FINISHED
Rock & Ice is done!

I'm safe and sound back here to Yellowknife and you know what, its the BEST feeling in the world! I complete the 2009 Rock & Ice Course (225km) at a little after 2pm today, good enough for 2nd place. Denise and I had a good race out there and she deserves that diamond that we were both going after! I am lucky to have even completed the race as I have been severely suffering from an achilles injury for the entire 6 days. Lots of Vitamin I and a heel lift to my shoe and I made it to the finish line. The injury started well before I got here and Laura worked to massage it out as best as she could. However, it's not easy to know going into a race that you are not 100% but even more, knowing that I was prepared to still give it my best shot and suffer like a mad woman to make it to the end. Suffer I did but it was all worth it!

The land surrounding Yellowknife is harsh and unforgiving, yet beautiful and amazing all at once. Yes, I am sick of snowshoe running and looking at white snow and pulling a heavy pulk behind me and eating trail food! BUT, the Rock & Ice is a must do so put it on your list and come experience Canada's great white north! You won't be dissapointed. Race director Scott Smith and his crew put on one heck of a great race!

Gear wise, all was great. My Salomon XT Wing Gore's were AWESOME but even more so was my amazing windstopper jacket, also by Salomon. I layered Ibex as my base layer and then the Arcteryx Rho and I was happy as could be. Dan's sled, the DP1, got me through with no issues!!! Dan, you ROCK! If you are considering this race next year, you will want Dan to build your sled, just an FYI.

And to everyone, thanks for all the amazing emails that have arrived! Those are what keep me going and moving forward. I run for i2p and I hope I can be an inspiration to you as well!

What's next?? Well...no running to start with! I will now hit the bike and x-train until I am cleared to hit the trails. I am excited to return to Squamish and get back to working with the ladies at our morning circuit class. I am stoked to get the trail clinics going and some other awesome programs for those in Squamish.

Oh and while on the email, HUGE congrats to my friend and client Jonny Covello who at 64, completed the 3 day Rock & Ice on skii's! She is my new inspiration and she is tougher than nails!!! Well done to Tim to making it to Everest Base Camp, a great feat for sure! And now I send all my energy onto Meghan who is off at the Marathon des Sables in Morocco!

Costa Rica for a 7 day'er was on the plans, leaving in 3 weeks time but the race has been cancelled. So now, hmmmmmm, will let ya know!
It's time for a cofffee....

Adventure Onwards.....jen