By Evelyn Dong

I remember it being not so long ago that I was standing on the start line of my first marathon (a 30 km classic), but the calendar tells me that it was two years ago. Some of you are probably thinking that two years is just the blink of the eye, but one can learn a lot in two years - especially about how to ski a marathon. I made enough mistakes that first marathon that it turned into a thoroughly unenjoyable experience and almost turned me off from long-distance races for good.

Fortunately, I gave marathons another chance and discovered that marathoning is, in fact, fun. My errors were based mostly in being unprepared. I had no feeds planned during the race and no way of carrying any fuel with me, i.e. a water belt. I managed to think far enough ahead to nab a Clif Shot gel off the registration table and carried it to the start line with me. It was then that I realized that skiing with the gel in my hand would be, at the very least, detrimental to my technique. I had the bright idea of unzipping my boot and popping the packet between the tongue and the outer lining. I rezipped my boot and thought that I was set; I imagined that while I was far out on the course and in need of some fuel, I would be able to casually unzip my boot and swipe it out. I never actually got a chance to test this out because sometime during the first few kilometers, the gel exploded in its tight confines. I could feel viscous vanilla maltodextrin oozing between my toes, but other than the present discomfort, I wasn't too concerned. An hour later, though, I was feeling parched, sluggish and entertaining thoughts of pitchers of lemonade. I think I ate some snow. Actually, I know that I tried some blue snow (where someone had tossed a feed bottle down and the remaining contents made a delicious slush spilled in the snow) and I sampled some brown snow that hopefully was the result of a spilled coke feed. Either way, it was very tasty snow.

As you can probably figure out, I didn't do too well in that race, and more importantly, I didn't enjoy it. Now, while I'm no veteran, I know a few more things about distance racing. As a rule, I wear a water belt during the race, the kind that holds a regular 16 oz bottle. I fill it with full strength drink mix, not diluted with water. While there are usually aid stations giving feeds, you never know what will happen. Sometimes you get boxed out and miss the feed zone, sometimes they have only water. I like the certainty of carrying a water belt; that way, I know that I can have a drink and a shot of energy wherever I am.

With that said, in some races, I rely on a friend who is spectating to get feeds. If the course is a series of laps with several chances to get feeds, I am comfortable with my odds of getting feeds several times during the race. However, its always a good idea to check where exactly your friend will be and what side of the trail they will be on.

Exactly what is optimal for one to ingest during the race varies from person to person. Some people only drink sports drinks, others need more than just drinks and prefer to also get gels and even solid food. Whatever works for you has to be figured out before the race. Some gels and bars cause intestinal distress for those with sensitive systems and you don't want to figure out that you're one of them during the middle of a race.  Don't take that new energy product from the aid station if you've never tested it while training.

Plan ahead for your marathon. While it might seem fun to just jump into one, its a long ways to go if you're not prepared. Slogging along in a near-bonking state for extended amounts of time is a miserable experience, which skiing is not supposed to be. And a popped gel packet in your boots is a mistake that I hope you don't ever have to experience..

Lost And Found from US Nationals

black sporthill nylon wind breaker size men's large;
Miscellaneous drink belts
A terribly stinky red Alpina racuing suit top, size large
Various speed trap reflectors
An Emit Stick (Gardner?)
An earth tone Salomon Coat that was left at the dog house with a set of
keys on an NIS key chain and some cash in the Pocket.

Let me know if you or one of the athletes you coach is missing this stuff.

Joe Haggenmiller
Head Coach CC Running and Skiing,
Assistant Coach Track & Field
MTU Athletics
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
Phone 906-487-2986
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The FIS Nordic WorldCup is coming to North America next week.
For more information check out www.albertaworldcup.com
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Cross-Country Technique Fundamentals - CDROM
This CD lays the foundation for both Classic and Freestyle techniques on
which we can build a consistent technique program that will continue to
develop great cross-country skiers for years to come.

WAKE UP! IT'S TIME TO TRAIN - DVD
70 minutes of exclusive interviews with US National Team coaches, drills and
technique, fitness testing, sports physiology, core strength, training
volume, intensity levels, race footage, and much more.

X-COUNTRY - DVD
The inside story on one of the toughest sports around by top World Cup
racers.

Visit the CXC Store
http://cxcskiing.org/CXC%20Store/education.htm
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Matching Grant Update

Dear Skiers, Outdoor Winter Enthusiasts and Supporters:

This is our first week after the announcement to raise $25,000 to
match Dr. Leslie and John Taylor grant to Madison Winter Festival. The grant
was issued on January 1, 2008 and will match dollar for dollar every
donation collected from now until February 1, 2008.

After seven days $3,800 has been raised. There are 24 days left with
$21,200 needed to be raised. Thank you to individuals and businesses who
already made a contribution. If not, please do it today. All donations are
tax deductible.

Your contribution will give an opportunity to the Madison Winter
Festival to expose more kids and families to the winter outdoor activities
and celebrate healthy life style through participation.

There are two ways you can donate:

1) Simply send a check to the Madison Winter Festival at PO Box
930442, Verona, WI 53593. The check should be made out to 'Wisconsin Nordic
Sports Foundation' with the 'Madison Winter Festival' on the memo line or

2) Go to http://www.winter-fest.com/site_pages/Grant.htm and donate
online with the credit card
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"Who will you pursue this Valentine's weekend?"
The Cowboy Chase Nordic Pursuit Race
Saturday February 16, 15km/5km freestyle, 10:00 am start time
Sunday February 17, 7.5km/3km classic pursuit, 9:30 am start time

Happy Jack Recreation area, 9 miles east of Laramie, WY, just
off Interstate 80.
Registration: Race day, $20 per race or $25 for the weekend

For detailed information, directions, course maps:
www.uwyo.edu/ski/CowboyChase.htm

Lodging Options: Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, Best Western
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38th Annual Salomon “Frisco Gold Rush”
Featuring the SALOMON Nordic races and TUBBS Snowshoe 7K
February 3, 2008
Click Here For More Details

Join us at Colorado's oldest XC Ski & Snowshoe event - the Frisco Gold Rush hosted by the Town of Frisco and the Frisco Nordic Center.

To Benefit the Summit Nordic Ski Club
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NOTE: If you have an event you would like to have in SkiPost please send emails to weanswer@skipost.com

Do you love the sport of cross-country skiing?
Do you look forward to each edition of SkiPost?
Do you wish to support some of America's best Nordic athletes?
Do you wish to associate your company with health, fitness and winter performance?
Would you like your brand to receive over 150 million media impressions
annually?

Become a sponsor of the Factory Team www.EnjoyWinter.com North America's
Premier Cross-Country Ski Team.
For more information on Factory Team sponsorship opportunities contact
endure@endurance-enterprises.com