01/28/2007

It's not always about winning

Some ski for the camaraderie and the exercise

GARRET ELLISON

gellison@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — You hear a lot about the folks who win races, and seldom anything about the rest of the pack.

But, for many of the cross-country skiers competing in the upcoming White Pine Stampede and VASA, there's more to a race than simply getting to the top of a list.

Camaraderie, exercise, setting personal records and simply taking part in a popular annual event bring most folks out to the snowy track.

Jerry Glenn, 65, of Traverse City is under no illusions when he sets his expectations for race day. The retired high school assistant principal quickly categorized himself with a laugh.

"I'm in the 'also-ran's',” he quipped. "I do a reasonable job skiing, but I'm not with the hot-shots.”

Glenn has competed in the VASA and the Stampede every year for 26 years. He said he often places in the top of his age category and that race within a race and competition between friends is a good reason to compete.

"In all of the pre-race times, we're skiing together and talking wax and race conditions — things like that,” he said. "It all comes together on race day.”

He said the whole experience is somewhat liberating.

"There's that racer's feeling during a race,” he said, but "it's a good feeling to know you're in the top five of your age category.”

Glenn moved into a new age category this year, and said he's looking forward to being the youngest in the group, although he mentioned there's certainly a friend in that category who can beat him. He usually does the 20K at the Stampede and the 27K at the VASA.

After the race is over, the group heads to one of the guy's house on Torch Lake to relax.

"We'll stop there and reminisce,” he said. "We usually have a gathering after the White Pine.”

Linda Deneen and her husband, Robert, live right beside the VASA trail off Supply Road, and said that she'll be out there for sure, but is waiting on weather reports to decide about the Stampede.

"It's kind of a test of where you are with your skiing,” she said.

Deneen started cross country skiing in 1973. One of the reasons they bought their house was the proximity to the VASA trail network and they use it year-round.

Deneen, 62, said she's finished first in her age group several times. The constant physical activity and race training keeps her in shape and provides activity for her and her spouse and friends.

"I have a really good friend with whom I'll be skiing,” she said, and "I think that being in a race helps you do better, simply because you're racing.”

George Kuhn, 74, of Traverse City, will be taking part in the 70-74 age division of the VASA and the Stampede this year. Kuhn has only missed two VASAs and one Stampede since the races began.

"It's an old habit, I've been doing it for so long,” he said. "I used to be very competitive, now I just get in there and do what I can.”

Kuhn said he's out training on the VASA trail every day there's snow. But during a dry spell — such as the recent snowless December — he finds other outside activities to keep busy and active.

"Oh, I ski and I bike, and I walk and I hike,” he said. "I rollerblade — all those things. I used to run.”

And the difference on a race day, versus any other day, is the opportunity to set some personal records and compare abilities with fellow skiers.

"You're measuring where you stand as far as your fitness is concerned,” he said. "You like to see how you've done and if you can meet last year's time depending on what the conditions were.”