Finally I got some time to write about my biggest adventure in the first half of 2022. As some of you know, I registered NGO Modern Escape Europe and its main goal is promoting active holidays, healthy lifestyle and getting to know the culture of one country by being active and doing lots of outdoor activities.
The main event of this adventure was the ‘104km Uka Pain Trail Race’ in Sweden.
Everything started when my friend, Cat, from the UK suggested we meet somewhere in Europe and catch up since we haven’t seen each other for more than a year. She lived in Japan and we used to trail run and go on adventures together many times. One of them was in Hawaii where we ran the Ultra Beast Spartan race together.
So this time I had a great task which was to think of some amazing, challenging adventure in Europe.
I only needed to check my list of friends in Europe (it’s a long one trust me), find a 100km trail race in May, check who’s available to join and ‘put all dots together’ and here we go.
Modern Escape Europe’s host was Omer, who has lived in Sweden for over 30 years. We have been planning to join a race together for some time. He’s been doing so many outdoor activities, cross country skiing, tennis, soccer and of course trail running. I got the list of trail races in Sweden, information about trail run clubs, and general info about the country as well. What’s the best way then to have a local person to plan together with you a customized trip. It can’t get wrong.
We planned the activities from May 24th until May 31st. First three days we spent in Gothenburg and nearby towns and hills.
On the second day we went trail running with a local run club. There was a cost-free cottage at the starting point and a changing room and sauna. I learned that Swedish ‘tradition’ is to drink cold beer in a sauna to cool you down.
The trail course was about 15km long with mild climbs and beautiful nature and a big lake in the middle. We met two other friends, P.E. and Sophia, who would be joining us for Uka Pain 100km. Amazing and experienced runners and also well known among Swedish running clubs and associations.
After we finished the trail run some of them went back on the course and I was wondering why. I asked my friend and he explained to me that they always do that because there were logs and damage on trails so they go back to clean and fix it. And they do that all the time. I was amazed by that action and thought we should do the same in Bosnia too.
On the 27th of May, 5 of us started our journey to a small town named Älvdalen which is about 500 km away from Gothenburg. We booked the cottage about 4km away from the start/finish place. Two Storey cottage, 5 rooms, huge garden with bbq place, and big sauna. It was one of those houses you say ‘wow this place is fantastic’. Two nights was €40 per person (so affordable and worth it).
Why Uka Pain and what the name means?
I have my checklist when I decide which race to join and support.
It needs to be an ultra race, preferably 100km, mostly on the dirt surface, elevation from 3000m to 5000m, environmentally sustainable, supportive of local people and area, and where most runners are citizens of the country. And here we go: ‘Uka Pain 100km’
The name is an old local dialect and they wanted to preserve the name which was a bicycle race from a long long time ago.
The first trail Uka Pain race was organized in 2018 and had only 30 runners. Now there are 4 courses and over 300 runners. Their race is eco-friendly and the main goal is to promote local trails, protect the forest from illegal cutting trees. 100km (actually it was 104km) were two loops where you run the second loop in the opposite direction. The elevation was 3000m. The hotel Älvdalen was the place for a drop bag (51km) and also a finish line.
We packed and prepared everything the night before. For a drop bag I packed spare clothes and trail run shoes, headlamp, sandwich (buckwheat bread, cheese, tomato, smoked trout), banana, spare bag of almonds and dates with peach flavor, mixed nuts, protein bar, electrolytes and Powerbar PowerGel Shots – Energy Gums (the best) and I bought them when I was in Vienna. I packed all the food and snacks in small bags and I brought just enough of everything so I don’t eat too much or not enough. Good Preparation is the key to success.
I woke up around 5am, had breakfast (a banana and half of a sandwich) and coffee (latte). The best feeling is when you go to the toilet and everything goes as planned. The runners will understand this the best lol.
We went to collect our bib numbers. The sports store was near the Älvdalen hotel. My bib number was 69 (angel’s number) which is my lucky and favorite number. And they gave us two devices, one was a time checker which we put on our ankles and the other one was a track device which we could put on the bag or arm. I felt like we were prisoners on field work and today they made us run 100km around the prison lol
Then we went to a hotel to leave our drop bags. The place/room was adjusted for runners to have a place to sit, shelves for drop bags with your bib number and lots of sweets and candies. I didn’t know they eat so much chocolate. They actually buy them in kilograms in the stores.
We walked to the start line. I was relaxed and excited. Sometimes some strange thoughts cross my mind before long races like this. Just thinking that I would start running at 6am and then keep running all morning, then afternoon then it comes evening I am still running and then night,… all those thoughts make me think that it’s gonna be impossible. So I set my thoughts in a different direction. As we started the journey at exactly 6am with the sound of Swedish traditional folklore music and a greeting message from the organizer, I started to enjoy the long beautiful morning ‘running meditation’. From time to time I would take one or two almonds, electrolyte and I would drink water. It was chilly. As we climbed the first peak out of three, we could see a box of bracelets and on each it was written Uka Pain (name of the race) and the name of that peak. What a great idea!!! Each of us could take one as a souvenir. I got three (green, grey, and black).
After 30km there was the most important aid station for me. It was lunch time as well. It was important because on that aid station they were serving soup (with chickpeas, corn, and veggies), sandwich with cheese and again lots of chocolate so I took sneakers packed as candies so you have two bites for each. Refilled water bottles and set my mind for the next 20km where we will have a long rest at the hotel.
We had such a great pace with Sophia and P.E. Setting an amazing pace so we ran as one. I could enjoy so much that I got so relaxed and felt like I was sleeping and then I tripped over a small stone and I woke myself up 😆. Luckily I didn’t fall. Then I realized I need coffee. Around 48km I felt so weak and I lost concentration. I only needed to reach the hotel to pull myself together, have coffee and change clothes. Those 4 km to a hotel were the toughest for me in the whole race. Once we reached the hotel I had three cups of coffee (they serve filter coffee that’s why I had three 😆), I ate half of sandwich I packed in my drop bag, and I changed my t-shirt and sports bra. I decided not to change my shoes, socks and tights since I felt good so far. We stayed there for 40minutes. That was the longest break I have ever had in one race.
After this I felt like I was going out with friends to play in the afternoon. I set my mind like I was starting a new race. Feeling fresh and strong for the afternoon running in the forest in beautiful Sweden. I couldn’t ask for better. So we started our journey again from the beginning but only this time we were running counterclockwise.
We kept the group together thanks to Shopia and P.E. for pacing and being an amazing support throughout the whole race. I always think about the African proverb: “IF YOU WANT TO RUN FAST, RUN ALONE. IF YOU WANT TO RUN FAR, RUN TOGETHER.” We crossed the finish line holding hands and our finish time clocked exactly the same for all five of us (16:32:03). We congratulated each other for an amazing day.
The organizers hugged us and gave us beautiful medals. It was such a great experience. We finished the race after 10pm and it was still daylight. I didn’t have to use my headlamp at all. Isn’t that amazing?!
At the hotel we could use the spa area and sauna and had beer to celebrate an amazing and successful day.
As I stayed in Sweden two more days then we used that for ‘fika time’. Which is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika every day. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat. All Swedes consider it important to make time to stop and socialise: to take a pause. It refreshes the brain and strengthens relationships.
Thank you Sweden for an awesome trip. I am looking forward to visiting this beautiful country with more friends.