I can’t quite believe I’m sitting here in Stockholm two days out from one of the most nerve-wracking adventures I have done. Honestly? I hate the cold. Like, really hugely detest being cold so my decision to take on the ice-ultra does raise some questions.
i had big plans when I signed up, not least that I would shed around 10kg of menopausal weight so I could slide my way over the snow like a gazelle. Unfortunately, I have gained even more weight and now do not recognise this strange body I now have with a bouncy belly leading the way. It upsets me, but hey ho, I don’t think the insurance would cover me pulling out because I now have a fat stomach! It is more that I don’t feel I have the sort of mobility I used to and I just hope it doesn’t hold me up too much.
Enough of the whinging - I am in a beautiful city nervously waiting my flight tomorrow to the frozen north. I thought it would be freezing here to, so was surprised to get here in quite mild weather.
I keep saying to people that I might not make it past day one: 60 km and 1000m of ascent through 2 metres of snow is a bastard of a first day! As I have proven ( repeatedly) making sensible decisions is not my strong point when I am in a race - even when I am right at the back - so this time if I am unwell I hope to be strong enough to say no I can’t go on. That doesn’t mean I am planning on pulling out, but I do want to be sensible and return with all my toes and fingers intact.
My main aim is to get as far as I can, to see the northern lights and to reach the Arctic Circle. Fingers crossed everyone.
