Despite the length of the stage (over 53 miles), and some nasty truck and trailer traffic from time to time, this was absolutely the best day of the whole journey - I'll try to explain why.
It started with sunshine, nice running temps, and gentle breezes. Unlike other previous more changeable days, that lasted all day. The run started out along a beautiful, wide river with barren, stony, snow-covered hills beyond. We encountered several herd of reindeer, one of which decided to run alongside us for a while. Then the river (and our road) headed down a steep gorge for many spectacular kilometers, and we got to watch the white water do its thing.
But as we approached Alta after about 30 miles, things started to change. Pine trees reappeared, farms sprung up, and the microclimate suddenly became alpine (from the Gulf Stream effect, I'm guessing). Flowers and the smell of mown grass. Running comfortably in shorts and T-shirt. And beyond the fairly sizeable town, in the distance, the Norwegian Sea, with fabulous, massive, ice-covered fjords beyond. Even the Norwegians in the group were blown away - it was spectacular.
Our accommodations tonight are good - hot showers and very good food. Two long, hard days still loom ahead, but we're hoping that the good weather holds, because that makes it all much more endurable.
P.S. Marit - thanks for the invite in Alta - no time unfortunately this time, but maybe I'll come back? J-B - seriously, only 5 other ultras!
17 comments:
So glad you had such a fabulous day toward the end of your journey!
I'm so happy Norway is treating you well. I hope it continues to the end.
Only 3 stages left - you are amazing, Russ!
Really glad to hear you had a great day out there!
I kind of hope you guys decide to run back down to Bari, because I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself... You've become part of the daily routine!
You know, it only took me several weeks to actually dissect the link your wife posted a few weeks ago. I just realized today that the link also contains photos of each stage, and today's stage photos even has reindeer photos and white water shots! My hat's off to whomever it is that diligently uploads and maintains all that.
http://www.transeurope-footrace.org/tel_09/index.php?lan=en&page=TEFR09&content=Galerie
So nice to hear you had such a great day!! It sounds beautiful and if you ever go back maybe you could do it sitting in a car?????
Just 3 more days !!
Amazing!
Russ...you are so close to the end that I am actually getting sad to think the blogs will end!!
Go Russ, go weather gods! I am so living vicariously. Enjoy the next few days. Cathy
3 days left - wow! I hope the next 3 days are as enjoyable as today.
Txx
So at least you reached the sea today ! Happy that you have a little bit of sun and local heat now. Two more big ones but nothing can happen now, enjoy these last 200 K.
A huge BRAVO to all of you.
JB
Great that it's going well Russ. Some euphoria here on how close you are to the finish. I can't even guess at how you and your loved ones are feeling. Beanlands
Wonderful, Russ! I love hearing about the reindeer. I am so amazed that you have come so far!
Hi, Russell -
sorry you didn't stay here in Alta, but Rafsbotn is nice. First part of the road tomorrow will be steep, but then you will have the great pleasure of crossing Sennalandet - a beautiful plain, where we love skiing in late winter, gathering cloudberries in summer (they are probably in bloom now) and hunting the grouse in autumn, this is really a favourite stretch of land. I really hope the weather gods will be benevolent - good running!
Best regards, Marit
go Russ. Dang, you FINISH stuff!
Russ, you are AMAZING!! It's good to hear you so positive and having the best day of your journey so close to the end.
~ Helen
Oh c'mon...running with reindeer? Are you sure that is not something you think you see after running almost 2800 miles?
Sounds like you have witnesses so I will go with it.
Have a happy finish!
David Phillips
Almostttttttttttttt
thereeeeeeeeeeeeee
Congrats, Russell, on making it so far. You're so close to finishing...it must feel great to be so close to accomplishing your goal.
Thanks so much for the wonderful description of your day!
Lynett
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