Got Alicja on the road at 7am this morning. She was in good spirits. The weather was not in our favor, with lots of blowing snow, but at least it wasn't too cold.
Alicja and I were very emotional as she got on her journey. It has been a lot of preparation for this day. I followed her the first 5km. Not much traffic on the Ice Road.
At 12:30pm I caught up with Alicja on the Ice Road. She was 33km done at this point and felt she was going a little slower than her usual Ultra pace, but considering the blowing snow, she is doing great! She reports feeling good physically. One vehicle passed her and asked "What are you doing?" She replied "Oh, I'm running to Tuk." They said "Why?!" Haha. Alicja is a lovely woman with lots of spirit and she has a lot of support here. In one hour I will be going back up the Ice Road with the Inuvik Run Club members and running 10km with her. We are bringing her coffee (extra sugar) and pasta with butter. All by her request! :) I will write again soon.
Alicja is about 40km south of Tuk now. I spent the better part of the night with her, throughout the darkness. She had a good appetite but reported feeling stomach sick. This has often been her challenge during runs. Her spirit was slightly affected but she continued on. She was averaging a little over 5km/hour. God bless her.
Susie Driscoll from the Inuvik Run Club checked on Alicja at 11am today. I left her at 0600hrs, so she had a 5 hour period of running alone. At least it was light as this brightens her spirit. She said during that time a few vehicles stopped to check on her and get some pictures taken. Susie brought her tea, bread and soup. Alicja reported feeling better.
Sgt. Calvin Roberts from the Tuk RCMP met with Alicja this morning and said she was doing well. He just left Inuvik to drive back to Tuk and will check on her again. Alicja should be arriving in Tuk around 7pm, which means 187km in 36 hours!!! Wow. Amazing. Once there she will rest with Heather Wheating (Community Health Worker) who has offered her home as accomodations. Heather will take good care of her.
Just spoke to Susie who is with Alicja right now. They are 30km outside Tuk. Alicja has a sore knee but is still moving. Susie is towing her sled to help with the pressure on Alicja. I am in awe of her. She has been able to keep down her food. Susie is with her for the next hour. Much strength is being sent out to Alicja right now from the people in Inuvik!
Just got a call from Susie and Alicja is less than 1km from TUK! 36.5 hours - AMAZING!!! Susie said Alicja is very tired but determined to continue on and is pushing through. I also just spoke to Heather in Tuk and she and her house mates are anxious to meet Alicja and take care of her tonight and tomorrow. People are excited to help out. She should be arriving there RIGHT NOW!
I just spoke to Alicja and she is well. She says she is "enjoying pizza with new friends." She said that Susie saved her during the last km as it was very windy. Thank you so much for being there, Susie.
Tomorrow I will drive to Tuk and follow Alicja back to Inuvik. Susie, Kat Selkirk and Soura Rosen will meet us Saturday early morning in another support vehicle. The goal is to have someone running with Alicja the whole way back. We will allocate 40 hours for the return trip so that will likely have us depart Tuk around midnight tomorrow (Friday). So far, so good! Let's hope for better weather on the return trip.
Sending you warm hugs from Yonkers. So glad you will have some food and shelter and rest in Tuk tonight among friends and some running company on the way back to Inuvik. You are the best! Thank you runners in Tuk and Inuvik for supporting Alicja and posting updates.
Alicja! You are an inspiration to us all! You CAN do this! Darwin and I are sending warm thoughts your way. He has made a fire in the fireplace which will keep you energized in the coldest hours.
Super warm hugs from your Wednesday running partner--I KNOW you CAN, you KNOW you can, one step in front of the other. Count the miles backwards as you have taught me, and think laughter and friendship and mojitos and flan and all the fun things we will do, the stories you will tell l about the Arctic beauty. Summon up some of that Sahara heat to protect you from the Arctic blasts, imagine the sand underfoot to soften the ice, an hear the children laughing, you will be in Inulvik and home again very soon. Your friend Bette
We just went out to meet up with Alicja at the 30km mark. She was exhausted and used the term "brutal" a number of times to describe the weather! She is a lovely, lovely woman and it was a pleasure and an honour to be able to spend a bit of time with her as she rested and warmed up in Suzie's truck. At 11am, she headed out again and was gracious to let my 4 year old and 2 year old run with her for 100 metres! At -33C with the wind chill, Alicja continued on and was shortly met by a group of a dozen very eager runners who spilled out of a support van to support her for the last 30km. This showering of positive and encouraging energy will surely serve to rejuvenate and uplift Alicja to the end of her journey! Go Alicja!!!!
What a great day! The wind died down a bit and the sun stayed high in the sky. We had a convoy of 6 or 7 vehicles and between 10 and 15 runners accompanying Alicja. The positive energy uplifted everyone and helped us all meet our own Arctic challenge. The completion ceremony in town was heartwarming as it was celebratory. A truly wonderful event!
Alicja finished her 370km trek on perfect schedule at 4:00pm on April 10th. She battled through mental and physical challenges several times throughout the 4 day event, especially the last 48km when Alicja said that she didn't know how she would get through. She looked at me at one point throughout the night and said "how am I going to do this?" I knew she was exhausted. After a quick rest she pushed through and we made it to the 30km mark where we met the bus of Inuvik Run Club runners and other members of the community who wanted a chance to run next to Alicja. It was so exciting for everyone involved! At the 10km mark, the local RCMP (police) met us and several other people including photographers, spectators and other runners. We had a convoy of 7 vehicles traveling with us. At this point, Alicja said that she was feeling great and strong. The motivation of having everyone around helped a lot. Runners ran further than they thought they could because of the inspiration of knowing the distance Alicja had already done. We ran the last leg into the Royal Canadian Legion where we had a completion ceremony. Everyone was pumped! We celebrated the accomplishment of Alicja's personal victory and even our own (for many it was the farthest distance we had run). All in all, it was a great event with new memories, new friendships and excitement for the funds raised for the Inuvik Homeless Shelter. Until next year!
Alicja says: Dla Polakow.....zakonczylam ten trudny bieg po lodzdach rzeki Mackenzie....bylo trudno szczegolnie tuz przed Tuktoyaktuk kiedy temp. spaddla ponizej 30C i wial silny wiatr ze wschodu, a ja bieglam pod wiatr. Myslalam ze zamienie sie w sopel lodu! Widzialam juz budynki Tuk (Tuktoyaktuk) ale ale te ostanie 6 km czy 10km byly tak daleko i tyle moglo jeszcze sie zdazyc. W drodze powroetnej mialam chwiel slabosci pomiedzy 70 do 90 km ale mialam pomoc z klubu beigaczy w Inuvik ktorzy pomagali mi w drodze powrotenej tzn jechal obok mnie samaochod w ktorym moglam znalesc schronisko. Nastepne chwila slabosci to 48 km przed Inuvik. Do Inuvik dortalam w niedziele, 10 kwietnia o godz 16:50 w towarzystwie wielu beigaczy z Inuvik, eskorty samochodow lacznie z wozem policyjny...to byl moement ze wszyzcy polacy moga byc dumnie ze sswojej rodaczki....ja czylam sie jak widz tego wejsci do Inuvik. dzisiaj czuje sie swietnie. dziekuje wszystkim za wsparche duchowe i pomoc dle schroniska dla bezdomnych...wasza Alicja.
Alicja goes for a short run on the Ice road to test the equipment.
ReplyDeleteIt is April 6, 6AM in Inuvik. Alicja starts her long trip. The Ice Road will never be the same.
ReplyDeleteGot Alicja on the road at 7am this morning. She was in good spirits. The weather was not in our favor, with lots of blowing snow, but at least it wasn't too cold.
ReplyDeleteAlicja and I were very emotional as she got on her journey. It has been a lot of preparation for this day. I followed her the first 5km. Not much traffic on the Ice Road.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Wicks
At 12:30pm I caught up with Alicja on the Ice Road. She was 33km done at this point and felt she was going a little slower than her usual Ultra pace, but considering the blowing snow, she is doing great! She reports feeling good physically. One vehicle passed her and asked "What are you doing?" She replied "Oh, I'm running to Tuk." They said "Why?!" Haha. Alicja is a lovely woman with lots of spirit and she has a lot of support here. In one hour I will be going back up the Ice Road with the Inuvik Run Club members and running 10km with her. We are bringing her coffee (extra sugar) and pasta with butter. All by her request! :) I will write again soon.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Wicks
KEEP GOING ALICJA.....WE're KEEPING YOU WARM AT HOME....
ReplyDeleteMis mejores deseos para mi cun~ada, gran deportista!!! FELICITACIONES desde Alemania de:
ReplyDeleteGraciela Barahona
These updates are great! Keep them coming! Go Alicja!
ReplyDeleteAndrew and Ariana
Inuvik, NT
Alicja is about 40km south of Tuk now. I spent the better part of the night with her, throughout the darkness. She had a good appetite but reported feeling stomach sick. This has often been her challenge during runs. Her spirit was slightly affected but she continued on. She was averaging a little over 5km/hour. God bless her.
ReplyDeleteCynthia Wicks
Susie Driscoll from the Inuvik Run Club checked on Alicja at 11am today. I left her at 0600hrs, so she had a 5 hour period of running alone. At least it was light as this brightens her spirit. She said during that time a few vehicles stopped to check on her and get some pictures taken. Susie brought her tea, bread and soup. Alicja reported feeling better.
ReplyDeleteSgt. Calvin Roberts from the Tuk RCMP met with Alicja this morning and said she was doing well. He just left Inuvik to drive back to Tuk and will check on her again. Alicja should be arriving in Tuk around 7pm, which means 187km in 36 hours!!! Wow. Amazing. Once there she will rest with Heather Wheating (Community Health Worker) who has offered her home as accomodations. Heather will take good care of her.
ReplyDeleteJust spoke to Susie who is with Alicja right now. They are 30km outside Tuk. Alicja has a sore knee but is still moving. Susie is towing her sled to help with the pressure on Alicja. I am in awe of her. She has been able to keep down her food. Susie is with her for the next hour. Much strength is being sent out to Alicja right now from the people in Inuvik!
ReplyDeleteJesteśmy z Tobą
ReplyDeleteDominic, Piotrków, Poland
Go Alicja! Sending positive energy from Inuvik!
ReplyDeleteAndrew
16km outside Inuvik. Alicja is going strong. She just ate (soup) and is really looking forward to her rest period in Tuk.
ReplyDeleteAla -trzymamy kciuki - BiM
ReplyDeleteJust got a call from Susie and Alicja is less than 1km from TUK! 36.5 hours - AMAZING!!! Susie said Alicja is very tired but determined to continue on and is pushing through. I also just spoke to Heather in Tuk and she and her house mates are anxious to meet Alicja and take care of her tonight and tomorrow. People are excited to help out. She should be arriving there RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteAlicja arrived to Tuk at 7:20 PM, local time. She will rest tonight and then back to Inuvik.
ReplyDeleteI just spoke to Alicja and she is well. She says she is "enjoying pizza with new friends." She said that Susie saved her during the last km as it was very windy. Thank you so much for being there, Susie.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I will drive to Tuk and follow Alicja back to Inuvik. Susie, Kat Selkirk and Soura Rosen will meet us Saturday early morning in another support vehicle. The goal is to have someone running with Alicja the whole way back. We will allocate 40 hours for the return trip so that will likely have us depart Tuk around midnight tomorrow (Friday). So far, so good! Let's hope for better weather on the return trip.
Go Alicja!!
Woohooo! Way to go Alicja! Way to go Team Arctic Challenge!!
ReplyDeleteSending you warm hugs from Yonkers. So glad you will have some food and shelter and rest in Tuk tonight among friends and some running company on the way back to Inuvik. You are the best! Thank you runners in Tuk and Inuvik for supporting Alicja and posting updates.
ReplyDeleteThese updates are so exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all, and bless BLESS BLESS Alicja!
~Sasha Webb
Alicja! You are an inspiration to us all! You CAN do this! Darwin and I are sending warm thoughts your way. He has made a fire in the fireplace which will keep you energized in the coldest hours.
ReplyDeleteTrzymam kciuki - Ewelina
ReplyDeleteDalej dalej babcia
ReplyDeleteIs Alicja on the road back right now? We're thinking of her!
ReplyDeleteAndrew and Ariana
Inuvik, NT
Super warm hugs from your Wednesday running partner--I KNOW you CAN, you KNOW you can, one step in front of the other. Count the miles backwards as you have taught me, and think laughter and friendship and mojitos and flan and all the fun things we will do, the stories you will tell l about the Arctic beauty. Summon up some of that Sahara heat to protect you from the Arctic blasts, imagine the sand underfoot to soften the ice, an hear the children laughing, you will be in Inulvik and home again very soon. Your friend Bette
ReplyDeleteAlicja,
ReplyDeleteHope all is well on your return trip on the ice road....we are looking forward to hearing from you.....soon we hope....good luck.
Frank and Annette
Liebe Alicja, herzlichen Glückwunsch für deine sportliche Leistungen!
ReplyDeleteQuerida Alicja, felicitaciones por tus triunfos deportivos!
Desde Alemania: Graciela Barahona
We just went out to meet up with Alicja at the 30km mark. She was exhausted and used the term "brutal" a number of times to describe the weather! She is a lovely, lovely woman and it was a pleasure and an honour to be able to spend a bit of time with her as she rested and warmed up in Suzie's truck. At 11am, she headed out again and was gracious to let my 4 year old and 2 year old run with her for 100 metres! At -33C with the wind chill, Alicja continued on and was shortly met by a group of a dozen very eager runners who spilled out of a support van to support her for the last 30km. This showering of positive and encouraging energy will surely serve to rejuvenate and uplift Alicja to the end of her journey! Go Alicja!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day! The wind died down a bit and the sun stayed high in the sky. We had a convoy of 6 or 7 vehicles and between 10 and 15 runners accompanying Alicja. The positive energy uplifted everyone and helped us all meet our own Arctic challenge. The completion ceremony in town was heartwarming as it was celebratory. A truly wonderful event!
ReplyDeleteTruckers watch out. The Ice Road has an owner!
ReplyDeleteAlicja finished her 370km trek on perfect schedule at 4:00pm on April 10th. She battled through mental and physical challenges several times throughout the 4 day event, especially the last 48km when Alicja said that she didn't know how she would get through. She looked at me at one point throughout the night and said "how am I going to do this?" I knew she was exhausted. After a quick rest she pushed through and we made it to the 30km mark where we met the bus of Inuvik Run Club runners and other members of the community who wanted a chance to run next to Alicja. It was so exciting for everyone involved! At the 10km mark, the local RCMP (police) met us and several other people including photographers, spectators and other runners. We had a convoy of 7 vehicles traveling with us. At this point, Alicja said that she was feeling great and strong. The motivation of having everyone around helped a lot. Runners ran further than they thought they could because of the inspiration of knowing the distance Alicja had already done. We ran the last leg into the Royal Canadian Legion where we had a completion ceremony. Everyone was pumped! We celebrated the accomplishment of Alicja's personal victory and even our own (for many it was the farthest distance we had run). All in all, it was a great event with new memories, new friendships and excitement for the funds raised for the Inuvik Homeless Shelter. Until next year!
ReplyDeleteAlicja says:
Dla Polakow.....zakonczylam ten trudny bieg po lodzdach rzeki Mackenzie....bylo trudno szczegolnie tuz przed Tuktoyaktuk kiedy temp. spaddla ponizej 30C i wial silny wiatr ze wschodu, a ja bieglam pod wiatr. Myslalam ze zamienie sie w sopel lodu! Widzialam juz budynki Tuk (Tuktoyaktuk) ale ale te ostanie 6 km czy 10km byly tak daleko i tyle moglo jeszcze sie zdazyc. W drodze powroetnej mialam chwiel slabosci pomiedzy 70 do 90 km ale mialam pomoc z klubu beigaczy w Inuvik ktorzy pomagali mi w drodze powrotenej tzn jechal obok mnie samaochod w ktorym moglam znalesc schronisko. Nastepne chwila slabosci to 48 km przed Inuvik. Do Inuvik dortalam w niedziele, 10 kwietnia o godz 16:50 w towarzystwie wielu beigaczy z Inuvik, eskorty samochodow lacznie z wozem policyjny...to byl moement ze wszyzcy polacy moga byc dumnie ze sswojej rodaczki....ja czylam sie jak widz tego wejsci do Inuvik. dzisiaj czuje sie swietnie. dziekuje wszystkim za wsparche duchowe i pomoc dle schroniska dla bezdomnych...wasza Alicja.
Alicja, ciesze sie ogromnie razem z Toba. Wiedzialam, ze Ci sie uda. Jestes wielka.
ReplyDeleteLucylla
FELICITACIONES
ReplyDeletedesde Alemania: Graciela Barahona