The North Face Endurance Challenge held its inaugural Canadian race at Blue Mountain Ski Resort. On race day (Sat), the marathon was the shortest distance to be run (!), and was my first foray into what was really an Ultra race. The pre-race information and website were extremely detailed, so I had a good idea (in the theoretically sense) what I was getting myself into....
Pre-race: Race kit pick up was the same morning as race day. It was a quiet affair, but pretty smooth. I was given my bib, a blue T-shirt (free silk screening afterwards of your race distance) and a choice of some really neat technical socks.
It was pretty cool to have Dean Karnazes inspire us just before the start of the race. With his wise words, we were off. Up and down (and up again!) the ski slopes, over rough terrain, so road, and more rough terrain. But the scenery and friendly runners passing by made up for the drudgery. After a while, as the sun grew hotter, it started to feel like a death march. However, the aid stations were like oases in a desert and stocked full of a wide variety of gels, Shotbloks, broth, sandwiches, CANDY, pretzels - basically sweet and savory carbs to keep you going! By the last 10 km, I admit to struggling a bit with muscle cramps - and groaning with the relentless hill climbs, but I did prevail.
Post race party was great. Finishers were provided with a lunch and a chance to tour the little kiosks. But the best bit was the ice bath tent - this time I really needed it! Runners dipped their feet and lower legs in individualized vats, and nothing felt better. I chatted with the other runners about their race (the 80 km runners started out at 5 am!), and at that moment caked in sweat with my feet in a bucket of water, I was on a post runner's high.

The medal and bib are reminders of my amazing experience. I will never forget it!