Always be ready to have the Time of your Life.

If you haven't noticed, 2015 has been the year I switched it up. Trail races and bike races and off days and donuts.  My body needed to heal from the physical torture I placed on it during the 2014 race season and my mind needed to heal from the mental strain of racing hard for points on the PRO circuit.

But my more importantly, my heart needed to heal.  And the latter is the most important.  What I have learned from heartbreak is the human spirit is stronger than anything can happen to it.  And what helps to ease the heartache a bit is laughing. If you have a friend that makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with them.

2015 is the year to test my limits in new races on new continents but to also appreciate the lazy days (and the donuts).  It would be a shame to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

So enter stage right: The Laugavegurinn Ultramarathon

If you have been to Iceland and not experienced the Laugavegurinn trail you have not experienced Iceland. 

The course itself is never the same, it is a winding trail of flickering light, glacier tongues, cold creeks, sand, snow, and mountains taking mysterious forms and making for some ferocious terrain.  It was one hell of a first Ultramarathon.

I can't even begin to describe the beauty of the Laugavegurinn Ultramarathon in words, it needs to be experienced. 

 

I did run away with the overall women's title and I was close to a course record but not without fighting one of the hardest fought battles. The magic prep for Iceland was nothing more than regular Ironman training plus a bit more dedicated trail running on my long run days.  I would say I went into this race foolishly underprepared but I did so with abundant enthusiasm (and a smile).   And I hope I can recall it like it was yesterday for as long as I wish because it was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to.

Iceland made me realize even more so that if you love life, it will love you right back.

Next up: My Timberman Race blog which features the HOT NEW speedsuit from VELOCIO.  :)