Birkie skier shares no-snow training method in Bay View

The unusual winter has forced me to try some unusual workouts to prepare for the American Birkebeiner ski race, less than three weeks away.

Tuesday afternoon I roller skied uphill intervals on a slope in Humboldt Park. On Wednesday, I varied that by pushing my twin daughters and their stoller, up the same hill.

They seemed amused, and so did the students at the school across the street, but likely for different reasons.

I have to admit, the squirrels chasing through the trees probably looked more sensible.

There is hope.

At last word, the snow has been holding on the Birkebeiner Trail, and skiers will have a chance to test that this weekend in the annual Hayward Lions Club Pre-Birkie and North End Classic races.

For those staying in the southern part of the state, the loop covered in manmade snow at Lapham Peak seems to be the only skiable surface to be found.

I'm curious to learn what other desperate skiers are doing as the race, but not the snow, approaches. Fill me in via the comments section or email theld63@gmail.com.