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#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpyj9NoOjUDOtTDSxIxxEOqt5eSaSGj-i1ytkM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

2023 Great Bear Chase - a glimpsical summary from either side of a spectacular sunrise! Check out @thirteenhertz and @whiskeyandradiators (now or down the road) for more storytelling stills! (at Swedetown Mountain Bike and Ski Trails) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpqd5gwOxxm97k_STtG5_cfEcsqmqMB_ge7xu00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpneTygO4W5wSbCkvetuYlGWezv-JmA5qwnBDM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

An early morning velveteen carpet ride with a sprinkle lovely friends at Forestville within the Noquemanon Trail Network. (at Forestville) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpbAEfhu3zlL5Y5QX5DWv-cFxAUGpPz0hojOl80/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Springy sunrise, unseasonably warm and a quiet, long and mostly solo outing on exquisitely groomed trails. (at Swedetown Mountain Bike and Ski Trails) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpX9KvMuPeMN-GyRZh2VXcNKLh-0vPaZtcPxDE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpS8CPqud-PpuevgzHBmPY-CPe2KzwypzHYyik0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿⁣ ⁣ As in previous seven instances, the Birkie Fever got me to travel, stay, cook, eat, ski, hangout, reconnect with friends and make new ones along the way. The immaculately groomed 53 kilometer trail - the greatest show on snow in our country - was plenty long (and then some) to put the lessons learned into practice. ⁣ ⁣ My goal was to race at a sustainably hard effort and do so with correct form, terrain-appropriate technique, situation-appropriate strategy, ease and peace. Doing so for a vast majority of those 53 kilometers resulted in 4:25:21 for a finish time - good for 595/1701 overall, 497/1283 in gender and 68/127 in my age group.⁣ ⁣ Grateful for friends, mentors and coaches who’ve been helping me get better. If completing Birkie earns us letters ala varsity sports and if the letters we are earning make up the word NORWEGIAN (owing to historical origins), the 2023 edition took me from a NO to a NOR.⁣ ⁣ The link to a complete recap of the Birkie weekend is in below, if interested.⁣ ⁣ https://sgowtham.com/journal/2023-american-birkebeiner/ (at American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNe8vwuwbiXW16cxvujhDK-r1hs55_3Q3Ix5U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The ceremonial start (for me) to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴, the Birkie Week, is marked by the reading of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 - that my friend, Christine, borrowed me back in 2016. It’s a quick, easy, charming and lovely read for children of all ages (or adults who refuse to grow up). Reading it hasn't gotten old and I'm sure it never will!⁣ ⁣ The Birkie has transformed from … a topic of Keweenaw Contingent’s seemingly endless discussions every October through March to … a mythical town that I failed to find in 2014 (not making this up) to … a once in a year event with its own mathematics to … a week-long family union-isque festival to … a year-round training program to … a lifestyle. The whole process has been bringing in fantastic people, experiences and opportunities into my life.⁣ ⁣ May it be all that and more to you and yours too!⁣ ⁣ #BirkieFever #Birkie2023 #Birkie49 (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4nwQ9O3pRddnyqc8NOaIURYlzcRnwQBufFuc0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰⁣ ⁣ My goals common to both events were: use correct form and terrain-appropriate technique, implement recent/newer learnings and be present in the current kilometer. Goals specific to Pre-Birkie as a trail/terrain appreciation outing were to get to know the a portion of the Birkie Classic Trail as well as I could and ski with peace. Goals specific to North End Classic were to race hard with peace and convince one of the little blasters to share their cookie with me.⁣ ⁣ Groomers for both these events worked with what they had at their disposal and did a phenomenal job of preparing the trails. I don’t believe I checked all my goals (definitely FAILED very badly at convincing those little blasters after North End Classic) but grateful to have travelled as well as shared the trails and meals with friends.⁣ ⁣ The link to a complete recap of both events is below, if interested.⁣ ⁣ https://sgowtham.com/journal/2023-pre-birkie-and-north-end-classic/ (at Cable, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cop8fWkuLoFk3BloXu7xD84F3CAV43E3twjlxE0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cok-CKNuPKxE4hezBgtGoDqvGvxsThYUrdEWZw0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀⁣ ⁣ ⁣Much of my personal goals for this edition were about the same as 2022 edition: use correct form and terrain-appropriate technique, implement recent/newer learnings in a race atmosphere, be present in the current kilometer and smart/strategic racing with peace. An added goal, unlike previous two attempts, was to race sustainably hard through the second/final aid station and sustainably harder rest of the way.⁣ ⁣ I skied much of the course solo on a beautiful, sun-kissed day on well-prepped trails, and a few kilometers were spent following/mimicking the technique of good skiers ahead of me (read: getting schooled by them).⁣ ⁣ All that led to 1:45:59.9 for a finish time - good for 7/47 overall, 7/36 in gender and 1/3 in AG. Grateful for friends, mentors and coaches who’ve been helping me get better, and the opportunity to travel, ski and catch up with some of them!⁣ ⁣ The link to a complete recap of this race is below, if interested.⁣ ⁣ https://sgowtham.com/journal/2023-wolf-tracks-rendezvous/ (at Minocqua Winter Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoTEVHBu7OYM9WkSrrQaLWfgyvuAQVIra8iKO00/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘇𝘃𝗼𝘂𝘀⁣ ⁣ ⁣Much of my personal goals for this edition were about the same as 2022 edition: use correct form and terrain-appropriate technique, implement recent/newer learnings in a race atmosphere, be present in the current kilometer and smart/strategic racing with peace. An added goal, unlike previous two attempts, was to race sustainably hard through the second/final aid station and sustainably harder rest of the way.⁣ ⁣ I skied much of the course solo on a beautiful, sun-kissed day on well-prepped trails. A few kilometers in the beginning and towards the end were spent following/mimicking the technique of good skiers ahead of me (read: getting schooled by them).⁣ ⁣ All that led to 1:45:59.9 for a finish time - good for 7/47 overall, 7/36 in gender and 1/3 in AG. Grateful for friends, mentors and coaches who’ve been helping me get better, and the opportunity to travel, ski and catch up with some of them!⁣ ⁣ The link to a complete recap of this race is below, if interested.⁣ ⁣ https://sgowtham.com/journal/2023-wolf-tracks-rendezvous/ (at Minocqua Winter Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoTDup9uehdubbuqwLKHdqYgYRi87-yge2-BEQ0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoMkJLBOZklwmTZ3AR12I3xVFJsb2z2KqnnJKg0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnsNXWZOx40JZ5nqytMRT9Xil2PnQR8dLNQ-7Q0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#FoodWithFriends #FoodFromFriends (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnQbpzruJRA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Nestled in the festivities of the 2023 US Cross Country Ski National Championships was the annual Women Ski Coach Meet-Up hosted by the Women Ski Coaches Association (WSCA). All female coaches and staff were invited for a fun ski, and many of theses TBAs made time amidst their very busy schedule for at least a portion of this meet-up. (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLB1N_uYNQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It’s (yet another)^2 lovely day for the final day of races. Though not a part of 2023 US Cross Country Ski Championships (which concluded last evening), this SuperTour event - Freestyle Sprint Qualifiers (1.2 km) followed by Freestyle Sprint Quarterfinals/Semifinals/Finals - has World Cup start spots and funding on the line for our athletes.⁣ ⁣ If you’re out and about, swing by our Michigan Tech Trails to watch some of the best skiers from around the country (and beyond). If you get here early enough, you might once again see many of these lovely souls crafting yet another safe, happy, enjoyable and memorable experience for athletes and their coaches/families and coaches/staff getting their athletes ready. (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnHd5EJuBkS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=