So on Saturday I did my first real “ski race”. I put ski race in parentheses because I am not sure you can call what I do skiing, and you certainly cannot call it racing. So anyway, I agreed to race the “Great Nordeen” with my good friend Lea, as just a long day, not so much a race. This is a 36-kilometer event with some pretty technical downhill, and historically pretty poor skiing conditions.

Saturday morning bright and early I meet the crew down at the shop to head to the hill. With Lea and me are Marshall Greene, and Berkley Leach. Both of these two are badass skiers, Marshall is actually racing in a World Cup later on this month, and Berkley has been skiing since she could walk. So needless to say I am outclassed in this vehicle. We got to the mountain about 20 minutes before the race started which was just enough time for me to get my gear situated and to remember how to ski again. I have only been skiing twice this year and only skiing at all for the past 3 years with my longest ski being 10K. This race was going to be a stretch!!

Anyway to the starting line, and with a gunshot we where off. The start to this race is a pretty long somewhat sketchy downhill, so it is important not to be stuck in the back behind too many slow people. As we got moving and I quickly got into my tuck/snowplow position, I realized I was one of those “slow people”. I tried to stay on Lea’s skis, but she got the “hole shot” and was quickly out of sight. Apparently racing alpine as a kid helps with the ol’ downhill!! Watch out Bode, here comes Lea on her skate skis! So, after the downhill was finally over I pushed and caught Lea, who had needless to say been looking over her shoulder waiting for me to finally catch back up. We took it pretty steady and skied with each other for most of the time, except for the down hills which of course I had to catch back up after crash after crash on the way down in the soft snow. Did I mention that I am not a good skier?

I finally finished the race in a bit under 2:30 and it couldn’t have come any sooner. My entire body was ready for the race to be over. Skiing is fricken hard!!! The funny part of this whole thing is that everyone in town thinks I finished 21st instead of where I finished, let’s just say “way back”. I apparently switched bib numbers with my co-worker Taylor Leach who is also a bad ass and skis for XC Oregon. I have been getting a lot of compliments on my skiing from people who read the sports page on Saturday. Yes, I tell them the truth, but only after I let them think I am a superstar for just a bit. That’s ok right? Anyway, the Nordeen was a super good time, and will do it again next year with a few more days skiing in me of course!!