Scott Smith
Having just completed his 12th consecutive American Birkebeiner, Naperville's Scott Smith, 61, is showing no signs of losing steam. In fact, it's the challenges that keep him energized.

"You don't get to be a good racer in anything in the first year you do it," Smith said. "It takes years to improve your technique and strength."

Smith, a retired engineer, got involved in alpine skiing in 1965, and in 1980, a friend got him hooked on cross-country. He skied recreationally until 1990 when he joined the Ski Patrol at Camp Sagawau in Lemont and Waterfall Glen in Darien. He no longer patrols, but along with racing, Smith is a professional ski instructor.

Smith estimated he participates in five cross-country ski races each year. He won his age group at the Northern Illinois Nordic in Wheaton on Jan. 31. Wisconsin's Birkebeiner has played host to a father-son tradition for Smith and his 30-year-old son, as they have skied it six times together.

Smith does triathlons over the summer to stay in shape, and in the fall he roller-skis. He wishes cross-country skiing was more popular among area athletes. "One of my frustrations is that there are so many runners, cyclists and good athletes in Chicago who haven't tried cross-country skiing," he said. "It's such a fantastic sport."

Smith is newsletter editor of Nordic Fox Ski Club, and served as the president from 2000-2003.

Rebecca Much
Rebecca Much's grandfather introduced her to running and as a 10-year-old, she ran her first 5K. By the eighth-grade she was participating in triathlons, usually winning her age group, but decided swimming was not for her. She began cycling competitively during her sophomore year at St. Ignatius College Prep. As a senior, Much shows no signs of slowing down.

"Once you get into the world of cycling," Much said, "you don't know how you've ever missed it."

On Dec. 13-14, Much competed in the Cyclocross Nationals in Portland, OR. Despite battling the flu, Much performed well, placing third in the 15-18 age category half-hour race and making the top 25 in the elite race, which pitted her against 50 older, experienced female cyclists.

Much loves the supportive culture of the cycling community and of her racing team in particular, XXX Racing AthletiCo, saying "they are the most encouraging people in the world."

In July 2003, Much placed fourth in the Proctor Racing Classic in Peoria, gaining more racing experience than she ever imagined, she said. Much got a 16:19 time in the10K ABD indoor time trial at the end of January.

"I'm constantly challenging myself,'' said Much, whose next competition will be the indoor time trial at the Subaru Chicago Bike Show at Navy Pier in March.

Her goal is to race in Nationals in Utah this August, then compete in the World Championships in September in Italy.