March 12, 2018 at 3:24 p.m.
Four decades and counting
Rhinelander's Mode completes 40th Birkebeiner
Four decades and counting
By Kayla Thomason-
In the 55K Birkebeiner Classic there were 1,733 registrants, and of all the categories, there was 8,007 registered participants.
"There are two main events, the American Birkebeiner and the Kortelopet," Mode explained. "The Kortelopet is actually a shorter race, runs about 29 kilometers this year, goes on part of the Birkie trail; it's done on Fridays now."
He said The American Birkebeiner, the main event of Birkie weekend, is a race which features two different ski techniques - the classic and skate.
The classic technique is a kick and glide technique like walking, and the other is skating, which as its name implies, has more of a skating motion.
Mode's journey
Mode took to skiing when he was 3 years old, and it remained a passion of his.
In the late 1960s, early 1970s he started cross country skiing by himself or with friends, nothing competitive. After several years he learned about this long-distance event and it piqued his interest.
"At a certain point I was skiing distance and really enjoying skiing and I heard about this race over someplace in Hayward - which I didn't even know where it was - it was a long race, 50-55 kilometers back then, and it just intrigued me," he said.
This was during the time a lot of people were competing in marathons, and while he had never been competitive, he was intrigued by the Birkebeiner. He didn't compete in the race that year, but took the time to condition himself and go longer distances so he would be ready for the next one.
In 1977-'78 is when Mode embarked on his first Birkie.
There was a stretch of time when he tried to go for speed, but nowadays he just enjoys being on the trail, gliding along, and just aims to complete it.
"The Birkebeiner is a great event to be a part of because it's a lot of fun, there's a lot of people that are very similar to you and it's kind of a gathering of this great tribe of like-minded people in the Nordic ski community," he said.
As one could expect having competed in 40 Birkies, Mode has seen just about every sort of weather Mother Nature can throw at a skier.
He recalls years of brutal skiing 12-15 below zero temperatures, and it was brutal. He's also crossed the finish line with the mercury pushing 50 degrees.
However, the ideal conditions are in the mid-teens, he said.
"I think skis work really well when temperatures are in the mid-teens to mid-20 range," he said, adding that this year's race was sunny and gorgeous.
The races
The general course has gone from Cable to Hayward but in some years the race has been done in reverse. Also, since he started participating in the races the course has deviated slightly for one reason or another.
With thousands of participants, the race is divided into waves with the fastest and most experienced racers going first, with people new to the race or those who are slower in the last waves to prevent congestion of the trail.
"It helps spread people out on the trail, gets people skiing at the same pace and it's generally a pretty workable system," he explained.
While on the course there are many rest stops about every 6 kilometers with energy food and appropriate exercise drinks, but Mode still likes to pack a little extra when he goes out.
He has learned there are many companies which have energy foods, and water bottle hip packs, and he'll take a little something with, while stopping for a drink and some energy gel that they may be handing out.
Training and gear
Mode tries to stay pretty active throughout the year and in the summer he'll hop on his bike to keep in shape.
"I'll go out for a couple hours on the bike because I enjoy biking and it's a lot easier to do something if you enjoy it," he said.
While biking is his go-to summer activity, he has dabbled a little in roller skiing.
"Roller skiing looks like little short skis that are about 2-feet long, 3-feet long, with wheels on the front and back and you use them on pavement," Mode explained, adding that many avid skiers use them.
Skiing, like a number of sports, has seen technology boom when it comes to equipment such as skis, poles and waxes. Some want the latest and greatest when the compete one of the sport's biggest races, but Mode said it's far from a prerequisite.
"Nothing fancy, just what you can buy off the rack at my store - skis, poles boots and bindings - and whatever clothing works for you in the winter," he said.
He typically goes in a lot of light layers so he can add or subtract clothing as he goes.
"The biggest thing when people go out skiing for the first time they tend to overdress because they go out and it's 10-degrees-above zero and they think they have to dress with snowmobile suits on and because it's such an active sport you generate heat," Mode said.
He has heard many new skiers come back and say they overdressed and should find thinner layers.
"The rule of thumb for cross country skiing or snowshoeing or running is dress in thin layers or multiple layers that you add or take off depending on the temperature," he advised.
Advice from a well-seasoned Birkie participant
For those who have been considering entering the Birkebeiner, they should do it, according to Mode.
"The Birkies is fairly expensive, it'll cost you around $100-120 to register for it, and once you put that money down you say 'Oh, I better go out and ski,'" he said.
You don't need to be an athlete to do the event, according to Mode, however, he does point out that it is challenging.
"You don't have to be a great athlete to ski the Birkies, you don't have to be a racer to ski the Birkie, you can ski the Birkie or the Kortelopet - which is a great race by itself - as a recreational skier," he said, adding that people should "go out and have fun."
A Rhinelander contingent
There were a total of eight people from Rhinelander who participated in the 55K Birkebeiner Classic, and one of 43 Rhinelander people who participated in one of the various categories of the event.
"We've got some really good skiers come out of this community and you've got a lot of good recreational skiers that just go up there to ski the race," Mode said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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