So, tragically, the world is on hold. We have to isolate as much as practically possible: for our own protection and that of others. Huge numbers of people are losing their lives, this situation is unprecedented and overwhelming.
As runners, trying to maintain fitness is our best defence. However it is possible. I am hoping to still run either outside, if it is still allowed, or on the treadmill (always a bit yuk, but certainly better than not running). It is still a welcome avenue of escape. Unfortunately, cross training for me will take a hit, until more normal times resume.
Guys, all I can say is, please keep going in these hideous times. Try and do at least one thing a day which makes you really happy. Stay safe, stay sane, see you on the other side.
Sunday 22 March 2020
Thursday 12 March 2020
Tuesday 10 March 2020
Beyond the ultimate - pics
The lovely people from Beyond the Ultimate (photographer Mikkel Beisner) have started to put some fantastic photos of the race on line
I just thought I'd put a couple on here, to try and demonstrate how magic this race was.
I just thought I'd put a couple on here, to try and demonstrate how magic this race was.
Sunday 1 March 2020
Ice ultra - final stage
Stage five. Final day. Called the 'Sprint' : maybe for some, not for others. Only 15k, yay indeed.
Woke up, the relief that yesterday was over was palpable within the room. I could think straight again after the rest : found coffee sachets and food in my bag: all ok with the world. Painkillers to get up. Coffee, relief.
Late start after photos near the Arctic circle sign. Thrilled, once again, to be here. Carrying the race flare as a joke that it would keep burning for the whole time I was going. (quite a while, then)
Flat, steep hill, flat. A good competitive race with the front runners - they are buzzing with the effort and environment. I continue near the back. Through narnia forests. Last checkpoint : I will miss the banter. More Narnia. Flat lake, husky dog packs in the distance. Forest. Wild reindeer across the trail - final treat for me, surely. Into the town. Little jog, up to the cheering race finish. So thrilled. Lager and crisps at the end. I cannot believe we are here what we have seen. This has been truly, truly huge.
Unforgettable. I cannot speak with delight and relief.
Woke up, the relief that yesterday was over was palpable within the room. I could think straight again after the rest : found coffee sachets and food in my bag: all ok with the world. Painkillers to get up. Coffee, relief.
Late start after photos near the Arctic circle sign. Thrilled, once again, to be here. Carrying the race flare as a joke that it would keep burning for the whole time I was going. (quite a while, then)
Flat, steep hill, flat. A good competitive race with the front runners - they are buzzing with the effort and environment. I continue near the back. Through narnia forests. Last checkpoint : I will miss the banter. More Narnia. Flat lake, husky dog packs in the distance. Forest. Wild reindeer across the trail - final treat for me, surely. Into the town. Little jog, up to the cheering race finish. So thrilled. Lager and crisps at the end. I cannot believe we are here what we have seen. This has been truly, truly huge.
Unforgettable. I cannot speak with delight and relief.
Ice ultra - stage four
Stage four : the day I'd been dreading. The long stage, coming at a point in the race where our legs are getting tired and we're starting to flag. This stage is called the Sami stage, named after the people indigenous to this area, the reindeer herders. They work closely with the race team, in preparing the trails, race organisation, sourcing local requirements. A team of local Sami work on the race all week and support the runners as much as the race owners and medics. They are hard core awesome. So, for them, this stage.
Up, getting a bit fatigued. Found spicy noodles in the cabin : we all ate some for breakfast, a welcome break from cereal. Skidoo ride back to the race start. Off we go. Earlier start, amazing sunrise across the lake. Different race feel today : people aware that we need to make the 50k cut off (8pm), or we're not allowed to continue with a race time. Concentrating on trying to move faster. Spent the day by myself. Unfortunately, my ankle ligaments had started to balloon from all the uneven terrain this week : the day was managed between painkillers, food, trying to keep moving. Heavy reliance on my poles. Keep going, keep going. Started to relax about four pm: I hit a checkpoint with four hours to make the final cut off. Plus, the Sami had carved an incredible ice throne covered in reindeer skin, to sit in and giggle for a moment. Brilliant.
Keep going, keep going. Starting to get cold across the lake. At last : the 50k checkpoint. The race director informed me that I was allowed to continue : I. E., get a final race time overall. Hot food, laughing with relief. 'only' 14k to go
Plod on. Running on empty now - absolutely nothing left in me to try and shuffle or jog. Complete darkness apart from my head torch. Fortunately the next checkpoint came quickly. Ha ha I thought, I'm feeling so good I don't even need to rest. Up through a forest path. Down, down. Cold. Mind starting to play tricks..... I'm cold, there's no one here, what if I stop because I'm so tired, how long before hypothermia sets in. What if my head torch battery goes, my fingers too numb to work out how to check : how long would I stand in the darkness before someone realises I'm not moving anymore. Shite. What if I stop moving. Keep going, keep going. Near panic. Calm down, singing David Bowie songs out loud - if anyone heard, they would think I was bonkers. Keep going. Finally, a light and movement from behind. The race director on a bike, checking I was OK. No cheerful wave back this time : just a nod that I could keep moving. I am truly shattered by now. More plodding. Hungry but I can't remember where my snacks are. Water frozen solid in my bottle : stupid girl. Bonkers. Lights in the distance. Hopefully for the race. Uneven icy lake, can't control my feet, too tired now. Round
the outskirts of a lake, lights getting closer. Heard voices. Oh thank you, thank you. Night camp. Oh my word, that was horrible. Small incline. Race director waiting at the top. You OK? Turn your head torch off and look. Lower half of the sky had turned green - first showing of the northern lights. Flipping heck. The scariest section of the race, followed by the elation of seeing the lights. I cannot believe my luck, cannot believe my swing in emotions. I limp into the visitors centre where we are sleeping. Too tired to eat. Find a space on the floor to roll out my sleeping bag. Legs will not settle. One of the medics spotted me, found more painkillers, finally napped.
Flipping heck. What a day.
Up, getting a bit fatigued. Found spicy noodles in the cabin : we all ate some for breakfast, a welcome break from cereal. Skidoo ride back to the race start. Off we go. Earlier start, amazing sunrise across the lake. Different race feel today : people aware that we need to make the 50k cut off (8pm), or we're not allowed to continue with a race time. Concentrating on trying to move faster. Spent the day by myself. Unfortunately, my ankle ligaments had started to balloon from all the uneven terrain this week : the day was managed between painkillers, food, trying to keep moving. Heavy reliance on my poles. Keep going, keep going. Started to relax about four pm: I hit a checkpoint with four hours to make the final cut off. Plus, the Sami had carved an incredible ice throne covered in reindeer skin, to sit in and giggle for a moment. Brilliant.
Keep going, keep going. Starting to get cold across the lake. At last : the 50k checkpoint. The race director informed me that I was allowed to continue : I. E., get a final race time overall. Hot food, laughing with relief. 'only' 14k to go
Plod on. Running on empty now - absolutely nothing left in me to try and shuffle or jog. Complete darkness apart from my head torch. Fortunately the next checkpoint came quickly. Ha ha I thought, I'm feeling so good I don't even need to rest. Up through a forest path. Down, down. Cold. Mind starting to play tricks..... I'm cold, there's no one here, what if I stop because I'm so tired, how long before hypothermia sets in. What if my head torch battery goes, my fingers too numb to work out how to check : how long would I stand in the darkness before someone realises I'm not moving anymore. Shite. What if I stop moving. Keep going, keep going. Near panic. Calm down, singing David Bowie songs out loud - if anyone heard, they would think I was bonkers. Keep going. Finally, a light and movement from behind. The race director on a bike, checking I was OK. No cheerful wave back this time : just a nod that I could keep moving. I am truly shattered by now. More plodding. Hungry but I can't remember where my snacks are. Water frozen solid in my bottle : stupid girl. Bonkers. Lights in the distance. Hopefully for the race. Uneven icy lake, can't control my feet, too tired now. Round
Flipping heck. What a day.
Ice ultra : stage three
Stage three : Lake day.
Up, hot cereal down : cold cold start waiting for the race stage to begin. Off we set, still feeling good. Silly songs with another runner to pass the first few miles: made me smile for the whole day. First checkpoint : hot drink. Bag getting lighter as I'm working my way through my food and coffee supply. Forest paths, now by myself. Checkpoint before the start of the lakes. I love these checkpoints : at least one medic with a local Sami at each tent : always interested in you, checking that you're OK, eating, no aches and pains : then often a little kind word to keep you going. Hit the lakes : I absolutely adored this. Easy underfoot - frozen slightly uneven ice. A vast, huge, expanse of sparkling light : forests lining the lake. Just day dreamed, relished it. Watched the team go past occasionally on bikes : so happy and peaceful out there. On and on. Eventually, another checkpoint on the horizon. Ran in, excited to try and make mocha hot chocolate again. This weather is supreme, I've never seen anything like it. Watched the daylight change to Arctic dusk. Still going, still going. Finally some lights on the distant horizon. Shouting from the race director and medic : I'm sure I heard them laugh at my falling over yet again in the ice. Running perfection. Got to the night camp : a remote island. Hot food, a lift on the back of a skidoo to the log cabin where we were sleeping. What an adventure, this is too good. Trying to take it in turns keeping the woodstove going overnight. Surreal, brilliant.
Up, hot cereal down : cold cold start waiting for the race stage to begin. Off we set, still feeling good. Silly songs with another runner to pass the first few miles: made me smile for the whole day. First checkpoint : hot drink. Bag getting lighter as I'm working my way through my food and coffee supply. Forest paths, now by myself. Checkpoint before the start of the lakes. I love these checkpoints : at least one medic with a local Sami at each tent : always interested in you, checking that you're OK, eating, no aches and pains : then often a little kind word to keep you going. Hit the lakes : I absolutely adored this. Easy underfoot - frozen slightly uneven ice. A vast, huge, expanse of sparkling light : forests lining the lake. Just day dreamed, relished it. Watched the team go past occasionally on bikes : so happy and peaceful out there. On and on. Eventually, another checkpoint on the horizon. Ran in, excited to try and make mocha hot chocolate again. This weather is supreme, I've never seen anything like it. Watched the daylight change to Arctic dusk. Still going, still going. Finally some lights on the distant horizon. Shouting from the race director and medic : I'm sure I heard them laugh at my falling over yet again in the ice. Running perfection. Got to the night camp : a remote island. Hot food, a lift on the back of a skidoo to the log cabin where we were sleeping. What an adventure, this is too good. Trying to take it in turns keeping the woodstove going overnight. Surreal, brilliant.
Ice ultra - stage two
Stage two : mountain day. A good night's sleep. Coffee, hot cereal breakfast, all going down well. Off we set again : still giddy to be part of the race. Flat at first, then forest. Checkpoint before the big one : an enormous, pretty scarey, mountain. Off we go, head down. Can see runners in the distance ahead and behind, feel safe. Plod, keep going, plod. Reach the top - false summit. More up. Finally there. Insane beauty, out of this world. Clear, sunshine, mountains in all directions. Continued plodding. Almost lunar landscape at this stage. Hit the next checkpoint. My Mars bar was so frozen, the medics melted it and we added it to hot water and a coffee sachet to make the best mocha coffee anyone had ever had. Calories in, continue. Down, stunning. Keep going. Caught up eventually with people in front. Finally in to the camp. Staying in cabins at a camping ground : electric heating, hot water, proper toilets, the works. Food : crashed out. Awesome.
Ice ultra - stage one....
Breaking in day, first day. Good road section, then onto frozen lake : through forest, hill. Couldn't stop gawping at the beauty of the area, overwhelmed by the fact that we are here. Relieved the race has begun, after all these months of prep and worry. Trying to get used to what sort of speed I can go (slow), : bag still full and heavy. Still intimidated by the fast front runners - finding my comfort zone at the back of the pack. Enjoying, loving this. Tried out my bonkers orange snow shoes - they work and that's all I need. Spent time feeling giddy, chatting, playing silly games with other runners, lapping this up.
Tea lights had been placed near some of the markers on the run down to the night camp - this made the whole feel one of magic. Slept in remote log cabins, warm: about ten in each room. Getting food down, according to plan. Gorgeous day.
Tea lights had been placed near some of the markers on the run down to the night camp - this made the whole feel one of magic. Slept in remote log cabins, warm: about ten in each room. Getting food down, according to plan. Gorgeous day.
Ice ultra 2020 - my version
So, I wanted to document a little bit about the race, without talking too much (!!!!). These are the pertinent points that I remember from each day, so, er... My version really. The stage distance and profile are from the race info sheet. The BTU team have put some awesome footage of the race and area on their Facebook page : these tell the story of the adventure so brilliantly.
I wanted to take lots of pics to put on this blog: unfortunately my phone wouldn't work in such low temperatures, plus my fingers got numb really quickly when I tried to use them.
I've been trying to work out my favourite day : bizarrely, probably, the long stage : this evoked the whole range of emotions that I associate with an endurance event : elation, tiredness, despair, negative feelings, pure fear at one point, pure relief the next half hour: disappointment at lack of speed then disbelief at the achievement. It was all there for me, unlike any other stage.
As the week progressed, my energy levels sagged and food intake /appetite went down. I assumed the plodding motion and imagined I was a polar explorer. All I wanted to do was finish. ...... I got there, in my own way., and luckily still within the race requirements.
I wouldn't change a single thing about this week. I would probably advise people to use different parts of kit :, but what I had, mostly worked for me. We had incredibly good weather which did not require extreme equipment : last year, temperatures dipped to minus 48 on the lakes, at which point the race was temporarily halted. I'm not sure my kit would have withheld this. It will be different again next year, so what worked this time might not work next : all part of the game.
I would recommend this event and running company to absolutely anyone interested in running / challenge / travel / unusual stories to tell. I feel on top on the world after completing this, we all did. Very magical, very very special.
I wanted to take lots of pics to put on this blog: unfortunately my phone wouldn't work in such low temperatures, plus my fingers got numb really quickly when I tried to use them.
I've been trying to work out my favourite day : bizarrely, probably, the long stage : this evoked the whole range of emotions that I associate with an endurance event : elation, tiredness, despair, negative feelings, pure fear at one point, pure relief the next half hour: disappointment at lack of speed then disbelief at the achievement. It was all there for me, unlike any other stage.
As the week progressed, my energy levels sagged and food intake /appetite went down. I assumed the plodding motion and imagined I was a polar explorer. All I wanted to do was finish. ...... I got there, in my own way., and luckily still within the race requirements.
I wouldn't change a single thing about this week. I would probably advise people to use different parts of kit :, but what I had, mostly worked for me. We had incredibly good weather which did not require extreme equipment : last year, temperatures dipped to minus 48 on the lakes, at which point the race was temporarily halted. I'm not sure my kit would have withheld this. It will be different again next year, so what worked this time might not work next : all part of the game.
I would recommend this event and running company to absolutely anyone interested in running / challenge / travel / unusual stories to tell. I feel on top on the world after completing this, we all did. Very magical, very very special.
Ice ultra 2020..
Ice Ultra 2020....
This race was a magnificent adventure into isolation, narnia like country, beautiful poignant memories, funny funny comradeship and spirit. I loved every second of this. I saw more than I ever hoped : I made some big decisions, I developed more blisters and limb swellings,..... This was bigger than I dreamed. I made it through the long course (at the back, as predicted), and am fiercely proud to have got there. The competitors were inspiring : the beyond the ultimate organisers were encouraging, lovely, fun, helpful.
What a week, unforgettable week. I am exceedingly fortunate to have done this : I am sad that it has finished. Beautiful running moments.
This race was a magnificent adventure into isolation, narnia like country, beautiful poignant memories, funny funny comradeship and spirit. I loved every second of this. I saw more than I ever hoped : I made some big decisions, I developed more blisters and limb swellings,..... This was bigger than I dreamed. I made it through the long course (at the back, as predicted), and am fiercely proud to have got there. The competitors were inspiring : the beyond the ultimate organisers were encouraging, lovely, fun, helpful.
What a week, unforgettable week. I am exceedingly fortunate to have done this : I am sad that it has finished. Beautiful running moments.
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