mozart100 by UTMB - Trail Ultra Marathon in Salzburg, Austria

The finish that almost wasn't. Until it wasn't.

1.5 weeks before the race I broke my toe. During the race I barely made the first cutoff with less than 10 mins to spare. I had to chase cutoff times almost throughout the entire race. My right knee gave out 30 km in. Downhill I was slower than uphill and couldn't make up time lost on the ascents. It was an insane mud (and cow sh#t) fest, windy, rainy and cold and I fell countless times. I ripped my pants and turned them into a skirt 40 km in. At km 80 I had to shove 3 emergency blankets under my jacket to try and get warm again as I was wet to the bones from race start. At km 90 I dropped my headlamp and it stopped working for a while and I almost had to return to the previous aid station to drop out. At km 93 the fog and night made it almost impossible to see the ground under you or the path in front of you. At some point we were basically just falling down the hills hoping to find another marker.And then the race was cancelled at the last aid station with a cutoff time. Just like during my second attempt at a 100k in Spain. This time I made it one km further. 3 for 3 attempts at 100k impacted by rain. While I officially finished, got the stones, the index and the medal this feels like unfinished business. I learned a lot though, and this was what this dress rehearsal race was supposed to be about. And it was kind of fun. Thanks to all volunteers, spectators, runners and organizers. See you in Chamonix!

music - courtesy of epidemicsounds.com
Brand New Beginning - Oman
Below Freezing - Aiyo
Across the Sky - Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen