Good for you, Eric! Hope you enjoy the race, as I do.

Passing is easy and lo-key where I race, probably where you are also.
Some racers call out "Track!" as they come up behind you, and you just
jump out at the proper moment and jump back in behind them. When
there are 2 tracks the faster racer usually just jumps into the other
track and doesn't bother you.

I pass more than I get passed, and I rarely yell track. Partly this
is because we never have trails that are closed to non-racers, and
those skiers may or may not know the 'track!" etiquette - I find it
easier to just go round, even if there is single track only and I'm
the one going out of the track. The exception is when doing so would
cause me to acquire a big clump of snow on my klister.

Think snow,
Erik Brooks,
Seattle

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nevalainen, Eric"
To: "Multiple recipients of list NORDIC-SKI"

Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 6:49 AM
Subject: First Race


I've entered my first-ever XC race for later in January, a 10k
classic
event on the 25th of the month. (shameless newbie enters ski
race....hilarity ensues....sounds like a sitcom)

Never having done this, I have some questions:

1. Passing....when on the course, especially in a classic style
event--how is passing handled? I'm expecting to BE passed quite a
bit,
and don't want to get in anyone's way. The course is normally
groomed
double-track classic, I'm assuming it will be the same on race day.

2. I assume there is a whole host of etiquette that surrounds race
participation....what do I need to know, so as not to foul things up
to
bad?

3. Fitness and conditioning--There's been a big melt-off around
here
recently, and it looks like I'll only be able to get on snow maybe
once/week between now and the race if current conditions continue.
I've
been doing LSD runs, and interval work to keep the heart pumping,
and
I'm planning to start doing some pole hiking w. hills this week.

TIA

Eric