The Cha-Ching Factor
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It was early. I was cold. I was hungry again. And I was fueled by adrenaline, gratitude and excitement. The snow was falling heavier now. Sitting in my car, I felt like I was inside a snow globe. I cranked up the heat as I searched my duffel bag for my race jacket, bib and a more suitable pair of gloves. The shuttle was circling the lot to pick up participants, but I had time. Besides, sitting alone in a warm car blasting my favorite tunes is one of my favorite ways to center myself before a big event.
Just a few more songs. Just a few more breathwork exercises.
The snow slowly turned into light flurries, and there was a calming energy outside. It was quiet. The crisp air gave me a burst of energy, something I also needed to get out of my head. I had a small window of time to stretch and visualize the course and plan of action before it was time to board the shuttle. My legs felt surprisingly great, and I had to give myself credit for taking my rest day seriously, something I had previously neglected to do.
I was relieved at the perfect timing of it all. I would have a thin layer of snow on previously icy tracks and clear visibility for the event. Just what I wanted. Everything was lining up.
Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Visualize the course. Do your best. And have fun!
I had the best time at my first XC race – and made a new PR! So much to celebrate!
The sounds of cowbells rang as the participants for the 26k race began to line up for their respective heats. I made sure to watch the first one and then wandered off to get another bag of watermelon electrolyte chews and get rid of any lingering distractions. The energy at these events is high, but I wanted to stay focused on my goal.
It's almost time.
Two years in the making, and I was finally here. I pulled up my knee compression and made sure I was properly braced so I wouldn't have to stop and waste precious seconds. One more gear check, and I clicked my shoes into my skis as I made my way to the starting line. My skis were gliding nicely, as compared to my training runs during the previous icy and slushy days. The sounds of cowbells rang, and onlookers were still ringing their bells and cheering, making me proud to be a part of such a supportive local community.
An exciting event in this year’s North Lake Tahoe SnowFest lineup, The Great Ski Race is a beloved Tahoe tradition and one of the largest Nordic ski races in the western United States. It is also the main fundraiser for the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. There are two courses offered, the 26k, a true test of endurance and strength, and the newly offered 10k. Since this was my first race, I decided to start with the 10k option to get the initial experience, see where I was in my training and to avoid re-injury.
Proceeds of The Great Ski Race go to Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. Photo Credit: The Great Ski Race, TNSR
9:20 am. Time to get in position.
I positioned myself toward the front and put my skis in the tracks. With just five minutes to go, I decided to stretch as a replacement for my fidgeting as a good way to get centered yet again and kill time. With a few rays of sunshine peeking through the clouds, and adrenaline kicking in, I didn’t feel cold anymore. In fact, I really didn’t feel much beyond a rising surge of excitement mixed with a calming focus. My eyes locked on the tracks ahead of me.
“It must suck to be on classic skis,” the young boy next to me said, his father laughing. My focus on the trail was broken, but I needed a quick and lighthearted break. A reminder to not take everything so seriously. A reminder to poke fun at myself.
I laughed along, knowing that he was right. I had a big disadvantage competing with skate skiers. “Yeah, but I like a good challenge,” I replied, knowing that was only a partial truth. The biggest factor was my right knee, just two years out of arthroscopic surgeries. I just wasn’t strong enough for that distance on skate skis yet.
Another goal to keep me motivated. Another reason to celebrate how far I had come.
I had come here to set personal records and celebrate two years of knee surgery recovery and rebuilding myself in the process. Today, it was me against myself. But at this moment my competitive spirit started to come out, and I knew I had to push it just a little bit. I would have a sprinting start, something I had just started to try in training.
One minute left. The adrenaline and electrolytes started to kick in more, and once again, I locked in my focus.
The gun fired, and it was go time.
The 10k race trail, as seen from training day two days before the race. Photo credit: Kirsten Alexis
We all started in unison, and I sped up with every stride, trying to beat the skiers in front of me. I thought that if I could get a good start, I would have an advantage at least for a bit, as I knew some of the skate skiers would catch up. It's tricky trying to combine speed and endurance and keep the knee from getting sore. Before I knew it, I hit an ice patch and slid into a soft fall along with a group of other skiers. I just had to get back up and laugh it off. Another reminder to stop taking everything so seriously.
I kept up my pace and managed to get ahead of a few skiers. Once I found a challenging yet solid pace, I checked in with myself. Heart rate, breath and knee. Everything was OK, so I decided to place my focus on the tracks. I passed a few skiers, and a few passed me. Nothing to it, just focus on myself.
Once I got my flow and momentum, I ended up having quite a bit of the trail to myself. A great time for introspection. A great time to get lost in the flow. I kept my pace and every once in a while sped up to ensure that I kept my place. I passed markers on the trail that I had seen before, surprised each time how early they came. A lot of times in competition, it feels like a dream. Before I knew it, I hit the halfway point. The sounds of volunteers cheering us on once again lifted my spirits, and I decided to speed up. No breaks. There wasn't time for that. I had come for redemption and a PR, and I was going to get that.
In the distance, the finish line turned from a blur to an actual marker. I was there. The cheers and cowbells got progressively louder as I kept pace, thinking only of crossing it without falling. Double poling now to gain speed, I came into the finish line a lot more gracefully than I had envisioned, and with a shortness of breath, I stopped to compose myself. One after another, more skiers came through, celebrating their accomplishments.
I had done it. We all had done it.
A new wave of energy came over me. I had just completed the race and made a new personal record. All my training had paid off. Taking selfies, gathering snacks and giving high-fives, my new reality hit me that I could in fact do it and that this was a new beginning for me. What I had previously thought of as a curse, my knee injury actually had changed the course of my life and given me a new passion and purpose in the form of cross-country skiing.
As I sat at the lake, listening to the waves crash against the rocky shore and watching storm clouds roll in, I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. I closed a chapter in my book that day and began a new one.
I felt more grateful than ever for the opportunities that I have been given here in Tahoe and the community that has supported me and cheered me on, even through my darkest of times. Often, we focus on accomplishments and highlight reels. But it's everything in life that makes a story great. The achievements, the failures and everything in between. It's what we make of it. You can write your book in the form of a wild adventure, with stories of setbacks, laughter and relationships that help get you through.
And I hope that's exactly what you choose, in whatever form.
As for me, I've got more goals written in my future, and training starts now. See you on the trail!
All the training paid off!! Photo Credit: Kirsten Alexis
More Information on The Great Ski Race can be found here.
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
