I run because I like it. I have been running for a couple of years, although earlier I had nothing to do with sports, and at school physical educations, together with maths, was one of the worst subjects for me.
As it usually happens, the beginning was difficult, but when in 2018 I participated in a mountain run at the distance of 43 km, I felt like I belonged there. Since then I systematically extended the distance and with subsequent kilometers, my joy, satisfaction and appetite for more grew.
I was convinced to run the Main Beskid Trail by Roman Ficek, who ran the distance in June 2020 without support in 107h25min. I thought “I want it, too”. And when I want something, I turn my dream into a goal and aim to reach it. At first I thought about the year 2022, but due to delayed or cancelled runs I decided to accelerate the challenge. The Autumn period was not the best choice due to the weather – the rain, thick fogs and a short day. The trail was empty. When on the third day I met on my way two girls who were heading in the opposite direction, I was as surprised as if I saw an alien. Of course, there were other runners who wanted to support me with their company at the distance of a few kilometers. I’m so grateful for that. However, I covered most of the 500-km distance alone, having a dialogue with my thoughts in the silence.
My run on the Main Beskid Trail was the result of my willingness to cover the distance that had been unattainable so far, to see the parts of the mountains I had not seen before, but it turned out to be an expedition deep inside of my own self, a great occasion to face my weaknesses and fears and to beat them. I moved my limits of pain, fatigue and my limits of impossible.
I ran with a 4.5-kg backpack in which I had packed only the most essential stuff. And it was enough. It turns out you don’t need more to be happy. The people I met on the subsequent stages of the run, the selfless assistance they offered, were the greatest value of this challenge. Sometimes it was about a conversation, and sometimes just about the presence of the other person, when I devoted the rest of my strength to fight the pain and make yet another step.
I planned to cover the Trail in 130 hours. I managed to do it in 139h22min. I knew I wasn’t going to succeed as early as on the fourth day. It was always raining, my feet were locked in wet shoes all day long, with sand particles that imperceptibly got into and gave the effect of abrasive paper. Every evening they looked more pitiful and more… painful. But on the next morning I would get up, put on the wet shoes, and keep running. I have never considered getting off the trail. The fight with time was replaced with the fight to get to the finish line. And I won the fight. And I know I can do more, I just need to want it. And I do. 🙂
