FINALLY I have something to blog about!!! On Saturday, February 14th, we went aaaaallll the way out to Elk Island National Park on a school bus to watch Claire ski in the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival and to cheer on the rest of the Onoway Jack Rabbits.
We had a great day. We left Onoway shortly after 8:00 am in the morning. It took an hour and a half by bus to get there, but we arrived in lots of time to get all the kids ready for their race and have a cup of hot chocolate to boot! Claire and most of the other kids did either the 2.5 km or the 5 km race with a couple of the older ( 12 and 14 year olds ) doing the 13 km. Some other adult community members also did these races. Mr. Dunn, Claire's home room teacher and the leader of the Jack Rabbits did the "full Berkie". This means that he skied 55 km (yes, that is not a typo) with a 5.5 kg back pack strapped to his back. FOR FUN!!! The team also had a high school boy (Tyson) doing the 55 km sans backpack. Mr. Dunn started his race at 9:30 in the morning and came across the finish line sometime between 1:30 and 2:00 pm. Once we cheered him across the finish line we loaded up onto the bus and headed home. Watched a movie and we were all in bed by 10:00pm.
Things I have learned doing this event. Hand sanitizer will freeze in a port-o-potty when it is colder than -15 and maybe port-o-potties weren't built for that kind of weather!! You didn't need a cup of coffee to wake you up, just a trip to the bathroom!!!
I also learned that you can have fun outside in the winter. This is a BIG STEP for me. I might even try it again next year!
Claire with he number on and ready to go!
(She looks a little nervous...)
Heading out to the start line
It is quite a trek out to the start time, probably a good km anyway,
maybe farther. Through soft snow and then across the field where
you break through quite regularly.
Warming up, literally to stay warm!!
Because of the legend of the Berkie and it's start in
Norway, you have some crazy people dressed as vikings!
Too cold for this crap, if you ask me!!
I believe this is a Finn
Ready to Go!!
The Start of the 2.5 and 5 km races.
Claire at the finish line. She came in 3rd in the
2.5 km race.
Claire and her friend, Troy. They have
been in the same class for the past two years
and really get along well.
We bought our house from Troy's Grandma and
Grandpa.
Claire and Daniel cheering for the 31km and 55km skiers
One of the 55 km competitors with a Gatorade Beard
Mr. Dunn surrounded by his team mates.
WAY TO GO JACK RABBITS!!!
