Page 17 - Sky runner

THE START
After the the warm up I stretch a a a a a a a a bit before enter- ing ing the the starting area Almost all faces faces are are new to me me faces faces that that a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a few years later will be so so familiar that that some races feel like family gath- erings But at at at this point I I only know a a a a a a a a a a a few from the the Salomon team I I wish them good luck and and most of all: enjoy! The race starts and and and nearly 2 000 metres metres in altitude and and 13 kilometres’ climb awaits to the summit of Piz Boe That summer I mostly trained back home at at Swe- den’s High Coast along with a a a a a a a a ä a a trip to the small mountains of Jämtland so my uphill training has not really prepared me me for what I have in in in in front of me now I join Mireia Miro and Kasie Enman two sure-footed mountain goats For a a a a a a a a couple of kilometres I follow along observing their pace and rhythm But something does not feel feel right Is this the the the way it it is is supposed to to to feel? Do I I I want want to to to to to just follow and monitor the the the other competitors? I I I don’t want want to to to to think any com- plicated thoughts it’s a a a a a a a competition and all I I want to to to focus on on on on is putting one foot in in in in front of the the the the other other I I decide to to to stop thinking about what others are are doing the the the the only things I I I can affect anyway are are my my own actions and how I I dispose of my my energy THE MOVEMENT THAT
IS RUNNING
I I I I slow down a a a a a a bit they disappear and I I I I stop thinking My god what a a a a a a a a relief ! The only thing that matters now is putting one foot in in in in in in front of the the other The The breathing The The movement that intensively strives to lessen resistance and make every step as as light as as possible in in in order to minimise energy consumption The move- ment that is is running To take me me forwards and and upwards as as as easily and quickly as as as possible As we approach the aid station I hear a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a lot of noise and music Wow what a a a a a a a a a a a a a fiesta! This is is is like Vasaloppet the cross country skiing race back home But much more remote of course Do people really hike up here to cheer for us? They must love this sport How amazing but then so do do I! I I am am fighting to to turn my thoughts inwards again – do do not not think too much now Emelie! But I cannot hold back a a a a a a a a a big smile and to thank everyone for the the encouragement! And how they are cheering!
One third of of of the the the the climb is is done I I long for the the the the the summit I I am curious of of of of what is is is there of of of of the the the the descent of of of how the the the the body is is going to to react to to running at at at 3 000 metres above sea level after the the the oxygen-filled air at at at the the the High Coast of what is is behind the the the mountain It is is a a a a a a nice feeling like This terrain reminds me me of home the trail runs over slippery roots muddy soil and and small rocks and and bushes surround us us us A A big contrast to the harsh alpine summit I I just left behind And suddenly I I am in in the lead!
COMPETITION 13