Cool pix, Bron! How big is that race? What is the terrain like (most of the pictures seem to be right in the beginning)? Looks like it could be ridiculously hilly, but maybe it stays in the valley? I can't remember how long that one is? What was the temperature like - looks like some people were wearing extra layers? Of course, it was 30 here yesterday, and I saw one girl out skiing with all the same stuff on that she wears when it's 5, including a big scarf over her face.

I need to get my passport!

I did a 50k race (a tad smaller than yours - under 500 people total for 3 event, and 172 in the 50) last Sunday. The conditions were really fast, so I was able to do it under 3 hours (although, as always, I went too hard on the first lap, and slowed sown significantly on the 2nd). My first 50k race since, I believe, 1995! I usually get a couple of 50s in training every season, but 20-25k has always been a better race distance for me.

We're going to do a little 19k race tomorrow, and then that will be it for this year. It's supposed to be in the 40s all next week, and the grooming will get more sporadic, so I'll start mixing in some running soon. I hope to be biking in April. Actually, the high in the area where the race is is supposed to be 46 tomorrow - so I'm hoping the 6" of snow we just got has transformed, or it will literally suck! It should be mid to upper 30s during the race.