Birkebeiner Video

All over. Another wild weekend spent on the trail of adventure, excitement and real racing action. We wrapped the 2010 Birkebeiner last night after three solid days out on the course. Thursday was 80 miles filming on the dirt bike, Friday all 56 of the course with the vest-cam, live, and yesterday was highlight b-roll film and expo work. Ole and I shared a Hansa pilsner afterwards and concluded that it was time well spent.

The decision to shoot Fridays "dress rehearsal" stands near the top of the best strategic moves we have made this year. Yesterday was a muddy mess, all day rains and a sloppy, miserable course. I saw several tougher-than-nails folks at the finish line a single step from hypothermia, shaking uncontrollably as they cupped hot soup in their wrinkled hands. Yes, there were smiles and grins, the satisfaction of accomplishment, but even those were of the "glad its over" variety.

These Norwegians are a hearty breed. Ole and Marie's stories of skiing, running, cycling in this picturesque playground paints a vigorous canvas colored with grit, gumption and energy. They would much rather go for a hike in the rain, than sit and watch TV inside. They eat good, they play hard and they appreciate and respect everything outside once the door has been closed behind them. The towns are clean, the roads devoid of litter, the air crisp. I have two days off to enjoy all this before starting the trek home on Tuesday. Today is a little 10K run out to the stadium and back and a trip to the museum. Ole, Marie and their kids are off on vacation to Malaga, Spain for a week.

I think we have all earned a couple of days off to recover.

Skoal.