Long Distance,

BY BILL MCKIBBEN (2000)

the challenge he has set for himself and his father’s struggle to simply stay alive. This results in some touching reflections on losing a parent as well as the limitations one inevitably faces in their life.

The only area where Long Distance falters is in its occasional digressions on environmental topics. McKibben is a prominent environmentalist, especially in the area of climate change, and brings up this subject during sections where he and his fellow skiers bemoan balmy weather conditions and snowless trails. While the themes related to his training and ailing father are particularly strong, McKibben’s environmental commentary comes off as a largely unnecessary addition to the book.

Just 224 pages in length, Long Distance is a perfect breezy read for a winter’s day. It’s sure to appeal to any cross-country skier, but will also enthrall any armchair adventurists. from the pursuit of other racers to the frustration of poor skiing conditions. They’ll also be happy to see a book on crosscountry skiing that isn’t an outdated manual instructing you how to herringbone up a slope.

Long Distance tells the story of McKibben’s somewhat impulsive decision to put himself through one year of Olympic training for crosscountry skiing. He is coached through the same training, dietary restrictions, and other steps to improve his strength and endurance, and is amazed at the progress he is able to make.

This training happened to come at the same time that McKibben’s father came down with a terminal illness. As a result, the author is able to expertly weave in the juxtaposition between

Cross-country skiing sometimes seems like it has little more than a niche following, albeit an enthusiastic one. People tend to picture a sedate trudge along a snowy trail instead of the rapid pace athletes set on “skinny skis.” It’s admittedly not the most entertaining sport to watch, but it can be either an andrenaline-fueled thrill or a tranquil and ruminative outing when you try it on your own.

Bill McKibben’s Long Distance does a tremendous job of capturing the emotional and physical aspects of cross-country skiing. People who are unfamiliar with the sport will get a good introduction to its pleasures, health benefits, and traditions. Those who already enjoy it will relate to McKibben’s descriptions of everything