Another Eat.Run.See adventure has just been published in TRAIL magazine! In this issue we share our experiences running on the north and south islands of scenic and friendly New Zealand.

Click on the link below for our article as it appears in the magazine:

TRAIL 17 – Amazing New Zealand!

If you’d like to enjoy the full magazine packed with awesome trail goodness, pick up a copy at supermarkets or bookstores in South Africa, or buy a digital copy online via one of these links:

Zinio / iTunes / Magzter

We’re once again incredibly proud and excited that we’re featured in TRAIL, South Africa’s leading trail running publication. The latest issue continues our involvement as regular contributors, as we share tales from the trails of our global adventure.

The Tarawera Ultra Marathon took place on February 7th, during New Zealand’s Waitangi Day long weekend starting in the town of Rotorua, New Zealand’s adventure capital, and ending in the sawmill town of Kawerau. The race weekend began with an authentic cultural experience at the Te Puia Centre where Maori cultural dancers performed a traditional powhiri welcome ceremony, which included the iconic haka. The start of the weekend was especially moving as it coincided with the Waitangi Day celebrations. We were also treated to the magnificent sight of the world famous Pohutu Geyser. Essentially a perfect start to what was to be an absolute Eat.Run.See highlight.

The welcome ceremony about to begin (photo credit: Marceau Photography)

Maori warrior runs to greet/challenge representative of runners’ tribe (photo credit: Marceau Photography)

Traditional dancers performing during the welcome ceremony at Te Puia

The Pohutu Geyser

Upon reflecting on this weekend one word comes to mind more than any other. It’s not very eloquent, and it’s not very informative, but somehow it captures things rather well. And that word is a straightforward “Wow!”

A number of things came together to make our Tarawera experience so memorable. And the race itself, perhaps, isn’t even the most important element in all of that.

But since this is going to be essentially a race report I will only just mention the non-race aspects that turned this event into one of lasting significance for us both.

As part of our North Island exploration we used couchsurfing.com to secure accommodation for one night in Wellington. Amazingly, it turned out that the wonderful couple, Scott and Adrienne, whom we connected with, were also running the Tarawera Ultra 100KM! We had a great evening staying with them in their lovely home in Wellington, where they shared with us their experience and a number of insider tips gleaned from their previous Tarawera runs. But it doesn’t stop there. Scott and Adrienne also invited us to stay with them in the spare room of the holiday home that they had already rented for race weekend. Suddenly our big race weekend, which we’d been planning for many months, turned into an epic weekend spent with new friends, that happened to include a race. Thanks again to Scott and Adrienne (who both ran amazing 100KM races) for their amazing Kiwi generosity and hospitality!

OK, this is supposed to be a race report, right? Let’s start at the beginning. Of course, I’m not quite sure where the beginning of any of these races truly is. Is it when you decide to enter, and start vaguely training for a long run many months in the future, is it the night before the race when you fail miserably at trying to get a good night’s sleep, or is it when the starting signal goes off?

Let’s just say that we were nervously confident – even though our training during the month we spent in India (two months before the race) was rather lackluster due to logistical troubles (it turns out it’s not that easy to run in India…), our training in New Zealand during the month prior to Tarawera went really well. Additionally we felt buoyed by a great 60KM training run on the famous and beautiful Kepler Track near gorgeous Te Anau on the South Island.

Race morning dawned (well that’s just an expression, since we got up at 4am, well before any hint of “dawn”) and we made our way to the start at the entrance to the magnificent Redwoods area in Rotorua. One of the huge advantages of staying with Scott and Adrienne during race weekend was the help we got from their support crew, Adrienne’s sister, Danielle. Danielle drove the four of us to the start area and we enjoyed one of our most relaxing and stress free race starts in a long while!

While waiting for the big run to get underway we were treated to another spectacular, goose-bump inducing haka performance by the Te Puia performers. It set the scene for an awesome day filled with emotion, grit and perseverance.

It was still dark when the race started, and the train of headlamps through the majestic Redwood forest looked an equal mixture of eerie and spectacular.

Here we go…nobody here is nervous or stressed out, right?

Bev and I quickly settled into an easy, comfortable rhythm and before we knew it we felt relaxed and confident. Although at Comrades (89km on the road) we’d come close, neither of us had run 100km before and we decided to take it really easy to begin with and just see what happened.

About 8km in, Bev has her relaxed, game face on early

The first few kilometers passed uneventfully enough, listening to the nervous and excited chatter of those around us, and quietly hoping that we’d last all the way to the finish.

Blue Lake, just one of the gorgeous lakes along the course

Making it look easy

It’s not over yet, is it?

For me, this confidence started fading fairly soon afterwards. By the time we’d reached the Millar Road aid station at around the 20km mark my quads started feeling unreasonably fatigued, and with another 80km to go, it didn’t exactly fill me with joy. Before the run Bev and I agreed that for a longish day, as this one was expected to be, we would try to eat actual solid food from early on at the aid stations. The first thing I saw on offer at the aid station was a lily-white bread sandwich with about a half inch of Marmite – not exactly the kind of thing we usually eat. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel all that great and figured it looked appetizing enough, and so I went for it. I also wolfed down two more sandwiches with heaps of boysenberry jam.

We spent about 10 minutes at the aid station eating, and filling our water bottles, before we set off again, and I was amazed at how strong I felt – significantly better than when we arrived. (From now on, I will be eating lots of Marmite on long runs!). The 17km to the next aid station at Okataina Lodge felt really easy and we were running well and utterly enjoying the great spirit and camaraderie amongst the runners on the trail.

Upon arriving at the aid station I immediately got down to eating more Marmite and jam sandwiches, gulped down a few glasses of Heed, and filled up water bottles before tackling the next 10km section to Humphries Bay.

This next section of the run included what would become another major highlight of our New Zealand adventure as a fellow runner tucked in behind me and Bev and followed along as we made our way along a gorgeous and runnable section of the course. The runner, who is a wonderful Kiwi lady, called Tui, chatted away and provided non-stop commentary, entertaining me and Bev (I didn’t hear that much of her chatter though, since I had my music on and was totally in the zone, pushing as hard as I thought was prudent with another 60+ kilometers to go (yes, it is mentally tough to think of having 60km to go after already having run 40km!). But more important than Tui’s commentary, was the fact that she and Bev connected on a personal level and before we knew it Tui had invited us to stay with her and her family for a few days. We took her up on her offer a few days later and had a great time getting to know her husband and their two wonderful kids.

Richard, in the zone, just lovin’ it :)

From Okataina (37km) to Tarawera Falls (60km) is advertised as the toughest section of the course, and we’d have to wholeheartedly agree. This 23km section took us over 4 hours, including some time spent in the two aid stations along the way. It’s all single-track with a some ups and downs thrown in.

Built-in support crew for both of us :)

It’s probably the most beautiful section too though, which is a good thing, since this helped keep us going. Getting to the 60km mark was also a major boost, since we knew that the last 40km were relatively easy running, mostly on forest service roads. Because of this we had our road shoes waiting for us in our drop bags at the Tarawera Falls aid station, and we were looking forward to throwing on slightly lighter and more comfortable shoes. Unfortunately the Tarawera Falls aid station also represented the one negative we experienced on the day. We had originally signed up for the 60km race, but changed our distance to the 100km the day before during registration, following the posted procedure to do so. We had placed our drop bags in the correct trailer for the 60km aid station for 100km runners. However, upon reaching the 60km aid station (which also serves as the 60km finish) we couldn’t locate our drop bags in the 100km race area, and were finally told to check the 60km finish bag location, which was about 500 meters away from the 100km drop bag location! After changing shoes and restocking our fuel we asked if volunteers could take our bags the 500 meters back to the 100km drop bag location (to ensure they were delivered to the finish area), and we were met with an indifferent shrug, indicating that it would be too much trouble for them to do that and we would have to do it ourselves. It is amazing how much an extra kilometer hurts when you have to complete 100 of them! This little annoyance was soon forgotten as we got on with the task of tackling the last 40km.

The final 40km were advertised as easy, non technical forestry roads with little elevation gain, and a few easy gradual downhills, and with our feet now in lighter, more cushy environs in our road shoes we felt quite buoyed. For me, this section was the most emotional. Soon we started feeling like we were going to make it, and upon reaching the Titoki aid station with only 30km to go it struck me as rather amazing how one can see 30km as just a short hop to the finish.

On long endurance events one feels a range of emotions which typically include nervousness, excitement, loneliness, friendship, self loathing, and love. This day did not disappoint, I felt all of these in spades. I always go back to the loss of our Archer, and more recently, it also includes the loss of my one of a kind mom who passed away late in 2013. My dad texted me good luck wishes the day before which included encouraging and proud messages from my brothers as well. Thinking about my family and feeling their support always gives me strength and a sense of belonging which can sometimes be lost out there in the late hours of a long run.

One of the aspects I like most of long runs is how it forces you to look deep inside, to see what’s there and to found out if, whatever it is, is strong enough to get you to the finish line. Bev and I have an advantage here; we help each other, we encourage each other, we remind each other to eat and drink, or to slow down or pick it up. It also adds a bit to my occasional self loathing though, when I sometimes irrationally blame myself for putting her through the tribulations of a 16 hour long run, as if it’s somehow my fault that she decided to run a 100km trail race.

Running the final 15km in the dark with only our headlamps illuminating a cone of the darkness ahead, and only our footsteps and breathing piercing the silence, added meaningfully to the surreality of closing in on the finish of a 100km long run through some of the magnificent forests of New Zealand.

Finding the last turn towards to finish arch in Firmin field, in the town of Kawerau was almost magical. Seeing the finish line, hearing our names being called out as we crossed that line was amazing. But what was truly special, was the fact that our new friends Scott and Adrienne were there waiting for us, with hugs ready, after completing their own 100km runs much earlier than we did.

Finished!

For us, Tarawera Ultra Marathon 2015 will always be about friendship, perseverance, and achievement, but mostly about friendship, thanks to especially Scott, Adrienne, and Tui, but also thanks to the organizers and the rest of the participants who created a real feeling of family out there on a tough, but utterly well lived day!

Scott and us before the start

Click me to read our article

Another awesome issue of TRAIL magazine featuring Eat.Run.See! This time we cover running  in the Honduran jungle – an exhilarating experience! We also talk about how we’re traveling on a plant-based diet and what makes our list of most memorable vegan plates and places.

Click on the link below for our article as it appears in the magazine.

TRAIL 14 – Eat.Run.See Survives Honduras

If you’d like to enjoy the full magazine packed with awesome trail goodness, pick up a copy at supermarkets or bookstores in South Africa, or buy a digital copy (from wherever you access the interwebs) via one of these links:

Zinio: http://za.zinio.com/www/browse/product.jsp?rf=sch&productId=500650714

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trail-mag/id796352591?ls=1&mt=8

We’re once again incredibly proud and excited that we’re featured in TRAIL, South Africa’s leading trail running publication. The latest issue continues our involvement as regular contributors, as we share tales from the trails that we explore and experience on our global adventure.

This past week saw the arrival on store shelves of TRAIL Issue 13, South Africa’s pre-eminent trail running publication. We’re once again incredibly proud and excited that we’re featured in the publication. The latest issue continues our involvement as regular contributors to TRAIL, as we share tales from the trails that we explore and experience on our global adventure.

Click on the link below for our article as it appears in the magazine. This article covers some of the why’s, and how’s of our journey and includes a bit of Guatemalan trail magic. We hope you like it.

TRAIL Issue 13 – Team Eat.Run.See article

If you’d like to enjoy the full magazine packed with awesome trail goodness, pick up a copy at supermarkets or bookstores in South Africa, or buy a digital copy (from wherever you access the interwebs) via one of these links:

Zinio http://za.zinio.com/www/browse/product.jsp?rf=sch&productId=500650714

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trail-mag/id796352591?ls=1&mt=8

Thanks to TRAIL editor, Deon Braun, for his continued enthusiasm and interest in our story. We love being part of the trail and outdoor community and sharing some of our excitement and experiences in this way is fantastic!

Amazingly, already just over three weeks have passed since running the fun and beautiful Valamar Trail 53K race on the Istrian peninsula in Croatia.

The Valamar Trail, this year in it’s first edition, did an outstanding job of organizing a fantastic day out on the trails of this very beautiful part of our planet. The day’s events comprised 4 different race distances, there was a 13K, 21K, 53K and a 73K, so there’s an opportunity for everybody to participate – beginning trail runners all the way through to experienced ultra runners.

The race’s main sponsor, in fact the race’s organizing body, is the Valamar Group of Resorts - a major resort group in Croatia. They offered an amazing deal, which pretty much sealed our decision to participate. Half board accommodation (bed, breakfast, and dinner) in a gorgeous 3-star sea-view hotel was being offered to race participants at only €19 per person per night. Additionally, if you stayed 5 nights the race’s entry fee would also be waived. It was perfect for a couple of round-the-world backpackers!

The race took place near a beachside resort town called Rabac. We arrived from Split a few days before the race and knew we had made a solid decision to enter the race as soon as we checked into our hotel (the Valamar Miramar Hotel). It was awesome. A gorgeous pool, super comfortable room, and pretty amazing food, which included soy milk on the breakfast buffet, left us in no doubt that a fun few days were on tap.

Race check-in (and mandatory gear check) happened in a neighboring (Valamar) hotel, 5 minutes walk from our hotel, and went very smoothly.

We packed our race vests and were ready for a very civilized race morning the following day since the race only started at 9AM and the start location was a mere 5 minute walk away.

Race kit ready

After a very comfortable night’s sleep, a quick breakfast of cereal and multigrain toast, we made our way to the start line where we encountered a festive and lively atmosphere.

After a couple of minutes spent greeting and chit-chatting with a few friendly, fellow racers we were off. The course started with a couple of road kilometers winding us through the village of Rabac before depositing us at the beginning of the business end of this anything-up trail race.

Ready-set-go!

The first section of single track was simply awesome, we ran through dense forest (which included very sharp pine needles that drew a fair amount of blood from our lower legs), scampered the width of a rocky beach (with amazing views of the Adriatic), and before we knew it, we hit the first climb of the day.

About to hit the beach

The Adriatic

That first climb

Bev was laying it down with an absolute vengeance in the the first 15km of the day, and I thought we were in for something rather special (if I could hang on that was!). She ran technical sections with more confidence and agility than I’ve ever seen and she trucked up climbs without fear. We were passing the field, and she was getting into a good position among the women.

Bev was ripping up the single track and lovin’ it

Rich took a more peaceful approach

Unfortunately at about 20km Bev starting feeling nauseated and started carrying some pain in her lower back, and she started slowing down. At one point she felt so bad, that she contemplated something she’d never even thought of before during a race: dropping.

Of course, that is not the sort of thing Bev does, and after a short little cry brought on by frustration, pain, and heat she renewed her resolve and continued trucking along. When we finally hit the aid station at 31km she ate a few handfuls of salty potato chips, washed it down with the provided isotonic sports drink and got going again with real intent.

Bev getting her groove back at the 31km aid station

We had run hard to this point, and both of us had suffered a bit in the heat, and did a good job cursing the unbelievable rocky surface underfoot, but we were determined to put in a solid effort in last 22km of this beautiful, but tough, course.

Buoyed by the knowledge that we only had about 20km to go and that most of the day’s climbing was behind us we were on a relative high (maybe it was the salt on the chips)! But little did we know just how many rocky miles lay ahead. This part of the world is basically made out of limestone and the surface underfoot for the remainder of the course was some of the rockiest terrain either of us had ever seen. Our feet had already taken a beating to this point but the worst was yet to come. Fatigue combined with hard, uneven surfaces make for a challenging time. To make matters even worse, the terrain was so rocky that running was becoming a risky proposition, which meant that we were going to be out there for that much longer.

Rocks, rocks, everywhere you look

The final 8km was pretty much all downhill, and consisted almost exclusively of rock strewn jeep track; running on it required our full attention for fear of snapping an ankle or bruising a heel. There was an amazing view over the Adriatic as we closed in on the return to Rabac where the finish line (and a lovely cold beer and hot meal) were waiting.

Rocky jeep track

As has become our thing, we crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, while the announcer excitedly announced our arrival with  “and here come our two Canadians!”).

Another shot at the finish

Our official finish time was 7:57:00, which we thought was reasonable, but when we later discovered that Bev was only 26 minutes out of 3rd place among women overall (and only 31 minutes out of 2nd place) we were rather pleased with the time.

We arrived in Croatia from Rome, Italy, where vegan options were plentiful, fresh and delicious and the supermarkets well stocked. We were unsure what our options would be as we touched down in Dubrovnik and set out to explore part of the Balkan region for a couple of months. Our time in Croatia was mostly spent along the Dalmatian Coast and on the Istrian Peninsula. We enjoyed a good mix of small villages and big towns, and aside from one small island hamlet (Sobra on Mljet Island), were able to find everything we needed to make our usual healthy, happy vegan meals and even enjoyed several meals out.

Food shopping

After finding and settling into our accommodation, the next order of business in a new place is to orient ourselves regarding food. Since we mostly stay in places that have kitchen facilities, orientation usually entails locating the nearest grocery store or supermarket to stock up on supplies. It’s always exciting to explore a new store to see the selection of vegan-friendly products, along with local fruits and vegetables.

Picking up soy milk at one of the many Konzum stores across Croatia

In Dubrovnik we found a supermarket called Konzum just down the street from our lodging, near to the main bus station and port. Konzum is a large Croatian supermarket chain and we were delighted to find a large “health food section” with all of our usual requirements: soy milk, oats, muesli, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, dates, and more. We subsequently found that other supermarket chains such as Tommy, Studenac and Pemo also carried most of the basics, but we generally shopped at Konzum since we found their selection, prices and freshness of produce to be the best. Pricing for typical items: 1l soy milk – 18 Kuna (C$3.30); 250ml peanut butter – 10 Kuna (C$1.85); bread loaf – 8 Kuna (C$1.50); 1kg bananas – 10 Kuna (C$1.85).

Our most challenging few days as it relates to food was on the island of Mljet. We initially decided to stay in the town of Sobra which is near the main ferry dock in the centre of the island. Unfortunately we were surprised to find that the small food store was very poorly stocked with supplies and almost no fresh produce. There are a handful of restaurants but their offerings are quite poor and we were not too thrilled about eating bland pizza and pasta for lunch and dinner every day!

So we decided to move to another village on the island called Polace at the entrance to the National Park, and were ecstatic to find two well stocked food markets (with soy milk no less!) as well as plentiful supplies of fruit and vegetables. There is also a bakery that makes the most amazing multi-grain bread (even better than the French and Italian breads we recently indulged in!). We’d certainly recommend Polace as a base if you visit Mljet and wish to enjoy nature while continuing with your plant-based diet. Although we opted to cook all of our meals in our apartment, there are a number of restaurants along the waterfront in Polace, many of which would be able to whip up a vegan salad, sandwich, pizza or pasta. You can read more about what we got up to on Mljet here.

Bean chili over baked potatoes – one of our favourite meals enjoyed in Polace on our lovely patio! And of course, wine with lunch (a very civilized habit acquired in France)!

The bakery or “pekara” in Polace on Mljet Island

One of the very well stocked supermarkets in Polace

We also found a few natural/health food stores called “bio” shops in Dubrovnik and Split. These shops were very well stocked with local and imported natural foods, home and beauty products. We enjoyed a rare treat of tofu and quinoa purchased from one of the bio shops called Trgovina Refužo in Split, just a few steps away from the Riva. It was really great to chat to the store owner who has been vegan for many years and is working hard to promote a plant-based lifestyle in Croatia. The shop is very well stocked with nuts, seeds, grains and flours in bulk bins, along with meat alternatives such as tofu and seitan, and non-dairy milks. There is also a gluten-free product section. Here’s a list of the other bio shops we found:

Bio and Bio – Dubrovnik

Bio and Bio - Split

Zdravi Bili – Split

What an unexpected treat to find tofu and quinoa in Croatia! We had a great time checking out bio store Trgovina Refužo in Split

Where possible, we also seek out markets to buy our food. We hoped that Croatia would be similar to the other European countries we’d recently visited. We were not disappointed by the produce markets, fruit and vegetable vendors and bakeries in every place we visited! Not only are the local ingredients fresher and more tasty, they tend to be cheaper too – especially when purchased at places where locals shop. Local fruits include mandarin oranges, grapes, pomegranates, apples, limes, melons and lemons. Local vegetables include potatoes (the best we’ve had!), chard (how we’ve missed you!), cabbage, zucchinis, lettuces, cucumber and tomatoes (yes, a fruit, but more suited to the vegetable list somehow!). Anything imported is quite a bit more expensive, but there is a good variety.

The “green market” in Split next to Diocletian’s Palace (photo credit: www.taxisplitairport.com)

Our typical breakfast consists of oats or muesli/granola with soy milk, nuts, dates, flax seeds, oat bran and banana. We had no problem finding any of these ingredients during our stay in Croatia. Lunches and dinners are usually interchangeable and we make large portions to allow for leftovers if we’re staying in one place for a few days. We generally make bean burritos, lentil stew, pasta with vegetable and tomato sauce, chickpea curry, soups and other dishes as we find available ingredients for a special treat (like tofu!).

Yummy lentil stew with fresh veggies over cous cous with a side of roasted beets

Eating out

We don’t eat out very often on this global adventure with its backpacker budget, but we do like to support local vegan restaurants when we can. In Split we discovered a wonderful spot called Makrovega, serving reasonably priced daily set vegan and vegetarian menus, along with light meals such as veggie burgers, burritos and sandwiches. They also have a delicious variety of dessert items and fresh cold-pressed juices. There’s also another option in Split called Vege which is a take-out window located near the produce market. We didn’t get a chance to eat there, but wish we did! There is a popular vegetarian restaurant called Nishta inside the old city walls of Dubrovnik that we were hoping to try, but unfortunately it was closed on the day we visited the old town.

Lunch at Makrovega – we tried the burger and tofu burrito – both outstanding!

Generally we don’t have the luxury of choice for vegetarian or vegan restaurants, so we get creative, and work around the menu offerings, and sometimes, the language barrier! In Croatia, the most common restaurants are eateries called “konobas” run by local families serving mostly regional fare which is heavily weighted to meat and fish dishes. All of the restaurants we visited had pizza and pasta selections that could easily be made vegan, along with amazing vegetable side dishes. These restaurants offered up the best meals:

Sperun – Split (very heavy on seafood and local fare, but there are pasta options; we ordered the spaghetti with tomato sauce and a side order of each of the boiled and grilled veggies – wonderful flavours and generous portions but slightly heavy on the olive oil for our liking)

Quaint local restaurant Sperun, hidden off the main tourist promenade in Split

Bistro Toc – Split (we asked for a vegan version of the burrito with tofu and avocado instead of meat and cheese – very happily accommodated and delicious too!)

Pizzeria Napoli – Labin (we initially wanted to try a regional pasta dish called fuzi which is served with locally grown white truffles, but unfortunately the dish is made with cream and cheese; we opted instead for a veggie pizza with no cheese – again, happily accommodated and we weren’t disappointed!)

Pizzeria Napoli on the main square in Labin on the Istrian Peninsula

Gorgeous, colourful vegan pizza enjoyed on the patio overlooking the main square in Labin

The verdict

Being vegan in Croatia was much easier than we expected it to be. This is largely attributed to the availability of varied supplies in the supermarkets as well as our ability (and interest) to cook for ourselves. Eating out for every meal would be possible, but one of vegan inclination would be limited to pizza and pasta in most restaurants. There is also not very much ethnic diversity in the towns we visited, so typical options for vegans like Mexican, Thai or Japanese are not plentiful.

Hands down the easiest place to be vegan in Croatia is Split (compared to other larger towns we visited, including Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula and Rovinj). Zagreb was not on our itinerary on this trip, but it’s likely that it would have more options than the rest of the country.

Best local food tried: Croatian chard (dark green leafy vegetable) and potatoes

Most surprising food experience: Well-stocked bio/natural food stores in bigger centres

Most challenging food experience: Understanding the language to convey or request vegan requirements

 Dubrovnik

The old (walled) town of Dubrovnik doubles as King’s Landing in television’s Game of Thrones. One can see some of the impressive architecture showcased in this TV show from various vantage points around town, and this adds a pretty neat dimension to the views that are available on a Dubrovnik road run. Our first run took us from our accommodation near the main bus terminal (often major bus terminals are located in the sketchiest parts of town, but this is not true of Dubrovnik) around the port and marina on the sea front through Babin Kuk, the classy resort area of Lapad, through a unexpected park (which threw a neat little trail with a bit of vertical gain our way) back to the road around the marina and on to our great little spot at Guest House Dada for a total of ~12km (route pictured below – check out the “Move” on the Suunto Movescount website). The weather was great, the locals encountered along the way were friendly and all in all we both had a great run. Little did we know that, running-wise, things were only going to get better in this wonderful part of the world.

Suunto Movescount Map of Dubrovnik run

While in Dubrovnik we also did a speed workout, running 500m repeats along the sea front along the marina (route below). We recommend an early start to minimize the foot traffic encountered, but the flat, smooth terrain is well suited to faster running.

Marina area – good spot for short speed intervals

Mljet

On the main highway, Mljet

After 2 nights in Dubrovnik we headed over to the small island of Mljet by ferry. We were very excited at the prospect of running on this beautiful little island as roughly one third of the island area consists of the stunningly beautiful Mljet National Park replete with gorgeous lakes and a myriad off-road paths and trails.

Access to the park (which is located on the west side) is best done via the bustling and well serviced (we even found soy milk!) village of Polace, but we first wanted to explore the eastern (and southern) parts of the island and thus we opted to spend a few nights in the less bustling and less well serviced (no soy milk!) village of Sobra.

From Sobra, which is located roughly in the “center” of the island, we did an explorer’s run to Saplunara, another beach town on the easternmost tip of the island. This run was around 16km, one way, along a well maintained, but very quiet, highway. The run offered spectacular views of the island and the Adriatic seas around the coast, and the road surface was really good, providing yet another a wonderful road running experience. It should be noted, though, that there is rarely a flat stretch on this 16km trot to Saplunara (see the Movescount moves here and here), and the total vertical gain, one way, is 340m.

Upon reaching Saplunara, however, a wonderful beach oasis awaits the hot and weary runner! We spent a lovely, leisurely hour or two swimming in the crystal clear, blue Adriatic waters, sunbathing, and eating fruit purchased from a well stocked local market before tackling the same 16km stretch back to Sobra. A highly recommended road run to anybody who doesn’t shy away from the odd 32+km day with a bit of vertical gain thrown in.

View along the run to Saplunara

View along the run to Saplunara

Mid run break and dip in the Adriatic (at Saplunara)

Partial route from Sobra to Saplunara

Partial route from Sobra to Saplunara

But the absolute running highlight was exploring the Mljet National Park. What made the park especially well suited to running is the fact that in addition to the many trails to select from, some quite technical and steep, there are also lots of paved tracks which allows for some of the best road running either of us has ever had the pleasure of doing. The paved tracks run along the perimeter(s) of the two lakes that dominate the park’s features, and offer non-stop, fantastic turquoise water views. The running surface is very good and the track is quite level.

Exploring the trails in the park is easy and rewarding. Trails are well marked and most are well maintained as well. We did find at least one trail which doesn’t seem to receive too much attention; there were several downed trees to climb over on this trail but it was still very easy to follow. There are maps available for purchase at the park entrances, and there are maps on large signposts at a few locations around the park. We took a picture of the park’s trail layout and found it sufficient to explore the park. The fact that the park’s geography is dominated by the two large lakes makes it relatively easy to remain oriented while on the trails.

We ran one longish exploration run (see map below), which provided some gnarly, technical single track, some flowing, wide single track and awe inspiring views.

17km Mljet National Park run

All the pictures below were taken on this 17km run:

Richard enjoying a sweet line along this part of the trail

Trails are marked with these white and red markings

Sometimes one must stop to take it all in

The shimmering Adriatic

Bev enjoying herself on one of the wide, flowing sections

Parts of the trail were very rocky, but runnable

While we loved the trails, we are currently training for the Athens Marathon The Authentic coming up in November, and thus ran a few tempo and interval runs on the paved tracks around the lakes too.

We found the Mljet National Park to be a peaceful sanctuary to explore and enjoyed many miles of running bliss during our 8-day stay in Polace.

After 5 gorgeous (but expensive!) days in Rome, we boarded our friendly EasyJet flight bound for oceanside Dubrovnik in southern Croatia. Arriving at sunset gave us a spectacular vista over the hills, islands, and ocean that embrace this historical town with its walled old quarter. The handy Atlas airport shuttle bus ($7.50 each/one way) dropped us at the main bus terminal after giving us a glimpse of the romantic old town lit up at night.

Courtyard at Guesthouse Dada

Our accommodation at Guesthouse Dada was a mere 100m away from the bus station and we were delighted to discover how clean and well laid out our apartment was. We shared a bathroom and kitchen with one other double room, and had use of the courtyard and outdoor seating area. We discovered that private letting of accommodation is very common in Dubrovnik (and across Croatia apparently), and were greeted by many people at the bus station offering us accommodation or “sobe/apartman”. We were happy that we had pre-booked our accommodation via booking.com, but it would have been possible to secure accommodation in a more informal fashion.

One of the many stray cats we encountered in Dubrovnik – this one was definitely the cutest and most curious!

The first day of our 3-night/2-day stay in Dubrovnik was quite typical for us – we put on our running shoes and headed out the door to explore our surroundings. We ran from the bus station past the port and around the peninsula to Babin Kuk and Lapad on an oceanfront path (part road, gravel and dirt). More details on our running adventures coming soon!

Port of Dubrovnik, with lovely water and dockside walking paths

After our morning run we set out on foot to find a beach and visit the famous old town. Dubrvonik has a number of “beach” options, ranging from pebbly, sandy inlets to rocky outcroppings with slabs of concrete for sunbathing. Most beaches are within walking distance of the old town, but there are also regular buses that run to various parts of town and beaches (cost: 12 Kuna at newsstand or 15 Kuna on the bus). On this outing we found two swimming areas (not really beaches in the typical sense!): one near Lapad next to a large hotel/casino complex and one called Dance Beach near Gradac Park. Both have gorgeous views of the ocean and its lovely blue green water. Dance Beach is more tranquil and a great spot to catch a gorgeous sunset.

A little church perched on the cliff above Dance Beach

Wedged between our two beach experiences was our visit to Dubrovnik‘s walled old town which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Dating to the 7th Century, this spectacular site was truly delightful to explore. We wandered down the marbled main avenue and wound up and away along stepped side streets into the maze of the locally inhabited parts of the town. We also made our way to the outside the of walls and walked alongside the ocean and marina. Dubrovnik is one of the filming locations for the popular TV show Game of Thrones, and we can see why the producers picked this spot! It’s captivating, alluring, and authentic.

Old town fortifications

Exploring the lane ways with restaurants, hotels, shops, tour agencies and residences

Stairs winding up and away from the town centre

Busy inside the walls!

The marble paved central avenue

Intricate detailing so well preserved

Gorgeous contrast of blue skies and white buildings with the characteristic terra-cotta tile roofs of the region

So many lanes to explore!

Evidence of daily life in the old town

Nature finds a way

Pile, one of two entrance gates to the old town

The old town within its walled perimeter

On our second day we decided to try another beach closer to the old town. Banje Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik, with its clear water and beautiful views of the old town and islands across the bay. The beach itself is quite pebbly with sandy spots and lots of rocks for lounging on. We got a good dose of Vitamin D while drinking ice cold Croatian beer, followed by cooling dips in the Adriatic. A very successful beach outing indeed!

Pebbly Banje Beach with the old town in the background

Beach time Croatia-style on the Adriatic

Smiles all around on a sunny, clear water kinda day!

Our initial idea for our time on the southern Dalmatian coast was to spend a few days in Dubrovnik followed by a few hops around the larger islands in the region. Due to the end of the summer season, we discovered that the frequency and ease of ferry travel was limited. This turned out to be a very happy circumstance!

Instead of moving around from island to island, we chose to visit the small and less populated island of Mljet, featuring Mljet National Park with a much quieter pace than some of the larger islands in the region. We travelled from Dubrovnik to Mljet with the G&V Ferry Line on the foot passenger-only catamaran. Tickets are purchased a half hour before departure at a cost of 60 Kuna one way per person. Once we arrived on the island, we knew that we’d find peace and tranquility in the natural beauty of the surroundings. And so we decided to stay on Mljet for 11 days, splitting our time between the main port of Sobra and the village of Polace.

Travel day at the ferry dock!

The ferry in dock waiting to depart for Mljet

The village of Sobra is a quiet place with few services and a very basic grocery market. Contrary to guidebooks suggesting it’s the centre of the island, Sobra has limited facilities and no public transport. Despite this, we decided to stay for three nights and enjoy the quiet surroundings. We stayed at Guesthouse Sobra in a room with a lovely view of the bay from the sunny terrace. We enjoyed the close access to a swimming/sunning spot and the company of our new Australian friend, Dennis. We ventured out one day for a 32km run to one end of the island and back, breaking up the distance half way to enjoy a well-earned cold beer and a dip in the enchanting blue water at Saplunara.

Idyllic setting in Sobra

The pathway to our lodging

View from our patio across the bay and the village of Sobra

Quiet morning for reflection on a still bay in Sobra

Beautiful quiet bay near the village of Saplunara

We moved on from Sobra by ferry to Polace, situated closer to the entrance of the national park to give us greater access to running terrain as well as better food supplies with two well-stocked grocery stores. We took a chance and decided not to pre-book accommodation since online options were limited and far more expensive than we expected. This turned out to be a terrific decision. We stepped off the ferry and encountered a number of locals waiting to offer their accommodation for rent. We agreed to view one of the apartments close to the ferry dock, and we were thrilled with the location, space, and price. We happily completed the necessary administration and settled in. This included completing the mandatory tourist accommodation cards that are stamped by local authorities. Kudos to Richard for his gut instinct to select our friendly landlord!

The village of Polace with Roman palace ruins

Our home and comfy terrace for 8 days

View to the left of our terrace

Our eight days in Polace were terrific. Set against the ruins of an ancient Roman palace, the village is situated within the national park, which makes up almost a third of the island. There are amazing trails, two salt water lakes, a restored monastery on an island within a lake and historic villages to explore. We spent most days running in the morning to see different parts of the park, and then relaxing around one of the two lakes in the afternoons. Aside from one day of rain, the weather was sunny, warm and humid – still cool enough for running but hot enough for lazing on rocks and swimming in our birthday suits!

Clear water and pine tree lined shores of the large lake (Veliko Jezero)

Our favourite sheltered rock perch on the shore of the large lake

The monastery of Santa Maria built on an island within the large lake

Wayfinding in the park is very clear and the forest trail system is equally well marked

The beautiful turquoise waters of the small lake (Malo Jezero)

Not all beaches are suitable for naturists! FKK is the code for nude beaches in Croatia

Park entrance is 90 Kuna per person and is valid for the duration of your stay in the region. There are regular shuttle buses that transport visitors to Pristaniste, the main entrance and one of the launch points for the boat across the lake to the monastery. All bus and boat transportation is included in the entrance fee. Bike and kayak rentals are available, but we preferred to explore on foot. This was a very easy way to get around even when we weren’t running, as many trails and roads connect short distances within the park.

Island foliage

A quiet spot outside the monastery

Architectural detail on the exterior of the monastery

A nice spot to have a little rest!

About to enjoy one of our many yummy meals on our terrace with a spot of Croatian wine

Bike rentals are everywhere on the island

Our apartment was incredibly comfortable and clean, and perfectly located with an ocean view patio and close to the park entrance and grocery store. We really enjoyed the setting and pace of the village, and for the first time on this crazy journey, felt that we had time to meditate, read and write, in addition to our usual running and exploration activities. It was also great to visit at the end of the summer season with fewer tourists and boat traffic. We’re going to miss our island oasis on Mljet but are looking forward to exploring what else Croatia has to offer, starting with Split, the capital city of the Dalmatia region.

Departure morning at 4am to catch the bus to the ferry dock

UTMB races finish line

A race report (and a bit more)

Last week Team Eat.Run.See had the amazing opportunity to be both spectator and participant in what is arguably trail running’s Superbowl and Tour de France rolled into one. The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) week in the French Alps town of Chamonix (and surrounds) is a weeklong celebration of all that is trail running. The world’s best ultra trail runners descend on the gorgeous and friendly town of Chamonix to test their mettle against each other (and themselves, the weather and mountain terrain) in a variety of distances, ranging from the (new, relatively short) 53km OCC to the marquee 168km UTMB race.

All in there are 5 events; 4 races and 1 epic 300km, 26,500m (that’s an insane 87,000’) vertical gain multi-day odyssey, called the La Petite Trotte à Léon. The events wind through towns and communities in France, Italy, and Switzerland. The 4 races are as follows:

1. the 119km Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) with its 7,250m (23,800’) vertical gain and 33 hour time limit (Thursday evening start),
2. the 168km Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) with its 9,600m (31,500’) vertical gain and 46 hour time limit (Friday evening start);
3. the 101km Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix (CCC) with its 6,100m (20,000’) vertical gain and 26.5 hour time limit (Friday morning start);
4. the 53km Orsieres-Champex-Chamonix (OCC) with its 3,300m (10,800’) vertical gain and 14 hour time limit (Thursday morning start).

When the UTMB organization announced the addition of the OCC race to the calendar for the first time in 2014, Bev and I immediately threw our names into the lottery hat. Little did we know, as we sat in our hostel in Cartagena, Colombia, that we would be successful in the lottery and find ourselves on the OCC start line on a gorgeous Thursday morning almost 9 months (and many adventures) later.

Fast forward past all the adventures and runs between Colombia and the Pyrenees, we arrived in breathtaking Chamonix via the center of France along with Richard’s dad and friend, Isabelle, on Monday, August 25th just as UTMB week was getting underway. The atmosphere was already electric as the 300km PTL was getting underway at 5:30pm (with the first arrivals only expected back in Chamonix around 7am on Saturday); there was a palpable buzz in the air as strong, athletic looking people were everywhere to be seen: some catching up with last minute mandatory equipment shopping and others lazily enjoying coffee or beer at one of the many outdoor cafes.

Monday night arrived along with heavy downpours and flat-out miserable weather – we couldn’t help but feel sorry for the 250 odd PTL runners out there in the Alps on a cold, rainy night. Tuesday brought more rain and our visit to the (open air) expo turned into a rather wet and cold affair. We were also rather shocked at the price of gear – on average at least 20% higher than in the US. Cost aside, we managed to find the few outstanding items to meet the mandatory gear list (food reserve and collapsible cups) and were ready for our gear inspection and race bib pick-up the following day. (For those interested see below for the list and how we met the requirements).

Bev with one of our collapsible cups

Bib pick-up doubles as gear registration, where the race organization checks that each runner has all the mandatory equipment. We arrived early and found a rather long line-up and we wondered how the gear checks are managed. What happens is that as each runner registers they receive a sheet of paper with about half of the required items randomly selected and highlighted. The runner then presents his pack, with the highlighted items taken out for easy inspection, to a race official.

Well organized registration (package pickup)

Bev sailed through, but Richard ran into a small issue when his race official took issue with his headlamp which did not have spare batteries, as “required”. We didn’t think the spare batteries would be an issue since we use rather top-end running headlamps that come with 11 hour rechargeable batteries, and cannot accept any spare batteries. Add to that the fact that headlamps that use regular batteries are generally far inferior in quality to the ones that we use, we thought there should be no issue with our headlamps meeting the requirements. After a bit of a delay and a conversation with a referee it was agreed that our headlamps are more than sufficient and Richard was also cleared to receive his race bib.

Richard explaining his headlamp battery performance

The rest of Wednesday dragged on a bit as we packed and re-packed our race packs, making sure we had enough race fuel and that all the other bits and pieces were in place for our big run the following day.

Our race packs, ready to rumble

3:45am Thursday arrived quite quickly in the end, and we got going with our usual race morning ritual which includes a spot of coffee followed by hot oats with chia seeds and soy milk. At 4:40am, a whole 5 minutes ahead of schedule we started our 15 minute walk down to the bus terminal to catch the race-organized bus to the start in Orsieres, Switzerland.

After a very comfortable, 90 minute bus ride we finally arrived at the race headquarters in Orsieres where we found ourselves a comfortable little spot in the sports center to await the race start time of 8:00am. We were both feeling very relaxed and happy to have time to warm up and mentally prepare for the day ahead.

The start line was amazing: we were in a beautiful little square in this quaint little mountain village (Orsieres, Switzerland), with 1,200 other runners, anxiously awaiting what we hoped would be a great day in the mountains. There was the usual host of announcements and thank you’s (most of which we couldn’t understand), as well as a Swiss horn blowing to herald the start of the race. Before we knew it, cow bells were ringing and OCC14 was underway!

The OCC start line

Excited to run in the Alps

The first few kilometers saw us winding our way through the streets of the village, small school children and adults lining our route, clapping, ringing cow bells, and yelling encouragement: “Allez, allez!” (Go, Go!).

We quickly started our first climb towards the gorgeous Champex-Lac (Verbier, Switzerland), where the first aid station awaited us at the 7km mark. After only 548m of climbing the aid station seemed to come a little early and we just drank our fill of water using our handy-dandy collapsible water cups (part of the mandatory equipment), and moved through the station within a few minutes. It was indeed unfortunate that we had no real need for an aid station yet, because these Europeans know how to do aid stations! In addition to the beautiful setting, it really felt like a place we should’ve hung out for a while, but we were, after-all, in a race.

The biggest issue over the first section of the course was that it seemed that there were perhaps a few too many runners on course, causing a fair amount of congestion on the single track. To make matters worse, passing people was not easy. We’ve read that European trail runners like their trekking poles, and we were becoming familiar with just how much they like them! It also became clear that while they may like their poles, not everybody really knows how to use them very well, especially as it concerns control of the poles in the vicinity of others.

A long, colorful train of racers on the 1st climb

There were a few close calls with the business ends of poles coming up dangerously behind their owners – perhaps it was a strategic effort to dissuade one from passing them. Admittedly the large number of runners is what makes it possible for more people to enjoy this amazing trail experience, and it is not lost on the author that if the field size was limited to a smaller number we may not even have made it into the race. Additionally, the field thinned sufficiently at around the 5km mark and there was never really any further congestion (which was actually better than at Comrades 2014).

After Champex there were a few kilometers of easy running around a gorgeous inky lake before we started our first real climb up towards La Giete. On our way to La Giete was the first time we ran above 2,000m, and with almost 1,000m of vertical gain over a 10km stretch it was the first real test of our climbing legs. Notwithstanding both of us getting shocked by an electric fence (turns out electric fences are commonplace, used to corral the alpine cattle), our legs held well and we felt pretty good as we started the 700m descent down to the next (this time much more welcome) aid station at Trient.

Nearing the top of the 1st climb

Bev enjoying her climb

At 24km Trient represented the first time cut-off, and we were happy to easily make the 6 hour limit with close to 2 hours in hand. This time we soaked up a bit of the Euro aid station ambience, taking slightly more time as we filled up on water again; we had no need of anything else. It seemed that our fueling plan was working again (we had some issues with it during Comrades 2014). Our current strategy consists of Hammer Perpetuem Solids and Gu gels with electrolyte capsules. We generally consume 3 Perpetuem Solids and one Gu gel in every 75 minutes (about 160 calories per hour), alternating the solids and the gels. We couldn’t find our usual electrolyte capsules and had to go with something new; we found Saltstick Caps at the race expo. During the race we took one capsule every hour, and they worked perfectly, and has now become our preferred electrolyte replacement.

Leaving the sanctuary of the Trient aid station was like walking out of your clan’s great hall onto the battlefield, as we immediately started the most vicious climb of the day. The almost 900m vertical gain over the 4km to Catogne took its toll. We felt it, and many of our co-adventurers had problems on this section. Numerous runners took “special” little rests all along the course, and some looked rather pale. But onwards we marched, and finally made it up and over (with the help of our playlists and some dancing by Bev to John Denver, no less!), only to be rewarded with a 5km long, quad crushing, 880m descent into Vallorcine, another most welcome Euro-class aid-station.

Climbing up towards Catogne

Yep, this is work

The views were spectacular

The views were spectacular, indeed

Bev dropping into Vallorcine

Bev dropping into Vallorcine – yep, it’s that steep!

The Vallorcine aid-station was the second time cut-off and we now had almost 3 hours in hand, and boy did we take advantage of that as we did a most excellent, Euro inspired job of truly soaking up the vibe. I re-filled our Camelbak water reservoirs and we both enjoyed some time off our feet. After spending close to 30 minutes at the Vallorcine aid station it was time to say good-bye and tackle the last hard 11km section to the final aid station at La Flegere, from where only an 8km descent remained before reaching the finish in Chamonix.

Vallorcine aid station – Euro style

Richard making some crucial adjustments

The climb up to La Flegere starts off really easy, with a fairly flat section along a river, and here we lost a bit of time on our potential. Perhaps we soaked up a bit too much of the Euro-vibe at Vallorcine, but we ended up walking a very runnable section. Looking back, both of us just giggle at what we’ll call a slight concentration breakdown due to our brains being starved of glucose. After some time we did remember to start running again and we ended up putting in a really great section of running to just below La Flegere.

Climb up to La Flegere – awesome views

More awesome views on the climb up to La Flegere

The aid station at La Flegere was at the top of a “piste” (Euro-speak for ski slope), literally. We found ourselves at the bottom of a rocky ski-run, with a 400m vertical gain in about 800m up to the aid station. Looking back down the exposed slope at the other runners warily trudging up the unforgiving hill, Bev commented that it looks like we’re in a scene from the hit TV series “The Walking Dead”. The humor worked well and before we knew it we arrived at the last aid station, buoyed by the knowledge that all that separated us from a hero’s welcome down in Chamonix was an 8km descent.

We stayed a little while, amazed at the foods the other runners were inhaling: from salami to heavy looking cheeses and more common trail food like chocolate before we set off to receive our hero’s welcomes in the town below. Bev started to feel a bit cold and decided to switch to her long-sleeve warm layer and Buff (an amazing sheath of fabric to cover one’s head and neck in a number of ways!).

Richard texted his dad to let him know our expected arrival time and we started our way down a rather steep and rocky piste. Even though we both still felt pretty good, the steep downhill was not exactly what our quads wanted at this point, but down we had to go.

Soon, the piste turned into perhaps the most technical section of the course. Our tired quads had to negotiate very steep, rocky, and root infested terrain, a few water crossings thrown in for good measure. This final section did provide another unexpected sight as we passed by an amazing little hillside restaurant and refuge, called Chalet de la Floria. The descent continued, 8km of technical downhill on tired quads takes a while, and finally we were spit out on a road that leads into the village. Coincidentally, this road took us right past the mazot (cottage) where we were staying in Chamonix, so it felt familiar and welcoming after our long day out!

Chalet de la Floria

As we got closer to the village, more and more people started lining the road and the final kilometer through the village into the finish was hands down the most amazing running either of us has ever done.

The atmosphere and the support and excitement from the sidelines were overwhelming, we slowed down a bit and tried to really take it all in. As we approached the final corner Richard spotted his dad, camera in hand, on the sideline. We automatically grabbed a hold of each other’s hands and pumped our fists as Richard’s dad snapped a few pictures of us finishing this amazing race.

About 400m from the finish line!

We continued around the final corner and above the loud applause of the many, many spectators heard the race announcer calling out our names and our finishing time: 11 hours and 12 minutes. We would later find out that we placed 711th and 712th out of 1,200 starters, with 100 people abandoning the effort.

Participating in this event was an absolute highlight for us. The entire week was filled with excitement and anticipation: first we anxiously awaited our race, which turned out to be a spectacular day in the mountains for both of us, and then we were as close as one can get to the amazing and inspiring UTMB action. Watching the UTMB race start, following the leaders online, and watching the winners arrive in person was simply fantastic!

A couple of OCC14 finishers!

Bev taking a special recovery nap the day after the race

Mandatory equipment required by race organization: (copied from UTMB race guide) – see in bold italics how we met the criteria

The following items had to be taken to the registration venue in order to receive a race bib and be officially registered for the race. It was also a requirement to carry the entire list of items with you during the entirety of the race, under penalty of immediate disqualification if unable to produce the items to any official on course:

Required equipment:

1. Mobile phone with the international roaming option for the three countries (and in the phone memory the organisation’s security number, the phone must be switched on at all times, do not with-hold caller number and don’t forget to leave with fully charged batteries) – bought pre-paid GSM SIM cards from La Poste (post office) in Chamonix for €9.50 (includes €7.50 of airtime)
2. Personal beaker minimum 15cl (gourds excluded) – bought a set of 3 collapsible cups from WAA (the official UTMB retailer at the expo) for €5.00
3. Water reservoir 1 litre minimum – used our trusty Camelbak 70 oz anti-dote reservoirs (however, recommend against this since our small Ultimate Direction AK Race Vests were packed to the gills with all the required gear, making it very hard to re-fill the reservoirs at aid stations – would recommend using 2 x 500ml soft flasks in the front pouches for easy re-fills; (we find the original UD bottles uncomfortable in the front pouches))
4. 1 torch (torches in good working order with spare batteries) – used our Black Diamond Sprinter headlamps: a note of caution, a little bit of convincing was required to satisfy the registration staff re the “spare batteries” requirement
5. Survival blanket 1.40m x 2m minimum – regular space blanket, easily obtainable
6. Whistle – regular hiking whistle
7. Self-adhesive elasticised bandage usable either as a bandage or strapping (min. 100cm x 6cm) – this one was kind of tricky, however any pharmacy in Chamonix will have it (€7.00 for 200cm)
8. Food reserve – we bought 2 Clif Bars each (best bring this from North America – they are SUPER expensive in Europe (if you can find them))
9. Jacket with hood and made with a waterproof (minimum 10,000 Schmerber) and breathable (RET lower than 13) membrane mountains – jackets were closely inspected, make sure yours is waterproof (taped seams were a requirement) and breathable. We used RaceElite Stormshell jackets by Inov8 (awesome jackets by the way)
10. Long running trousers or leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks which cover the legs completely – regular running tights should do for this one
11. Cap or bandana – self explanatory

Recommended equipment:

1. Additional warm midlayer top
2. One single midlayer long sleeve top for warmth (cotton excluded) with a minimum weight of 180g (Men, size M) OR a two piece clothing combination of a long sleeve baselayer/midlayer for warmth (cotton excluded) with a minimum weight of 110g (Men, size M) and a wind- proof jacket* with DRW (Durable Water Repellent) protection
3. Warm hat
4. Warm and waterproof gloves

This week the latest issue of South Africa’s trail running magazine, TRAIL, hit the shelves. We’re incredibly excited to announce that we’re featured in the publication. The latest issue kicks off our involvement as regular contributors to TRAIL, as we share tales from the trails that we explore and experience on our global adventure. Check out this link to our article as it appears in the magazine:

TRAIL Issue 12_August 2014

If you’d like to enjoy the full magazine packed with awesome trail goodness (and a hidden Eat.Run.See gem on pages 26/27!), pick up a copy at supermarkets or bookstores in South Africa, or buy a digital copy via one of these links:

Zinio http://gomulti.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=40be70bf04c06dfbdb5433ae0&id=273b432f10&e=fb22993be8
Magzter http://gomulti.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=40be70bf04c06dfbdb5433ae0&id=d59638f0e8&e=fb22993be8

Thanks to TRAIL editor, Deon Braun, for his enthusiasm and interest in our story. We can’t wait to be part of future issues and see our run around the world come to life in this way!