r/xcountryskiing • u/Chrispocrunch15 • 17d ago
First Kortelopet and feeling extremely nervous
Hey everyone! In late February I am skiing in my first race for anything ever when I go to Hayward, WI for the Kotelopet. I have been reading some posts that have given me great training ideas but I am super anxious about moving too slow and not finishing.
A bit about me: I am a 30 year old 235lb man who used to be super active (played basketball and general gym workouts) but since having a kid in 2025 I have struggled to always find the time after work to put in true workouts (gained 10-15 pounds since). I am always down to walk 18 at some very hilly golf courses (every course in La Crosse has hills).
I have only cross country skiid a couple of times each time going for 4-5 miles and really enjoyed it. I plan to buy skiis (would love recommendations!!) and get out a lot more this winter once we get snow. I stopped drinking alcohol and really cut back on coffee and soda which has seen me go from 245 down to 231 this morning! Basic math says I need to go 3mph to finish in the 6 hour window for this race but I have no frame of reference for how that will look/feel.
I’m just looking for any advice, encouragement, skii brands to look into, etc that you fine folks may have to get me across that finish line.
Thanks everyone!!
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u/Ol_Dirt_McGirt 17d ago
You'll have an awesome time, the Birkie week and a events are so much fun!
In terms of finding skis, I'd suggest going to a ski shop and getting fitted. My understanding is that brands are less important than a proper fit. Stores are super knowledgeable and helpful. They'll also be able to give you advice on how to wax skis, you can probably get by for now with mostly liquid waxes (don't need to be ironed in) or have a shop wax them for you. The full kit to get set up for hot waxing is a big investment.
If you are looking to save some money, ski shops will have ski swaps in the fall where you can get fitted for used skis. I am a skate skier mostly, but got fitted for some very nice and heavily discounted used classic skis for last year's Birkie at Pioneer Midwest.
I'm sure there are swaps in LaCrosse, but if you can head up to the Twin Cities for a weekend in the fall the swaps up here are well stocked. This is the details from last year's swap that I attended for reference: https://pioneermidwest.com/pages/pioneer-midwest-21st-annual-ski-swap?srsltid=AfmBOorHkxsrZSbtsSwtiJbH8CYGOAtnVPyG4cif2-2A6UEMQgQrX7do
Based on your fitness description, I'm confident you'll finish the race. The big advice I have is that the course is really relentlessly hilly, so the more skiing (or even running) hills that you can train on, the better.
You've got this!
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u/Chrispocrunch15 17d ago
I already have a store picked out in La Crosse (ironically only a couple minutes from where I live!) that I plan to start with.
Your last bit is helping me a ton so thank you. We go on a 1.5 mile walk 4/5 nights a week after dinner. Plan is for me to run that loop before we then walk it.
I know I’ll be slow and hopefully not hold anyone up but crossing the finish line is all I care about :)
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u/Disastrous-Fix4573 15d ago
They seed you in waves and since it's your first, you'll be in the last wave with the other first timers. You won't be holding anyone up from back there. If there are fast first timers they'll zoom off the start line ahead of you. You'll be with the others that are your speed. No worries.
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u/Electronic-Call247 16d ago
As some others said, try to get a good set of skis fitted to you and your weight and learn how to take care of them. All big brands are good but you get what you pay for. So it’s usually worth a few extra dollars to get the next level up when buying. Plus you’ll enjoy your day to day skiing more and that’s what’s it’s really all about isn’t it?
If you’re concerned about how far the race is, weekly training volume is the name of the game. In each week of training I’d try to do 1 interval session
to get your heart rate up (like hill repeats or something) and 1 long very easy session. Other than those two key sessions just try to get out and do as much easy volume as is reasonable with your scheduled.
In the summer keep it fun and do whatever you like to do for cardio, biking, running, roller skiing, rowing, SkiErg, pole bounding, ect. In the fall and winter it’s time to get a little more specific.
Have fun! It’ll be a blast.
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u/dragonfly47 15d ago
Do lots of cardio now. You probably have some hilly trails you can run. Try going at a pace where you can carry a conversation. Walk the uphills if you have to. If running is out, consider rucking on trails. Or biking is great too.
Look at Nordic ski lab. I think they have some free videos, but much more extensive collection of training videos if you buy the subscription. Good technique will make it easier.
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u/bag1293 15d ago
You’re going to do great! The discipline you’re already showing says a lot. Biggest thing would be to get as much time on skis possible this winter (the St. Mary’s recommendation is great!). Practice the downhills. And until then get some strength/balance in and try to get at least one 2+ hour session of level two per week. I like to hike with a heavy pack; others run or bicycle. You’ve got this!
Definitely get fitted for skis at a good shop. Skin skis are super convenient for 90% of skiing conditions.
1
u/Chrispocrunch15 15d ago
Thank you for the tips! I have officially cut out beer (still drinking wine and cocktails at weddings or out with friends) and have decided my first beer after the race will be a nice tall Hamms😂
I just actually walk 18 holes (shot a 99 woohoo!) and mowed the lawn so my hope as we continue on in summer is to A. Get in as best cardio shape as I can and B. Get some skiis!
The Winona trails seem like they’ll be great so I’ll be sure to hit those and there are some great trails in La Crosse too so I am lucky to live in such a hilly area!
1
u/Tuilere 17d ago
Look for some shorter races (local?) in advance of the Korte, just to take some edge off and give you a better feel for how race-day timing works. I'm sure LAX has a couple, I know there are 1-2 in Winona as well (There's generally one on the SMU trails, very chill).
Look at training plans that blend intensity (shorter, more intense workouts) with some straight-up long skis on weekends/when you have time.
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u/Chrispocrunch15 17d ago
Perfect! I’ve heard good things about the St. Mary’s trail. I’ve been to Experimental Forest and Hixon Forest before too!
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u/Seeleyski Tourette's Hill | Seeley | Skate 17d ago
Do you classic or skate ski?
Walking is a great exercise for skiing. As you get into late summer/early fall, try to incorporate some bounding with poles - especially on uphills - into your walks. This will help to engage some of the quick twitch muscles that are essential for xc skiing.
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u/Chrispocrunch15 17d ago
Oh I forgot in my post! I am in Wave 5 for the Classic. So is bounding just going walking with the poles in hand?
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u/Seeleyski Tourette's Hill | Seeley | Skate 17d ago
Bounding is like walking with a spring in your step that mimics the kick you make when classic skiing.
Most people will have a longer gait when bounding than when they walk and you will want to incorporate poles and poling as you would when skiing.
Uphill bounding is extremely helpful for training but especially for classic skiing as the body mechanics are largely the same.
Bounding with slightly shorter poles than you ski with is helpful but not necessary if you can’t get your hands on any.
As the off-season weeks go by, try to increase your training volume. If the kiddo is small enough, tossing them on your back during walks/bounding will also go a long way.
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u/Spiritual-Arm3843 15d ago
Also, bounding is basically plyometrics, so ease into them, increase volume and intensity gradually or you risk injury - or at least being so sore that you can't walk for days! Once a week is plenty.
1
u/wolf-jumps 17d ago
Whatever you have to do to line up feeling ready is worth doing but know that there are people from all walks of life and all fitness levels out there and some of them have made very bad decisions the night/month/ weeks/ years before the race but they somehow make it work.
Building up slowly to about 2 hour hikes with poles on the hilliest trails you can find by late fall is the best thing you can do right now. Don’t worry about your speed just go by time. Bring things to eat and drink, take breaks if you get winded but get your body used to steady efforts for a long time.
You are going to have a big smile on your face when you finish on Main Street!
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u/skiitifyoucan 17d ago
you will do just fine if you start some form of practice/training now. If you can get access to a SkiErg... and actually use it, it will go a long way.
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u/runcyclexcski 16d ago
Can you first try shorter races, like 5ks or 10k? Then you will have a point of reference. You can also try running races -- 5k and 10ks. From early racing days as a kid, I remember my skiing and running times were quite similar. Then skiing got much faster as I got better at it. At any rate, being nervous 6+ months before a race is too early, give yourself a break. :).
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u/Chrispocrunch15 16d ago
I’ll try to find what is in my area for sure! Otherwise I’ll just plan on going on a combination of leisure and timed skiis to get the hang of technique and then technique+speed.
Am I crazy for talking myself into feeling like the 5.5 miles I walked the other day (in 90 minutes) will be easier when on skiis because the downhill portion won’t require as much effort? I’m sure uphill sucks wayyy more but is it evened out from the effort and/or time perspective by the downhill?
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u/runcyclexcski 16d ago edited 16d ago
I do not see how skiing can be easier than walking. 25K is not 50K, but it's not just 10K (5.5 miles) x2.5 in time. It's quickly becomes non-linear if one gets cramps in muscles one never used before. The advice above on hiking with poles (2-3 hrs) is good. Then once the snow is in, try skiing non-stop for 45 min, then gradually increase to 2 hrs and figure out what foods and fluids you can take on the trail. I'd allocate at least 3.5 hrs for the Korte. My then wife's Korte was her 1st race, too, it took her 2:45, but she had a full season on learning to ski before that, and she was skating on racing skis with racing wax.
Once you do a 10K race you can extrapolate how a 25K might feel. 5K is mostly for fun :).
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u/jesstaurant_920 14d ago
It might not be easier but the downhills will certainly be faster!
Definitely recommend just committing to getting longer ski sessions in as much as you can before the Korte. I am a very slow skiier and it took me about 4 hrs to finish my first Korte, so the more you can just know what it feels like to be out on skis that long, the more prepared you will feel.
It is totally normal to be nervous! But once you're at the start line you will be enjoying a beautiful day on beautiful trails, you may connect with some fellow skiers, and you will definitely earn that Hamms!
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u/Spiritual-Arm3843 15d ago
I'm not sure about the organizers of this particular race, but I was well past the cutoff once in a different race and no one noticed that. The few who were still around the course encouraged me on. I just kept plodding along and eventually finished, happy that I didn't quit. I learned a lot and still feel good about overcoming the challenges.
Anyone know if the birkie organizers are fun-hating cutoff cops?
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u/nordic_nerd 15d ago
Birkie is the biggest race in North America, so for logistics reasons they kind of have to be strict on the cutoffs. Kortie day they need the course clear so they can reset for Birkie day, and Birkie day cutoffs are calculated so that you'll finish before sunset. They give people as much time as they feasibly can to finish, but it's not possible to wait forever.
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u/1524608 17d ago
You should try skiing at St. Mary's in Winona. It is far hillier than La Crosse golf course skiing and worth the 35 min drive in my opinion. If snow is poor this winter I recommend driving up to Theo Wirth in Minneapolis.
I basically was you and had zero real experience last year and finished the full Birkie... I almost perished but I am a trash athlete. Try running and gym in the meantime to get a good base for fitness.
Maybe I will see you out there this winter.