Ida Races in Mexico and talks fall plans in Romsadalen

I hope that you all are having a beautiful fall!

I spent the early fall at home in Norway, enjoying beautiful weather mixed with a lot of rain. But, getting cozy inside after a long summer feels fine as well.

Then it was time for a combination of a travel/vacation and racing trip. I was invited to a sky race in Mexico. When I travel far to race I always try to do something a little extra and stay a little longer to explore and enjoy the place.

This time I went two weeks before the race and spent some time in the very beautiful and colorful city of Oaxaca. I have actually been to this city once before, 22 years ago, when I was traveling in Mexico and Guatemala with my sister. Unfortunately, right at that time something went wrong with our bank card, and we just had enough money left to buy a big bag of day-old bread to live on for a few days.

That is not the way to experience Oaxacan food culture which probably has some of the best food in the world! This time I took fully advantage of that and tried so much good food and drinks. For me trying different food, especially delicious street food, is one of my favorite parts of traveling.

I also had time doing a multi-day hike up in the mountains between small Zapotec villages and climb the highest peak in Mexico, Pico Orizaba, which is a volcano summit on 5636 m elevation.

The race itself was beautiful, but very tough since the whole course is on an altitude between 3400 m to 4700 m. There is not much running happening going uphill at that altitude! I got a glimpse in the Mexican trail culture and it was especially nice to see a lot of women running every morning!

Now I really look forward to spend the rest of October and late fall home again. In two weeks Emelie and I will organize a running camp here in Romsdalen. I really look forward to that since it has been a long time since we did a camp together and it’s the first running retreat we have here in Romsdalen. I hope this place will show off it’s most beautiful side!

I wish you all a good late fall! Don’t let November greyness get hold of you!

/Ida