DT Active Life 050617 for web-REVISED

Bill working
hard on a climb
at a mid-point in
the Birkebeiner.
Photo Courtesy of
Bill Parks
it, what to expect, etc.?
BP: I have talked to 5 people who have
raced it or skied parts of the course and
quizzed them about what to expect.
Oddly, none of them mentioned the
eight miles of up hill that one immediately
faces, but rather, they remembered
the high speeds of the six mile down hill
towards the end. I have also viewed the
2015 elite race to appraise the terrain and
conditions I will encounter.
AL: What are your expectations?
BP: In perfect conditions I hope to
average about 8 minutes per mile. Perfect
conditions means no head winds, cool
snow conditions, a good wax job and
nothing falling out of the sky. All of that on
the same day would be like winning Lotto!
22 | DACKS & TOGA activelife
AL: What is your race plan?
BP: Cautious but steady up the long first
climb, cruise as fast is sensible over the
mountain tops, stay on my feet on the
long descent and see what’s left on the
level-ish last 5 kms.
AL: Do you have any tricks up your
sleeve to help you in the race?
BP: I plan to wear a heart rate monitor.
From training: I know how high I can let
things get (briefly) and recover quickly,
how high I can sustain a high rate for
longer periods and recover given a longer
easy stretch, and I know heart rates that
I can maintain for long periods where
conditions are fast. Armed with that
information, I feel I can execute my
race plan.
Bill’s Birkie Fundraiser for Friends of Cole’s Woods
In addition to everything else he does, Bill Parks is a long-time board
member and trail groomer for the Friends of Cole’s Woods, the non-profit,
volunteer organization that maintains the ski trails in Cole’s Woods in
Glens Falls and Queensbury. With his thoughtfulness and ingenuity,
Bill transformed his Birkie quest into a fundraiser for the Friends of Cole’s
Woods, offering donors the opportunity to sponsor him by the kilometer or
by the mile. The response exceeded expectations, and the
Friends of Cole’s Woods were thankful. Good job, Bill!
AL: What gear will you be using (our
readers will like to know)?
BP: Fischer Carbonlite skis, Madshus
Hyper RPC boots and Swix Star CT1
composite poles.
AL: Are there any break/rest stops
within the race?
BP: Well, if I get tired I can lie down in
the snow. There are food and drink
stations at 9, 15, 28, 34 and 40 kms. They
tend to put them on gradual down grades
so one can grab something and ingest it
as they coast along.
AL: What parts/areas of the race do
you expect to be faster at and what
areas will be harder?
BP: The long, gradual climb will be a
challenge and it is hard to predict how that
will go. I am confident that I can cruise at
the required rate on flat and rolling terrain.
Hopefully the down hills will offset the
slow chug up the long hills!
AL: Will you race this race again?
BP: Currently I am resting about forty
years between these long races....
AL: What’s the next athletic challenge
you will be undertaking?
BP: I have a couple of grandchildren
who need brain washing so we can ski together
for as long as I can wobble around.