Used to jumping into lukewarm water at 6 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Joanna Fox, Norma Haubenstock, and Susan Sugai teamed up on Saturday to collectively ski a virtual 50 km. Joanna, who routinely swims 30 km most months, hadn’t skate skied recently, so was hesitant but yielded to peer pressure.

After skiing the relay, ramp, and east ramp, and up to the top of the tower loop, the team’s attitude had improved significantly.

and we had no problem social distancing with Joanna always pushing the pace.

Joanna hung with us for 10 km but was unconvinced that she could ski the White Bear.  So, Norma and I, the two distance swimmers, headed off and skied White Bear and Moilanen Meadows. Susan had to also ski the warm-up loop to dark alley to compensate for the stadium loop Joanna and Norma had done before the Sonot blogger had arrived.

Here’s my Polar heart rate monitor documentation of my 20 km contribution to our team effort that took 3:15:47. I intend to individually ski a virtual 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot on the installment plan before Bad Bob ends the event.

If three swimmers can ski the virtual Sonot Kkaazoot, you can, too. I challenge Coach Kristina to borrow some skis from her uncle and do her own virtual Sonot Kkaazoot on the trails named for her Grandpa (https://www.nscfairbanks.org/trails/jim-whisenhant-trails/ ).