By Dave Linton

On February 14, long time Southern Frontenac Community Services volunteer Dave Linton skied the 51 km Gatineau Loppet to raise awareness of the importance of daily physical exercise for seniors and seniors programming at the SFCSC. However, due to extreme weather conditions he was unable to finish. Below is his account of the race.

Participating field of 86 women and 459 men. 63 women finished; 23 women did not finish (36.5%).398 men finished; 61 men did not finish (15.3%) Non- finishes for the total field…84 (15.4 %). Fastest time…3hrs.20 min…Slowest time…8 hrs…(approx.)

70+ age group: In the field of 18 there were 6 non- finishes (33.3%)

In the previous 14 years of competing (and finishing) in this event, I do not recall non-finishes ever exceeding three percent. Cold air presented breathing problems in climb areas (wind chill of -38C). Cold dry snow presented glide problems. Fresh and blowing snow presented issues with grip wax. When waxes are not working, energy expended is vastly increased. With extremely cold temperatures, running out of energy created a dangerous situation for many. Skiers depend on their energy to generate body heat, and therefore wear less warm clothing. Running out of energy meant they could no longer stay warm; Hypothermia became a real issue. Over-dressing creates the issue of dehydration because of excessive perspiration, which also robs the energy bank. Knowing your body, your physical capabilities and limitations, and knowing what the weather is going to throw at us is so important when deciding what to wear on race day (given that this trek takes around 5 hours for us recreational skiers). I think all of the foregoing contributed to the high number of non- finishers…but maybe one more larger contributing factor: lack of knowledge, and lack of respect for a formidable foe who can become so hostile to those who have not prepared adequately.

Two weeks of physio was not sufficient to cure tendonitis of an Achilles tendon, and even though I would probably be skiing at half power, I felt I was fit enough to enter and complete this race. However, due to brutal conditions, it took me three hours to reach the 20 km. check point. All skiers are required to arrive at the 30 km time gate within four hours of start time, or face disqualification. So rather than ski another 10 km in less than enjoyable conditions, only to be disqualified, I declared myself out of the race to officials at the 20 km check point. Three of us non-finishers shared a van ride from a nearby parking area. The big (40-yr- old) guy in front lost energy enough to stay warm (hands and feet frozen) The woman beside me was in dire condition, suffering from extreme hypothermia…incoherent speech…frost bite… loss of equilibrium…shaking violently and continuously. I pulled the blanket she had been given up over her shoulders. In spite of her condition, she was able to stutter her thanks. In fact, my act of kindness was a comfort to me, because it helped me to keep my disappointing failure to finish in perspective. It reminded me, that on our ultimate epic journey, it is not the length of the journey, or how long it takes to get there that is so important, but rather the quality of the sojourn, and the foot prints we leave…. Maybe next year.