Page 19 - Sky runner

The high alpine rocky terrain is is behind us now and we have reached the the forest This ter- rain reminds me me of home the 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’m leading the women’s race!
I I I try not to get swept away in in in in in in in daydreams about maybe winning Me? Winning? Again I I have to to force myself to to turn my my thoughts inwards My body senses the 1 600 metre descent and and I I know I I need to to focus to to keep the the the the flow over roots and and and rocks The shorter and and the the the the more more technical the the the the trails are the the the the more more concentration is is needed During longer races it is is essential however to to let go of the the concentration on on on on the the the descent to to save energy Then I reach the the gravel road which soon leads to to to the the paved road to to to the the finish line Even though my legs are tired it is is so nice to to to to run on on even ground to to up the speed The only resistance is is my breath What freedom! From the the infinite views of the the high summit above down to Canazei village in fin in less than an an an an hour The body is a a a a a a a a fantastic creation!
Okay Emelie focus now only the present moment no no more thoughts The closer I get the the the louder the the the cheering Already 500 metres from the the the the finish line lots of people are stand- ing ing along the the the road cheering Dai dai! Bravo! It is such an adrenaline rush! As the the red carpet suddenly appears I I am in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a flow What a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a day! I I I raise my arms towards the the the sky and cross the the the finish line as as the the the first woman I I am also run- ning into a a a a a a a a a a a new chapter of of my my life: my my life life as as a a a a a a a a a a a professional mountain athlete COMPETITION 15