“I WANTED TO TEST MYSELF”

I wanted to test myself, to see if my mental and physical strength could rise to the occasion. Saying you’re strong and believing it are one thing—but proving it is something entirely different. And this race was the perfect opportunity to find out.

In the months leading up to the race, I trained day and night, running as much as I could each day. My weekly mileage ranged from 80 to 100 kilometers, all while working full-time at my cookie business. I approached training with a sense of joy, striving to keep it fun and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the daily challenges of life. I have to say, it was only possible because I didn’t suffer any serious injuries during my training—just the usual fatigue—but my feet remained in good shape.

I was fortunate to have incredible support. True Motion sponsored my running shoes, making sure I could reduce the immense strain on my body, and the team at OACE provided gear for my training, including clothing. Nutrition was also a critical factor in this journey—it was the foundation of my sacrifice and effort.

When race day arrived, I felt confident, especially since I was starting alongside my friend Konrad, who was one of the reasons I signed up for the race in the first place. I know I wouldn’t have done it without him. His courage and strength inspired me to keep going, and we started the race together at 8 a.m. with temperatures hovering around a chilly 5°C—unseasonably cold for the time of year.

The first 20 kilometers felt manageable. Konrad and I ran together at a steady, slightly fast pace—at least it felt fast to me. Eventually, Konrad pulled ahead, and I continued alone. As the kilometers piled on, so did the fatigue. My ankles and knees were getting tired, but I was lucky to have friends who came out to support me. They brought food and snacks, and my friend Fabian brought me some incredibly delicious gyozas—so good that I devoured them in a minute. Nutrition, I realized, is one of the most crucial factors for an ultramarathon runner.

After refueling, I kept running, focusing on keeping my mind clear. My goals were simple but firm: push as hard as I could without breaking my body. The lesson I learned was this: limits only exist if you believe they do. If you believe you’re invincible, those limits disappear.

At kilometer 55, I got lost in the forest for 45 minutes. It threw me off mentally. I felt disoriented, frustrated, and tired. But when I finally reached the next checkpoint, I was met with encouraging words that reignited my determination. I pressed on to kilometer 70, where I felt better—despite the ups and downs that came with every step. That’s life, though. It’s about finding strength when it seems like there’s none left.

By kilometer 80, I could feel the physical strain, especially in my feet. My knee and back pain had mysteriously vanished, but the pressure in my feet was different. I knew something was wrong, but I was fortunate to be wearing my U-TECH Aion Elements. Also for this reason, with only 20 kilometers left, I couldn’t give up. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I did. After a quick snack and a brief rest, I continued— feeling the weight of exhaustion but determined to push through.

By then, night had fallen. The cold set in, and the forest came alive with strange sounds. My mind began to spiral. I had been running for more than 18 hours at that point when my foot sank into a massive mud pit, and one of my ligaments gave way due to the impact. I couldn’t put too much weight on my foot. But what choice did I have? Crying, hurting, bleeding? I kept moving forward. Step by step.

In those final hours, my motivation came from looking down at my feet and seeing the progress I was making. Each step was proof that I was moving forward. At kilometer 93, I asked Jonas, a videographer from our team, to pace me for the final stretch. His encouragement and support were essential. He reminded me that I was stronger than I thought, that I could conquer this challenge.

And I did. After 21 hours of running, I crossed the finish line, having completed 109 kilometers—thanks to the odyssey through the forest. It was the deepest sense of gratitude I’ve ever felt. The pain, the struggle, the sacrifice—it was all worth it.

This journey was the most intense physical and mental experience of my life. It showed me who I am and gave me the opportunity to conquer the unknown. To step into uncertainty, draw a line, and say, “This is no longer unknown—I’ve mastered this part of myself.”

I hope everyone can experience something like this in their own way. Maybe not a 100km ultramarathon, but something that helps them discover who they truly are. It’s one of the most beautiful gifts life can offer.