In the still of evening, away from schools and students, a sturdy silhouette on skis glides over slick moonlight trails.
Laden with a 10 kg. backpack, Thom Morrissey intently pursues his course on the Georgian Nordic Ski Club’s trails, yet his steady gait is relaxed, as if discarding the cares of his day with each poling stride.
The countdown is on for this Coureur des Bois #226.
He’s training for the 44th Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) looming February 13 and 14, on trails and privately owned land in the Western Laurentian Mountains between Lachute and Gatineau, Quebec.
It’s an annual challenge that perpetually beckons the local skier like an itch out of reach; a two-day 160 km. test appealling to his 30-year love for cross country skiing and his 25-year penchant for winter camping.
In 2008, Morrissey was one of 15 skiers to earn the prestigious gold-coloured Coureur des Bois permanent bib, the ultimate performance achievement and honour of the Canadian Ski Marathon.
“That’s the goal, I think. It was for me, for sure,” he says. “It’s special because there’s not that many of them.”
In 43 years, only 248 participants have earned a permanent bib – no easy feat through the CSM progressive process. Beginning at the bronze level, all Coureur des Bois (CDB) ski the full 160 km. To attain the silver distinction, CDB must carry a backpack of not less than 5 kg., but do not have to sleep outside. At the gold level, CDB carry all their gear in a backpack weighing not less than 5 kg., and camp outside. After attaining gold, CDB begin earning gold bars, and with four of these bars, they earn a permanent bib.
In his eighth consecutive ski marathon, in 2009, Morrissey proudly wore permanent bib #226 for the first time. For so many years, he was in awe of the Coureur des Bois skiing with the permanent bibs, now he was one of them.
Morrissey’s interest in the CSM was sparked partly by others in the Georgian Nordic Ski Club who had skied it in past years. But mainly, it was because the event is North America’s longest ski tour.
And Morrissey is the first to admit that he loves a challenge.
“It was something I could do without pain,” says the local athlete, who had begun having knee problems while competing in half Ironman events. “It was an endurance thing that I could do … I wanted to do all three stages for sure.”
He remembers Zack Crafts and Greg Mason from the Georgian Nordic club completing the three stages, but stopping after that.
“Smart,” he comments, chuckling.
His first attempt at the marathon was “really hard” he says, recalling his badges of blisters and blackened toe-nails.
But he managed to make the cut-off times for each of the 10 sections – five on each day.
“I’ve been pretty close some years, and that’s where I’d say 80 percent of it is mental, because you’re timing how long you can stay at the stations waxing your skis,” he says. “You start to freak out. You try to time it, and I’ve been lucky so far because I’ve been able to finish it every year.”
He’s constantly refining the art of pacing himself.
As tough as that first event was, Morrissey had enough of a taste of CSM, that he was craving gold. And he found the training a good fit for his lifestyle.
“It’s something that forces me to get out,” he says. “So when I sign up and pay the (entry) money, there are lots of nights when I’d rather just sit at home, but this forces me to get out and get some exercise at night…
“It’s a good stress reliever for me,” says the busy William Beatty elementary school principal. “I need that physical outlet.”
Fortunately, he enjoys the night skiing he does for an hour or two – depending on conditions – three nights a week, shouldering 10 to 20 kg.
“It’s a pleasant time,” he says.
He devotes weekends to longer day skiing, to build endurance. Before snowfall, he’s out walking at night for just over an hour, three times a week, with his ski poles and his 10 kg. pack. Pre-season, he’s cycling four times weekly.
By February, he hopes to feel well prepared as he waits for CSM 5:40 a.m. Gold start gun.
A big pre-race question always revolves around waxing adequately for the often-tricky conditions or simply resorting to using waxless skis.
“Waxing is a huge challenge, to the point where I’m definitely one of the few people that have used waxless skis – a few times,” he says. “And some of those years, guys have said I’m a genius, and other years I’m thinking that wasn’t so smart.”
In a marathon of skiing 12 hours each day, it’s a big gamble.
“I always have both sets (waxed and waxless) ready, and make the decision that morning,” he notes.
Packing enough gear for a comfortable overnight adventure, including food, sleeping bag and a change of clothes, without adding extra weight can be tricky too.
Downhills are both thrilling and scary encounters.
“I’ve had some pretty good wipe-outs,” he says, describing one giant “wickedly fast” slope called the bobsled. Other challenges include one 40-minute herring bone uphill grind; keeping his hands warm in minus 20 to 25 degree weather; and waking up at camp covered in snow.
Morrissey sleeps well at Gold Camp, located midway on the route, at Montebello. Bales of hay, water, toilets and wood for a fire are provided. After making a freeze-dried dinner, he’s resting soundly by 7:30 p.m.
“I’m exhausted,” he explains.
Conditions are not quite as comfy as when this William Beatty school leader camped overnight in front of the school on a frosty December after the school’s Christmas concert last year, making good on his end of a bargain when students raised $1,000 for Harvest Share and another $700 for the toy drive.
Home stretch
Back out skiing the CSM, early Sunday morning, the local adventurer is pacing himself to glide into the last checkpoint before the 3:15 p.m. cut off and head back out onto the 17 kilometer home stretch for a 5 p.m. finish.
“It’s been the same guy for the last eight years giving out the gold bars at the end,” Morrissey says, adding that he’d miss this event icon if he wasn’t there. “You’re totally drained by then, but he’s standing there, always with a big smile, and shakes your hand, like it’s a big deal, when all you want to do is get your wet clothes off and have a shower.”
But Morrissey keeps going back – unlike fellow Georgian Nordic Ski Club members Sally Manning and Wendy Grater, both master competitors with international experience, who tackled the bronze Coureur de Bois last year.
“It really was an incredible experience in the end because it’s a lot of hard work, and you certainly have a very strong sense of accomplishment at the end and a feeling that you can just about tackle anything and be successful – which is an upbeat way to end,” says Manning. “Would I go back? When I finished it, I said – I’m glad I did it but I think it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. And that’s how it will remain.”
Grater, who likes to mix up her race schedule from year to year tried the Canadian Ski Marathon a few years ago, and once again found it fun.
“It’s really one of these landmark things to do as a skier,” Grater explains. “To start off early in the morning with a thousand people in the dark and ski until quarter to five in the afternoon without really stopping is quite an interesting endeavour and there’s great camaraderie among people. But as far as going back enough times to get my permanent bib? I’m really not that sort of person.”
“It’s not for everybody,” Morrissey says. “But it’s for me.”
In June, he signed up for his ninth CSM, never tiring of the scenic route, which in many parts resembles rural Quebec farmland popularized on Christmas cards. And he looks forward to staying with a group of Midland skiers he’s met, some as long ago as his first Canadian Ski marathon.
Each year, he recognizes more and more familiar faces among hundreds of participants representing 40 countries.
“Some of them are older, and some have done this thing 25, or 28 times,” he says. “It just boggles my mind.”
How long will permanent bib #226 continue to do this?
“I like the number ten, so maybe I’ll do it ten times but then maybe I’ll want to get ten gold bars,” says Morrissey.
At 53, he’s finding his recovery after the event is faster; he knows what to expect; and how to pace the sections.
“So as long as my body holds up and it doesn’t hurt, except on those two days, I don’t see myself not continuing to do it.”
It’s all part of his zest for challenge. In June 2008, he finished his Master of Education and this past summer he started racing vintage motorcycles.
“Who knows what’s next?” he says.
Countdown is on for Parry Sound’s Coureur des Bois #226
Thom Morrissey shown with his prestigious permanent Coureur des Bois bib #226. It is awarded after completing the bronze, silver and gold levels.
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