#birkiefever

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=

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿⁣ ⁣ After subdued and modified version in 2021, the #BirkieFever made a grand return in Wisconsin’s Northwoods over the past weekend for its 48th edition with almost all the usual bells and whistles of a normal year including the legendary Main Street finish. I got to travel, stay, cook, eat, wax, ski, hangout, reconnect with friends and make new ones along the way. #Birkie2022 also provided an opportunity to put the lessons learned over the past several winters into practice on the grandest stage for cross country skiing in our country. ⁣ ⁣ The goal was to ski the Korte and the Birkie on back to back days. And do so with correct form, terrain-appropriate technique, situation-appropriate strategy, ease and peace. For the Korte, it resulted in 2:21:00 for a finish time - good for 111/983 overall, 74/549 in gender and 5/37 in my age group. Although my initial plan for Birkie was to race in addition to the previously listed requirements, skiing with ease and peace made more sense. Doing so resulted in 5:18:22 for a finish time - good for 842/1642 overall, 661/1231 in gender and 74/120 in my age group.⁣ ⁣ Grateful for friends, mentors and coaches who’ve been helping me get better. The link to a complete recap of the Birkie weekend is in my profile, if interested.⁣ ⁣ https://sgowtham.com/journal/2022-american-birkebeiner/ (at American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaimoE1ukol/?utm_medium=tumblr

A sense of normalcy is measured in many different ways. This is one such tangible way that encapsulates very many intangible emotions. #Birkie2022 #BirkieFever https://www.instagram.com/p/CaZ71LxOgc1/?utm_medium=tumblr

The ceremonial start 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 for me and I’m pretty sure it never will. If interested in acquiring a copy or two, Redbery Books in Cable has it and more to vet/satisfy our literary appetite.⁣ ⁣ May this week of weeks remain a beautiful gateway to meet fantastic people from all around and have an ever growing list of fantastic experiences. May the only thing we all test positive for be the Birkie Fever.⁣ ⁣ #BirkieFever #Birkie2022 (at Houghton, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaPbYcAu3Me/?utm_medium=tumblr

As the 2021 Birkie week begins, the immaculately groomed and well marked course at Swedetown Trails in look more than ready to bring Wisconsin’s Northwoods to our pretty little Keweenaw Peninsula. #BirkieFever #VirtualBirkie (at Calumet, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLg4rjjla2s/?igshid=1h79h100uaa33

Some of my @MichiganTech Huskies in action during the 2020 @AmericanBirkebeiner in Hayward, WI. #BirkieFever #Birkie2020 (at Hayward, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87kTvJFDOI/?igshid=wq2jfrl4zdx2

Some of my @MichiganTech Huskies in action during the 2020 @AmercanBirkebeiner in Hayward, WI. #BirkieFever #Birkie2020 (at Hayward, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87japFl2at/?igshid=10u4y3ipejyu9

Another sun-kissed winter day to celebrate the first anniversary of my affair with Salomon nordic ski gear where it all started last year ... On Snow Demo at the Birkie Trailhead. We (yes, we are in a fully committed joyous relationship) explored the Power Lines and other trails with new and known friends. #BirkieFever #Birkie2020 #Birkie2021 (at Cable, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B863oYJFscr/?igshid=1e66dzfrxs1xo