tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9807292461571991362024-03-05T22:16:10.168+11:00Margaretha FortmannMargaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-49155925830049259662013-08-15T07:36:00.001+10:002013-08-15T08:02:39.375+10:00Halfway to heaven on Mt Watzmann<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last day with my Transalpine partner, Gine, arrived and what better way to finish a perfect week than with another mountain crossing! </div>
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Mt Watzmann is Germany's 3rd highest at 2713m, and has 3 peaks along a precariously narrow ridge which you cross with the assistance of ropes in some sections. </div>
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We started at Wimbachbruecke (in the town of Rasmsau), heading up to the Watzmannhaus hut via a fairly well established walking track. From the hut things got steep, and we freestyled up rocky slopes to the first peak. </div>
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<i>Gine getting good use out of her poles heading up to the hut:</i></div>
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<i>Watzmannhaus hut in the clouds:</i></div>
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<i>Starting our last 800m of climbing up the steep rocky slope to the summit:</i></div>
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<i>Relaxing on the highest peak of Watzmann:</i></div>
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From the highest peak we crossed the ridge to Middle Peak, and lastly to South Peak. The clouds helped to hide the steep drop on either side! Amazing amazing feeling up there!</div>
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<i>The cross marking South Peak:</i></div>
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Finally a steep descent into a valley waited for us as we came down the other side of the mountain. The rocky scree slope made for lots of sliding until we hit a glacier moraine that we followed back to the car. </div>
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<i>Running down the rocky scree slope:</i></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-87845778636372666752013-08-14T00:06:00.000+10:002013-08-14T00:06:20.081+10:00The Lake Königssee round<div style="text-align: justify;">
Continuing my training with my Transalpine partner, Gine, we spent another day in the beautiful Berchtesgaden Alps, home of the mountains around Lake Königssee.This is a beautiful glacier-formed lake tucked deep in the mountains (Germany's 3rd deepest!), with aqua blue-green waters reflecting the peaks above and white sandy beaches to take a nap on and enjoy the view. </div>
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The plan: to run around the lake, starting and finishing at the town of Königsee, travelling through the mountains ringing the lake. The stats: 35km, 2600m+ elevation gain, around 8 hours of hiking, scrambling, taking in the views, enjoying a beer at the Kühroith hut and finally a good soak of the legs in the lake at the finish.</div>
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<i>Hiking up to Hochgeschirr, a stony mountain pass:</i><br />
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<i>Seeleinsee, a tiny glacier-formed lake tucked into the rocky peaks: </i> </div>
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<i>Hochgeschirr pass: </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWFz27Sq2Bq9JfWHNOOwcpZ6e1-xeULBQb53Tzsz8Np9s-UOlLt54fip8Sx-D_8h112SFppBoazNJmE8RkpoO5XsMeAIUYAsrhyotdfBUrDbqrI1JzlOINlqCF3JEF2y_1KK1UoHxnsxP/s1600/IMG_20130811_112616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWFz27Sq2Bq9JfWHNOOwcpZ6e1-xeULBQb53Tzsz8Np9s-UOlLt54fip8Sx-D_8h112SFppBoazNJmE8RkpoO5XsMeAIUYAsrhyotdfBUrDbqrI1JzlOINlqCF3JEF2y_1KK1UoHxnsxP/s640/IMG_20130811_112616.jpg" /><i> </i></a></div>
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<i>The descent down into the valley on the other side of the mountain pass - nice and steep! </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWJIo325fuILYY7HdT-MjBdSC3JovI8zPxJsvzy9C1fhH-EkLDEhjZ-2My3eAv_P6CjYlZln0LRol_pcYzLYGoVTgqw5laUGpumOmuhn2GDmXKpFvBe3cGpj8Kkkyux9IFfqhssNBSb0Q/s1600/IMG_20130811_113030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWJIo325fuILYY7HdT-MjBdSC3JovI8zPxJsvzy9C1fhH-EkLDEhjZ-2My3eAv_P6CjYlZln0LRol_pcYzLYGoVTgqw5laUGpumOmuhn2GDmXKpFvBe3cGpj8Kkkyux9IFfqhssNBSb0Q/s640/IMG_20130811_113030.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dHsa8mAPm6AqGdctERj4ESAEtia_4UQBpG0G9vFb05Wm1iWodaSWq8GnaHL_QhbrdFt-oxDlUJpcSGuC76rhTKwlF3U6jdB6eYIsTSvy1SZVMwK3vfniHwiAtARCCIoXAXjLiBiJK-IS/s1600/IMG_20130811_113239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dHsa8mAPm6AqGdctERj4ESAEtia_4UQBpG0G9vFb05Wm1iWodaSWq8GnaHL_QhbrdFt-oxDlUJpcSGuC76rhTKwlF3U6jdB6eYIsTSvy1SZVMwK3vfniHwiAtARCCIoXAXjLiBiJK-IS/s640/IMG_20130811_113239.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Obersee, a lake formed when a landslide cut off a part of Königsee, flanked by cliffs on 3 sides:</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnw4zCYDHAghLk8_KozWhWL6D0xi2nbKs4IS9_0pxo90kQ7qqL6S4sTLGEubnoa8-Xqe1ipGHV58IK0bTlOXixPie8ByWHoY_SIbESHrRnh5hA-H5CKfxxHpHZoYnkvdil5tnZ2sNIpjI/s1600/PANO_20130811_121613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnw4zCYDHAghLk8_KozWhWL6D0xi2nbKs4IS9_0pxo90kQ7qqL6S4sTLGEubnoa8-Xqe1ipGHV58IK0bTlOXixPie8ByWHoY_SIbESHrRnh5hA-H5CKfxxHpHZoYnkvdil5tnZ2sNIpjI/s640/PANO_20130811_121613.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>Peaceful mountain pasture next to the lake: </i></div>
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<i>In front of Obersee: </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik00RVz2gySTnel7rp9qo1lQEG1VAVexT8Ok96AYpd477IKBjrU9D9JNjEQzu33v_rt_lJMwvwtG89SvNACwdC8fFsOONDKd7qRBeTnUIhU2_nfMaS-SBu88QgnydSgGxwSd5ylb_6sEoP/s1600/IMG_20130811_212819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik00RVz2gySTnel7rp9qo1lQEG1VAVexT8Ok96AYpd477IKBjrU9D9JNjEQzu33v_rt_lJMwvwtG89SvNACwdC8fFsOONDKd7qRBeTnUIhU2_nfMaS-SBu88QgnydSgGxwSd5ylb_6sEoP/s640/IMG_20130811_212819.JPG" /> </a> </div>
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<i>Quick water stop for Gine: </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdpsOeHOJ0bfo7YSVUyO_JF-cDTPhP3dz9X6pJHbnQFEWKMwmJfBarrRMYxhJ8CSSOm6UzEJjWuJrVU1tdDCwDmfNGYDi5vtgt2UcE02HXkOtKJqWdTdj8cV4ppN0IsTU60WUpgH2w7d8/s1600/IMG_20130811_140141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdpsOeHOJ0bfo7YSVUyO_JF-cDTPhP3dz9X6pJHbnQFEWKMwmJfBarrRMYxhJ8CSSOm6UzEJjWuJrVU1tdDCwDmfNGYDi5vtgt2UcE02HXkOtKJqWdTdj8cV4ppN0IsTU60WUpgH2w7d8/s640/IMG_20130811_140141.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Running along Lake Königsee towards the chapel of St. Bartholomew:</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79NwbJoac1wqmMc-j71fs-mihZP4zJuYhBj9BfEM9eEn5CGI1Fn9SYC_itjpBCHLHrpJ97UaHO8p3eJM5ezMLSHwYanNhq2WmFVXJT4G2Mkmv0yX3B8WxWTB3zn4cRKwDf2HYdXapwzS7/s1600/IMG_20130811_141848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79NwbJoac1wqmMc-j71fs-mihZP4zJuYhBj9BfEM9eEn5CGI1Fn9SYC_itjpBCHLHrpJ97UaHO8p3eJM5ezMLSHwYanNhq2WmFVXJT4G2Mkmv0yX3B8WxWTB3zn4cRKwDf2HYdXapwzS7/s640/IMG_20130811_141848.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>View from the trail above Königsee: </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3tjGuH4Q5vrnifcyQCbAmdHu3OcEXbVaVvGgYXblYZ7ng3MBPgiyNYXBcSXvp9LQz1j5JT3TyM13xX5CB1oqmwX0Ebf9xVALiqwpx6ocoxZse1qZd01xEuB10XZAJ_4OICzIHPuU8zhw/s1600/PANO_20130811_155103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3tjGuH4Q5vrnifcyQCbAmdHu3OcEXbVaVvGgYXblYZ7ng3MBPgiyNYXBcSXvp9LQz1j5JT3TyM13xX5CB1oqmwX0Ebf9xVALiqwpx6ocoxZse1qZd01xEuB10XZAJ_4OICzIHPuU8zhw/s640/PANO_20130811_155103.jpg" /><i> </i></a></div>
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<i>The town of königsee at the tip of the lake, a good place to soak tired legs: </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus4jKSw55yfTNcVQs_qHybq8hXPH2pYKOs3mRMxZp3p86WZMDlzwQxT9BF8LK-bi_57YgwL-36LDE-BGwGVKwoTQ69_SbhuhGEDeUtwc-XDvGqxdAqIjJ4fbO5e3Qg22VXj8yp-fUS88P/s1600/PANO_20130811_174054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus4jKSw55yfTNcVQs_qHybq8hXPH2pYKOs3mRMxZp3p86WZMDlzwQxT9BF8LK-bi_57YgwL-36LDE-BGwGVKwoTQ69_SbhuhGEDeUtwc-XDvGqxdAqIjJ4fbO5e3Qg22VXj8yp-fUS88P/s640/PANO_20130811_174054.jpg" /> </a> </div>
Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-87630826447710585462013-08-13T22:02:00.003+10:002013-08-14T00:24:26.042+10:00Crossing Mountains - Transalpine is coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2 months ago I received an email in my inbox asking whether I wanted to partner with a German girl, Gine, for the Transalpine race at the beginning of September. Gine is on the Salomon Germany team, and was looking for another girl to race with and somehow through the Salomon community our paths crossed and we found each other! </div>
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Partnering with someone and sharing an 8 day race is daunting. Partnering with someone <i>you don't know</i>, well, this brought many considerations: Would we get along? Are we a similar speed? Do we share the same goals and attitude to being in the mountains? Through some honest Skype discussions we could establish some common ground, and in the end decided to go for it! That's how I have found myself on the edge of the German Alps, deep in Bavaria, sharing some wonderful new trails with Gine and dicovering that trail runners, and generally people who just like to get out, share the same positivity the world over. </div>
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The last week I have been visiting Gine so we could really get to know each other and to plan for our race, so where better than on a couple of 8 hour hike/run/climbs on the mountain trails! </div>
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<b>Zwiesel Crossing</b></div>
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Our first trip together - 2400m+ over 35km, and 8 hours of running, power hiking, climbing and scrambling. We started in the small town of Marzoll, running along the Saalach river, and then crossing over 4 peaks: Fuderheuberg, Hochstaufen (1771m), Zwiesel Mountain (1782), and Gamskogel - all part of the Chiemgauer Alps, and each summit marked with a '<i>gipfel</i>,' a cross. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNtqW-d0b03FDE74DnTaNShEEizV74LaKJ7IICvSIyKMmmM4qt8NzvDrL_z1JlDDqLMCof9px_HDjLclzXniZvutLOqyp3pTCUsQFQuoJsInWxE9EOJOG8uSrjEvEQfYzcJZxPH5dhC-a/s1600/PANO_20130810_123719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNtqW-d0b03FDE74DnTaNShEEizV74LaKJ7IICvSIyKMmmM4qt8NzvDrL_z1JlDDqLMCof9px_HDjLclzXniZvutLOqyp3pTCUsQFQuoJsInWxE9EOJOG8uSrjEvEQfYzcJZxPH5dhC-a/s640/PANO_20130810_123719.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Gine on the first peak - Fuderheuberg, marked with a cross:</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAr6_uoSMDC6v5O8wF8CW2beNJr1VI8XmJjoTTsPYouk8eB0_pZp6wA7_9d6t2YEWpim3aRvKpBfDbep42-4Wv5TDL0nuP_5nRfTRAmcpZb5QXuY8PrmqvJfOeLAJdHIEnkvRPLwfUd4N/s1600/IMG_20130810_123807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAr6_uoSMDC6v5O8wF8CW2beNJr1VI8XmJjoTTsPYouk8eB0_pZp6wA7_9d6t2YEWpim3aRvKpBfDbep42-4Wv5TDL0nuP_5nRfTRAmcpZb5QXuY8PrmqvJfOeLAJdHIEnkvRPLwfUd4N/s640/IMG_20130810_123807.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAk7VpG4SHZNhyS5szp0KqRdn5O323_urfx3lEjKNP9dzrvRjuWy0zQT5k6qU1bKvmfnp1WaE6FNWkQ6QIhh6MRbhlT8c0i1IzY7TtJeHYkj73i6mLBrPHtrLSNgxjkmOdG7bScTuD19v/s1600/IMG_20130810_134507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAk7VpG4SHZNhyS5szp0KqRdn5O323_urfx3lEjKNP9dzrvRjuWy0zQT5k6qU1bKvmfnp1WaE6FNWkQ6QIhh6MRbhlT8c0i1IzY7TtJeHYkj73i6mLBrPHtrLSNgxjkmOdG7bScTuD19v/s640/IMG_20130810_134507.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Trail running often includes rock scrambling and climbing! </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJIrbmd5L1YZvL6ZoKBfHrK9cgu-ULPZIWIC55jKFs2wb79Lj5rkhhig7-t6YS9qCdSs9GbLLKMGr-mKVpoYrwiKWyBa29q1RoO6S92JjfL7Nlh6k5blj0jFYrCJk0QcJsiiRKJ-AeG8I/s1600/IMG_20130810_134516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJIrbmd5L1YZvL6ZoKBfHrK9cgu-ULPZIWIC55jKFs2wb79Lj5rkhhig7-t6YS9qCdSs9GbLLKMGr-mKVpoYrwiKWyBa29q1RoO6S92JjfL7Nlh6k5blj0jFYrCJk0QcJsiiRKJ-AeG8I/s640/IMG_20130810_134516.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Team mates: </i></div>
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<i>Gine on the summit of Hochstaufen: </i> </div>
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<i>On the summit of Zwiesel Mountain, the box containing the summit book to record your name in: </i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0tSBjkN4OjRmTkKrLGH1dKAjMY-m1weAuAzYsn04goGV7d0ugaGh2deLywcmucNKJdC0vyy8sYwZuLq0fy3b_SdwtE-dHzZGSoZcJSlpUWLCuElmp_syCJhhVIs346ipP9ytR2mTrrul/s1600/IMG_20130810_155527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0tSBjkN4OjRmTkKrLGH1dKAjMY-m1weAuAzYsn04goGV7d0ugaGh2deLywcmucNKJdC0vyy8sYwZuLq0fy3b_SdwtE-dHzZGSoZcJSlpUWLCuElmp_syCJhhVIs346ipP9ytR2mTrrul/s640/IMG_20130810_155527.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>Gine descending onto lovely long ridge leading to Gamskogel:</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO0ehSNVkopkn2hyphenhyphen0mwemT2rJzjw5VHLdhtPNPb1fQbxnb9pPn6Ccssm_ODbqZf5cT0f-V_7j5LHDhy3uS5coFRJvRI8AM0ySkRBoQ0iXwRhG5USaK-Bq1gdlt0mMXzoUyX9c1SkGWmM4/s1600/IMG_20130810_160742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO0ehSNVkopkn2hyphenhyphen0mwemT2rJzjw5VHLdhtPNPb1fQbxnb9pPn6Ccssm_ODbqZf5cT0f-V_7j5LHDhy3uS5coFRJvRI8AM0ySkRBoQ0iXwRhG5USaK-Bq1gdlt0mMXzoUyX9c1SkGWmM4/s640/IMG_20130810_160742.jpg" /> </a></div>
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<i>The cross on Gamskogel peak just visible at the edge of the ridge:</i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnTA1EBiJWcmPoC5deO5nA_IYvGPcWqMgGG5s2N9grTUqO6hAS-3_s_kmOZh_tRFo-jMh7OtCdUKu8SiBsF9317mT47x1v673CggMpOrIlBOFA0qtjUP5nLShef_y4PfG3B3VA6hWHL2G/s1600/IMG_20130810_160750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnTA1EBiJWcmPoC5deO5nA_IYvGPcWqMgGG5s2N9grTUqO6hAS-3_s_kmOZh_tRFo-jMh7OtCdUKu8SiBsF9317mT47x1v673CggMpOrIlBOFA0qtjUP5nLShef_y4PfG3B3VA6hWHL2G/s640/IMG_20130810_160750.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh_zoFLBVp4GyYagxhyDb_nRqN4-lhvJ3oQlbjLhywV7yOeFJg5ZPqvIqSypvadzE5uPyK1mnrNvZI2MveOjiZlti4FcZ0LCOdEoyGvdCRQXZyBCiirvpD8nAaAUjeol9kN2m00DAQE1s/s1600/PANO_20130810_154922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh_zoFLBVp4GyYagxhyDb_nRqN4-lhvJ3oQlbjLhywV7yOeFJg5ZPqvIqSypvadzE5uPyK1mnrNvZI2MveOjiZlti4FcZ0LCOdEoyGvdCRQXZyBCiirvpD8nAaAUjeol9kN2m00DAQE1s/s640/PANO_20130810_154922.jpg" /> </a> </div>
Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-32176394835823496852013-08-07T15:35:00.001+10:002013-08-13T19:44:48.483+10:00Fairytale castles and storms in the mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The days spent in the mountains around Füssen (Germany) have been filled with intense summer sunshine, afternoon storms with hail, lightning and thunder, beers in the mountain huts, and the joy of standing on tall peaks looking out across endless green valleys! The numerous trails, easy access and signage have made for excellent training, while my campsite next to Banwaldsee has given ample time for relaxation, napping and reading!</div>
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<i>Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration to Disney's fairytale castle:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ihlfCybU3vGnDpA6Cld_Ea19Z7W_HpObnp_5vO0thwnEGI8tX9Bg6N8jU10fHVHWzDoYAaPXU1ZQ4jTdcGGrq6uAP52WW9M09Hqj96swzRaIfObGvPmBRAFedw3mvizoJpbs-PSxKib/s1600/IMG_20130802_172835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ihlfCybU3vGnDpA6Cld_Ea19Z7W_HpObnp_5vO0thwnEGI8tX9Bg6N8jU10fHVHWzDoYAaPXU1ZQ4jTdcGGrq6uAP52WW9M09Hqj96swzRaIfObGvPmBRAFedw3mvizoJpbs-PSxKib/s640/IMG_20130802_172835.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>MarienBruecke viewed from the Pollatschlucht:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0JaxYqlc7wQDGlwXnWk61dtQvd7APRKwqKNs26WSHnI9yFL5UTWRC_3iSBChyphenhyphenYvuF0JIFatSQczfh_X78OsR9EaHYUL8OthMHUS4AgjVX_VNe7zV7snS_KGdkr8gr8lK0YJckU14fMaP/s1600/PANO_20130802_171300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0JaxYqlc7wQDGlwXnWk61dtQvd7APRKwqKNs26WSHnI9yFL5UTWRC_3iSBChyphenhyphenYvuF0JIFatSQczfh_X78OsR9EaHYUL8OthMHUS4AgjVX_VNe7zV7snS_KGdkr8gr8lK0YJckU14fMaP/s640/PANO_20130802_171300.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>Summer alpine flowers:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSvkbQupB5cPP3vTFvKz8pVQZU6g7oIGauaDtVbiRDgOjSXAo3_gVikxWUjd8U7umKzNGgRnmZC-8CoqPyUClGpM1KWBUygwZLwrt3kj9WIKr0apiGg4TWb8r8kcgyTeEAfHJm9ykHd5/s1600/IMG_20130802_182428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSvkbQupB5cPP3vTFvKz8pVQZU6g7oIGauaDtVbiRDgOjSXAo3_gVikxWUjd8U7umKzNGgRnmZC-8CoqPyUClGpM1KWBUygwZLwrt3kj9WIKr0apiGg4TWb8r8kcgyTeEAfHJm9ykHd5/s640/IMG_20130802_182428.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>Geiselstein viewed from the Ahornreitweg:</i><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7KPWeg2KKCbtEqzEbLgqvnbBfYEc-I8DjRsZ-3fUc-pSpH8c-eelCW5apNOREOW6tO9cmRO9Pjqouvg2TUsh46ApvoyQPnNymC_M3wH3GT8szI1SRGAAGchYHHyuxYSMvW3OLmoKNrCE/s1600/IMG_20130802_193208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7KPWeg2KKCbtEqzEbLgqvnbBfYEc-I8DjRsZ-3fUc-pSpH8c-eelCW5apNOREOW6tO9cmRO9Pjqouvg2TUsh46ApvoyQPnNymC_M3wH3GT8szI1SRGAAGchYHHyuxYSMvW3OLmoKNrCE/s640/IMG_20130802_193208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The start of my run up to Säuling, beautiful blue skies soon to change:</i></div>
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<i>Half way up, the clouds moving in fast, promising thunder and lightning:</i></div>
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<i>The 2038m summit of Säuling:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl1tsbFJ12B3fmQxPOeyuIJeEEu3itfiwC9B0tDHfor6NDzXlrgswxvp5VzTkUzY6CoVs5TXx2MqhwY2Vkcoepqkv-0yvzi_ZS_VsX_kCwt0Pdy5aURZAtr9Js4ryK__rAyu5Bm6Qy_9X/s1600/PANO_20130806_190215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOl1tsbFJ12B3fmQxPOeyuIJeEEu3itfiwC9B0tDHfor6NDzXlrgswxvp5VzTkUzY6CoVs5TXx2MqhwY2Vkcoepqkv-0yvzi_ZS_VsX_kCwt0Pdy5aURZAtr9Js4ryK__rAyu5Bm6Qy_9X/s640/PANO_20130806_190215.jpg" /> </a> </div>
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<i>Dark storms thundering during an adrenaline-fuelled descent:</i></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-34727682512423679822013-08-07T12:51:00.001+10:002013-08-08T16:20:05.878+10:00Playing in the German Alps<div dir="ltr">
The last couple of months have been a hectic kaleidoscope of work in the hospital, establishing my business - Summit Sisters, and trying to fit in time for training, and with family and friends! I hardly had time to dwell on the fact that I had a trip to Europe booked. <br />
I had initially planned to race the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc again, but an opportunity arose to partner with a Salomon German runner, Gine, in the TransAlpine race! The event has been on my bucket list for a while, but finding another girl to partner with, and finding the funds for the start fee made entry more difficult. I didn't hesitate when the chance presented itself! The race itself is also a completely new experience: 8 days of running through the Alps, starting in Germany and finishing in Italy, 250km of trails through 4 countries and about 15000m of elevation gain. Racing in a team is also a first for me, and I am looking forward to the shared experience of working together with a partner, of sharing the ups and downs, the challenges, and the emotions that are sure to come (sounds like a relationship!).</div>
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I decided to start my trip in the German Alps, an area I have never explored despite spending lots of time in the country. Bavaria is a culture and country unto itself, and what better area to train for big hills than in the shadow of the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle and Tegelberg mountain. </div>
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The pictures are from my first trip up into the mountains - the trails literally starting as I step out of the campground I am based in. I did a loop, covering the 1703m Schoenleitenschrofen, Tegelberg, and up to the 1880m Branderschrofen. On the run down back to camp I ran with a couple from the area. The woman, Monica, had already cycled 60km that day and shared her belief that 'sport keeps you young - not only the body, but also the mind.' Finishing our run together, sitting out in the fading summer sun, and enjoying a big Bavarian beer, I am feeling very young! </div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-38490001221125938992013-04-11T22:21:00.000+10:002013-04-11T22:21:27.838+10:00The lesson of the day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Simple. Easy. Get outdoors, take some water, jump in the puddles, smile, laugh, jump over things, climb on things and enjoy the freedom that comes from being in the moment without a care in the world.<br />
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(The picture above came from one of the kids that attended the Mountain Sports Junior Trail Clinics I co-hosted with Matt Cooper last weekend!)Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-22572947969814107292013-04-11T21:49:00.000+10:002013-04-11T21:52:34.460+10:00The safety of darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The night was perfect for a run. The air had the beginnings of an autumn chill, the milky way above clearly visible without any interference from city lighting, and I was at one of my favourite trails in the Blue Mountains: an undulating fire trail that runs along a narrowing ridgeline, perfect for the faster session I had planned.<br />
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I started my run, head torch catching flashes of silver from the small gum trees lining the track. I was enjoying the peace, the quietness under a sky so vivid and clear, and the idea of being utterly by myself on a Sunday night, alone with the other nocturnal animals tending to their night-time business.<br />
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It was in this state that I passed a few parked vans. Nothing unusual for this fire trail where backpackers find a quite off-road area to bunk in for the night. The mind is a funny thing though, and the site of these vans started mental sparks. The questions started, the doubt crept in, the fight-or-flight response awakened. Soon I could not enjoy the peace of the darkness; it became a cloak to conceal any potential threat.<br />
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I am usually quite comfortable being alone. I drive a station wagon that I have "accessorized" so that I can sleep in the back when travelling or staying in a National Park for some running. I really love my freedom to just get away on a whim. That said, I always make sure that my trusty Swiss Army knife is under my pillow. It was this same Swiss Army knife I was cursing myself for leaving behind. Suddenly my speed session no longer felt like a speed session. My hearing sharpened, any crackle of leaves caused by an innocent wallaby cause a spurt of adrenaline. Before I knew it I was back in my car, and within 3 seconds I had the door unlocked, I was in, doors locked and ignition on.<br />
Like a finely tuned Formula 1 pit stop I was in my car and off.<br />
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This whole experience had me reflecting on the ways in which the experience of running can change when the focused is narrowed under a head torch and the peripheries become dark. Why did I feel any more unsafe on the trail than when the sun was out shining? Would it have been different had I been a man? Rationally I knew that probability was on my side and that there was no reason for the emotional over reaction I was having, but I just could not shake my feelings of hyper-vigilance. Speaking to friends afterwards about the experience, many questioned the fact that I was running alone as a woman. This excerpt from a similarly themed <a href="http://helloladies.com/2012/01/do-you-feel-safe-running-alone/" target="_blank">blog</a> really sums up my response:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Why is it, I wondered, that as a woman jogging alone at night, it is my responsibility to bring my phone and my dog, check over my shoulder regularly, and plan my route based on street lamps, and yet, young men feel no responsibility for not harassing me or behaving civilly?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>If something had happened to me during my run – if I had been attacked – and the incident made the paper, do you think most people reading the story would have first thought, “Why do those men behave that way?” Or would their first thought have been, “Why was that woman running alone at night?”</i></span></div>
Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-11027249686363459112013-03-23T23:32:00.000+11:002013-03-24T22:23:25.284+11:00The long journey back at the Alpine Challenge 100km<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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1 week ago I ran my personal best distance-wise for almost a year. It wasn't my fastest time by a long shot, but given the terrain, the absolute remoteness and self-reliance expected, and where I was at with my body and on-going achilles niggle, I was stoked just to make it back to the finish line. Even better, I felt strong, happy, and as if I could've run a little further.</div>
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It's an old story. The one of injury. Every runner will experience it at some stage, whether it's a toenail that falls off, a scratch or scrape, or something more insidious like an ITB inflammation or the dreaded achilles tendonopathy. When injury happens to you as a runner though, the implications become personal. No longer are you able to enjoy what gave you the most pleasure, that sense of freedom not found elsewhere. I would also argue that it is hard for non-runners to understand the absense of running in one's life.</div>
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For the last 3 months I have been carefully managing this niggle. Some days are great and I can run carefree, other days a simple 40min run at an easy pace really aggravates the injury. There is no rhyme or reason, just management and celebration after every run. Luckily, hiking hills and downhill running didn't seem to cause any problems, and so this is where I have focused my efforts! Going into this race I was really nervous of my own capabilities: the longest training run I had completed was 34km, so 100km seemed like a very long distance all of a sudden!</div>
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The Alpine Challenge 100km was a race I really wanted to do. I really wanted to run in the Australian Alps, to run in our own unique Alpine landscape. And it was an amazing journey. For the first 50km I was mostly running with a few friends, enjoying the scenery and being careful with my achilles. For the second 50km I was alone, surrounded by true mountain weather - mist, rain, passing sunshine, and feeling stronger as I got closer to the finish.</div>
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<i>The team (myself, Nick, my sister Thea, and my brother Werner) at the Tawonga Gap lookout before race day:</i></div>
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<i>Race morning, 4:15am, with Matt Cooper, feeling pretty surreal in the dark:</i></div>
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<i>Waiting at the start:</i></div>
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<i>The Victorian Alps waking up, a beautiful morning for running (photo: Werner)</i></div>
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<i>Arriving on the summit of Mt Bogong. 35km and 6 hours later.. (Photos: Werner): </i> </div>
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<i style="text-align: center;">Quick check-in with my crew - here with my lovely sister Thea:</i></div>
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<i>Heading off from the second checkpoint at Langford's Gap (at 63km). By now the weather had changed and it was cold and rainy (Photos: Werner):</i></div>
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<i>Tawonga Hut at 78km - I had a quick check-in with my crew before the final leg of the race (Photo: Werner):</i></div>
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<i>Race presentation at Bogong Jacks (Photo: Werner)</i></div>
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<i>With Matt Cooper (He set a new course record for the men in the 100km, and won outright in 12:31hr):</i></div>
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Arriving at the finish, with only a handful of people - the Alpine Search and Rescue representative, my crew, and Matt Cooper`s parents, I realised that in the end finishing your own personal journey is what matters. </div>
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I`m ever grateful to my amazing support crew: my brother, sister, and sister`s boyfriend. Thanks also to Salomon and Suunto Australia - your support of the sport is incredible. </div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-77998104693732833252013-03-12T23:21:00.001+11:002013-03-12T23:27:12.499+11:00Alpine Challenge 100km Countdown<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Australian Alps in the distance through layers of mist and cloud:</i></div>
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<i>The Australian Alps as seen on a beautiful twilight evening (Mt Bogong is on the right in the distance):</i></div>
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4 sleeps to go. 800km to drive to reach the race start. Bags to pack, gear to prepare, maps to study. On Saturday I'll be lining up with friends and my Salomon team mate <a href="http://mattcooper.com.au/" target="_blank">Matt Cooper</a> to run the <a href="http://runningwild.net.au/alpine-challenge/" target="_blank">Alpine Challenge</a>, an event of various distances through the Australian Alps. While some runners will be competing in the full 100miles, I'm facing 100km and ~4900m+. </div>
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The event is tough. Maybe the toughest Australia has to offer. Not only are the trails very remote, the checkpoints are scant and most only accessible on foot after 4+ km of hiking. So, for much of the race I will need to be self supported, carrying enough food for 60km, grabbing water at streams and river crossings, and ensuring that my mandatory gear works as we will be running in conditions forecasted to range from sun to snow showers!</div>
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I have had an annoying lead up to the race, with my preparations having been constrained by an Achilles injury that flared up here and there. Interestingly, I have been able to enjoy as many hill sessions as I want, but on the flatter trails the tendon has often been inflamed and tender following a run. With this in mind, I just feel lucky that I can run, and that I have been able to continue training. </div>
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I am looking forward to seeing old friends come the weekend, and to share the journey with my amazing crew: My brother, sister and her partner. You guys rock!</div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-62640588544595784962013-03-06T22:17:00.000+11:002013-03-06T22:17:05.007+11:00Mountain Ultras - Race Ready Training Camp<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Only 2 weeks ago I was fortunate enough to join Matt Cooper from Ultra Made Coaching to host a "Mountain Ultra Race Ready" training camp. We had decided to approach the camp the way we would our own mountain specific training, with a focus on climbing and descending technique, lightness, and breathing! In between we just wanted to relax and enjoy Bright, a picturesque village at the foothills of the Australian Alps that we were using as our camp base.</div>
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I once again packed my trusty '94 Ford Fairmont with the essentials of any running road trip for my 800km journey south to Victoria - sleeping bag, cannister of water, my ever-faithful gas stove, plunger and coffee. </div>
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<i>My faithful companion at a quiet spot I found to sleep the night on the trip down to Bright:</i></div>
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After a quick check-in of 15 very keen runners, many who had already been to previous Ultra Made camps, it was time to hit our first run as the afternoon cooled and the light started to glow twilight colours. Our first run was up a steep fire trail to Clear Spot, then across a ridgeline to Mystic Mt, before a lovely descent down switch-backing single track trail. It was a good start to the camp, with all the runners looking super light, tall and relaxed as they tackled the 1000m climb in 4km. </div>
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<i>Arriving at the top of Clear Spot, Australian Alps in the distance (photo courtesy of Simon Ferraro):</i></div>
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<i>Myself and Jo on the summit of Clear Spot:</i></div>
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<b>NOTE:</b> We were both loving the new <a href="http://www.salomon.com/au/product/advanced-skin-s-lab-belt-set.html" target="_blank">Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab Belt</a>. I found it super handy to tuck in a camera, some water, and a bar while still feeling light on the hills.</div>
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<i>The mountain runners standing tall on Clear Spot's summit, a gorgeous Australian sky behind them:</i></div>
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<i>The trail running along the ridge to Mystic Mt. was like an alley of gum trees begging to be run:</i></div>
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Saturday saw the runners waking up with the dawn and running back out of Bright and to another peak. This time we were going to run some reps up Apex Mt, a smaller but just as challenging climb. Again, we were working on our ability to feel light and relaxed while climbing steep terrain, and then to have a fast, flying descent. </div>
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<i>Myself running up Apex Mt (photo courtesy of Marty from Team Coops):</i></div>
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After our morning run we jumped straight into the river running through Bright to cool off (and forgo a shower!) before heading to breakfast. This is where the routine became lazy! Coffees were drunk at the local, Cafe Velo, naps were taken, and dream races were shared. After lunch all the runners regrouped in the shade for a session on breathing technique and mind-body awareness. Diaphragms were worked, abdominal muscles discovered, and cells recharged and oxygenated!</div>
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<i>Myself talking the runners through one of the breathing exercises (photo courtesy of Simon Ferraro):</i></div>
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On Sunday, our last run was on the Mt Buffalo plateau. Most of the runners had never explored this amazing alpine area before, and were truly taken away by the scenery. As we ascended out of the tree line the Australian Alps in all their glory stretched before us, peaking out through a carpet of mist. We felt pretty lucky to be privy to those sights. All the runners put in to practice the last 2 days of learning and had a solid morning of exploring on the plateau.</div>
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<i>Ewan climbing up the granite of Mt Buffalo:</i></div>
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Once again, it was a beautiful weekend away with a group that soon became fast friends, joined by their passion for mountains, running, and good coffee. </div>
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Thanks to Matt Cooper for being so giving with your coaching, and to Team Coops for the unconditional support out on the trails!</div>
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Stay tuned for more running adventures and training camps to come this year!</div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-27765832016643366562013-02-20T10:35:00.001+11:002013-02-20T10:54:09.595+11:00The pain and pleasure of the trails<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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The last 2 weeks I have been recovering from the most infuriating injury - a severe case of "gravel rash" following a lapse in concentration while out on a late afternoon run. My mind wandered, I was thinking about what to cook for dinner, and suddenly I caught my foot and tripped. My hands flew out and the next thing I knew, I had a huge hole in my palm thanks to a large piece of gravel that had embedded itself under the skin, and 45 minutes of running to get back to my car! </div>
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What proceeded was a night in the Emergency Department, antibiotics, a tetanus injection, severe pain as the piece of gravel was dug out, 4 days off from work, and hand therapy. I also had to explain to anyone who asked "well, I was out running..." and then listen to several jokes along the lines of "exercise can kill!"</div>
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It made me think of the "punishment" we put our bodies through by engaging in a sport that takes us off-road and onto more uncertain terrain. I often come home with scratches and cuts on my legs from running through uncleared trail, bruises from a fall, leech bites, damaged toe nails, and chafe. Nevertheless most runners would not give up the joy of a good run out on the trails just to avoid these injuries. I wouldn't. And as I learnt in the last 2 weeks of rehab, while a hand injury may prevent you from working, it doesn't stop you from running!</div>
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<i>X-Rays showing the piece of gravel stuck deep in my palm:</i></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-60530269714777144192013-02-05T10:38:00.001+11:002013-02-05T10:38:10.718+11:002013 Mt Buller Sky Run<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Race morning started with the Delatite River in my ears, the sun yet to reach into the deep valley where I was camped out at the start of the race. </div>
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After 2 days of training in the Australian Alps area, I wanted to finish with what must be one of the most scenic race courses in Australia. The <a href="http://runningwild.net.au/" target="_blank">La Sportiva Mt Buller Sky Run</a> is put on by Running Wild in Victoria, and has a non-nonsense Race Director that prizes the runners' experience above all else. This makes for a fantastic day out in the mountains and on the trails.</div>
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The start was in Merrijig, at the trailhead to the Klinsporn (not King's porn) trail. The climb is immediate, but unlike some of the other trails in the area, this one is quite gentle and slowly winds it way up to the summit of Mt Buller. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bQMQblkeBj3hSckgK_-vjNuVlEOFL8sdtVUIBc-1qD3nY82MoA6kl21zIR9sICLzOmizaA77fntYZtNYcBXv0LiJ94HMelLGp0a5_pNj0hew5BcFusgArcyxTLYK43jbkUQ8zEJ5ANmi/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+097.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bQMQblkeBj3hSckgK_-vjNuVlEOFL8sdtVUIBc-1qD3nY82MoA6kl21zIR9sICLzOmizaA77fntYZtNYcBXv0LiJ94HMelLGp0a5_pNj0hew5BcFusgArcyxTLYK43jbkUQ8zEJ5ANmi/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+097.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Once above the tree line the views are never ending, the landscape incredible:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65OK_uluLZXsBt5ziZlfs4B_rYsritdNvSTaPfQIt3f_elharjPQ8Naxi52KcL45LRTuWrNKF8fJswD-DO7AYtFiEFjKc9ESfDwXi3IffAmipsA_71CoHLvZgqTuN6bLEbuIfpITI6eHE/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+098.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65OK_uluLZXsBt5ziZlfs4B_rYsritdNvSTaPfQIt3f_elharjPQ8Naxi52KcL45LRTuWrNKF8fJswD-DO7AYtFiEFjKc9ESfDwXi3IffAmipsA_71CoHLvZgqTuN6bLEbuIfpITI6eHE/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+098.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>No need to rush when on the summit of Mt Buller:</i></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQzkeLJE00MkDZwgRwjC6LE0ROsDcI4aBLKcfyPyOvqh5Itrtb_2TyobP-zpyjHcLqqWhWYByAbhl9pCyZ1t4OrgteTXfDRWpk7iHZBf81VJl28WRTcpChx0XGdtWbx3KjtKkKby0baW6/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+099.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQzkeLJE00MkDZwgRwjC6LE0ROsDcI4aBLKcfyPyOvqh5Itrtb_2TyobP-zpyjHcLqqWhWYByAbhl9pCyZ1t4OrgteTXfDRWpk7iHZBf81VJl28WRTcpChx0XGdtWbx3KjtKkKby0baW6/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+099.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQI6Bmx8BLVlfnizVCld8udk1iVC0oyufsJZhfIdXe0DgUUoIiVxJvH-E2KvQv1Unzb4_d2n6-OHc-EF0iKnsnVVUgJHzR_bl83d3maALpuRm-fiSsyXUYcxlaO-mVAJzpm6pZVCckNHT/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQI6Bmx8BLVlfnizVCld8udk1iVC0oyufsJZhfIdXe0DgUUoIiVxJvH-E2KvQv1Unzb4_d2n6-OHc-EF0iKnsnVVUgJHzR_bl83d3maALpuRm-fiSsyXUYcxlaO-mVAJzpm6pZVCckNHT/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+100.JPG" /></a><br />
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From the Mt Buller Summit, the trail runs through the village and onto a trail that traverses across the saddle to Mt Stirling. The trail was dusty, rocky, and quite steep in sections, requiring good footwork and a large amount of guts and balls to let it rip downhill.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsyI-RBWQtkcGejmWAuYUq8hfQ2wGhTq-jNKEulIfoq-Rjng4XDqkl9P_4FklRavAAGeBBzRm-Nh3VyCBL1jCMlNwJqAz0_RZ-sY5crAhzbcdupt1TISjA0J9mwb60yGWGC9Z60hXiFGh/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+119.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsyI-RBWQtkcGejmWAuYUq8hfQ2wGhTq-jNKEulIfoq-Rjng4XDqkl9P_4FklRavAAGeBBzRm-Nh3VyCBL1jCMlNwJqAz0_RZ-sY5crAhzbcdupt1TISjA0J9mwb60yGWGC9Z60hXiFGh/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+119.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Short climb back up to Mt Stirling Summit:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZF4VbJwgytnDu6p4H0mm6wvh1IMrSSzQeRJifBDwVidT3Z_MskSvO2ZVQLgFrAS9oiq4rYH_b7XMrMDFuAECi8pP7D_hn8En-iYYT2xgBWJD0uLTW4LagzX4UYYlsnRgRzylmQVkZBN5/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+103.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZF4VbJwgytnDu6p4H0mm6wvh1IMrSSzQeRJifBDwVidT3Z_MskSvO2ZVQLgFrAS9oiq4rYH_b7XMrMDFuAECi8pP7D_hn8En-iYYT2xgBWJD0uLTW4LagzX4UYYlsnRgRzylmQVkZBN5/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+103.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Mt Stirling Summit:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepeiMXIUwu1cMTSAIDiY41iXozIgyaanrWAMZXaGcCAfk5l5SNSQTQvxHv4AUkmj0YAcaurZzNrAvG47gdQk9_shZRbmIioBcKX1q-8mt1r-5k3PnhDZEypvvwwPykgfh1FtIcQe1jO4W/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+106.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepeiMXIUwu1cMTSAIDiY41iXozIgyaanrWAMZXaGcCAfk5l5SNSQTQvxHv4AUkmj0YAcaurZzNrAvG47gdQk9_shZRbmIioBcKX1q-8mt1r-5k3PnhDZEypvvwwPykgfh1FtIcQe1jO4W/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+106.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Looking across to Mt Buller, the ski runs visible down its side:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIWSbh6AjycY-GZTXGPwXFjnJDpTuoE9mc4KpOizExDPVE4Wj6DgCkMnwSGtVu9cz1XQNJaLOQkSJYg9vnuM6DX1bWAkPFzRjjQnfia3GhYNYXC8VhfTlkJza99mfg1Cf-ICEt9Pu-yqU/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+109.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIWSbh6AjycY-GZTXGPwXFjnJDpTuoE9mc4KpOizExDPVE4Wj6DgCkMnwSGtVu9cz1XQNJaLOQkSJYg9vnuM6DX1bWAkPFzRjjQnfia3GhYNYXC8VhfTlkJza99mfg1Cf-ICEt9Pu-yqU/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+109.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Trail winding beneath skeleton gums:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBbSindfYzQQRQJePKuDLyNf4ELF1cHoMfVfN1_dnsxc3IbKbuNluUskv08EWoLEbR201_gscOYAi4wy14rHZgU3Di03e6MuX7MpjfdRdYbes0bSGf_esC3urek5gqcQgkfd7CV6f5n8u/s1600/simon+iphone+jan13+117.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBbSindfYzQQRQJePKuDLyNf4ELF1cHoMfVfN1_dnsxc3IbKbuNluUskv08EWoLEbR201_gscOYAi4wy14rHZgU3Di03e6MuX7MpjfdRdYbes0bSGf_esC3urek5gqcQgkfd7CV6f5n8u/s400/simon+iphone+jan13+117.JPG" /></a><br />
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For the 36km distance, the runners headed down the Big River Spur for 15km of downhill. By now I was so grateful that my legs were still working, still moving and enjoying the downhill. I was able to lengthen the stride a little and just enjoy the changing scenery brought by the drop in elevation.</div>
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The trail down crosses the Delatite River 15 times across beautiful bridges made from old trees. With the last crossing done, I arrived back at the start to a finish line complete with home made baked goodies and nutritious soup, and old and new friends to catch up with! I was pretty happy with a finish time of 4:06 and 1st female in the 36km distance. Congratulations as well to Salomon Australia teamate <a href="http://mickdonges.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mick Donges</a> who set a new record in the 45km distance!</div>
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Thanks to Simon Ferraro for allowing me to use his pics for the blog!</div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-24569257681575026582013-02-05T10:11:00.000+11:002013-02-05T10:39:58.381+11:00In the shadows of Mt Buffalo<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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With February here, and only just over a month till the Alpine Challenge 100km, I am using every bit of free time to head to our Australian peaks and get as much training, playing, hiking, and exploring into my legs as possible. </div>
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This past weekend I headed down south again on what is becoming a very familiar 700km drive from Sydney to Bright. I had 3 days off so the plan was to get in some quality hills and then race the Mt Buller Skyrun on the Sunday. </div>
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<b>Friday - Mt Buffalo </b></div>
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The climb up to Mt Buffalo across large granite slabs, and up on the alpine plateau is fast becoming one of my favorite places to be. The colors, spectacular view points, unique vegetation, and meandering trails keep you wanting to run and explore well past sunset. Recommended is either starting at the <i>Eurobin picnic ground </i>and taking the <i>Big Walk </i>trail up to the plateau, or driving up higher to either <i>Mackey's Lookout</i>, or onto the plateau and accessing the trails from the Chalet carpark. </div>
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<i>The start of my hike, on the Big Walk Trail just beyond Mackey's Lookout:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQ2RN0SVbam4RUAdnMk-SLLANMfltiSK3v8GjGEIvHL8yn9XSxbFLL_nHJILtqCCeMQTiILAY1xSYH48oyX9jAEk9lDru9yvCWy22Dai0QNluUaBDoabjnKgYfW1QKvo_kgOfyHTgFdC/s1600/P1040929.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQ2RN0SVbam4RUAdnMk-SLLANMfltiSK3v8GjGEIvHL8yn9XSxbFLL_nHJILtqCCeMQTiILAY1xSYH48oyX9jAEk9lDru9yvCWy22Dai0QNluUaBDoabjnKgYfW1QKvo_kgOfyHTgFdC/s400/P1040929.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<i>View across the granite to the Australian Alps in the distance:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZTxDf3rnyslB7X_le_hXNLsGycEZV6D0CMVwkWlCJr8BOHD9ix-KQpjAA0R2aE_7E0HyBVAovC3OuK7LITKhXdwfOnnKo7qOyITWO3w6ZiJojjCBh9hpVFuGddHd9RZzy1d-ezZtZTOc/s1600/P1040932.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZTxDf3rnyslB7X_le_hXNLsGycEZV6D0CMVwkWlCJr8BOHD9ix-KQpjAA0R2aE_7E0HyBVAovC3OuK7LITKhXdwfOnnKo7qOyITWO3w6ZiJojjCBh9hpVFuGddHd9RZzy1d-ezZtZTOc/s400/P1040932.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i>The Big Walk trail:</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIRFJKX0i37ZvaL_3bxzv_HtT-V3hJQzQcrRkhE8VrrotF-Ls4GKBM6qR0jM6MU6hMupCGkyF88vSuJLlyIyKp6Rv1FshyphenhyphenhmZ8GxKrV2fLo4TV_u0MhXvI86Txd-A9I5rPO4z1C2D15xf/s1600/P1040934.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIRFJKX0i37ZvaL_3bxzv_HtT-V3hJQzQcrRkhE8VrrotF-Ls4GKBM6qR0jM6MU6hMupCGkyF88vSuJLlyIyKp6Rv1FshyphenhyphenhmZ8GxKrV2fLo4TV_u0MhXvI86Txd-A9I5rPO4z1C2D15xf/s400/P1040934.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NnrE7-gFLkkDMstcOimCuGvA4NsQUZelhv_A8z-oAH88egNqOoF0b_dcscECiiBqtpPdN7Rni0JuKpUz3VOBfGylnSk3SFTYS83PipqGrHiy3gphlgI2iB6M4CmlFhVabcbfixHCh9Mj/s1600/P1040952.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NnrE7-gFLkkDMstcOimCuGvA4NsQUZelhv_A8z-oAH88egNqOoF0b_dcscECiiBqtpPdN7Rni0JuKpUz3VOBfGylnSk3SFTYS83PipqGrHiy3gphlgI2iB6M4CmlFhVabcbfixHCh9Mj/s400/P1040952.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>A lone snow gum trying to survive the harsh alpine climate:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4tq6V7keqiOy8yE0-wsVMrUQOEQLdDqegHthgNRCaQsjdooAkrU-qhxKuLNm_LPtTuUcgcEtDD8gNH7_RRHVEmgbuEd4vNg8kZ1pOZETItpQE6ldK25d9UYgmtn2kkQcAbQyuyEVW-jw/s1600/P1040966.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4tq6V7keqiOy8yE0-wsVMrUQOEQLdDqegHthgNRCaQsjdooAkrU-qhxKuLNm_LPtTuUcgcEtDD8gNH7_RRHVEmgbuEd4vNg8kZ1pOZETItpQE6ldK25d9UYgmtn2kkQcAbQyuyEVW-jw/s400/P1040966.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<i>Views towards the Australian Alps, Mt Bogong with its summit in the clouds:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSNLOLia6G3SYE_2k76UByaEN4Yh2TfQfuS-5DENxNR_o4iI9813KJNz24co8dK8W88oZKFcDYpMd6oIZkG0jyXqw5tqSaKIe0F6Xiy1KdF1TQKCVq1MyMcS2I8TIgEOYVBMiGvEfTUHo/s1600/P1040969.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSNLOLia6G3SYE_2k76UByaEN4Yh2TfQfuS-5DENxNR_o4iI9813KJNz24co8dK8W88oZKFcDYpMd6oIZkG0jyXqw5tqSaKIe0F6Xiy1KdF1TQKCVq1MyMcS2I8TIgEOYVBMiGvEfTUHo/s400/P1040969.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<i>View down into the valley from the Gorge</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuu9f0lNLbyZVxhocZREyg1UscZIDhTqt1_eF6DKqmSIPVbpIu_sgvfxAtVpwyJ9tDIEnWXPSqPpkSLn8CDeyOrhuEqxOgcCbGyvY-V0kUF5yWZ5W7WBQz70sM_CPqG3Wrm6qPKyqgcIL/s1600/P1040973.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuu9f0lNLbyZVxhocZREyg1UscZIDhTqt1_eF6DKqmSIPVbpIu_sgvfxAtVpwyJ9tDIEnWXPSqPpkSLn8CDeyOrhuEqxOgcCbGyvY-V0kUF5yWZ5W7WBQz70sM_CPqG3Wrm6qPKyqgcIL/s400/P1040973.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>The Mt Buffalo Chalet, now closed and waiting for a new owner:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC1yI6feYVFPJ4XjwQFflSg5xB-SYH1znMyoxEfGk2y2jvQhqo-w0zcTc5wxkJZw_p0b_ABtemJwlyxwL2EVyPLCfQyMon3YTTrSPgnu6S5tOyNhVYjKIfd9YrQw4r4xixSgsa461VAH4/s1600/P1040981.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC1yI6feYVFPJ4XjwQFflSg5xB-SYH1znMyoxEfGk2y2jvQhqo-w0zcTc5wxkJZw_p0b_ABtemJwlyxwL2EVyPLCfQyMon3YTTrSPgnu6S5tOyNhVYjKIfd9YrQw4r4xixSgsa461VAH4/s400/P1040981.JPG" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9HxgAJEjis37dZokKSS_L0td6woPJTq9MFAM1Ml_KFN9f0_AM0ccOC0XtP4f-cjmd8wxRtgLG0DqNZ738m0T3riMiRs7RpYuXgKnJoDFvpoq7JRgqJ7nUXXT-rRHVLA-PNZFXHxzqoTx/s1600/P1040987.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9HxgAJEjis37dZokKSS_L0td6woPJTq9MFAM1Ml_KFN9f0_AM0ccOC0XtP4f-cjmd8wxRtgLG0DqNZ738m0T3riMiRs7RpYuXgKnJoDFvpoq7JRgqJ7nUXXT-rRHVLA-PNZFXHxzqoTx/s400/P1040987.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Boardwalk trail meandering through a little glen of sphagnum moss:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT3Ejb7ylY99ULi7t8t5DO3IMdFfij2cTazzVyNP6cEWdekM6tt2aAWmejp2l04TzAAPN9tf6SGAEAqHJ_4T_aoX-5qXn_DYBnubBf4ijhyeRzAGA5b-ZXmRw0e8ay3dmg6Uf7QbJHnva/s1600/P1040991.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT3Ejb7ylY99ULi7t8t5DO3IMdFfij2cTazzVyNP6cEWdekM6tt2aAWmejp2l04TzAAPN9tf6SGAEAqHJ_4T_aoX-5qXn_DYBnubBf4ijhyeRzAGA5b-ZXmRw0e8ay3dmg6Uf7QbJHnva/s400/P1040991.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>Lake Catani, a great place to finish a run and soak the legs and body:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzlGg0vxMwaqwS4esBSzOUhSVewiIp18RB8M-L1UmMWLoaZWShWcJ5TgivUANJmoATMvnQGzWUL0cD-0v9aN_KPLUBBQFXO6HmGBTtWGoNmgVuvWmjBBWnO31V9ZsJ2gIOQ8dpFQ9tctj/s1600/P1040998.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzlGg0vxMwaqwS4esBSzOUhSVewiIp18RB8M-L1UmMWLoaZWShWcJ5TgivUANJmoATMvnQGzWUL0cD-0v9aN_KPLUBBQFXO6HmGBTtWGoNmgVuvWmjBBWnO31V9ZsJ2gIOQ8dpFQ9tctj/s400/P1040998.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>On the Caldwell Galleries trail that takes you through a labyrinth of granite:</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs37tz0Ikh5XVlZ-_H1Wf68mS5fqfI6icoIUV0R1foJ0JfnFczO3k-Bx6r4_RsqTu7AS3K1-r5JaD-stnDhMjZyF6GY_ih_N_Z7NrA_M0TnT050wnrM5Pz24DWqW_SCFoii8RoBWLFvohv/s1600/P1050002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs37tz0Ikh5XVlZ-_H1Wf68mS5fqfI6icoIUV0R1foJ0JfnFczO3k-Bx6r4_RsqTu7AS3K1-r5JaD-stnDhMjZyF6GY_ih_N_Z7NrA_M0TnT050wnrM5Pz24DWqW_SCFoii8RoBWLFvohv/s400/P1050002.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The ever changing mountain weather fast closing in, ghostly snow gum skeletons in the foreground:</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxRHhIaUhvUbWv2qEyiRGE3A_8XmXdlB3EnuO8F257dpfOLJsDIBE3qqReCi0FCHSW4kHfj9-qJpkDZXN63P_eh0oLB-t9zScRuKmZlePopFOpLNIkU718XTzkDj13fKYsMv7aoCxVM8u/s1600/P1050010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxRHhIaUhvUbWv2qEyiRGE3A_8XmXdlB3EnuO8F257dpfOLJsDIBE3qqReCi0FCHSW4kHfj9-qJpkDZXN63P_eh0oLB-t9zScRuKmZlePopFOpLNIkU718XTzkDj13fKYsMv7aoCxVM8u/s400/P1050010.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The Mt Buffalo plateau:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj-k-VR8F8BMk38Dpnuy-aJchs1GSQmbvt2CwuAPfgH8dHnfTv4nl0lrVkmHXYebfl0KVHVdOjZcM_7xXPtnpbnNLDM6_tMTqf7gb_xb3S4EbS6JiWV3SklIpkWueBqlM0mbvEIaezF9Q/s1600/P1050014.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj-k-VR8F8BMk38Dpnuy-aJchs1GSQmbvt2CwuAPfgH8dHnfTv4nl0lrVkmHXYebfl0KVHVdOjZcM_7xXPtnpbnNLDM6_tMTqf7gb_xb3S4EbS6JiWV3SklIpkWueBqlM0mbvEIaezF9Q/s400/P1050014.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The view of Lake Catani from The Monolith:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7uH7YwYhdLzdSVEJr99tjnrJqtpEnP-NEPwtUObfjHQye10u9MhkDAE6leBWzY6bO1GNk_v_-Z3H1PGGO9MbFBcB_-TCrbgCIEy1FqyOwbBk2iEpFEDqnLrViZNLgf8XOG4qJ2RG1vG-/s1600/P1050018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7uH7YwYhdLzdSVEJr99tjnrJqtpEnP-NEPwtUObfjHQye10u9MhkDAE6leBWzY6bO1GNk_v_-Z3H1PGGO9MbFBcB_-TCrbgCIEy1FqyOwbBk2iEpFEDqnLrViZNLgf8XOG4qJ2RG1vG-/s400/P1050018.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELgDRPrOy6t9e4gqLyAvv2pHWlbRqNe6SfTPzsBPfYQQz4mjl4eM5QNpIpc9IsfUQJQdjIgFQKwGYd3SdzxXYYfInK-TwAQpIwRGbk4yk0qYPnLEMOMZw9Q2i23eozT7MVQkcztXRI-Lp/s1600/P1050024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELgDRPrOy6t9e4gqLyAvv2pHWlbRqNe6SfTPzsBPfYQQz4mjl4eM5QNpIpc9IsfUQJQdjIgFQKwGYd3SdzxXYYfInK-TwAQpIwRGbk4yk0qYPnLEMOMZw9Q2i23eozT7MVQkcztXRI-Lp/s400/P1050024.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Saturday - Clear Spot, Bright</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Saturday called for hills. Lots of them. A friend living in the beautiful little town of Bright recommended the hike up to <i>Clear Spot</i> (~1000m high). The trail is a fire break running straight up a ridge through commercial foresting areas. It is exposed, steep, rocky and perfect for training. Access is from Hargraves St in Bright, although there are other trails (of varying gradient) leading up to the top.</div>
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<i>Last climb for the day done:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxAlR0WvkZDDJ1ZpIeONR9qQx4J-3-V8FXVS-BpgL7SMR-GOxEHyOTHVGQhTLL4EnCT1LmOf7jvHWvyRro437boqxMTId2jy1Q17FN2EgWXOwmmiQGCygLc0d4cxjzq5BE3GDWtSMbA4h/s1600/P1050033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxAlR0WvkZDDJ1ZpIeONR9qQx4J-3-V8FXVS-BpgL7SMR-GOxEHyOTHVGQhTLL4EnCT1LmOf7jvHWvyRro437boqxMTId2jy1Q17FN2EgWXOwmmiQGCygLc0d4cxjzq5BE3GDWtSMbA4h/s400/P1050033.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Nothing beats doing a little power yoga when you are at the top of the climb:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5DWrkrb1K2fVYWfBLUupLjdzf8cCvtsE-La9ZyT08IPWQTbe8Kxad-UOtSOsJuJovtQbUKOzqaks7EjaSq9ryQKaWtxdPZbR2ixN0EPxH8eKwDGAXG-H5I0SRPiWaXCTrfriGNqIcCpd/s1600/P1050034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5DWrkrb1K2fVYWfBLUupLjdzf8cCvtsE-La9ZyT08IPWQTbe8Kxad-UOtSOsJuJovtQbUKOzqaks7EjaSq9ryQKaWtxdPZbR2ixN0EPxH8eKwDGAXG-H5I0SRPiWaXCTrfriGNqIcCpd/s400/P1050034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>With training done, I could enjoy the blackberries on the way down:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P-sHUFGErN2_ctkdkB1cLc8s5c1616DKbflV7vCiZrJsrN80U4EPB4MgqZIYSLPmBDaasAzy-xAJEDlqyR9tf_0WprRw0WHdoDfUdCDtOEwrpRCF8stfwBxcPo50YTgmgeMqeLIqHQGr/s1600/P1050036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P-sHUFGErN2_ctkdkB1cLc8s5c1616DKbflV7vCiZrJsrN80U4EPB4MgqZIYSLPmBDaasAzy-xAJEDlqyR9tf_0WprRw0WHdoDfUdCDtOEwrpRCF8stfwBxcPo50YTgmgeMqeLIqHQGr/s400/P1050036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Sunday - Mt Buller Skyrun</b></div>
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Read about the race <a href="http://margarethafortmann.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/2013-mt-buller-sky-run.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<span id="goog_250013041"></span><span id="goog_250013042"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-88306115688097115232013-01-20T10:48:00.000+11:002013-01-20T10:48:46.019+11:00Starting the year with a mountain smorgasbord<i>Sunrise over Mt. Bogong (tallest peak in Victoria):
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXXP3TEXvs5TUVn6N_oBO2DvCvNHgMGg19lv_Q0XwBnbiDBTharIBNjl9OHAXOIW8wPj5AU9sQmzmhM1ODMXcMx_wcc6lAGhb6zyGQJN9-g63rhOKsoMEWpL_4WTmUTS9zni5Dn9r5qBD/s1600/P1040834.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXXP3TEXvs5TUVn6N_oBO2DvCvNHgMGg19lv_Q0XwBnbiDBTharIBNjl9OHAXOIW8wPj5AU9sQmzmhM1ODMXcMx_wcc6lAGhb6zyGQJN9-g63rhOKsoMEWpL_4WTmUTS9zni5Dn9r5qBD/s400/P1040834.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>Saluting the sun on Mt. Feathertop summit:
</i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKP7HYuocbe9ACxT3P8auaZd5rnrGfrnW0L9ohoP06kOTJd2I5L16m-s1dogOwNbUdO9nJroVNbwWcQ3xgVLsfq3Z7bhrt7YgLEYJBrfnoQXH-vd_f13ajTQ_nX5Eeg2UmOknvVhJtRNw/s1600/P1040848.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKP7HYuocbe9ACxT3P8auaZd5rnrGfrnW0L9ohoP06kOTJd2I5L16m-s1dogOwNbUdO9nJroVNbwWcQ3xgVLsfq3Z7bhrt7YgLEYJBrfnoQXH-vd_f13ajTQ_nX5Eeg2UmOknvVhJtRNw/s400/P1040848.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>Sunrise on Mt Buffalo:
</i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKp1Lp0WbL45JJagCvSsYMPVxMb8_ltOIZlz6UtQJo4FXOi172bW_9GhY1FJF-muMpa7GtJXq-BLWTIZNpOlRd1HlQCj-jgXG1nOK9RhG_wmFTRMotbY-fkcPsqx388S25HDqqv6eMvhOq/s1600/P1040862.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKp1Lp0WbL45JJagCvSsYMPVxMb8_ltOIZlz6UtQJo4FXOi172bW_9GhY1FJF-muMpa7GtJXq-BLWTIZNpOlRd1HlQCj-jgXG1nOK9RhG_wmFTRMotbY-fkcPsqx388S25HDqqv6eMvhOq/s400/P1040862.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>The peaks of The Hump and The Cathedral emerging in the light:
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOA6Le2ndf7QFCvn3JCzMMbVJ2jw__lHshF5C0uFXqd-rMwPICx7ApMw5iEyXH3FxQ1QMk3hrOddT8EfCLIYTRcm5DExHualepJwe7THQzzcvIK0vuqYBvnT0WqPYmtF9rabPTrDlTDHx/s1600/P1040871.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOA6Le2ndf7QFCvn3JCzMMbVJ2jw__lHshF5C0uFXqd-rMwPICx7ApMw5iEyXH3FxQ1QMk3hrOddT8EfCLIYTRcm5DExHualepJwe7THQzzcvIK0vuqYBvnT0WqPYmtF9rabPTrDlTDHx/s400/P1040871.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2vPLFsUZsuRwyY_00mD4XkFEplziQbfg8hWKbnZmyfNhHsBZjexMK6rYz5a5Eh0l9ddkkOLACBvokz5y5F9gadExGpiIFE5qwS_yBlp8Sc1IL9YNoFCqCuQe9U3mqSOMjnew8OXBdk0K/s1600/P1040875.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2vPLFsUZsuRwyY_00mD4XkFEplziQbfg8hWKbnZmyfNhHsBZjexMK6rYz5a5Eh0l9ddkkOLACBvokz5y5F9gadExGpiIFE5qwS_yBlp8Sc1IL9YNoFCqCuQe9U3mqSOMjnew8OXBdk0K/s400/P1040875.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>The Horn, the tallest point on Mt Buffalo:
</i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIAG-9JOWwHAJO7H9-Cc3t0p5vX56kpf_ABmA8XTBmG4rfKlXwindYNiymdIs5dCET5AUjIh2SgtFMB0-Gfr0PJFJKz59gFDRS3zKvcEfSzVEo3oFXdb8A4Tz4Ls-9UDupYqQEOMGdoMw/s1600/P1040877.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIAG-9JOWwHAJO7H9-Cc3t0p5vX56kpf_ABmA8XTBmG4rfKlXwindYNiymdIs5dCET5AUjIh2SgtFMB0-Gfr0PJFJKz59gFDRS3zKvcEfSzVEo3oFXdb8A4Tz4Ls-9UDupYqQEOMGdoMw/s400/P1040877.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>Scrambling on the granite boulders of The Cathedral:
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ewRSZ3lGZl3MfXmOliOb5UFa0Rw88yC35LO313heOmqMSBzM0WMDEKzaAlir7EtO8Ty4YDTJzTBKod6CPcU-nOMhca4cq_qDUuH6CZbEPGq7F3saPBZAAvVvF_doho3tXUsG3uBPhV6/s1600/P1040894.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8ewRSZ3lGZl3MfXmOliOb5UFa0Rw88yC35LO313heOmqMSBzM0WMDEKzaAlir7EtO8Ty4YDTJzTBKod6CPcU-nOMhca4cq_qDUuH6CZbEPGq7F3saPBZAAvVvF_doho3tXUsG3uBPhV6/s400/P1040894.JPG" /></a> </div>
<i>An alpine paradise on the Mt Buffalo plateau:
</i><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPHcUWQ-cRZd5kyr4MnLMd3OplbWu4-SyB5CqyrULkyLGzwZLjFmsAAbuNSyl7vSH3s9YyFNTpYtOtkqUv9KXUNUnsaUUv1prhClxK6Z-aTvumLfZ_8CmKw8IZRCeym6D88fcCFBJtkTB/s1600/P1040896.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPHcUWQ-cRZd5kyr4MnLMd3OplbWu4-SyB5CqyrULkyLGzwZLjFmsAAbuNSyl7vSH3s9YyFNTpYtOtkqUv9KXUNUnsaUUv1prhClxK6Z-aTvumLfZ_8CmKw8IZRCeym6D88fcCFBJtkTB/s400/P1040896.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div bp.blogspot.com="bp.blogspot.com" gjo69eyi="gjo69eyi" gnaeh4="gnaeh4" http:="http:" k="k" s1600="s1600" style="buffalo: ><a href=; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" ubr-dmjya="ubr-dmjya">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwby_nGNiqV05BqCDDEbvve7yj2rs09MbeFLHt6uih3sPpGMi77mwbdRT5QhijW4xysInbfYQ6rsfiXMXHvyFZpyAS_5WsGrU_GXeBlYHarNBOmltcIYVBCAm587K_K04YGpXExHR6AynL/s400/P1040897.JPG" /></div>
<i>
Getting some views on The Hump:
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpgf3t336lLa81cHNoP_m8CzEWQQ7_GhTVEi-ueJiJytwbj6QcKezxTSXhyphenhyphenikmYgzirPn7YiMT1FdUpmp22EYzrOgAtfTlg3lO8U_wESzLYb3ROZUmFbPkQwH6g2hpVz_NOCrMPW7LI4L/s1600/P1040900.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpgf3t336lLa81cHNoP_m8CzEWQQ7_GhTVEi-ueJiJytwbj6QcKezxTSXhyphenhyphenikmYgzirPn7YiMT1FdUpmp22EYzrOgAtfTlg3lO8U_wESzLYb3ROZUmFbPkQwH6g2hpVz_NOCrMPW7LI4L/s400/P1040900.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAOrnASBzn4XqBYsl0p8GMN-hYXL0JlSmyr9mTiwB8XGXFOAyW8YPTLNnElxGieW389GTyyvmP4AQTQ9T1HgdP_nOnS1xj-otn_Y0ixdCmjpAgH6bHdSuub56Tl9mrB03_2N9baThs2dy/s1600/P1040902.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAOrnASBzn4XqBYsl0p8GMN-hYXL0JlSmyr9mTiwB8XGXFOAyW8YPTLNnElxGieW389GTyyvmP4AQTQ9T1HgdP_nOnS1xj-otn_Y0ixdCmjpAgH6bHdSuub56Tl9mrB03_2N9baThs2dy/s400/P1040902.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<b>2013: I hope there are plenty more peaks to come!</b><br />
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<br />Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-18534545429342404132012-12-13T23:19:00.000+11:002012-12-13T23:27:41.407+11:00Ultra Made Training Camp - Australian Alps<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Over the weekend I joined a great group of runners from all over the country at Matt Cooper's <a href="http://mattcooper.com.au/ultra-made-training-camps/" target="_blank">Ultra Made Training Camps</a>, held amongst some of Australia's highest peaks.</div>
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The time in the mountains was incredible. The runners spent 3 days dancing across trails in all sorts of weather, practicing lightness and presence when running, learning about nutrition and eating lots of good wholesome meals, resting and relaxing, sleeping, doing yoga and stretching, and drinking quality coffee.</div>
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Despite being at the camp to help out, I still left feeling as if I had learnt so much. My achilles injury had lessened with each hill and soak in the icy mountain streams, and my body felt invigorated with the sensation of running again. Mostly though, it was good to be reminded of how important it is to run with our feelings, or instincts, and not to overthink each step:</div>
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"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. </div>
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The mind is everything. What we think we become."</div>
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- Buddha</div>
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(click on the photos to view in detail)</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Our first group run together; a silent, mindful session at night to focus on breathing and the lightness of our step:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9hiWZmFeWE-XuM7wpivhhXOMyDIPAqJJkekgcRegoTu1TmdqnqV1yD0rMqg5sP3A-a8dAvTKNYk7f7vnpeD0OMH9Bi2dkzk5qjhb5hRrhsqneESG1jctsmeSBF5UTf2Zkwuc4lqzn4S/s1600/P1040670.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioq9hiWZmFeWE-XuM7wpivhhXOMyDIPAqJJkekgcRegoTu1TmdqnqV1yD0rMqg5sP3A-a8dAvTKNYk7f7vnpeD0OMH9Bi2dkzk5qjhb5hRrhsqneESG1jctsmeSBF5UTf2Zkwuc4lqzn4S/s400/P1040670.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Alpine flowers on Heathy Spur Trail (Close to Falls Creek):</i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBgGPOmJeLBMmOdpINChQiHCnSyPZ1qqa67FKmyH_QgnEGsqBhBkJmp-KtFpESNaWVgKLp-SJ3XTK4sPIga0Tx8u-iZFZwNx9DSvmQZCAjTm9m_ZmMVt5UQ0LCKYLfM2z-VNkPk_sSR-N/s1600/P1040674.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBgGPOmJeLBMmOdpINChQiHCnSyPZ1qqa67FKmyH_QgnEGsqBhBkJmp-KtFpESNaWVgKLp-SJ3XTK4sPIga0Tx8u-iZFZwNx9DSvmQZCAjTm9m_ZmMVt5UQ0LCKYLfM2z-VNkPk_sSR-N/s400/P1040674.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Mel and I enjoying the colder conditions, the mist, the hail and sleet, the lightning and thunder!:</i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjad2lHNvsrrMJx7p8MTBuLMwET2rw2-fHuuDw9dSur429f45Qa24M6_VlyHZIz424VzrkEp1vYrFViVUXZLV3vhLuWq26xL2YWOCLjLN1m6RYnnw9166-_2rWcNW_z0OTVA1w1_xdU1R4l/s1600/P1040677.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjad2lHNvsrrMJx7p8MTBuLMwET2rw2-fHuuDw9dSur429f45Qa24M6_VlyHZIz424VzrkEp1vYrFViVUXZLV3vhLuWq26xL2YWOCLjLN1m6RYnnw9166-_2rWcNW_z0OTVA1w1_xdU1R4l/s400/P1040677.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Thunder brewing in the high plains: </i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLcaMwaTb2BtOyuJ4rnjAEzRrqTcvnDCf9YlFPUYZ_n9IDA7-bf_fUZq-YfncvPffbFPbMtaYuyvYliSC53ckV7_-wG-V46eHc2luNTs1tCTYTQn9w9k0gJsYg-pLBWxjFpsODm7-NMTe/s1600/P1040684.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLcaMwaTb2BtOyuJ4rnjAEzRrqTcvnDCf9YlFPUYZ_n9IDA7-bf_fUZq-YfncvPffbFPbMtaYuyvYliSC53ckV7_-wG-V46eHc2luNTs1tCTYTQn9w9k0gJsYg-pLBWxjFpsODm7-NMTe/s400/P1040684.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Alpine flowers:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVttNLI3NVK3KdG0xen_8r-Q1d1GOZCBbp8J8qCp9SXYby8TkXDZbay56JgdEiXyY9fpaiI7eJG-c7pr509bdg1C6rBDQbFRkhicHEzpJj4uB7YHolomglVmzW0Gj-lRSmwB6S4s_C-tA/s1600/P1040657.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVttNLI3NVK3KdG0xen_8r-Q1d1GOZCBbp8J8qCp9SXYby8TkXDZbay56JgdEiXyY9fpaiI7eJG-c7pr509bdg1C6rBDQbFRkhicHEzpJj4uB7YHolomglVmzW0Gj-lRSmwB6S4s_C-tA/s400/P1040657.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Alpine Daisies:</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKN6IgQJyhZay44M844QG-oGTIDbh_EkwKqP8vhRbCL1oeksL2CGa81rhGXUD6p023oJkLioh3r6Qh2mVIfuro65YeJOpW6zW6gAI0cgVf-nOO_Orh6PwM16rUTPEm3s2SJ-BJbf47UYB-/s1600/P1040655.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKN6IgQJyhZay44M844QG-oGTIDbh_EkwKqP8vhRbCL1oeksL2CGa81rhGXUD6p023oJkLioh3r6Qh2mVIfuro65YeJOpW6zW6gAI0cgVf-nOO_Orh6PwM16rUTPEm3s2SJ-BJbf47UYB-/s400/P1040655.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>A runner emerging from the mist on Heathy Spur:</i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVQ97uP5Cm95cDIAbbxv7-jJZ65bVRiEvX4FmI3Iy9oVoyIyCrjOV54VYIsS6i36pCU6O0g5A2PuLh9RHtyy911M7LzP7sT6im7dvP9sGNvvqOhEEuUWGhYYRRB5OMJq96kh_EO5FnpvQ/s1600/P1040686.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVQ97uP5Cm95cDIAbbxv7-jJZ65bVRiEvX4FmI3Iy9oVoyIyCrjOV54VYIsS6i36pCU6O0g5A2PuLh9RHtyy911M7LzP7sT6im7dvP9sGNvvqOhEEuUWGhYYRRB5OMJq96kh_EO5FnpvQ/s400/P1040686.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Group shot!:</i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMK9vSkITDjRRD7RYbGDhGcL4ACAHz-n44gx0Ni24HlLUyXb2vJVRbKG0YB6Q24kgzVUXOYL6m5oEvvnoiA9TwLbzSRmkrg6ejsFQ_qYWQiOAgMbqaD1hDUDlIYUHCIb-Xf5tJQmQVcbHJ/s1600/P1040690.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMK9vSkITDjRRD7RYbGDhGcL4ACAHz-n44gx0Ni24HlLUyXb2vJVRbKG0YB6Q24kgzVUXOYL6m5oEvvnoiA9TwLbzSRmkrg6ejsFQ_qYWQiOAgMbqaD1hDUDlIYUHCIb-Xf5tJQmQVcbHJ/s400/P1040690.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Last day of running, about to climb up to the summit of Mt Bogong (1926m): </i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWA1T5ym93sHQw0eaOm_bKI8Eo50INFKoEae6ADUErZxXwKY3x2St1YazBaQPhaU75Oqenc5a3hVaVvqf4vMM2TbYpdcL4QYi6Lu1KY0BWgkzteoY8xjdwtVmq2jWlrjo_nr-lCqkT1DM/s1600/P1040713.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWA1T5ym93sHQw0eaOm_bKI8Eo50INFKoEae6ADUErZxXwKY3x2St1YazBaQPhaU75Oqenc5a3hVaVvqf4vMM2TbYpdcL4QYi6Lu1KY0BWgkzteoY8xjdwtVmq2jWlrjo_nr-lCqkT1DM/s400/P1040713.JPG" /></a><br />
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<i>First morning light through the majestic gum trees:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNnHlaEW9S6_c3wyfpL_zO_CR7MgHAz5zinrBxcStYB2xLC2yYru7ki-lplPy8blzUTf81EfhRGMgD5RSCWA3gOGgFvmBG4fJH36eNbnS7ME_dOPoOEAooNt5xcnXlgEANaFiGH3Qi3gD/s1600/P1040715.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNnHlaEW9S6_c3wyfpL_zO_CR7MgHAz5zinrBxcStYB2xLC2yYru7ki-lplPy8blzUTf81EfhRGMgD5RSCWA3gOGgFvmBG4fJH36eNbnS7ME_dOPoOEAooNt5xcnXlgEANaFiGH3Qi3gD/s400/P1040715.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Alpine joy:</i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzkHAQZPmuzS-X7wnx8DhDgDY7TL57CMTHXVB9uUD2OMHW_ni1YXufDu4O2zej8AY1DMfluJqI8xrSikQPbiqoG7fFZK1nFhyphenhyphenyYvJhPG1B6Kt3cnB6IpUdjkvHkHCZuWFF1hOqablAzui/s1600/P1040735.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzkHAQZPmuzS-X7wnx8DhDgDY7TL57CMTHXVB9uUD2OMHW_ni1YXufDu4O2zej8AY1DMfluJqI8xrSikQPbiqoG7fFZK1nFhyphenhyphenyYvJhPG1B6Kt3cnB6IpUdjkvHkHCZuWFF1hOqablAzui/s400/P1040735.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg95nl9vOK8Pcif9uxKVkCPSv9_QPa6NZfr5GqjV8T5xhKYTyrVz0SF_3Eks9I5MOxvWlngBmdriga04iHQqdCDZkJmAFRURWOu2TeMob5B2RTQw7y3cHZjWhCgPZTSJsjKZrQJKyno77/s1600/P1040737.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg95nl9vOK8Pcif9uxKVkCPSv9_QPa6NZfr5GqjV8T5xhKYTyrVz0SF_3Eks9I5MOxvWlngBmdriga04iHQqdCDZkJmAFRURWOu2TeMob5B2RTQw7y3cHZjWhCgPZTSJsjKZrQJKyno77/s400/P1040737.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSDKxw58ApP_VEjOTQVQho25csjoGd3xVzR2uwXztDqL6JOfnmAv87P-aqK-tu7-6prqpaLj8ygyfhpcjol35yvzCpoJUrlU1bcBgw7eJO3QoKTHbbXeRa_aiupBiMWifHeThK8UzwA15/s1600/P1040739.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSDKxw58ApP_VEjOTQVQho25csjoGd3xVzR2uwXztDqL6JOfnmAv87P-aqK-tu7-6prqpaLj8ygyfhpcjol35yvzCpoJUrlU1bcBgw7eJO3QoKTHbbXeRa_aiupBiMWifHeThK8UzwA15/s400/P1040739.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWCEZ8sHxedBfm7B9acVhenh8TZDkyXe9XqALPXmGD3b21G4ie96xsPcGwOGXPhISnYGxs_W6Sgfkso42jmi48omcr9qIvbYOp5YAeBUb4-CoyS5neWQyn9Atz86gNftxHsq1FQ2Elotw/s1600/P1040745.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWCEZ8sHxedBfm7B9acVhenh8TZDkyXe9XqALPXmGD3b21G4ie96xsPcGwOGXPhISnYGxs_W6Sgfkso42jmi48omcr9qIvbYOp5YAeBUb4-CoyS5neWQyn9Atz86gNftxHsq1FQ2Elotw/s400/P1040745.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ7vz0hyphenhyphenoocfpAY6bRL4VLMSlWzv3VB53VTF37JDemFgBrc5BnSgfscGfP2ggzwCFek2jL0eycy9GJb8hEoIeuFf_Ap3xFTMd22zpsx77hfRy4c0WeICL1lUQotHPXtfd6uriu6J-ZVF6/s1600/P1040747.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ7vz0hyphenhyphenoocfpAY6bRL4VLMSlWzv3VB53VTF37JDemFgBrc5BnSgfscGfP2ggzwCFek2jL0eycy9GJb8hEoIeuFf_Ap3xFTMd22zpsx77hfRy4c0WeICL1lUQotHPXtfd6uriu6J-ZVF6/s400/P1040747.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNnK7-cgBIh8kg9hqR0JOT0shjbHOZ_eDmxvp4i3b-UI5z_R-bkjXc5V5UKGKqlGPBCMP0nw1Iah0Gj5seGeCA53nHO6AH-W0AQeNtEJERUtE6fXO8ddFAmePrnzdAFkVGQsOWApEk0xS/s1600/P1040754.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNnK7-cgBIh8kg9hqR0JOT0shjbHOZ_eDmxvp4i3b-UI5z_R-bkjXc5V5UKGKqlGPBCMP0nw1Iah0Gj5seGeCA53nHO6AH-W0AQeNtEJERUtE6fXO8ddFAmePrnzdAFkVGQsOWApEk0xS/s400/P1040754.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVfn4_CYY-NqKgnwiK2kvZG79TF8cvKgDK2sEecSlc1t3b3YZYwLfqeh9ZsRMzTCzzbZ5ruzKvYszW0RFzPAaWkpKZSS9-8bcRHJMgDcIbhGljHbkKy28InVs0JV7pzHyk3Y4PF5UjB6w/s1600/P1040760.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVfn4_CYY-NqKgnwiK2kvZG79TF8cvKgDK2sEecSlc1t3b3YZYwLfqeh9ZsRMzTCzzbZ5ruzKvYszW0RFzPAaWkpKZSS9-8bcRHJMgDcIbhGljHbkKy28InVs0JV7pzHyk3Y4PF5UjB6w/s400/P1040760.JPG" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrM_hmQ3kN0wJfYV-jKb0KBzRcHVn23B7BbtHBzHolRceEZRMkAr0Rr8dGcwd_YSvmq5ZhB3gfy1EfNo1vMp6TVTGWt_GkrJkhgAEmLP7U81OYJ7qZCwqqqVsjNw7dJZBPeXAwWSPGzu5/s1600/P1040765.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrM_hmQ3kN0wJfYV-jKb0KBzRcHVn23B7BbtHBzHolRceEZRMkAr0Rr8dGcwd_YSvmq5ZhB3gfy1EfNo1vMp6TVTGWt_GkrJkhgAEmLP7U81OYJ7qZCwqqqVsjNw7dJZBPeXAwWSPGzu5/s400/P1040765.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gEhoVEZFTELp1cEfe2eboSrk5-sECBQdorAFunzz6tM_qWCVzA5B5rtmyadNO7T6gPGElmowVhEtBJAHJ1hRkm4XcClMLGQynchLxHVxoR34eKwSzgYIPOMGkkYrUZC8eIS4g0JKB3-h/s1600/P1040776.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gEhoVEZFTELp1cEfe2eboSrk5-sECBQdorAFunzz6tM_qWCVzA5B5rtmyadNO7T6gPGElmowVhEtBJAHJ1hRkm4XcClMLGQynchLxHVxoR34eKwSzgYIPOMGkkYrUZC8eIS4g0JKB3-h/s400/P1040776.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Group shot on the summit of Mt Bogong:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqdhdxTPJMlWAQYdShDWdyvRJ1Wm_92ZJLUUnPWJfwsi7HhgJ5D6ipV4waE9ZPbiMBxqWzUcaw_fQgF5iO2_clG6wDSuJIf2kp2ctdorLKeUIQoc_PZd8l7WcUwH6TE-9k8h9Dg0Xy9CG/s1600/P1040779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqdhdxTPJMlWAQYdShDWdyvRJ1Wm_92ZJLUUnPWJfwsi7HhgJ5D6ipV4waE9ZPbiMBxqWzUcaw_fQgF5iO2_clG6wDSuJIf2kp2ctdorLKeUIQoc_PZd8l7WcUwH6TE-9k8h9Dg0Xy9CG/s400/P1040779.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-54817845923669492452012-10-21T16:18:00.000+11:002012-10-21T16:19:22.277+11:00The Mountainman Documentary<div style="text-align: center;">
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This is a great mini-documentary about an Alpine trail running challenge held in Switzerland that I competed in this past August. The Mountainman is a one-day-race for extreme and endurance sports people whom are strong enough to run on single trails around the BergArena of Unterwalden. The unique route starts at the Mt. Titlis and passes on its length of 80.3 kilometers and 5000 meters of ascent deep blue mountain lakes, wild rock faces and breath-taking views into the high peaks of the Berner Alpen and the beautiful valleys beneath before it ends at the peak of Mt. Pilatus. Check for more info <a href="http://themountainman.ch/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/51532882" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/51532882">The Mountainman</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/frankdewaele">frank dewaele</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Music: </span><span style="text-align: left;">Ludovico Einaudi - Fly</span><br />
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<br />Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-12133636677062436382012-09-24T22:49:00.000+10:002012-09-25T11:25:28.754+10:00Salt, sand, and scrub at the 2012 Surf Coast Century<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend brought together all the elements of why I love trail running. It was a weekend with friends I had not seen since <a href="http://margarethafortmann.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/journeys-beginning.html" target="_blank">The North Face 100km race</a> in May. We came from our various homes on the east coast of Australia, travelling south for the inaugural Surf Coast Century. The event was staged along a stretch of dramatic southern coastline reaching west from Melbourne. Having just returned from Europe, nothing felt better than being by the beach, enjoying the good weather, and having a swim in some salty surf!</div>
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<i>Some of the coastline that made up the Surf Coast Century course:</i></div>
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<i>Evening sun on sandstone:</i></div>
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<i>Native Australian flora along the trail:</i></div>
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<i>Some of the race course ran along the scrub* on this cliff top:</i></div>
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I had initially signed up to run the race in a team with my friend Samantha, but at the last minute plans changed, opening up the opportunity for me to run with my Salomon Australia team mates. We had 2 days before the race which we spent around the table eating amazing salads and avocado toasties, out on the trails, in the local coffee shop (I would highly recommend the Red Till in Anglesea), down at the beach, learning to surf, napping, cooking, joking around, getting excited about all the different races we wanted to race next year, and talking about the places we still wanted to explore. </div>
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By the time race day arrived the whole team was focused on having fun, running well, and more importantly, encouraging and cheering on the other competitors. Like so many of the established trail races in Australia, I felt that this event had succeeded in bringing together a bunch of like-minded, like-souled people for a day of laughing, sweating, sand, and mud.</div>
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Personally, I was really happy to only run the last 23km leg of the 100km event as my body has been feeling a deep tiredness that needs some quality rest time before tackling the goals of next year! I was also happy to finish the day with enough energy to enjoy the atmosphere at the finish line, to enjoy an evening BBQ with friends, and to return the next day to run 14km in the last race of the <a href="http://www.rapidascent.com.au/salomontrailrunning/Welcome.aspx" target="_blank">Salomon Trail Series</a>.</div>
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<i>The race start:</i></div>
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<i>With Mick, after he had run the first leg of the race (Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oliwilson.com/" target="_blank">Oli Wilson</a>):<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></i></div>
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<i>Running along the beach with my team mate Matt, very different terrain from what I usually run on </i><i>(Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oliwilson.com/" target="_blank">Oli Wilson</a>):</i><i> </i></div>
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<i>At the finish line with the whole team. We placed 3rd team overall, 1st mixed (Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oliwilson.com/" target="_blank">Oli Wilson</a>):</i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnNE0wHsvrF6HQ64volCPk0MS55zb14dSLMTGhkbm69p-Xr-BuyRFXCfkg5XPRfRrpSS9gvn8ROUEypinvRo3q0Teex1PuVhevSgCA2-Fkrd2_dwAzJYUsc53_cspSwNAZpenxx5J_d_w/s1600/384170_365960506812785_209823201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnNE0wHsvrF6HQ64volCPk0MS55zb14dSLMTGhkbm69p-Xr-BuyRFXCfkg5XPRfRrpSS9gvn8ROUEypinvRo3q0Teex1PuVhevSgCA2-Fkrd2_dwAzJYUsc53_cspSwNAZpenxx5J_d_w/s400/384170_365960506812785_209823201_n.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
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<i>Some night time spectating (Photo courtesy of Matt Cooper):</i></div>
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<i>Fantastic crowd at race 4 of the Salomon Trail Series</i> <i>(Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oliwilson.com/" target="_blank">Oli Wilson)</a>:</i></div>
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<i>At the finish line of the 14km race with my friend Leeah</i> <i>(Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oliwilson.com/" target="_blank">Oli Wilson</a>):</i></div>
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Thank you to Sam, John, and the team at Rapid Ascent for staging a great event, and to Naima, Fabi, Sam, Jackson, and Oli (team awesome) for hosting a lovely weekend, and never-ending enthusiasm and energy.</div>
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For a more detailed account on the race and how it unfolded read Trail Runner Mag's account <a href="http://www.trailrunmag.com/2012/09/24/trio-of-trail-runs-records-made-slain/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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*<b>Scrub</b>: <i>Noun </i>Australian native vegetation, similar to bush, but with fewer and shorter trees.</div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-59347833951542692712012-09-07T11:16:00.000+10:002012-09-07T11:18:57.559+10:00Alpine majesty at the MountainMan 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been 3 weeks since I ran the Mountainman Ultra in Switzerland, and with all the travelling, returning home to Australia, and getting back to my daily rhythms, it has taken me a while to sit down and reflect on all I saw and experienced during my time spent amongst alpine cows, flowers and peaks. Simply put, the race is epic. It is 80km of amazing trail running in the mountains ringing Lake Lucerne, and with most of the trails above 1500m, you cannot escape the absolute majesty of being amongst geological giants.</div>
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I found myself in Alpnachstadt, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, awake at 3.30am with a dozen other runners with whom I had shared a dormitory. Shortly we would travel by bus, train, and gondola up to Trubsee, a mountain lake at the foot of Mt Titlus, at 1796m. This would be our race start for the 2012 Mountainman, a race that holds the motto: <i>A true mountainwoman travels the entire way alone on foot. </i></div>
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<i>Elevation profile - 5000m of height gain.</i></div>
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<i>The race course, one of the most scenic, with continual views down into valleys, and across lakes to peaks beyond:</i></div>
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Everything about the race would end up being a huge experience for me, from the difficulty of the climbs, the effects of running at a higher elevation, the heat of the sun (~35 degrees), my neverending thirst, and the immense satisfaction that I felt when finished. </div>
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I started the race feeling very competitive, planning to 'give it' and really maximise on pushing hard up the hills. '<i>It's only 80km</i>,' I thought, believing that a shorter than normal distance would somehow make it easier. Hah! My previous race had only been 3 weeks prior, and although I thought I would be rested and recovered, I don't think I was. This comes down to experience though, and I am so happy that each year I have new opportunities to learn about my body and mind, to test my strengths and weaknesses, and to work on those for the next race.</div>
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<i>The race start begins immediately with a 500m climb up to Jochpass:</i><br />
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At the 35km mark, just before the first 'big' climb of the day, a 1000m hike up from Brunig to Schonbuel, I decided slow the pace. I had been working hard to maintain 5th place, and with the heat increasing in intensity, decided that I would enjoy this one and focus on finishing. This change in focus meant that I could worry less about taking a little more time at the aid stations to rehydrate, to be a little more social with other runners and volunteers, and to stop and take in the incredible views every now and then. I found a mixture of coke, oranges, and liquid nutrition (infinit nutrition) to be the best, as I didn't have any appetite to eat anything solid.</div>
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<i>Running high in the alpine, looking down at Engstlensee:</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt_HOf3GOUdiP0qqWsua84cT5jtPVtHxlUbUdodDpvIXTrUDlCV-fdJRc1rSQ_dH55atuN82mYTBvW1Xte99nJbmeCC4_U3hVtZ_ruMvrGv887wpaPUJf2UWRafrdYw7UZVbLSJsWmQlT/s1600/120818TMM056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt_HOf3GOUdiP0qqWsua84cT5jtPVtHxlUbUdodDpvIXTrUDlCV-fdJRc1rSQ_dH55atuN82mYTBvW1Xte99nJbmeCC4_U3hVtZ_ruMvrGv887wpaPUJf2UWRafrdYw7UZVbLSJsWmQlT/s640/120818TMM056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Engstlensee and the Tannalp:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0-8raRmURT0KXrmyW9DZVrTxXQ793zoNn4DRl8m5uE6pxr099S6RRNeHwVZzq2ZY7BTAwZ5Ts8Mio9QQeKWQV6eXmhZVjYQ13RIh3fmsKuNn9tkJXgcVz_fzfXhE65xxwvHUNux3UiBW/s1600/120818TMM059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0-8raRmURT0KXrmyW9DZVrTxXQ793zoNn4DRl8m5uE6pxr099S6RRNeHwVZzq2ZY7BTAwZ5Ts8Mio9QQeKWQV6eXmhZVjYQ13RIh3fmsKuNn9tkJXgcVz_fzfXhE65xxwvHUNux3UiBW/s400/120818TMM059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia06IrVkHAM61xgyCPTx9jSnkb3u_S_ye_M1M-F_VHXQe9YHRhefEdQGu_oOhSvSUH-5Ll0mvlBa4byYFb-MxlQ5CEGRKRoMyYMQCQYttOpQRrOn9aR_aqvnNOFQrazsb3OqekYwupdnb/s1600/120818TMM067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia06IrVkHAM61xgyCPTx9jSnkb3u_S_ye_M1M-F_VHXQe9YHRhefEdQGu_oOhSvSUH-5Ll0mvlBa4byYFb-MxlQ5CEGRKRoMyYMQCQYttOpQRrOn9aR_aqvnNOFQrazsb3OqekYwupdnb/s640/120818TMM067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Tannalp at 9km:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQblcoeMdfchjqJDJbxTsP6NKW0WBrA20tTFx3PlmoOczKNXdz3tY85c54bAd23O7uM9AguQf1fbYy7SNbByJUPaJHw7vlDA6kM8CTsqawLbXmBkkwugY3FRyEmj8DGEueo62s-leEWvp/s1600/120818TMM073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQblcoeMdfchjqJDJbxTsP6NKW0WBrA20tTFx3PlmoOczKNXdz3tY85c54bAd23O7uM9AguQf1fbYy7SNbByJUPaJHw7vlDA6kM8CTsqawLbXmBkkwugY3FRyEmj8DGEueo62s-leEWvp/s400/120818TMM073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV3BM6fRhAee_s02Os0Z9x50yo4kEkRYQuzeVVZg0qhhs0kzqhVo0lTLBIOQlvvAgWRvbsk1cTde7NQjBUwuRCXDZRLE4qZGyvjAF_GADVdOvQ0v0faqf28gH5rcW_HtbdTK2haJXnAhg/s1600/120818TMM078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV3BM6fRhAee_s02Os0Z9x50yo4kEkRYQuzeVVZg0qhhs0kzqhVo0lTLBIOQlvvAgWRvbsk1cTde7NQjBUwuRCXDZRLE4qZGyvjAF_GADVdOvQ0v0faqf28gH5rcW_HtbdTK2haJXnAhg/s400/120818TMM078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Amazing section of trail, running along a sharp ridge with deep valleys either side:</i><br />
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<i>Melchsee at 1900m:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc3sVfUrv9baznNL0iuviO7Y8fduWcG0Ehr9sULczxshroPB0jkBBjkTCwmwig0iT53bLE5_SUMZWs6KS59N3JnbaDlVyfuhYy27EQWYOPJlEMuT4pkhNGHy3YqwwHH8YtiVmzdmSlbP0/s1600/120818TMM089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc3sVfUrv9baznNL0iuviO7Y8fduWcG0Ehr9sULczxshroPB0jkBBjkTCwmwig0iT53bLE5_SUMZWs6KS59N3JnbaDlVyfuhYy27EQWYOPJlEMuT4pkhNGHy3YqwwHH8YtiVmzdmSlbP0/s400/120818TMM089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>On the way to Plannplatte, passing some beautiful alpine flowers:</i><br />
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<i>View towards Balmeregghorn (2255m):</i><br />
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The last 5km was an ascent of 800m up to the finish at a gondola station. Although the ascent was tough right at the end of the race, I cannot imagine finishing such a beautiful trail anywhere else except for up between 2 mountain peaks. The feeling of walking up, seeing your goal becoming larger ahead of you was extremely motivating! With just over 13hrs of running/hiking, I finished in 15th place, completely exhausted and filled with that feeling all ultra runners seek: satisfaction. </div>
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I would like to thank Florian from Mountainman, and Prisca from Salomon Switzerland for all their help in the leadup to the race! </div>
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<i>The final 300m ascent to the finish at Pilatus:</i></div>
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<i>The finish at Pilatus:</i></div>
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All photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.powerrun.de/Streckentips/MOUNTAINMAN_12_2.htm" target="_blank">here</a></div>
Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-34245272691844639782012-08-15T21:54:00.000+10:002012-08-15T21:54:02.974+10:00Sharing the Surf Coast CenturyEvery time an ultra runner races, they are alone. Alone with their thoughts, what their body gives them, and how the race will unfold on the day. The journey is shared with other runners, and sometimes even with a superb crew of family, friends, and spectators. But at the end of the day, the runner is a solo artist; a virtuoso executing his plan: enjoying, battling, despairing, loving, hating, laughing, hallucinating, powering, finishing.<br />
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After my race in Switzerland (the <a href="http://www.themountainman.ch/en.html" target="_blank">Salomon MountainMan Ultra</a>), I am heading home to Australia. I am really looking forward to all those special, every day things that makes home <i>home: </i>A morning swim in a salty, rolling sea, excellent coffee, an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, the smell of the Australian flora. There is also so much happening - Matt Cooper's <a href="http://www.mattcooper.com.au/ultra-made-training-camps/" target="_blank">Ultra Made trail camp</a>, a road trip south to Melbourne, and running again on home turf in the inaugural <a href="http://www.rapidascent.com.au/salomontrailrunning/sc100splash.aspx" target="_blank">Surf Coast Century.</a><br />
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What excited me even more is that I will be running in a TEAM! This is a first for me, and one I am really looking forward to experiencing. I decided that after 3 months of some big distances on my body, and with only 2-3 weeks in between to physically and mentally recover, running a shorter course and sharing the experience with a friend would be perfect. With the Olympics just gone, I was also inspired by all the team camaraderie. Sometimes, sharing an amazing, indescribable event with a friend can take you deeper, and push you harder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBxQIYA4KssSMMrsoHEYVzH0iTh0am7GWe5sSZOzXaqcixCepT0a7PQEw5Z48kagkaQR1gHILLOCJj1eCrpHqvV980HCQzWtc_C9aHRGVt8TpfVdzc2VJ2cb6j_6hR2Hnq-OaM3titJnz/s1600/751632-women-039-s-relay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBxQIYA4KssSMMrsoHEYVzH0iTh0am7GWe5sSZOzXaqcixCepT0a7PQEw5Z48kagkaQR1gHILLOCJj1eCrpHqvV980HCQzWtc_C9aHRGVt8TpfVdzc2VJ2cb6j_6hR2Hnq-OaM3titJnz/s320/751632-women-039-s-relay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Picture: Michael Dodge, Source: Quest Newspaper</i></span></div>
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My team mate for this event is Samantha Gash, an ambassador for the event, and a pretty incredible woman. Sam has just finished a solo desert crossing of the Simpson Desert, not for personal gratification, but to raise money for a charity close to her heart. Read more about it<a href="http://www.crossingthesimpson.com/" target="_blank"> <i>here.</i></a> Teaming up with Sam also means that she will cover the section of the trail that resonates with her strengths (the first 50km of more beach/sand running), while I will get to stretch my legs on the more bush/forested trails in the second half of the race. </div>
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<i>Sam during her Crossing the Simpson run</i></div>
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Some of my Salomon team mates will also be competing as a team, meaning that those not running will be out on the course, supporting, cheering, and giving energy to the other runners. Thinking about this experience, and sharing it with both the Salomon gang, and also with Sam, led me to find this quote:</div>
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<i>"One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up,</i></div>
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<i>add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire,</i></div>
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<i>large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends;</i></div>
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<i>Needless to say that individuality counts but team work dynamites."</i></div>
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<i>(Master Jin Kwon - South Korean Martial Arts Master)</i></div>
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Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-31520321885410890062012-08-10T03:31:00.000+10:002012-08-10T04:06:33.285+10:00Running and recovery on the Romantic Rhinesteig<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After my trip to Norway I returned to Germany. After the colder weather, the warm sun in Germany was healing. I was ready to take some time for recovery and for sightseeing, and started investigating what was around the area of Frankfurt. Although I have traveled in the area several times, I had never been to the section of the Rhine river know as the "Romantic Rhine." A UNESCO protected area, it is famous for its abundance of castles, vineyards, and quaint medieval towns. Even better, on either side of the Rhine runs a network of well-marked trails know as the Rhinesteig. These trails are incredible: they run through deep forest, small towns, fields, valleys, vineyards, and open rocky trail high above the river. </div>
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I packed my Salomon SLAB pack (enough space to fit a change of clothes, rainjacket, travel towel, thongs, toiletries, camera, some snacks, ID, bank card, and kindle). I booked accommodation in a youth hostel in the town of Bacharach (a midway point from my start and finish point). I was totally smittened with this hostel because it is located within a 14th century castle - I just had to sleep there! </div>
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The plan was simple: Run and enjoy the trails, enjoy a little culture, stop when I want, walk when I want, and if I was tired I could always take the train. I just love travelling light, exploring on foot, and seeing and feeling more of the beautiful nature alongside the river than I would if I journeyed by car. Below are some photos from my 3 day trip.</div>
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<i>My first glimpse of the Rhine from the town of Bingen where I started my trip:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ53_pYTr6WQmbY8zqYbJtBZvKmIUmM64lunuRin_memmSJFDgxAnOF-6k36u6pgho1tQQGjZRVG8CQ4FcXwOA8Z3v_3WPifdpjU92clfX728fn3Y3Pp26em2sLa_2oDR4gl8mviqZCLut/s1600/P1040083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ53_pYTr6WQmbY8zqYbJtBZvKmIUmM64lunuRin_memmSJFDgxAnOF-6k36u6pgho1tQQGjZRVG8CQ4FcXwOA8Z3v_3WPifdpjU92clfX728fn3Y3Pp26em2sLa_2oDR4gl8mviqZCLut/s400/P1040083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Arriving at Burg Rheinstein:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51uQnEL6466gjexBRVv58FcsEJIlOvSTN5ZjB0w9SLoVZ_NbLpO1FAqb4qgbmRij1nExJWYJxRR5Hxqiu0RKPAkKanJc5YKhhomq4Po4DxOnI2lNvlGzatfkNi8Jg8aiVV5myLpnpTmCF/s1600/P1040099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51uQnEL6466gjexBRVv58FcsEJIlOvSTN5ZjB0w9SLoVZ_NbLpO1FAqb4qgbmRij1nExJWYJxRR5Hxqiu0RKPAkKanJc5YKhhomq4Po4DxOnI2lNvlGzatfkNi8Jg8aiVV5myLpnpTmCF/s400/P1040099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The view from a terrace inside Burg Rheinstein:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0PI4EK9rJ9UbfwsNdmalLp7vFrt1ko4QN8nNJ6EoiEZfnjLCWn7GlCw8dMRAicm9OflYRw3C4T-XI-p0qJOavHM0g0n4pY0jErdIxNxeRBDTrST9cKhqXsRHDHVar_TaFGhWa9WgHtX7/s1600/P1040117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0PI4EK9rJ9UbfwsNdmalLp7vFrt1ko4QN8nNJ6EoiEZfnjLCWn7GlCw8dMRAicm9OflYRw3C4T-XI-p0qJOavHM0g0n4pY0jErdIxNxeRBDTrST9cKhqXsRHDHVar_TaFGhWa9WgHtX7/s400/P1040117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Along the trail, on my way to the town of Bacharach:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tga4xRCbzj6DDUi4pP2WZxKcNv_B1atWRVNskp-Um-tRhW9cGtEu9__IZbkgislQaiZ46Uz7ZYSaK70x8ZinabzshOi3BZclRDhd31vr3FbiBtLTzTulBhawOanfEOixaYs8ZmkvRDKU/s1600/P1040133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tga4xRCbzj6DDUi4pP2WZxKcNv_B1atWRVNskp-Um-tRhW9cGtEu9__IZbkgislQaiZ46Uz7ZYSaK70x8ZinabzshOi3BZclRDhd31vr3FbiBtLTzTulBhawOanfEOixaYs8ZmkvRDKU/s320/P1040133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>A view of the Rhine river:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t9yDONnEkA3qJS21T-qZNUvpEyG_HOQ4yJihgYY4clcgzj2ZcJN8yzZEnyznYAU0K-cXCFXRAYpChBdP86KmFK-3LNWSfSANoSUloVL5z7tFn2cleZprgilLJkmLAiMEXcRIWVuVZnAB/s1600/P1040134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t9yDONnEkA3qJS21T-qZNUvpEyG_HOQ4yJihgYY4clcgzj2ZcJN8yzZEnyznYAU0K-cXCFXRAYpChBdP86KmFK-3LNWSfSANoSUloVL5z7tFn2cleZprgilLJkmLAiMEXcRIWVuVZnAB/s400/P1040134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Refreshments and map reading at Burg Sooneck:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hm-tmwm5zDtRkUSpSGD-FvgesbeqAtrZTSi8DCg5DeGR1JPcnGs37koofSCEhGFpyx-bo8EyqA60PGCUNrJArVhZijmccEe3Zpgjd7IXLB37aeLG3-Hh7OrAsvSlvcGG6cfjI2neyNqe/s1600/P1040143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hm-tmwm5zDtRkUSpSGD-FvgesbeqAtrZTSi8DCg5DeGR1JPcnGs37koofSCEhGFpyx-bo8EyqA60PGCUNrJArVhZijmccEe3Zpgjd7IXLB37aeLG3-Hh7OrAsvSlvcGG6cfjI2neyNqe/s320/P1040143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Arriving in Bacharach, directions up to my castle accomodation:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHIL6KOvO-BlB-yM20TUp_evRlzXa60EGg1LPr0F1iTQ0EDrnQgq4FOYDKG6C4WDh32ebsNKXCT12BXmWv20pzUTGctNzcXIYeubB1HAS3SPQw3wzuz9FfxsbtfghH4K-ywrqpplHnyGC/s1600/P1040167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHIL6KOvO-BlB-yM20TUp_evRlzXa60EGg1LPr0F1iTQ0EDrnQgq4FOYDKG6C4WDh32ebsNKXCT12BXmWv20pzUTGctNzcXIYeubB1HAS3SPQw3wzuz9FfxsbtfghH4K-ywrqpplHnyGC/s320/P1040167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The quaint roof-scape of Bacharach:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LLRV43rENdL0gnR-SMg-tzwUA9ApDg4qN7TKUr-68LYDrCeMpmNrW_JzxHWZbZ160Jb8l55b-BAGSTOxHEXorWDw1h2yuvog0AQ-6ID-NB2EzS2g9zBsFB0mdsaVlGoEsHg8OKSXB-2m/s1600/P1040169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LLRV43rENdL0gnR-SMg-tzwUA9ApDg4qN7TKUr-68LYDrCeMpmNrW_JzxHWZbZ160Jb8l55b-BAGSTOxHEXorWDw1h2yuvog0AQ-6ID-NB2EzS2g9zBsFB0mdsaVlGoEsHg8OKSXB-2m/s400/P1040169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>My accommodation, Burg Stahleck, sitting high above the town:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubVLZVQpG2bofuQXYw4SFfhjtcWmjs-6qGLe3Wxe1YS-9k44Lizg5RQezr-sLR6l5vUMDZEka8NNtKcImJm734yNVIu78x1XLM4ODaIV9c4u_1VJg2Yo95614sPmo0ZlQWq1zySy3s6vD/s1600/P1040254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubVLZVQpG2bofuQXYw4SFfhjtcWmjs-6qGLe3Wxe1YS-9k44Lizg5RQezr-sLR6l5vUMDZEka8NNtKcImJm734yNVIu78x1XLM4ODaIV9c4u_1VJg2Yo95614sPmo0ZlQWq1zySy3s6vD/s400/P1040254.JPG" width="400" /></a>
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<i>On the run, day 2:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkjtrNAAkzxL9NOSiNwkKjHa2zxhngE3tRGDC4u3xxG_KW9QmeVRWErnD3NhMG4U2OPlpcnKADUbt4q4iytk91goJmGA7DlTPYB1znDlRjZvRWRY0KdVI04gWgdGB7iZ7Pcrztgl8Yak0/s1600/P1040217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkjtrNAAkzxL9NOSiNwkKjHa2zxhngE3tRGDC4u3xxG_KW9QmeVRWErnD3NhMG4U2OPlpcnKADUbt4q4iytk91goJmGA7DlTPYB1znDlRjZvRWRY0KdVI04gWgdGB7iZ7Pcrztgl8Yak0/s400/P1040217.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Burg Gutenfels:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsM3s_SbShnXKZeH4Jt7P8ZrkcSpoGvXlrItgSlS2MLn5wcghKevj-Daa7jJ5NGqQ_69jSPrQegmVXSMLZPvCRuJtQ-pavacru8lkanmjl9XMaF-k3bZGyE-_08c1QuW6Za6YAFTtmG06/s1600/P1040218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsM3s_SbShnXKZeH4Jt7P8ZrkcSpoGvXlrItgSlS2MLn5wcghKevj-Daa7jJ5NGqQ_69jSPrQegmVXSMLZPvCRuJtQ-pavacru8lkanmjl9XMaF-k3bZGyE-_08c1QuW6Za6YAFTtmG06/s640/P1040218.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>It started pouring. I kept runnning. I got really soaked:</i></div>
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<i>The town of Kaub, viewed from a ferry I took to cross the river:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xuUhwi6ItGJvdZ-AwOUavLjX1S4NP3pwGCabT95c8MdLUt8G8wa0TmEHU1lstVPvZ95DTR0ZiV_snetceKn_h4gT-PHjaj3rWUf0HB5hV8de2i_WfjCiMg4Aag52Fcq1msR-UHHWQkG7/s1600/P1040246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xuUhwi6ItGJvdZ-AwOUavLjX1S4NP3pwGCabT95c8MdLUt8G8wa0TmEHU1lstVPvZ95DTR0ZiV_snetceKn_h4gT-PHjaj3rWUf0HB5hV8de2i_WfjCiMg4Aag52Fcq1msR-UHHWQkG7/s400/P1040246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Twilight from my castle acccomodation:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZvu8xwA8pw3wqgmD6mqw1fQLYM-woonz_XTdbkpTGMIOy5IgvEyb5nfOwKEg1rIQhuzRH7oWqQSENTO8o-1slLLcwWyLd38o3ReCw2_AguVFLAxpvA6U8USTGgGcyEbZcNfmV_IhVUrX/s1600/P1040249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZvu8xwA8pw3wqgmD6mqw1fQLYM-woonz_XTdbkpTGMIOy5IgvEyb5nfOwKEg1rIQhuzRH7oWqQSENTO8o-1slLLcwWyLd38o3ReCw2_AguVFLAxpvA6U8USTGgGcyEbZcNfmV_IhVUrX/s400/P1040249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A misty morning on day 3, the town of Bacharach still sleeping:</i></div>
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<i>Burg Stahleck:</i><br />
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<br />Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-27699567332472346592012-07-25T02:48:00.000+10:002012-08-10T04:05:43.109+10:00The 2012 Rallarvegsløpet, Norway<b>Friday - The day before</b><br />
After a long journey from Oslo, our train pulled in to Finse station, a small collection of weathered buildings situated in the most pristine location. To the east of the hotel was the calm body of the Finsevatnet Lake, and beyond, the sleek form of the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier flowing down the bare, rocky mountainscape. This world of ice, snow, and rock felt foreign. It felt mythical, and tomorrow I would be crossing it on foot.<br />
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Rallarvegsløpet is a 2-day mountain race on the Rallarvegen, the old road used by labourers as they constructed the Bergen Railway. At all stages of the race, the railway intertwined in a beautiful relationship with the trail, crisscrossing and moving through the mountains together. The trail is hard-packed and very smooth, meaning runners accustomed to road-running would also feel at ease<br />
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This year was the 10th edition of the race and had a record number of entrants at around 70 participants. Amongst these runners I would meet some very special people, with even more inspiring stories to tell. The beauty of the race was that the runners stayed at the same hotel over the race weekend. We would come together for meals: sharing, commiserating and laughing together as we experienced all the race would give us.<br />
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Friday night we were treated to a decadent 4 course meal over candlelight, and spent the time getting to know the other runners. The race briefing in Norwegian was translated to me. All I needed to understand was that it would be fairly cold (between 3-10 degrees), and that we would have about 6km of snow to run through towards the end of the first day.<br />
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<i style="clear: both;">View over Finsevatnet Lake towards the mountains we will be running through on race day:</i>
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<i>Hotel Finse 1222, overlooking a world of ice, snow and water:</i></div>
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<i style="clear: both;">Runar Gilberg, the race director, giving runners the race briefing over desert:</i></div>
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<b>Saturday - Race Day #1 (Flåm - Finse 54km)</b></div>
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Race day came, arriving with blue sky. All the runners came together for an incredible buffet breakfast. Imagine long stretches of every cheese imaginable, fruit, house-baked bread, cereals, and COFFEE! We had time in the morning to relax, to plan and prepare our drop bags, and to make final alterations to race gear. I planned to run light with only a hand-held bottle and rain jacket. I felt confident that I would not get cold as long as I had some gloves and long sleeves (I love using the arm warmers for this purpose).</div>
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<i>The view across the lake to the <span style="clear: both; line-height: 19px;">Hardangerjøkulen Glacier. Feeling optimistic with the blue skies around:</span></i><br />
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Just before midday all the runners assembled outside the hotel and on the Finse station platform. We would take the train to Myrdal, disembark, and all walk together to the 19km point in the race at Vatnahalsen station. Then we would take the Flåmsbana to Flåm, as well as leaving a drop bag for later. From a logistical point of view this all sounds terribly complicated and a race director's nightmare! In reality though, it just brought all the runners closer together. We shared stories on the train, as well as packed sandwiches. We collectively became more excited as the time passed, anticipating the race start. We saw the weather and terrain change through the train window, getting a feel for what was to come.<br />
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<i>On the train with my friend Lars:</i><br />
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<i>Walking to Vatnahalsen station where we would leave our drop bags. The mist started to set in, adding a real sense of myth and mystery:</i></div>
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<span style="clear: both;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE5fYe1G21lzZUP2VvStec9HHdtW5F-s2RVTEllkfWms885KWk0GvNub4yABSQaN4fcOE0y70cu4Q9B8NNpmI5aLZ2YQrsikL3uZH3EjHGpR-anlAu8pT6BsW6fM30cWcbx2qhCmnxRK2/s1600/tilstart-600x367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE5fYe1G21lzZUP2VvStec9HHdtW5F-s2RVTEllkfWms885KWk0GvNub4yABSQaN4fcOE0y70cu4Q9B8NNpmI5aLZ2YQrsikL3uZH3EjHGpR-anlAu8pT6BsW6fM30cWcbx2qhCmnxRK2/s400/tilstart-600x367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Feeling good and enjoying a little snack, 1 hour before the race start:</i></div>
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<i>With Lars who is about to run the race for the 10th time:</i></div>
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The race start was without ceremony in Flåm, a beautiful little town located on the edge of the Aurlanfjord. We would start at sea level, and over the course of the race we would climb up to 1344m. The runners were twitching and eager to get started on the journey back to Finse where a buffet dinner and sauna awaited. In the photo below you can see one of the heroes from the weekend: a lady called Oline who is 70 and running the race for the 5th time. I never stop being amazed and inspired when attending these events.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1halt3dHsODbyJVfsI4wfd1eIEF7p0lLB1yQjbs88cKlSvDy8b5oSbwXvFO-zXoRbAA-nqGi4EVMH-0msZQd7vfkwVeIdG4HNeCZibyKLcl5j_-YH82WJdoaRCJ2EqC539NmcsUBPNzkJ/s1600/1-Starten_IMG_1173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1halt3dHsODbyJVfsI4wfd1eIEF7p0lLB1yQjbs88cKlSvDy8b5oSbwXvFO-zXoRbAA-nqGi4EVMH-0msZQd7vfkwVeIdG4HNeCZibyKLcl5j_-YH82WJdoaRCJ2EqC539NmcsUBPNzkJ/s400/1-Starten_IMG_1173.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first 10km of the race was run on asphalt, and I took it at a faster pace than I normally would run. I am not fast and rarely run on the road, so I took this opportunity to "train" this weakness. I also had to switch off the endurance part of my brain that kept telling me to "slow down," since I wouldn't be racing as far as I normally do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6W8dzYQT1NPLuuz-Wr-j-lRl4BerUZVYYVMIt2uqzRbN5B62AaSHDxmosBFD1QuCIrFs-6YcvbLWDEBO4rGgf3r8J6lcteMoiAled4ZInfBAYrlt8cyHqVg0XRYZC8pv8nANSIhWL-jy/s1600/etterstartenFlaam-600x332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6W8dzYQT1NPLuuz-Wr-j-lRl4BerUZVYYVMIt2uqzRbN5B62AaSHDxmosBFD1QuCIrFs-6YcvbLWDEBO4rGgf3r8J6lcteMoiAled4ZInfBAYrlt8cyHqVg0XRYZC8pv8nANSIhWL-jy/s400/etterstartenFlaam-600x332.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<i>The outskirts of </i><i style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Flåm, looking towards </span></span></i><i style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Flåmsdalen, </span></span></i><i sstyle="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">the valley we will run through:</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn13zd6R1YzHVL6f-GgS-rMxcCPUDaJBGe4wzYIKy5RbypksG7i7VgXWMkbuEvV4dOhfk5i91oxCntE8U8T5gUm2rbOXzPEeqILME7R6fnC3LrbqXUKGZuSEvG_7IJitl_Ot8vNmvJlDz/s1600/flaamkirke-600x332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn13zd6R1YzHVL6f-GgS-rMxcCPUDaJBGe4wzYIKy5RbypksG7i7VgXWMkbuEvV4dOhfk5i91oxCntE8U8T5gUm2rbOXzPEeqILME7R6fnC3LrbqXUKGZuSEvG_7IJitl_Ot8vNmvJlDz/s400/flaamkirke-600x332.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Running through</i>
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<img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbI3LxcnZ_L3w0WIyW-o6pCSkjjaZ7ALHvt5r15Y2b_Dn4PQO7MV84peDL7OYuvwOWL0LNK-kyZKel-BFqBwj-lpOkVfb9jpgxnW93JLNpP2oj4OUQVNY0DZm5PP3lwVfIs1C0uHu9c66/s400/natur-600x390.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<i>A long stretch of tunnel we encountered early on during the race, where running became instinctual and sensory all at once:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVPwedTH_TGE2pz7u03C-1Txl_EJdgHMy7OtTI89UztW1csy0Mxi5ycnNbQF9rqMmP0M_1I4JDHvEbAYeMLTybNiyXC3rGwaFJRM5jJnAcUHvIgHwQW4FZfSGtJzlLtxW0YzwmsbcON8L/s1600/tunnelbilde-600x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVPwedTH_TGE2pz7u03C-1Txl_EJdgHMy7OtTI89UztW1csy0Mxi5ycnNbQF9rqMmP0M_1I4JDHvEbAYeMLTybNiyXC3rGwaFJRM5jJnAcUHvIgHwQW4FZfSGtJzlLtxW0YzwmsbcON8L/s400/tunnelbilde-600x430.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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The trail slowly gained elevation as we travelled up the valley, with just enough incline to make the heart beat a faster rhythm. At the end of the valley we hit the start of the Myrdal switchbacks, a point where the trail bends 21 times as it climbs up a steep wall towards the drop bags at Vatnahalsen (at 812m elevation). I took this change in elevation to slow down and hike, and to pace out the climb without pushing too hard.</div>
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<i>The Myrdal switchbacks:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S0LtTetWkasvL5VMlU1tUcX3aV-GEjSfNi7tyJx1bvjgLqNyzE4npWQwVRytraMrfdPm0OvZH9H0O9OvotmmLI1IwUFKmZLrwNXvwPROgtUzoMwTbahheYwW2hCstBgu1FwptLVNER9x/s1600/guttapaaveiopp-600x356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9S0LtTetWkasvL5VMlU1tUcX3aV-GEjSfNi7tyJx1bvjgLqNyzE4npWQwVRytraMrfdPm0OvZH9H0O9OvotmmLI1IwUFKmZLrwNXvwPROgtUzoMwTbahheYwW2hCstBgu1FwptLVNER9x/s400/guttapaaveiopp-600x356.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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At the drop bags I only grabbed my rain jacket, a pair of gloves and a fresh bottle filled with premixed Infinit nutrition. From here the trail crossed the Hardangervidda plateau, steadily rolling with the undulating terrain, surrounded by a wonderful alpine environment. This plateau is incredibly special as it is the home to Europe's largest Reindeer stock. It is remote, wild, and I felt privileged to see it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXOwwvqSdAEQ0cnpCmg_YArhaWB-HkXcHBPe2KaPFe5UtWAbKNv40QNNQDJfpxGPDLKyX3JUKgt8qXawyaGF9SzRxa6JjlIuSYVG5HRqAlY9V6Uz-4j_PrfDx4BLCHR5UBGbCidkEaDlv/s1600/fjellet-600x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXOwwvqSdAEQ0cnpCmg_YArhaWB-HkXcHBPe2KaPFe5UtWAbKNv40QNNQDJfpxGPDLKyX3JUKgt8qXawyaGF9SzRxa6JjlIuSYVG5HRqAlY9V6Uz-4j_PrfDx4BLCHR5UBGbCidkEaDlv/s400/fjellet-600x350.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<i>The mythical atmosphere surrounding the race: hidden streams and lakes circled by snowy mountains:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSpvv5z-MTn7YzS6rHiq_rAiVMwJ44B_1fYsodFfLGnCUBCWZ9yiHK9M7S0H_d7ZTgjl9lkTvdhiF6Z4TTJOyBLrckr8W0a56urgCmcV96L8hbNVUqybfZhQPeokPXvBFld8VNzcDvfLy/s1600/spektakulert-600x372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSpvv5z-MTn7YzS6rHiq_rAiVMwJ44B_1fYsodFfLGnCUBCWZ9yiHK9M7S0H_d7ZTgjl9lkTvdhiF6Z4TTJOyBLrckr8W0a56urgCmcV96L8hbNVUqybfZhQPeokPXvBFld8VNzcDvfLy/s400/spektakulert-600x372.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<i>This was taken around the 23km mark, by which time I was starting to feel pretty relaxed and steady in my pace:</i></div>
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The further we ventured into the mountains, the deeper the mist , and the more still and silent the air. From the 35km point we started to encounter sections of snow that covered the trail. Since living in Canada, I have come to love the crunch of snow underfoot, the occasional icy cold finger of ice that enters the shoe, and the unpredictable slip and slide of your stride as you navigate your way across. This was no different, and I really felt my spirit lift once I entered this true mountain climate. This whole time I remained alone, with only the faint figure of a runner discernible in the mist behind me.<br />
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<i>The Rallarvegen alongside the Bergen Railway line, snow all around:</i></div>
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<i>Mountain running doesn't feel complete without plenty of snow:</i></div>
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<i>Arriving at Finse ready for a warm shower, sauna, and a buffet dinner with all the runners:</i></div>
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I finished the first day happy. I was a little slower than I had expected (5:50hr), but completely normal considering all the snow. The great thing was we finished right back at Hotel Finse 1222, so we could immediately head into the cosy atmosphere inside and chat with the other finishers. My chocolate milk went down a treat, and I immediately sought out the sauna in the basement. Sunday would be another tough day, so rest and some recovery was essential.</div>
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<b>Sunday - Race Day #2 (Finse -Haugastøl 27km)</b><br />
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<i>The early start runners setting off on a cold, 5 degree, mountain morning:</i></div>
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The next day we ran from Finse in the other direction, 27km further along the Rallarvegen to <span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Haugastøl. The trail sloped gently down, dropping about 200m in elevation. As my friend Lars described it, we would encounter undulating terrain alongside a lake, before dropping down to the next lake, with this pattern continuing all the way to the finish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought I was in 4th place beforehand, with not much chance to improve my placing. Thus my aim for the race was to run as fast as possible, and to have a steady, comfortable run. I started feeling fantastic, all the tightness in my hip-flexors disappearing. I ran the first 10km at around 4:30/km pace - very fast for me! From here I slowed to just under 5:00/km pace and kept this constant the whole way to the finish. The whole journey to the finish I had a man running just behind me, close enough to hear his breath and feet create a rhythmic soundtrack. At the finish I slowed so we could cross the line together, grateful for his omniscient presence. Sometimes, without knowing, people have the power to really influence your success. </span></span></div>
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<i>Arriving at the finish in </i><span style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Haugastøl:</span></i></span></div>
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I was super, super happy to run the 27km in 2:13hr. I also found out I was 3rd female! On the train journey home I couldn't shake a sense of both bewilderment and nostalgia. I felt like I was waking from an amazing dream, re-entering a duller reality, and not quite remembering all the details of the magical world I had left behind. This was truely more than a race. It was an incredibly tough run, but more than that, it was a shared experience with some wonderful people. It was also a glimpse into a fairytale, a world where you feel that if you look hard enough, you will see magic.</div>
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<i>At the presentation of the woman's class, with the female winner Gloria:</i></div>
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A huge thank you to Lars Gilberg for the invitation to adventure, and to Runar and Jan, two fantastic and dedicated race directors. Thank you as well to Runar Gilberg, Espen Ringom, and Tommy Stoa for the beautiful photos I was able to share in this report.</div>
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</div>Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-728522810841949922012-07-17T19:53:00.002+10:002012-07-17T19:53:38.062+10:00Journeys: From here (Germany) to here (Norway).<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm travelling light this time. I've been in Germany visiting some <a href="http://margarethafortmann.blogspot.cz/2010/02/german-invasion.html" target="_blank">dear friend</a>s of mine, to enjoy sunshine and wine, and to run amongst the vineyards. </div>
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<i>Amidst the vines of Weingut Dautermann on my last visit in 2009:</i></div>
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From Germany, I am flying to Norway. YES! Last year, racing at the <a href="http://margarethafortmann.blogspot.cz/2011/08/2011-ultra-trail-du-mont-blanc.html" target="_blank">Ultra Trail Mont Blanc</a>, I met a Norwegian runner and journalist who invited me to come to his country, and to race in a small race with a big heart. </div>
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<i style="text-align: center;">The Rallarvegen (Image courtesy of Daniel Novello):</i></div>
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<style="clear: both;="" left;"="" text-align:="">The <a href="http://www.kondis.no/index.php?id=4717586" style="clear: both; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Rallarsvegslopet</a><span style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> is a 2-day mountain race that immediately captivated me. The race is centered around the station town of Finse, a small collection of weathered buildings that can only be accessed by rail. The runners all stay together in the same hotel, Hotel Finse 1222 (a reference to the elevation of the train station), and run a cumulative distance just over 80km on the famous Rallarvegen, a construction road that was used to haul the materials needed to build the Bergen Railway line. </span></style="clear:></div>
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<i>Hotel Finse 1222 (Photo courtesy of Kim Mallady):</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInlyUOIOhEBF-rS3Lm6u7ikJjNdMFkYNBPyyeDBYq-PbdN4gt7w2YQtwJb2dBjBtC2tjrUG2crUJuq3RMruXv1NmGyzN0OWKu25JC8DCDf01UsUSHVQOSrj5OhRLMJi4tTQF1nxTmBnBn/s1600/975166405_eedf3ea4ce_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInlyUOIOhEBF-rS3Lm6u7ikJjNdMFkYNBPyyeDBYq-PbdN4gt7w2YQtwJb2dBjBtC2tjrUG2crUJuq3RMruXv1NmGyzN0OWKu25JC8DCDf01UsUSHVQOSrj5OhRLMJi4tTQF1nxTmBnBn/s400/975166405_eedf3ea4ce_o.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, over a 100 years later, the road attracts over 20,000 cyclists in the summer, and even more importantly, acts as a means to transport people through the most beautiful, rugged and mythical landscapes. </span><span style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Imagine running, surrounded by a unique alpine climate (home to Europe's largest reindeer stock), ancient geology, mountains reflecting the movement of ice millions of years ago, wild valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers. </span><br />
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<i>An alpine wonderland (Image courtesy of Michael Mortensen):</i><br />
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<span style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following my race in Italy I have been resting and relaxing, more than running. I have found the change of pace nice, to listen to my body (and my blackened toe nails) telling me to take it easy. The race on the weekend will be one for enjoying the views, enjoying the company of the other runners, and for testing how well I have recovered following my adventures in the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1559901150"></span>Dolomites<span id="goog_1559901151"></span></a>! </span><br />
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<i>Day 1 (Flaam - Finse) profile:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm-kJRbgYZrFfVEbiPGt0ZfHtMX48vv60iTsBryAfxP9iOumW9m-2zFevNlfkxboA1NSSuMjN1QqgcujvWr8d4yVZZrWmK2MryvNZdln_QX1UhiPhtcZcZTGtNOr7kRBPyiEbUvVFZmLn/s1600/Hoydeprofil+dag+1+Flaam+-+Finse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm-kJRbgYZrFfVEbiPGt0ZfHtMX48vv60iTsBryAfxP9iOumW9m-2zFevNlfkxboA1NSSuMjN1QqgcujvWr8d4yVZZrWmK2MryvNZdln_QX1UhiPhtcZcZTGtNOr7kRBPyiEbUvVFZmLn/s400/Hoydeprofil+dag+1+Flaam+-+Finse.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Day 2 (Finse- Haugastol) profile:</div>
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<br />Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-27752493765277552832012-07-04T03:12:00.001+10:002012-07-04T03:14:55.134+10:00Reflections on the 2012 Ultra Trail Lavaredo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everything about Italy warmed me: the intense heat of the midday sun, the incredibly beautiful mountains around me, the flavorsome food, the people I met. I am not sure if it was this Italian effect, but going into this year's Ultra Trail Lavaredo, I felt so relaxed, so comfortable, so at ease. I was camping about 2km out of town, meaning I was away from the build up and increased hype that goes along with race day. I had no internet, no phone contact. I spent the day lazing under a tree enjoying the simplicity of pre-race resting. </div>
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<i>Familiarization with the route:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEn67SGZiMYk4TTPDwcrFvQAnZcfAYo1TrbeDGeK1fbeRa_8RzTZd1AYyS1mFkm37ZNiRbBJY6wkHE_lVPKaoemstHic8luztA0DfhUuPr578zd9gw45QJLrFDQqTPDmIBO0dCB1-2sl7O/s1600/P1030931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEn67SGZiMYk4TTPDwcrFvQAnZcfAYo1TrbeDGeK1fbeRa_8RzTZd1AYyS1mFkm37ZNiRbBJY6wkHE_lVPKaoemstHic8luztA0DfhUuPr578zd9gw45QJLrFDQqTPDmIBO0dCB1-2sl7O/s400/P1030931.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When the sun finally dropped behind the mountains, it was time to walk to Cortina. I dressed for the race fairly lightly as it was a balmy evening. I hoped this warmth was an indicator of the temperatures up through the mountain passes we would cross during the night. In town there was barely time for a quick espresso and head torch double-check before runners were summoned to the starting line. As with the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, there was a certain solemness pre-race. Beautiful operatic music played, runners stilled and focused on the immense task ahead, and then we started.</div>
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<i>Starting line (Photo courtesy of thenorthfacejournal.com): </i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJvGWur9wrbMMIFhk7g1LAIJNI-lJpWChEi_buMC6PERXj2AoDfCYtHG5J6akFRXUHi3DknEQ3qCj4F8q4qlDhuDAF48q8q8c_pZ71SXh6hAJnc6Xii8D_fiWO5x_HlkdhZiWGq4GOY1w/s1600/start3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJvGWur9wrbMMIFhk7g1LAIJNI-lJpWChEi_buMC6PERXj2AoDfCYtHG5J6akFRXUHi3DknEQ3qCj4F8q4qlDhuDAF48q8q8c_pZ71SXh6hAJnc6Xii8D_fiWO5x_HlkdhZiWGq4GOY1w/s400/start3.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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I must admit that the whole race is a blur, and only certain parts really stand out. From the beginning I was running very conservatively. I knew the elevation I had to cover (5740m), I knew the terrain would be technical, I knew I had a day of running through 30 degrees +. As we ran through the town of Cortina towards the first trail, I let some of the women go ahead of me. I kept my pace steady and controlled. </div>
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<i>Race profile: </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EEGu-Ak9q-CSzo2qxIo9hna3zpackWe4Z8mAk6jV0e4scfm-aEU_2kdQZDgQTqDjAzmQzF5qulgHN0_BHXgYKk_qdOXFN07PlYGBcA4lAp49jRhHfMebFunL2HyoqyxP2wenGfwVJKG4/s1600/lavaredo-ultra-trail-2012-fotos-perfil-de-carrera1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EEGu-Ak9q-CSzo2qxIo9hna3zpackWe4Z8mAk6jV0e4scfm-aEU_2kdQZDgQTqDjAzmQzF5qulgHN0_BHXgYKk_qdOXFN07PlYGBcA4lAp49jRhHfMebFunL2HyoqyxP2wenGfwVJKG4/s400/lavaredo-ultra-trail-2012-fotos-perfil-de-carrera1.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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The first climb to Col Rosa (about 500m+) allowed me to settle in to a pace where I passed a few of the women. I really tried not to make this the focus though, and instead just kept a steady rhythm, watched my HR, and enjoyed! The downhill that followed really allowed me to stretch the legs a little, and to settle into a pattern that would continue for the whole race: up-down-up-down. At this stage of the race I was using primarily liquid nutrition (produced by<a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com.au/" target="_blank"> Infinit Nutrition)</a>. </div>
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At various points during the night I ran with a few groups, usually for a few minutes, and then either they would pick up the pace, or I would. Camraderie was high! I remember arriving at Lake Misurina, the mist hanging heavily onto the water in the pre-dawn light. I remember the slow lightening of the sky as I started the climb to the 48km checkpoint at Refugio Auronzo, located just below the fabled Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The climb passed through lush green meadows tucked between the rocky shoulders of the surrounding mountains. At this stage I was alone, and it was eerie to be in these misty valleys, early in the morning, alone with my thoughts and breath. </div>
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<i>Morning Approaching:</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl4oy130UAJbnc9pjmcWmpniVbIdcEdaZOJboY29CSM2cADQhjXHsvI4e7N-3yv0efIDkH_zEPG1TnZ-kADGVBneLDCR-3qAf4hN5B5ItdMYohKeKgXFufLxTyiKPD-82EywkFqytAUO2/s1600/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl4oy130UAJbnc9pjmcWmpniVbIdcEdaZOJboY29CSM2cADQhjXHsvI4e7N-3yv0efIDkH_zEPG1TnZ-kADGVBneLDCR-3qAf4hN5B5ItdMYohKeKgXFufLxTyiKPD-82EywkFqytAUO2/s400/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Refugio Auronzo at 48km, Tre Cimes di Lavaredo behind:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dqm9nQW7RXVHscQ9roQofBXyrph8cfcB8qQHjoTG8m_gpPtH_nwbZ2pjdB5U6C5VsMKU1CDaBTCWfk_ZogxKFm6ih7DKzPTT2dl2QJ3Ids1cUZbZpC6AuB8oEeHUThyphenhyphenBHVkMPYnrci5F/s1600/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dqm9nQW7RXVHscQ9roQofBXyrph8cfcB8qQHjoTG8m_gpPtH_nwbZ2pjdB5U6C5VsMKU1CDaBTCWfk_ZogxKFm6ih7DKzPTT2dl2QJ3Ids1cUZbZpC6AuB8oEeHUThyphenhyphenBHVkMPYnrci5F/s400/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Drop bags:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4glPDEXVbe0wEsiL-IvDgR43UF9vk-xbS3zGP_1DKFgmzbJ_U1Hoe6gbbRbEPJBIlny7XcUePXkMGWlg0AnaaR22ytNJjaGiszRMmSiIUdrrCCSbh-NOnZIu854dOv0CH8VfBY50VDqU/s1600/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4glPDEXVbe0wEsiL-IvDgR43UF9vk-xbS3zGP_1DKFgmzbJ_U1Hoe6gbbRbEPJBIlny7XcUePXkMGWlg0AnaaR22ytNJjaGiszRMmSiIUdrrCCSbh-NOnZIu854dOv0CH8VfBY50VDqU/s400/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520064.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My transition at the checkpoint was fast: I grabbed some more liquid nutrition (pre-mixed into a bottle), picked up some gels and honeystinger wafers, ate some soup and continued on. My highlight was when the startled volunteers asked me "you are running in a <i>skirt</i>?" I found out later at the presentation that the volunteers were all very appreciative of the fact that I was running in a skirt. It was so "feminine."<br />
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<i>Running around the flank of the Tre cimes:</i><br />
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<i>Famous view of the Tre Cimes di Lavaredo:</i><br />
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<i>The descent into the Val Della Rienza:</i><br />
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The next section was a blur. I just remember the final flat dirt road that seemed to go on forever to the aid station at Cimabanche. </div>
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From Cimabanche there was another 500m+ climb through the Val de Gotres to Forc Lerosa, a mountain pass at 2000m. By this stage the day was warming, and I was making use of all the little streams to refill my water bottle or simply to wash my face and wet the top of my head. </div>
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My memory sharpens for the monstrous climb through the Val Travenanzes up to the Forcella Col dei Bos (a climb of almost 1000m). The terrain was beautiful. A glacial formed valley, blindingly white rocks forming the path (but also reflecting the heat), lush alpine meadows filled with bright flowers in other sections. We were literally following the path of an ancient glacier up into the mountains. This section was tough. I was hot, by now my feet were aching from the constant harassment of rocky terrain, the climbed seemed to go on forever.</div>
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<i>View down the valley:</i></div>
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<i>View back to Forcella Col Dei Bos (we crossed through the pass between the rocks):</i><br />
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The descent down to the aid station at 94km was a clear example of how much energy and inspiration people give you. By now I was the only woman around, and the field had spread so that there were not many men around either. I was hurting, and a french man picked me up, encouraged me to run with him down to the aid station, and by following his steps, focusing on breathing, rather than pain, I arrived stronger because of his energy.<br />
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<i>Descent down to the aid station at Pian dei Menis (94km):</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsnE00xvcVQQ1nqsxMU8KWbbOJsH48qDVEZx4S10APh6ER6zYmx4Pzjwv6YrxJGiuvhxn6puErwXjX1qFUOhCQ7HAqoZWLzNtnxmr4LdtsukId_MJUZ3ma3BIUYoJAhF-9nDQc0NUASI_/s1600/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsnE00xvcVQQ1nqsxMU8KWbbOJsH48qDVEZx4S10APh6ER6zYmx4Pzjwv6YrxJGiuvhxn6puErwXjX1qFUOhCQ7HAqoZWLzNtnxmr4LdtsukId_MJUZ3ma3BIUYoJAhF-9nDQc0NUASI_/s400/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next 25km hurt. It was a section of deceptively steep ascents and descents that tested the legs, heart, mind and spirit. Each ascent I just focused on the fact that I could do it, that I was doing it, and that I was closer to finishing. I took in a lot of water with nuun ( the ginger flavour was so, so, so tasty at this point), as well as red bull and coke. I enjoyed the company of the 50km runners out on the trail as well, passing me most of the time, but encouraged by their enthusiasm.<br />
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<i>One of the small pitches up that tested mind and body:</i><br />
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<i>Spectacular day, a small refuge hidden below the mountains:</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeURVNM4p2rPh2UcRxM3-edG_j1zkdK6eCEAnuDyGL45hQ3Kqcp83DBW8pCRDsylv6RD7y70DFYoSRbKk_XvGTyp7UdT3DQcYZ4eGbs71hJReBUriIpqtRdectDOaQnJO3XR1fPNtWEdU4/s1600/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeURVNM4p2rPh2UcRxM3-edG_j1zkdK6eCEAnuDyGL45hQ3Kqcp83DBW8pCRDsylv6RD7y70DFYoSRbKk_XvGTyp7UdT3DQcYZ4eGbs71hJReBUriIpqtRdectDOaQnJO3XR1fPNtWEdU4/s400/2012-6-29%252520LUT-%252520LAVAREDO%252520ULTRA%252520TRAIL%252520165.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>One of the refuges below the Cinque Torri (another famous attraction in the Dolomites):</i><br />
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I ran the last 10km with 2 wonderful Italians, Gabriele and Simonetta. They were racing the 50km, but pretty much paced me to the finish, down the tricky 1000m descent resembling a ski-run to the finish line at Cortina. Again, running with these guys exemplified the spirit and camraderie of trail running, and why it is such a special sport.<br />
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<i>Gabriele and myself (photos courtesy of Simonetta Lazzarotto):</i><br />
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I finished the race behind some super strong female runners, inspired by their strength. I finished in 4th place, in 19:18hrs.<br />
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<i>Female 120km presentation:</i><br />
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<i>Female Top 5 podium:</i><br />
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Photos courtesy of Alessandro Regnano (sourced<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/regna.alle/LUT2962012" target="_blank"> here</a>).<br />
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</div>Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-81158556483231865092012-06-28T22:19:00.000+10:002012-06-29T19:09:11.923+10:00Journeys: Italy and the Ultra Trail Lavaredo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A week after The North Face 100km I packed my bags again for overseas. I first travelled to the Czech Republic to catch up with friends and enjoy some running in the Krkonose Mountains. Being in Europe right now has some advantages - summer weather, lots of walking trails around for running and training, and the opportunity to race in some dream events. Being in the Czech has also meant drinking beer instead of water, succumbing to some amazing (but healthy) cakes, and trying to find a vegetarian meal amongst the goulash.<br />
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<i>View down one of the ski hills into the town of Harrachov (gateway into the Krkonose Mountains):</i></div>
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On Wednesday evening I traveled from Prague to Venice, and then onward to Cortina by bus. Being here is incredible. Seeing the white, jagged peaks of the Dolomites is eerie, like seeing a dream materialise in front of you. I feel so uplifted. The town of Cortina is relaxed, and doesn't quite have the glamour and snow-sex-appeal that Chamonix had. I am just happy to be camped out in a little tent, to have these giants around me, and to look forward to running with a crowd of like-minded people tomorrow night in the <a href="http://www.ultratrail.it/" target="_blank">Ultra Trail Lavaredo. </a><br />
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The race is very much about self-sufficiency in a mountainous, alpine environment. The mandatory gear list is minimal, a "you choose what you think you might need" attitude which I like. The aid stations are spaced about +/-15km apart, and sometimes supply only water, meaning that nutrition planning is essential. I will be relying on the aid stations for the most part, as I have no support crew and don't want to carry the weight of food for the whole race (there is one drop-bag location at 48km). I am planning to run conservatively at the beginning, using my Suunto Ambit to monitor my HR (I have a specific threshold I will by trying to stay under). It has been a while since I have been running in BIG mountain country, and can't wait for the sunrise on Saturday morning and to be amongst it all.<br />
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<i>My little tent, mountains peaking out just behind:</i><br />
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<i>The glacial blue waters of the Torrente Boite, the peaks of the Fiames in the distance:</i><br />
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<i>Trail marker for tomorrow's race:</i><br />
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<i>The town of Cortina, behind the Fiames:</i><br />
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<i>The starting line for the 2012 Ultra Trail Lavaredo:</i><br />
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<i>Cortina town centre:</i><br />
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<br /></div>Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980729246157199136.post-5002317828974986642012-06-09T22:30:00.000+10:002012-06-09T22:38:17.704+10:00Journeys: The beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i style="text-align: left;">"Your toughness is made up of equal parts: persistence and experience. You don't so much as outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson</i></div>
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<b>The beginning - The 2012 North Face 100km</b></div>
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Although this race might have been the final destination for many - the end of a season of hard training, focus and preparation, I have come to view this race as my beginning. </div>
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<b>Prelude</b></div>
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The lead up to arguably the biggest race on the Australian calendar was overwhelming! I had been away from Australia for almost 2 years, and was really looking forward to running with old friends in terrain that felt like home. I thought I had been training well, and had felt strong on some of the longer runs out on the race course. I was planning every detail like I had never done before - nutrition spreadsheets, logistics maps for my crew (amazing friend Nicola, and wonder-mum Greta), and a pace chart to work out exactly where I wanted to be and when. Although this race didn't play to all my strengths (the long stretches of fire trails are where I hurt and really need to focus on my cadence and rhythm), I was determined to go for it and to see where my training had brought me before the start of my racing season. </div>
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It never crossed my mind that I would not finish. </div>
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It was great to attend the race as part of the Salomon Australia team, and to meet international athlete Ryan Sandes. The buzz around Leura was electric, and it was hard not to get mentally waylaid by all the media hype surrounding this epic event. My heart would race every time I thought about the start line, and although I tried to embrace the adrenaline and pre-race nerves surging through my body, I think one of the lessons I have learnt is to be less focused on what everyone else is doing/Twittering/Facebooking, and to concentrate on why I am running and racing, something I have never had to deal with before! Dan Bleakman summed it up nicely on the <a href="http://ultra168.com/2012/05/21/ryan-sandes-and-beth-cardelli-take-the-honours-at-the-north-face-100/" target="_blank">Ultra168 race report</a> by saying that: "<i>Running is as simple as putting one leg in front of another and appreciating what you have around you. Goals achieved or not, it's only running."</i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>The Race</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">I think I have learnt more from the 4 hours and 36km of running that I did in this race, than from many of the training runs that I had in the lead up. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Last minute gear checks at the Fairmont Resort, about 15 minutes till the start (photo courtesy of Oli Wilson):</i></span></div>
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My start was fast, furious and I immediately focused on where the other runners were and on maintaining my placing, and completely ignored my body and my heart. The adrenaline was telling me "faster, faster," while my mind was telling me "hmmm, your heart rate is unsustainably high, maybe you should slow down, relax and settle into the race." To this the adrenaline replied "SHUT UP MIND, GO FASTER!" David Eadie once remarked to a friend that <i>"at the start of the race, if you think you're going too fast, you're definitely going too fast. If you think you're going the right speed, you're going too fast. If you think you're going way too slow, your pace is about right." </i></div>
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So, my first lesson from the race is to never ignore my heart.</div>
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<i>At an early stage of the race, running through Leura, still smiling and catching up with Sam Robinson from Suunto who was out cheering for us </i><i style="line-height: 20px;">(photo courtesy of Oli Wilson):</i></div>
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By 18km, I could feel my digestion not working optimally. It's pretty obvious that my body was sending all available blood to my muscles rather than to help with digesting, a result of burning the candle at both ends (my dad loves this phrase). The result was bloating, as all the nutrition I was taking in just sat in my tummy instead of providing energy to my muscles. Instead of powering up the notorious Golden Staircase as I normally would, I crawled up at snail pace. During this climb my HR peaked 182bpm, which I think says it all.<br />
My second lesson from the race is to always plan for the worst. If I was already feeling bad at 18km, I should have taken time to stop, rest for a few minutes, try a different nutrition strategy.<br />
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At the top of the Golden Staircase, the photo capturing just how hard I was working at this stage <i>(photo courtesy of Lyndon Marceau):</i><br />
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The next 18km were so tough. By now I had completely used all energy, and had replaced it with nothing. My pace slowed, I had stomach cramping and I felt nauseated. I really wanted to stop. The 8km to the next checkpoint were awful as I was vomiting at this stage, a result of all that nutrition just not digesting. I couldn't stop thinking about how early on in the race it was. When I got in to the next checkpoint I went straight to the first aid station. In my mind I had finished. And so I had. After another small vomit, I decided to finish there. Now, I wish I hadn't. I recently read "<i>to get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.</i>" (Chinese Proverb).<br />
My third lesson here was to KEEP GOING. I know this, I know that after the worst slump, things can always turn around. Walking is a good start, and invariably jogging will soon follow. One of my Salomon team mates told me this as I was lying in the first aid station, told me to at least walk to the next aid station, but in that moment the idea of walking shamed me. I forgot why I was running and the personal challenges that undertaking the hardest of journeys brings.<br />
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So, this is the beginning. I can move forward into my next races with these three, hard-earned lessons behind me. I don't wish this kind of race experience on anyone, but if you can learn from what went wrong then it is these kinds of setbacks that build experience and allow you to persist when the going really gets rough.Margaretha Fortmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437950079686646012noreply@blogger.com0