There is so much more I wish I could have told you about this day, but all I can say now is to take it all in. It’s nearly sixty degrees out, the sun is shining, and you’re sore from yesterday’s race, but this is it. This is your time to give it everything you have. The last race of your nordic career.
During your warm up, enjoy skiing with your friends and teammates. This is something that you have taken for granted, and will never forget but always long for in the future. Watch the boys as they go out, and cheer. Cowbells are blaring as the boys cross the finish line with their shirts untucked and collapse into the snow.
The morning races fly by, and now it’s your turn. It’s been a wild ride. As you stand here now, shuffling your skis and tuning out the crowd, enjoy it. This is the last time you’ll ever have this experience. Soak up the moment, and look out at everyone rooting you on. Nordic is one of the rare sports where every competitor is cheered for, and you were lucky to grow up with this environment.
And you’re off. Pace yourself. Lap one. The first hill is gradual, remember that. Use those muscles! Breathe. I know your legs are tired from yesterday, but never stop. Every second counts, you know that. Make sure to crest the hill with strength, and tuck gracefully.
Lap two. No matter how much you want to give up, push yourself. This is the last 2.5k that you will ever ski competitively. The gradual hill comes, and your legs are shot. For a moment, you shuffle along, wondering what it would be like to give up. But you turn it into high gear...temporarily. As the penultimate downhill comes, you wipe out.
Get up! Get up! Get up!
Luckily, Coach Daily is there to yell at you, to push you through the pain. It wasn’t a bad fall, but it took a good minute off your time. You know that you have to make up for the seconds lost on this last hill. Push, push, push. Your skis have never moved so fast. Grimace, inhale, exhale. Repeat. You look up, and you’re almost there.
And you’re falling down the mountain now, your legs are wobbly but you’re still moving. Tucking is painful, but you manage. One last turn, and you are on the way up to the timing booth. The snow is complete slush, and your feet feel like lead.
Finish line. It’s over.
You collapse with joy, but it hasn’t hit you yet. This will be the last race of your career. You know this in your heart, but it hasn’t sunk in yet. Nordic taught you so much about your body and your mind; don’t forget that anytime soon. Oh, and remember to make hay while the sun shines!
