Post-Essex

When I signed up for the Essex Way Ultra in mid-May, it was as much for psychological as for athletic reasons: a way of coping with loss and focusing my mind on something tangible. From the very beginning, I knew it would be a difficult challenge, especially as I had been gradually scaling back my running volume. Little, however, did I expect just how hard it would prove to be, as a combination of worsening knee pain and intense nausea gradually ground me down in the summer heat.

Considering my relatively strong performances at both Trailövik (21 km) in 2023 and the Billy Goat Mountain Climb (26 km) back in April, I decided that my next race should be over a similar shorter distance. Looking through the Swedish Trail Race Calendar, I came across Bjäre Trail on 25 July and registered almost immediately. With a technical loop course completed twice for a total of 34 kilometres, I think it could be a lot of fun – and the perfect pre-flight activity before heading up to Umeå the following morning.