped at another and asked if I could get warmed up thinking maybe I could make it to double O or the halfway point. They put me in a tent and gave me some warm pads for my hands and I was still getting really cold. So I asked for a ride to the finish. Yes, 24th year skiing the Birkie and I dropped out. I don't even think I could of skied slow and just tried to finish because of the cold. So I will wait to see if I am coming down with a cold or something.