麻豆社国产endurance athlete Jen Segger started 2011 strong, finishing second in the women's category and second in the team category at the Coastal Challenge Rainforest Run, which took place in Costa Rica from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4.
Segger put together a total time of just over 29 hours for the six-day event, which was set along the Pacific coastline of the Central American country. The 250-kilometre run saw Segger make her way through jungles, mountains and other natural wonders in Costa Rica and she said it was a memorable experience.
"I am so happy that I made it through this incredibly wet race with perfect feet," she said in her blog. "That has never happened to me before after six tough days and it is so much more enjoyable when you can walk and not suffer."
Segger was referencing her recent Achilles' tendon injury, an ailment that caused her to struggle in races this past summer. This time, she said it performed well and the race proved that she is fully recovered.
Stage 1 of the race began with an eight-kilometre flat road run, eventually leading to rocky roads and some elevation gains. However, Segger said all the competitors were feeling the heat.
"Only one word needed to describe the first stage here at the TCC race - hot," she said. "No, let me re-phrase that damn hot! However, it was a day of success for Team Canada 1 and 2. Everyone made it in and survived the 35-degree temperatures."
Along with racing as a solo competitor, Segger was also the Canadian ambassador for the race and helped put together and coach the 12 other Canadians competing in the race.
Day 2 saw competitors enter the jungle, getting extremely muddy. It also included a gruelling 1 -hour ascent over 10 kilometres. Participants then moved onto Day 3, which saw more jungle action and also the chance to experience - briefly - some of the beautiful beaches that Costa Rica has to offer.
"We spent most of the day doing several epic climbs until eventually, we dropped back down to the coast and ran a 10 kilometre beach stretch," she said. "Unbelievable, stunning beach with lots of sun tanners and families hanging out. For us runners, though, what a different story. It was head down and suffering."
Day 4 proved to be challenging as racers climbed up to 1,000 metres elevation in hot weather, only to descend back quickly to lower elevation. Runners eventually made it to pavement and exposed roads at around sea level, but Segger admitted it was the toughest day. Day 5 proved to be the longest day but it was flatter and much more forgiving terrain with not as much climbing as in previous days. In total, Day 5 was almost six hours of running for Segger, but she said the final destination, Drake Bay, was well worth the trip.
"We arrived into paradise, a beautiful secluded beach near the tip of the country," she said. "Very remote, very hard to get to. I feel very fortunate to get to see this place, not touristy, very small and quiet. It should be a very scenic and great way to end this incredible race."
The final day saw a loop around the beach and back to finish the race off. Clocking in at just under three hours, it was the shortest stage of the event.
Segger finished second out of 13 women competing in the race, ending up 12 minutes behind Monica Aguilera of Spain. She was also a member of the second-place Canada 2 team.
"Thank you everyone for your good wishes and energy to get me through the TCC Coastal Challenge," she added.
For more information on Segger, visit www.challengebychoice.ca.
