The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®
September 09, 2009

Dreams of a Journey ...

Give me a spark of nature’s fire. That’s all the learning I desire.
ROBERT BURNS

The North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 2009 - I had my dreams of a journey. But sometimes you realise your dream, and sometimes you realise your dream in a different way to how you had imagined.

For me this year the hardest part was getting to the start line - photo shoots, commitments, talking to people, interviews, journalists - it is a world away from the physical and mental space you are in when you run. So, for me things get easier once a race starts, simplicity and focus - all then you have to do is to run. You are alone - only you can make your race - you are alone and free - you, your body, your mind, the mountains and the challenge …

Sometimes in a race you fly - you feel the flow - you feel the joy - and you run. But sometimes there will be something that saps your energy and your focus. This time the humble foot gave me a bit of grief! But the support from everyone - friends, family, TNF, other runners, volunteers, and those out on the trail - the encouragement, the smiles, the wishes of ‘bon courage’ - that is what UTMB is about - sharing something special in a good spirit.

I’m still half disappointed - 2nd place - and slower than my best time. But for that day it was the best that I could give - and so for that I have to be happy. I realised my dream to run the very best that I could, and to complete and just to take part in UTMB is something special. It means a lot. Krissy Moel (first lady) had a truly great run, and I’m happy we had this chance to meet.

In so many ways, UTMB gives you a big spark from nature’s fire.

That spark lights the hours, the days, the months after …

That is what is so precious.

- Elizabeth Hawker

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