Time for something different! I’ve done enough road races in big cities. This time it was trail running in the Swiss Alps. Our running buddy Brigitta suggested the Aletsch Half Marathon, and it sounded perfect. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning scenery, mountain trails and even a glacier thrown into the mix.
Without studying the course profile, I signed us up.
A few days later I finally had a proper look. Oh dear. This wasn’t just “a half marathon”. It packed 1,150 metres of climbing into 21 kilometres, and the last two kilometres looked almost vertical.
How was I going to break this gently to Kai?
I relied on my usual strategy: reveal the truth in small, bite-sized pieces. First, nonchalantly: “There’s this lovely race in the Alps.” Then: “I think it’s quite hilly.” And finally: “Oh, remember that race? I’ve already entered us.”
He was convinced I was trying to kill him.
“Yes, but think of the views!” I said.
It took him a few days, but eventually he accepted his fate.
On Sunday morning we took the cable car up to the beautiful, car-free village of Bettmeralp, where the race started. By then Kai faced his destiny with the courage of a man who was fairly certain he wouldn’t survive the day.
At 10:10 we lined up together with Brigitta.
The finish line was clearly visible, perched high on the Bettmerhorn (2,650m) in the distance, as if to remind us where all that climbing would end.
The race began with a steady climb through the village before disappearing into a cool, shady forest. The trail was wide enough to overtake at first, but soon narrowed into single track. Normally that would have driven me mad, but here, it actually felt rather nice. Being forced to slow down gave me the chance to enjoy the scenery and even stop for a few photos.
Around kilometre sixteen we caught our first proper view of the mighty Aletsch Glacier. It’s sadly much smaller than it once was, but still an impressive sight.
Then came the part everyone had warned us about.
Those last two kilometres were every bit as steep as advertised. Running gradually turned into determined hiking.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, I spotted a small crowd of spectators cheering runners towards the finish. At last. I was almost there.
I crossed the finish line in 2:40, happy to be done. According to the live results, Kai was still about half an hour away.
True enough, there he was, slowly making his way up the final climb. Even from a distance I could tell he wasn’t exactly in the best of moods. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he folded himself over the nearest fence and concentrated on breathing. For a brief moment, I thought he might actually die on the Bettmerhorn.
Fortunately, he recovered quickly, which was just as well because the weather suddenly turned.
Within minutes, dark clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, thunder rumbled overhead and heavy rain began to fall. Suddenly, it got very cold. Race officials handed out space blankets and hurried everyone into a shelter beside the gondola station. Quite the excitement, indeed!
About an hour later, we finally made it back down to the village, enjoyed hot showers at the sports centre and attended the prize giving. I had finished first in my age group, earning half a wheel of cheese and some cash.
That, and having a husband who was still alive, made for a very happy ending. Now I just need to figure out what to do with half a wheel of cheese!
I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics as well as Runners’ Roundup with Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs!
Liebe Catrina,
oder sollte ich dich lieber mit Agatha ansprechen? Denn du machst der von mir verehrten Schriftstellerin A. Christie wirklich Konkurrenz! Was für eine perfide Art sich des Ehemanns zu entledigen… Tötet ihn der Schock der Ankündigung, die Strecke oder der Herzinfarkt im Ziel? Dann noch ein Gewitter bestellt, das die Möglichkeit des Blitz-Totschlags mit sich bringt, tststs. Und bei jeder Variante hättest du empört die Schuld von dir weisen und betonen können, dass du nur seine Fitness erhalten wolltest.
Nur – wenn du jetzt den Käselaib nach ihm wirfst, ist es eindeutig. Also esst ihn lieber gemeinsam auf und den nächsten Bewerb lässt du Kai aussuchen, ok? 😉 😀
HAHA Doris!! Ich glaube, die liebe Agatha wäre tatsächlich noch deutlich effizienter gewesen, die hätte sich die mühsame Kraxelei bestimmt erspart!
Aber stimmt, jetzt wo du’s sagst: Selbst der pingeligste Monsieur Poirot hätte mir da nichts nachweisen können. 😅
Der Käselaib ist übrigens noch intakt. Kai hat inzwischen schon sehr motiviert bei der Migros nachgefragt, ob sie ihn zerkleinern und vakuumieren können.
Und er hat schon angekündigt, dass er beim nächsten Wettkampf wirklich ALLES vorher wissen will, bevor ich ihn anmelde. Mal luege! 🤣
Dein offenbar rückhaltlos auf dich vertrauender Kai weiß inzwischen garantiert noch gewisser als vorher, was er an dir hat: könnte es einen schöneren Ort zum Sterben geben als am Bettmerhorn mit Blick auf den Aletsch-Gletscher?! Kaum! Na also. Unabhängig vom Ausgang wäre diese Anmeldung immer als ultimativer Liebesbeweis durchgegangen.
Aber da ihr nun beide so bravourös überlebt habt, freue ich mich auf weitere Läufe an Orten, die zum Sterben schön sind. Das macht die Laufberichte eindeutig humoriger 😄
Achja – Glückwunsch noch zum AK-Sieg natürlich und zum Käse-Pokal.
Das klingt doch gut, oder? Guten Appetit jedenfalls 🍽️
https://migusto.migros.ch/de/rezepte/kartoffel-apfel-gratin-mit-thymian-honig
Oder der:
https://www.gaumenfreundin.de/raclette-auflauf-aus-raclette-resten/
GENAU, Lizzy!! 🤣 Sterben mit Gletscherblick – das ist schon fast Premium-Exit-Strategie!
Anstatt zu sterben, hat Kai im Ziel allerdings eher die Variante “lebendig, aber sprachlich deutlich reduziert” bevorzugt und hätte mich kurzfristig wohl eher Richtung Mond geschickt. 😄
Aber sobald er wieder warm hatte und geduscht war, hat sich das Ganze zum Glück wieder normalisiert.
Mal sehen, ob wir noch so schöne sterbenswerte Locations finden…😀
Oh, und danke für die Rezepte! Sogar Migros-approved! Das sieht wirklich gefährlich gut aus, auch das Rezept mit den Resten. Der Käse hält bis August… ich glaube, das kriegen wir bis dahin verwertet!
Oweia ! Oweia !! Was für ein Abenteuer ! Puh ! Schon beim Zuschauen wird es einem ganz anders !! Eine komplett andere Welt als die, von der du in deiner anderen ” Heimat ” Laufgeschichten geschrieben hattest ! Der arme Kai, aber zum Glück hat er alles überstanden, er strahlt wieder unter seiner Alu-Decke. Hoffentlich verzeiht er dir diesen Schritt in eine atemlose Welt !!
Und du hast die Herausforderung wieder beim Schopf gepackt, irre, wenn ich mir dieses Profil ansehe ! Bist halt ein Naturtalent – Glückwunsch zum Überstehen und zur erneuten Platzierung, wundert mich das ?
Gut, dass ihr beim Gewitter nicht mehr unterwegs wart, das wiederum hätte keine Freude bereitet !!
Erholt euch gut !! BEIDE !!
Stimmt, Margitta, ich glaube “Oweia” trifft es ziemlich gut 😄
Es war definitiv eine andere Welt als die üblichen Stadt- oder Strassenläufe – es war wirklich eine schöne Abwechslung.
Haha, Kai hat sich zum Glück im Ziel schnell erholt. Zum Glück gab es diese Alu-Decken! Ohne diese wäre es in unseren verschwitzten, leichten Laufklamotten sehr kalt geworden.
Das Profil! Wir waren auf so etwas ja überhaupt nicht vorbereitet, das habe ich auch gemerkt. Ich wurde auf den letzten 2km von vielen überholt. Naja, immerhin “pädagogisch wertvoll”!
Heute ist der zweite Ruhetag und wir sind schon wieder bereit für neue Abenteuer. Aber Kai bekommt erstmal keine neuen Überraschungsanmeldungen (zumindest nicht diese Woche!) 😅
Da war es jetzt also, das etwas andere Rennen! Mit etwas Profil muss man ja rechnen bei sowas, aber die letzte 2-3km sind schon wirklich sehr heftig. Habt ihr auf jeden Fall gut gemacht, und ich bin froh das der Beitrag nicht “Mord auf dem Bettmerhorn” heißt 😉 Kai hat sich durchaus wacker geschlagen! Muss man erstmal machen, sowas durchziehen obwohl er sich an der Startlinie schon dem Tode sicher war 😊👍Herzlichen Glückwunsch euch beiden! Einen halben Käselaib als AK-Gewinn find ich mal wieder sehr charmant, immerhin taugt er zur Stärkung für kommende Abenteuer.
War das Rennen zuende als das Unwetter ankam, oder waren noch Läufer auf der Strecke?
Erholt euch gut!
Lustig, dass wir schon wieder am gleichen Tag Läufe hatten! Nur war es bei dir viel wärmer und du bist auch länger gerannt!
“Mord auf dem Bettmerhorn” wäre dann der alternative Post-Titel geworden (Plan B!) 😄
Kai hat sich tatsächlich tapfer durchgebissen. Er hatte wirklich nicht viel trainiert in den letzten Wochen und die Startlinie war mental schon eher Endstation als Startpunkt, aber er hat’s sauber durchgezogen. Im Ziel dann eher Kommunikationsmodus Minimalversion, aber das kam alles wieder zurück! 😅
Gute Frage! Ich glaube, etwa 90% waren schon oben, als das Gewitter losging. Die letzten mussten dann tatsächlich noch im strömenden Regen ins Ziel laufen, wurden dort aber direkt in die “Rettungsschacht” geleitet, mit Verpflegung und Aludecke. Besser als irgendwo auf der Strecke festzusitzen, aber trotzdem ziemlich wild.
Den Käselaib habe ich dank Lizzys Rezeptideen gedanklich schon mindestens dreimal verarbeitet und gegessen! 😄
LOL, you are nuts! Poor Kai being dragged into all your crazy adventures. This is not the first time you’ve signed up for a race, only to find out later it had crazy elevation (if my memory is correct). The scenery is spectacular, though, and what a tale to tell your friends. Lucky for you that Kai finished before the bad weather closed in.
Haha, Melissa! I’m giving you ideas for some of G’s next races. Just sign him up!
And yes, I’m sure it’s happened before that I did not read the fine print. Keeps life interesting, at least!
But you’re absolutely right, the scenery was spectacular, and I’m really glad we got to see this part of Switzerland.
So lucky with the timing! Can you imagine Kai finishing in that downpour? That would have been next-level drama 😅
Life with Catrina is never dull! Looks like a beautiful place to hike or run! Poor Kai–that thunderstorm at the end must have been the icing on the cake, lol. Congrats on your AG award! What kind of cheese was it?
Haha, Kai had a rough time! I’m so glad that he crossed the finish line before that thunderstorm hit!
It’s Raclette cheese, so it should be eaten melted, preferably over hot potatoes. We have nearly two months time before it expires!
Well done on your Mammoth hike again, Wendy! Looking forward to your recap!
I would use that Raclette in macaroni and cheese! Preferably with some other cheeses to make a nice blend…we use Emmentaler Swiss pretty often!
That’s actually a good idea! What’s not to love about pasta and cheese!
And you’re right – there are many cheeses that would blend perfectly with raclette. Thanks Wendy!
I believe in you and I know that you will find a use for the half wheel of cheese. If all else fails, make friends with someone with teenage boys and the cheese will disappear fast!
Congrats on surviving and thriving in The Vertical Half!
Exactly, Birchie! Hungry teenage boys for the win!
Clearly, this race needs to change its name. We got the race photos today, oh my goodness, all that suffering in everyone’s faces! 😅
Listen, I am SURE you will figure out what to do with half a wheel of cheese! It’s going to be a challenge but you are up to it.
CATRINA!!! I have to say I laughed and laughed as I read this. “Sure, that sounds fun! Wow, there’s some…hills. Actually it’s a vertical climb.” Then the view of the finish line, ahead on the mountain. Kai’s expression in those photos says it all! I love hiking so I’d probably really love this as a hike, and I would take much, much longer than 2:40 to finish! Honestly, what a gorgeous trail. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: the Alps remind me SO much of the Canadian Rockies! Right down to the (sadly getting smaller) glaciers.
That said…a thunderstorm on a mountain top is no joke, I’m so glad there was shelter available!
Great job on a really beautiful race! You amaze me to no end! Now, get to work on that cheese! xoxo
Nicole!!! 🤣🤣 I knew you’d appreciate the gradual reveal! I tried to feed Kai the truth in bite-sized pieces, but he caught on to the full implications pretty quickly.
We got the official race photos today and, well, apart from the landscape, they are not very pretty… all the agony and the suffering, ha! 😅
You would have LOVED the trail! I was actually thinking during the race that I need to come back here for a hike one day so that I can really enjoy the views. And yes, I really need to get to the Canadian Rockies!
The thunderstorm was perfectly timed for added drama. Definitely a race we will not forget!
A German blogger has kindly included some cheese recipes in her comment, so now I am all set! Who knows, maybe I’ll even produce something worthy of one of your gorgeous food photos! 😄❤️
Congratulations!🎊 Always impressed by those steep finishes where even walking fast seems sooo slooow.
Raclette. How many grams was that? Is this a normal quantity of raclette?😅💦 I am guessing it is a soft cheese. I forget🤔
That storm looked interesting. Love how they totally change the mood. Good there was a shelter. I guess they took storms at the finish into consideration when planning. 🤔
Another race for your running curriculum. Have you started yet?😅💦💦
So slooooow, Yves!! A runner next to me was getting so frustrated, and I told him that all we needed to do was to put one foot in front of the other…. but it really seemed painstakingly SLOW!
The cheese weighs about 2.7 kg! 😅 Raclette is kind of semi-soft, and tastes better when melted. Traditionally, the Swiss have it with potatoes or bread. Kai has already asked a local shop if we could bring it to them to cut and vacuum into smaller pieces, which they agreed to.
I was shocked by how fast that storm came up. Within minutes, everything changed and the temperatures dropped by 15C. 🥶 The space blankets and that shelter saved us from freezing while waiting for the gondola.
Not yet! I will have to, especially for those before the blog! 🙌😃
Liebe Catrina,
ich musste ja sehr grinsen bei deiner Beschreibung der häppchenweise servierten Wahrheit über diesen Lauf. Der arme Kai, den strapazierst du aber auch sehr! 😉 Aber dass nicht nur er dieses Event überlebt hat, sondern auch du anscheinend von Racheaktionen seinerseits unversehrt bist, zeugt ja doch von guter Fitness bzw. wahrer Liebe!
Glückwunsch dir zur Zeit und Platzierung und Kai zum Durchbeißen. Die schöne Aussicht hat es gelohnt und das Unwetter hat euch auch verschont!
A propos, den halben Käselaib portioniert vakuumieren zu lassen ist doch eine prima Idee. In unserem Haushalt wäre das nicht unbedingt nötig, so etwas inhaliert mein eidgnössischer Ehegatte locker in wenigen Tagen!
Liebe Grüße und gute Erholung
Elke
Inhaliert!! 😂 Genau das ist die Gefahr, wenn der ganze Käse dann offen wäre! So sind wir der Migros dankbar, dass sie alles für uns vakuumieren wird.
Ich musste so lachen bei „Racheaktionen“! 😂 Bis jetzt bin ich tatsächlich unversehrt davongekommen. Entweder war Kai nach dem Lauf zu erschöpft, oder wahre Liebe siegt eben doch.
Der Plan mit dem häppchenweisen Enthüllen hat anfangs sogar erstaunlich gut funktioniert. Erst als er selbst das Höhenprofil gegoogelt hat, wurde es “schwierig”. Aber dann war die Anmeldung schon längst erledigt. 😇
Hat Chris diesen Lauf eigentlich schon gemacht? Ist ja nicht so weit vom BeO, zumindest nicht so weit wie Zürich.
Oh wow, that elevation looks INTENSE. And I love your attitude of “let’s just do this, it’ll be beautiful”! And the landscape you ran through is truly stunning. Congrats too to winning your age group! And that Kai made it!
Weather turning like that must be a bit scary on top of the mountain? You were so lucky it got bad AFTER the race! Were there people still running when the storm came?
I was mostly trying to keep the optimism going…or convincing myself it couldn’t be that bad 😅
We were really lucky with the timing of the storm. The weather only turned after most runners had made it to the finish. I think a few were still out there, but it was safer for them to keep moving up to the finish area rather than stop on the mountain. What surprised me most was how calm everyone was. Runners, organisers, spectators… as if sudden mountain storms are just part of the daily schedule!
You would have had a field day with your camera when that storm rolled in, Susanne! 😄
Wow! What a race! I love how you gently told Kai what you’d signed him up for. I kind of do the same thing with my husband. Like I just sort of slowly release some details. Like for the 4th of July weekend, there are going to be A LOT of people at my parents lake home. So I mentioned that it will be quite busy up there which he understood. Then a few weeks ago, I broke the news that a brother of mine that he really can’t stand (honestly, I can’t either…) is going to be there. He took it in stride though and said at least it’s summer and he can be outside/easily get away from him. I sort of do the same thing with my work travel. I put it on the calendar but I don’t lay it out for him in advance because it can be too much for him to process at once. So I’ll say I have 2 trips in X months. And then I’d say, well, one of them is a longer M-Th one. And then a few weeks later I’ll say, oh and unfortunately those trips are back-to-back weeks. Etc, etc.
Back to your race – it looks lovely and very hard! But the views! How incredible! I would do this race, too, but I would walk a lot of it. And you won your age group! Amazing! I think you need to have a raclette party of some sort! That is a lot of cheese to eat in 2 months!
Ha! The “controlled information drip” is clearly a universal survival strategy! 😂
I love your lake house example, Lisa. I can just picture the gradual realisation process. Managing a husband is a skill! 😅 And I fully relate to the work travel version too. It’s not even hiding details, it’s just…structured information release in digestible units.
The race was ridiculously beautiful and genuinely hard at the same time. I also did quite a bit of walking on the final climb, so you’d be in good company there.
A raclette party is definitely a good idea 😄 But we might have to wait until this current heatwave is over, raclette and 35°C don’t go together well.
Oh, talking of which, I do love the French word for heat wave, “canicule”. The etymology is fascinating too!
My kids would love to help out with the excess cheese situation.
Congrats on the win and it sounds like Kai has already found it in his heart to forgive you. Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission, right??
It’s crazy how weather can turn to quickly; I’m glad everyone was okay.
Belle and Indy to the rescue! 😅
Yes! Sometimes it really is just a case of doing it first and dealing with the fallout later! Now that Kai’s fully recovered, I think the pride has kicked in and he’s actually glad he did it.
I hope you’re also getting some proper recovery time, Elisabeth. Coffee and a lot of sleep is a solid system to pick up the energy levels 😉
Wow. What an adventure. Congrats on the win and the prize!! How much cash?
Your poor hubby. Kidding. But glad he finished before the rain or he really would have hated you.
What’s next?
I just had to check the conversion rate: I got CHF 250 with translates into USD 309. It’s the first time I received a cash prize in a Swiss race!
Oh, imagine he would have been drenched! I think I would have needed to walk home! 😂
No races on the agenda…. I need to find one!
That’s awesome. I only won cash once- $75.
I was so surprised – the cheese would have been enough!
First off, let me say you write the most entertaining recaps! You’re great with the details and lots of witty comments sprinkled in 🙂 Anyways, great job to you for your 1st place AG & to Kai for surviving….awesome accomplishments! This race course sounds quite challenging, but those views are spectacular!
Kim, that’s very kind of you to say! At least the suffering comes with some entertainment value! 😂
The AG win was a surprise and Kai definitely deserves credit for simply getting to the finish line in one piece 😅
And yes, the course was a proper mix of beautiful and brutal. I’m glad we got to do it!
First off, let me say you write the most entertaining recaps! You’re great with the details and lots of witty comments sprinkled in 🙂 Anyways, great job to you for your 1st place AG & to Kai for surviving….awesome accomplishments! This race course sounds quite challenging, but those views are spectacular!
Well first of all- Congratulations!!! First in your AG, hooray. I’m sure you’ll find a use for the cheese (?)
Glad Kai did not expire. This race looks so, so beautiful that I think I would have signed up for it as well- but I probably would have had to crawl up that last mountain.
Jenny, thank you 😄
The cheese is still sitting in the fridge in one piece… and it’s slightly intimidating every time I open the door, haha.
You would have absolutely loved this one. And don’t underestimate yourself, even from flat Florida, you would have powered up that final climb in proper determined Jenny-style!
Congratulations!! That sounds like a really tough race. I do want to know what you do with all that cheese — and I hope Kai likes it too, after giving his all.
That weather change looks scary — glad there was a place to shelter.
The cheese situation is now officially a logistical project 😄 We will get through it slowly but surely – Kai is surprisingly motivated when raclette is involved!
And yes, that weather change was dramatic but very well handled in the end. Definitely one of those “glad we’re not still out there” moments.
Wow what spectacular views! That elevation must be tough. I would run for cheese-what kind was it?
It’s a great place to visit if you ever come to Switzerland again, Deborah!
It was Raclette – the kind that you need to melt over potatoes. Traditionally, we only eat it in winter, but we will find ways to use it over the next few weeks!
Wow congratulations.! That sounds like the adventure you needed. Good for Kai to go along with the plan to run it too.
Enjoy the recovery and your time in Switzerland.
Thanks, Ilona! I think you and Andy would have enjoyed this one too 😄
Kai is now fully recovered and on his way to visit his mum in Germany. I think he’s quite happy to be in charge of his own training for a few days!
That sounds like a very tough course! At least there were nice views! Congrats on winning your age group- I’m sure the cheese will be good however you decide to use it!
Tough but beautiful, Lisa! We really want to go back there and do a few hikes to get to know the area better.
The cheese is still wrapped up, we’ll have to start nibbling on it soon! 😀
I’ll bet you found a few 8% grades there! 🙂 Probably more like 20%. It sure is beautiful though.
Kai looks like his mood improved by the time you were on your way down the mountain. Nice job on the race and winning the cheese!
That’s just what I was thinking when I read your post, Debbie!
It improved by the minute – by the time he had that hot shower and saw the cheese he was in a great mood! 😂
It occurs to me that perhaps I haven’t had the right motivation to run faster. A half wheel of cheese? Get out of my way! I’m coming through!
Poor Kai! That all sounds rough! But I love that he did it for the plot! He’s a good one!
Haha, exactly, Jenn! Nothing like a tasty prize at the finish line to get the motivation going!
He’s such a good sport! I’m so glad he doesn’t lose his good sense of humour even when I drag him to impossible events! 😂
Well, let me say first: I am so glad Kai survived. And yes, it sounds like an epic adventure and also a really, really tough race! But the views!!! I am glad you didn’t get caught in the turn of the weather though…
Ha, he’s happy too, San!
It was a marvellous adventure, it will be difficult to top that one. If ever you happen to be in Switzerland in June, I highly recommend this race. Will you be visiting Germany any time soon?
I was just in Germany and the Dolomites in April… So it will be a little while before I come back.
Yes! That makes sense to space the travelling out a bit.
What a fun race! And winning half wheel of cheese is too funny. I love how you tricked Kai into the race. And the view amazing!!!
It was a lovely event, Coco! The prize was indeed very Swiss.
Kai is so happy that it’s done – next time he will want to see the small print of any race I enter him in. 😂
hhahaha… what a good husband you’ve got! My husband would run away from me before i even open my mouse on joining a race.
Liebe Catrina,
der arme Kai, einfach so reingeschubst zu werden, in ein Abenteuer, das er nicht selbst hat wählen dürfen! 😉 Aber er hat dir seine Liebe erwiesen, ist tapfer mitgefahren, mitgelaufen und hat den Lauf (sogar) bis zum Ende durchgezogen! Richte ihm bitte meinen Respekt und meine Hochachtung ihm gegenüber aus!
Dir, liebe Catrina, HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH zu der guten Zeit bei dem Profil und deinem AK-Sieg!!! – Wegen des Käses hätte ich mir keine Sorgen gemacht, da ich Käse liiieeebe! Aber ihr scheint ja in der Planung, ihn zu vernichten, 😆 weitergekommen zu sein!
Beim Profil wurde ich an den Stubai-Ultra-Trail erinnert. 2017 wurde er für uns Langsamere abgebrochen: 27,2 km mit gut 2.500 hm! 2018 ging es dann über 29 km hoch bis auf 3.137 m! Die letzten km mussten wir auf dem Gletscher laufen. Das war auch hart, bergan und das auf weichem Schnee im Sommer!
Schönes Abenteuer, interessant zu lesen! Mal sehen was jetzt kommt, was du, bzw. ihr plant!
Liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred,
ich werde Kai deinen Respekt ausrichten! 😄 Ich glaube, er wird besonders den Teil schätzen, dass du seine Teilnahme als Liebesbeweis wertest. Er selbst hat es zwischendurch eher als Überlebensprüfung empfunden. 😉
Aber du hast recht: Er hat sich wirklich tapfer durchgebissen. Vor allem mit nicht ganz optimaler Vorbereitung und diesem Höhenprofil vor Augen war das eine starke Leistung.
Vielen Dank auch für die Glückwünsche! Gestern haben wir ihn endlich in 10 kleinere Packungen vakuumieren lassen und diese sind jetzt im Eisfach und werden über den Sommer verwertet.
Deine Geschichte vom Stubai-Ultra-Trail klingt allerdings nochmals eine ganz andere Liga! 2.500 Höhenmeter auf 27 km und dann noch über Schnee am Gletscher – da wirkt unser Bettmerhorn fast wie ein Spaziergang. 😉 Ich kann mir gut vorstellen, dass das eine unglaubliche, aber auch harte Erfahrung war. Die bleiben für immer!
Congratulations on winning your age group, Catrina! That sounds like it was quite the challenging race. Did your friend fail to warn you about how tough it would be, or did she deliberately keep quiet so you wouldn’t have an excuse not to register – much like what you did to Kai? 😉
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your recap, but what I’d really love now is to read Kai’s version!
Thanks, Debbie!
Haha, Brigitta assumed that I knew what I was getting into and would check the profile for myself! Knowing her, I should have been forewarned, she likes challenging stuff like this.
Now I need Kai to write his own version of the story! Or maybe a Netflix documentary would be more appropriate… you know the type that starts with the main character sitting in a dark room, looking back on the events that changed his life. 😂
Big congrats! The start altitude at 1900m is making the race even tougher, reaching those hights makes it more a sky running race rather than trail running.
Hello Radu!
You are so right! That is something that only occurred to me much later – there’s the altitude to consider, too.
It sounds like you know a bit about running at altitude – if you haven’t done this race already, you should sign up for it one day!
Those dark clouds really look ominous and intense, Catrina. Like the mountains here in Canada, the weather can change so fast. Wonderful both you and Kai finished before the heavy rain hit.
It is very sad that glaciers are disappearing so rapidly. Those photos are incredibly stunning,
An amazing accomplishment for both Kai and yourself. Congratulations on 1st in your age group.
That’s a big wheel of cheese. I am addicted to Swiss cheese but only buy it as a treat. It wouldn’t last long in my fridge. 😀🧀
Thanks, Carl! 🤗
The weather really changed in a matter of minutes. One moment we were in sunshine, and the next we were wrapped in space blankets, watching dark clouds roll over the mountains. It was quite a spectacle!
It was actually quite sad seeing the remnants of the glacier. Another runner told me that she’s been coming here for many years and every time the glacier is smaller. It’s so sobering. And with the heat wave we’re having, it doesn’t look like it will last for another generation to enjoy.
I had a feeling you’d approve of the cheese! 😄 At 2.7 kg, it’s quite a commitment! We’ve started nibbling away at it and I think we will manage it by the end of the summer! 🧀😀