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	Lapland Ultra 2001

Impressions of the Lapland Ultra 2001
Axel Pfeiffer

After 2 years of Biel-pause I intended to run there again may be for improving my personal record. I got through the necessary training in the appropriate volume und felt fine. The only risk factor was the weather.... On the way to Switzerland already it rained cats and dogs which continued till evening in Biel. The thought of running for hours with wet clothing, of cooling down, of getting blisters due to the soft skin and may be of having to give up or want to give up, all that in the nighttime was something of a nightmare. At least I returned home frustrated. There the question: What now? In the running broschures I did not find a run, that would be in the next time and would interest me. The internet was the solution. There I found a fascination idea: The Lapland ultra in northern Sweden, approx. 100 km south of the polar circle, start at 22.00 hrs and daylight all the "night". The track, according to a description, consisted to the amount of 55% of rough tracks with gravel of 1,5 to 2 cm in diameter and the rest of normal streets. Last number of participants approx. 50! Time of the winner just below 9 hrs! Especially running in the bright night seemed very attractive and at least was the decisive factor of my decison to register online and also to pay online. At the same time I made arrangements for accomodation in a house of Annika Johansson; also via-mail. And whats more Annika would pick me up at the air field of Arvidsjaur! So flight on thursday june 28 to Stockhom and further to Arvidsjaur with a smaller plane (schedule of Arvidsjaur on www.arvidsjaur-flyplats.se). Annika received me on time. On the way from the air field to Adak she already showed me parts of the track. In the night to friday a little shower and again I feared bad weather for the run. But then it became a wonderful day und the forecast for the night was also good. Starting numbers were distributed at the school of the village Adak (approx. 250 inhabitants). My starting number was combined with a number for the back. The number for the chest had a little pocket so I was able to put there some personal stuff for the run. A very practical solution! Shortly before the start I was told that it is possible to deposit personal things (e.g. fresh clothing) at places to be determined. A bus would bring them there. During the day I learned to know Börje Olofsson (Phone Stockholm, incl. Sweden country code: 00468965650) who prouldy showed me his house of 140 years age. Börje is chairman of the running club Tureberg FK in Stockholm. His house indeed is a jewel of a house. He explained, that he would like to accomodate some runners. The start was a familiar affair. Just 50 Runners were standing there at the starting line and making small talk. No excited warm up, no cracks, who might expose their importance, no starting banner, no loudspeaker. Besides me a German with his siberian husky. And, of course, the sun still shining (what it did till approx. 00.15 hrs) so it was warm. I wore running briefs and a jersey with a shirt of micro fibers underneath with long sleeves Anyway, there was a professional starting shot by Börje and, with the applause of approx. 100 spectators und the lokal press, the runners started. The relatively small pack made it possible to know always the own ranking in the field right from the beginning. Where is that possible? After 5 kilometers a little disapointment took place. The normal paved road became worse and changed into a road of may be second or third level. On a hard structure was gravel of approx 1,5 to 2 cm in diameter. There were sometimes small lanes of smoth surface due to regular driving by cars but those lanes were interrupted by very rough surface. I always look for the best surface but sometimes was forced to run on a bad surface. Additionally, there was a permanent up and down of the way with different steepness. Nevertheless I was in good mood because I ran at daylight, pleasant temperature and beautiful country side. The field of the runners quickly expanded and everybody ran alone for himself. First 5 km each km, then each 5 km and at least the last five single km. All signs were clearly visible. refreshment stations all 5 to 7 km. There, sportsdrink, tea, cola and water were offered. Later bread, chocolate and bananas were added. In a further stadium of the run, when the distances between the runners were extended, the cups for the drinks often were empty and had to be filled on arrival of the runner. Therefore he had to declare his wish. Then the cup was filled. I recommended the helpers, to fill the cups in advance. But of course it is understandable, that they aren't in a hurry. There is not so much which happens in this part of the country, so they prefer to have some small talk with the runner. No quick drink as it is at the city marathons. Having this in mind and for saving some time I called out on approaching the next refreshment points "Sportsdrink, please!" Some times I myself opend the covers of the boxes for chocolate, banana and bread. Since the sportsdrinks weren`t offered in disposable cups but in plastic cups to be used again, it was not possible to run away with them in the hand. You had to drink out at the station. Later I told the helpers that I would put the cup some hundred meters away on the street, where the were clearly visible for them since it was daylight. A special thing are the passing cars. You are running on official roads; they were not blocked, which indeed was really not necessary at this night time and in this country side. There was of course some traffic of companions and spectators at the first let´s say three hours, but then this traffic died out. The drivers took great care for the runners, sometimes drove on the "wrong" side of the street or even stopped their car. But sometimes I had to "eat" the dust of the road created by the cars For many kilometers I hoped the road would improve. Behind each curve I expected the change to a normal asphalted road. Again and again up und down the hills. At least this topography was very exhausting. The reducing of the clouds brought some additional hardness. The temperature, which fell to approx 7 degrees C. (as I was told from spectators) contributed to some kind of stiff muscles. At approx. km 55, long expected, the road was perfect, but it was a very long one, always straight ahead, and seeming to vanish at the horizon in the infinity. That road required some kind of mental strength. Besides one other runner there was nobody on that steet and alos no car was passing by. Obviously also Swedes have to sleep at this night time. In the meantime the sun rose more and more and brought some warmth again. The topography did not change: alwas a little up and down. One rise of the street was similar to the last exhausting part of the street at Gosliwil (Biel/Switzerland). But all the time no reindeer, no elk, no wolf, no bear to be seen - may be they saw me. The last kilometer in Adak I tried to run easily in order to look good for the spectators. But shortly before 8 o'clock in the morning there were only approx 20 spectators waiting for me at the school. Having happily arrived a helper dressed in the national costume of the lapps cought me for making a picture which later was used for the diploma. There was no prize ceremony later; everybody received his diploma shortly after arrival. In the school I enjoyed a massage. That ultra run of course is not a fast one. It is organised by highly enthusiastic pure amateurs with a small budget. The familiar atmosphere was felt by me as very pleasant and in contrast to the big ones with high pressure of competition. Private houses, holiday homes and a camping ground in the vicinity are used for accomodation. In the neighbouring city of Mala is a youth hostel. In Adak there is no restaurant, no hotel therefore you have to buy your food in the local konsum store. But for the race weekend there was breakfast, lunch and dinner in the school (breakfast was 30 skr, lunch and dinner for 50 skr each). Sunday morning breakfast was the last meal. Transport from thre more distant holiday homes or Mala to Adak on race day was privately organised. I also, as mentioned, was picked up at the air filed of Arvidsjaur at no extra cost - but that sould not be taken as included in the running fee. For longer transportation like in my case some kind of compensation should be considered. Therefore I presented Annika's husband, who brought me back to the airport, a great filet of salmon from the konsum store. Anyone who wants to be mobile (which is to be recommended if staying a few days) should rent a car. I saw some well known brands at the airport of Arvidsjaur but arangements in advance should be to safer way. You can rent bycicles so the partner can accompany the runner. Running companions as moskitoes did not appear; also when standing at the refreshment stations of the track I did not realize them. But next day when walking in the forest they were rally annoying.To those who fear the little beasts: The known anti insects lotions work and in the local konsum store there is a brew which smells like shit but works. Börje, the chief manager of the ultra, assured me that he would like to welcome more participants from sweden and europe. Running at daylight at midnight, without the heat of the summer! Those who never had seen ta swedish midsummer night, who want to try a really different ultra and are not keen to improve their personal record und also want so see the country side while running (which is not possible at Biel e.g.), they should think about a participation at this unusual run. I personally will repeat that run. For companions or those runners who were not fed up with running, there was a 10km run next day at Lonäs (10km from Adak). There was a private festivity with running, grilling swedish specialties, country songs and more. The 10km track should be suitable for personal records because it solely is on normal asphalted street. Axel Pfeiffer axelpfeiffer@compuserve.com