Now that the NL School Sports Cross Country Ski Championships and the Whaleback Loppet are all neatly tucked away for the season, it's time to focus on the next event on the calendar – which is a road trip to the east coast.
Next weekend a gaggle of Whalebackers will head off down the road to Clarenville where most of us will tackle the arduous 42-kilometre course.
Although some skiers look upon the marathon as a race, the event is really a gathering of cross country skiers from all across the island and a chance to share the trail with old friends that we haven't seen since last year in St. Anthony.
The course in Clarenville has a series of challenging climbs as the trail weaves through the black spruce forest to the top of the White Hills. Once on the summit, you are afforded the opportunity to come screaming back down the mountain, before heading out for your second lap.
The last time I skied the course in Clarenville there were white out conditions on top of the mountain. Later in the day the trail to the top of the mountain had to be closed down as there was a real fear of skiers becoming lost. I have vivid memories of climbing to the top of the treeless summit and not being able to see more than 20 metres down the trail.
Sometimes skiing a marathon can be a tour in the park and other times, the weather can play you a hand that requires you to dig deep and seek a new source of energy and to make it across the finish line.
But no matter what the conditions are like, once you get back at the lodge you're able to sit back and exchange stories with old friends over a cafe and a bowl of soup.
The marathon tradition is very rich in Newfoundland and it's origins go back to 1970, when a small number of hearty souls gathered together in Springdale to do a marathon.
Little did the organizers of that very first marathon realize that skiers representing more than twenty ski clubs in the province would be lining up at the start of the 43rd NL Ski Marathon in Clarenville in 2013.
In addition to being treated to an apres-ski hour immediately after crossing the finish line, the marathon also features an awards banquet and a dance at the White Hill Ski Resort on Saturday evening.
Skiers sure know how to pack everything in. I've participated in a numerous sports over the years from sailing regattas to hockey and baseball tournaments, but cross-country skiers are a breed unto themselves.
And if you don't believe me, come join us in Clarenville next weekend and you will find out why the marathon tradition continues year, after year.
I just checked the long-range forecast and it calls for sunshine! How good is that? The view from the top of the White Hills should be sweet! Oh ... what a feelin'! What a rush! Can't wait!
