Tuesday: Stage 3 - 42km
Stage 3 involved running north for 18km to the first checkpoint and then heading around an iconic Icelandic mountain called 'the Queen'. I have to say that this stage was both awe-inspiring and body-retiring in equal measure, with the views up the mountain and across the phenomenal lava field coming at a price. Very few people have had the opportunity to traverse the wilderness on the northern slopes of the queen and it makes sense. The terrain is incredibly difficult to walk let alone run across. The pink flags guiding us were thoughtfully positioned, often snaking difficult paths through jagged lava flows and along barren ashy plains.
Having negotiated the first 18km without too much trouble and filling up on water at checkpoint 1, things then went a bit downhill. A fierce headwind greeted me as I circumnavigated the Queen, an incredibly frustrating and energy-sapping section. That coupled with having to remove sand from my shoes every 5km began to erode my mental state.
Rough terrain
Finally after well over 5 hours the stage finished with a dream-like scramble over another stunning lava field. Unfortunately at this point my nerves had been frayed to the extent that I wasn't thinking about taking many photos, but rather with getting into my tent and attending to my blistered toes.
Stretching out
Losing the plot
First and only blister of the race
Thankfully we had the use of a cabin to heat up some food and get hot water in, but had to get out shortly as a truckload of gibbering Italians arrived who had booked the cabins for the evening. So retiring to our tents, most of the competitors got an early night.
Wednesday: Stage 4 - 35km
A combination of unusually high winter snowfall and a very warm spring and summer had resulted in large areas of flooding across the first few km of stage 4. Rather than make us run through knee deep water, the race organiser decided to drive us the few km through the water and allow us to start on the other side. But this came at a price, the skipped km would be added on to the total for the long stage and final stage distances. The long stage was now to be 72km (ouch) and stage 6 increased to 25km. 250km meant 250km, no exception!
Stage 4 was spent entirely on a track that wound north for 35km. I found this to be an incredible quick stage, mainly due to the fact that 35km didn't feel like much anymore (!). Although it was a quick stage for me (just over 4 hours) I found it to be the hardest to date. I think that this was because of the fact that although it was a very open and beautiful course, there wasn't much variation in landscape to take the mind off running. There were also large stretches where the pink marker flags seemed to go on forever without a change in direction. Anyone who has driven down a long, straight and open road for too long will understand the mental challenge this poses!
A road without end
The campsite that night was at St. Peter's church, which is really just a hut perched upon a lava field. The hut is used by shepherds for when they herd Sheep in from the highlands for the winter months. It consists of a table and a couple of bunk beds, but clearly provides perfect shelter against the elements.
St. Peter's Church/Hut
No comments:
Post a Comment