Hi Joseph,

From your recent posts, I really think that, if you possibly
can, you should get a pair of classic skis that fit you well
before doing the Birken. After all, skis are pretty inexpensive
in Norway relative to the general cost-of-living there, and you've
invested lots of time and other resources into doing that event,
which, in my opinion, is simply THE major long-distance nordic
ski event for the masses. (Forget the World Masters---at the top
end, the standards are higher in the Birken!)

You already realize how big a difference there is
between your well-fitting skate skis
and your classic skis for high-speed glide.

Low-speed glide is probably even more important.
One way to see directly the difference for that
is the following---others may well have better ideas.

Find a good flat section, and with your classic equipment,
do a sequence of kick-DP's,
but kicking on one side only, say, kicking with the left leg,
and getting that weight shift really good onto the right-foot
ski each time.
Now switch to a skate boot and skate ski only on the
right side, and do exactly the same thing.
If that right-foot classic ski really is much too soft,
as it sounds like it is, you should notice a huge
difference.

Now imagine the same thing over maybe 4.5 out of 5 hours
on the trail from Rena to Lillehammer!

Best, Peter