Training for the American Birkebeiner: Get to know Mendota Heights resident David Miller

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — While many of us were watching the 2022 Winter Olympics and cheering on the most decorated American cross-country skier of all time — Jessie Diggins from Minnesota win the bronze medal in women’s sprint in China — back here in Minnesota, long-time Mendota Heights resident, David Miller, was among the Minnesotans training to compete in the annual American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest and longest cross-country ski marathon.

David is an avid cross-country skier, and he has proudly skied the Birkebeiner 22 times. “It’s my favorite and I’ve done it the most.” said David. “It’s the biggest attraction for cross-country skiers in America. It’s the big one.”

He’s among the estimated 10,000 skiers from 49 states and 36 countries who participate in the annual Birkie Race every February. Reportedly, Minnesota sends more skiers to the Birkie than any other state.

“My best time ever was three hours and 35 minutes,” said David. “That was a pretty respectable time!”

The Birkie Classic ski race winds through 55 kilometers of trails and hills from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin.

“It’s always exhilarating as you come to the last big hill about 5k before the finish,” said David. “You just finished climbing this big hill, and you’re the most tired every time. From this high point, you can look west and see Hayward in the distance. You come down, and the streets are lined with spectators cheering you on as you cross the finish line. It’s exhilarating!”

March is one of his favorite times of the year to go cross-country skiing, as long as there is snow because there is more daylight and warmer temperatures.

He first got interested in cross-country skiing after receiving cross-country skis as a gift one year.

“I have always liked hiking and being outside and this was a great combination of exercise and being outside. I enjoyed it and began doing it regularly,” said David.

A friend suggested he try ski racing. “The first-time, I wasn’t last, but near last that time. I thought I can do better than that next time. So, I started doing ski races in the 90s, and I started doing Birkebeiner. “

He joined the North Star Ski Touring Club or NSSTC, of which he has been a member for almost 35 years.

“My association with the NSSTC has given me the opportunities and benefit of traveling to fantastic ski trips throughout Canada and Europe, including France and Switzerland, and the Birkebeiner Ski race in Norway,” said David. “It was great skiing all those places. I’ve built friendships from people who also enjoy skiing like that.”

He discovered the ski shop, Finn Sisu, in St. Paul, which he thinks is one of the best ski shops around. He started learning techniques like ‘skate skiing’ that uses diagonal strides to mimic walking, and it is more challenging than touring.

David says he races to train, because he enjoys the exercise.

“You come away at the end of the day, and you sleep really good. It puts your body in perspective that you’re physically fit. You eat well. You sleep well. You enjoy that exercise and that sport. I enjoy it.”

Mendota Heights parks, the bikeways & the trees

David has lived in Mendota Heights for 20 years.

“I had clients in St. Paul. The commute was very friendly and easy. I like that about it,” said David. “I also had family in St. Paul areas, including my son and grandson in St. Paul.”

When he’s not on cross-country skis you often find him riding his bike along the Mendota Heights trails and bike paths.

He appreciates all the trees here and our natural setting. “I’m always amazed and gratified in Mendota Heights that’s park-like,” said David. He loves all the trails, and that Mendota Heights is very bike friendly.

“Now they just completed a tunnel under Robert Street. I appreciate that because I can ride right up Marie and then get on a trail right after the Dodge Nature Center bike trail and go underneath the tunnel right up Wentworth Avenue to the Dakota County library. That’s slick to get all the way to the Mississippi River trail,” said David.

“I have ridden the RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) border to border seven times.”

Originally from Indiana

He received his B.A. in Political Science, from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. His MPA (Master of Public Affairs) from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, and his Juris Doctorate- Law, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul.

He spent 34 years as Assistant Ramsey County Attorney.

“I enjoyed my years at the Ramsey County Attorney’s office in St. Paul. I spent a lot of time in court in trials.”

“I enjoyed that work. I enjoyed the challenge of it,” said David. “I think I was compassionate. I can feel their pain when people are victimized.”

A passion to do good in the community

He’s the current president of the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights Rotary Club of which he has been a member for 13 years. “I enjoy the people and their passion to do good in the community,” said David. “They feel compelled to give back to the community and they do so with a lot of gusto. I like that about them.”

Among their service activities is Loaves & Fishes at St. Matthews Church in St. Paul. They’ve been doing that for 20 years. A former neighbor introduced him to the club. He was a fantastic guy with such a big heart. He enjoyed the service aspect of what the Rotary did, he was on the Mendota Heights planning Commission for several years. He played a significant part in the development of the Mendakota Plaza on Dodd Road.

“We do road cleanups on Delaware Avenue. We do the pickup in the Spring and Fall, so that’s one of our projects,” said David. “We have a relationship with the high school youth clubs and provide scholarships annually. We also sell roses as a fundraiser in April on Administrative professional day. People really like getting roses.”

In the fall they also have a fundraiser called Moonstruck, a Moonlight Golf Tournament in September at Southview Country Club, and allows them to use the golf course after dark with glow balls. A portion of the proceeds benefits Harvest pack, a local nonprofit focuses on providing healthy meals.

Their club has also mentored students on what is called Ethics Day in November at Two Rivers to nurture future leaders. About 100 students participate and apply the Rotary guidelines: Is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and friendships, and will it be beneficial to all concerned.  “The energy around young people is so amazing,” said David.

David and his wife, Vicki, married in 2009. “We met at a professional conference that happened to be in the Caribbean Sea.” Their children are Benjamin (38), Grant (25) and Mason (24), and Max, the cat.

“Our family enjoys our summers at our Lake cabin (it is really a cabin- built in 1954) in Wisconsin,” said David. “My wife and I enjoy traveling and scuba diving (in warm waters).”

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