The boys went off first on a two loop, 5k course, packed with difficult climbs and screaming downhills. Now, remember, I don't know any of these kids, but that didn't stop me from yelling my head off and racing around the course to see how it all unfolded.
I enjoy "spectating" in this way as brings me closer to what the racers are feeling themselves. My palms were sweaty and butterflies tied my stomach in knots as I watched the lead change several times before 1 skier surged off the front.
In the end, all that was left at the finish line was carnage.
The girls race was a 7.5k, one loop course which skied the boys 5k and then added on some demanding sections of double poling. I watched the start before heading out onto the trails.
The girls stayed together in a tight knit group for 5k before two of them went off the front.
In the end, I missed the battle between them at the finish in order to cheer every last skier up the final hard climb of the course. XC skiing is to Anchorage what football is Gainesville. The passion they put into their racing was impressive and I love to watch them suffer. The whole community is behind them and I think they do it as much out of respect for the standard as personal drive. It definitely got the juices flowing! So, will I now return to interval training, obsessive ski waxing, and hill repeats. No. But, I will let them totally inspire me to rise to the height of my own potential.
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