Bjäre

A short hop through the air later, I am back at Pontus, this time with a wooden medal after yesterday's fantastic race on the Bjäre Peninsula. While Kullaberg has always held a special place in my heart, Bjäre has remained practically unknown to me beyond a few visits to Båstad.

Running 35 kilometres on technical trails with plenty of elevation, I got to experience breathtaking views across Halland and the sea, Khazad-dûm-like bridges, and steep birch forests. Completing the first loop in just over two hours, I struggled more on the second after being stung by a wasp and accidentally grabbing an electric fence. Truth be told, the drama of the past few days had also taken its mental toll, with my heart rate being much higher than the terrain warranted. In any case, I crossed the finish line in just under five hours which, after having to throw in the towel in Essex earlier this month, felt like a small measure of vindication. With this race behind me, I am not planning anything competitive until Malmö Marathon on the third of October.

Tomorrow, Eddie turns fourteen, something he wanted to celebrate by returning to Norrland and Umeå. After all, he spent the years between the ages of two and eleven there, so it is hardly surprising that it still feels like a kind of home, even though the house has long since been sold. Having gone from outright abysmal to merely a bit rainy, the weather forecast still suggests that we will probably stay in Umeå rather than drive out to Bettnesand or anywhere similar.