Falling ...

"Are you out there? Are you feeling it? That shift? That tang and push and thrust in the air? Tastes like... Fall. Transition. Light to dark, solar to lunar, Shiva to Shakti, the endless divine cycle, eternal and perfect, ever gently mocking our futile attempts to contain or control it."  ~Mark Morford

The mornings are chilly and gray, the evenings are getting dark sooner; time to dig the wool sweaters out of the back of the closet and find the bike lights for the ride home. Fall is almost here, and that means winter is just around the corner, and that means it's time to start thinking about your 2025 ski race plans!

The big European ski classics are always an aspiration, but if your schedule or budget don't allow that kind of travel this year, never fear: there are a number of fun races within a five- or six-hour drive or a short plane ride from Seattle. Kongsbergers haven't set the dates yet for our three events [update: KSC races are now on the calendar!], but other local races have already staked their claim to the winter calendar. 

Here are the ones I have my eye on:

• Gunnar Hagen, January 12
• Tour of Meissner, January 19
• Spokane Langlauf, February 2
• Ski to the Sun, February 8
• Canadian Birkie, February 9
• Teacup, February 9
• Jente Loppet, February 9
• Stampede, February 16
• Ozbaldy, March 2
• Spokane Loppet, March 2
• Sovereign to Silver Star, April 5/6

How about you? What are you thinking about/planning for/training for this winter?