To get a packet out of an Argentinan custom office involves pretty hard effort and numerous charming lies.

Explaining several pairs of new running shoes and other types of equipment stated as „Gift“ is not a stress-free job.

Cheers to the deadly lads at Brooks Europe for all the care and the quality material they provide!

I stayed in a fine little hostel just outside of El Bolson the past couple of days before heading back to Neuquen.

And again – mighty trails combined with wonderful weather. It is a worthy part of the year to spend time in Patagonia.

The trails here are incredible. Entirely marked and in perfect state. The surrounding was so irresistible that I went out each day on certain trails around the place.

Credits for the 180-degree image on top of Mount Piltriquitron (2284 mt.) to Rohan Wilson!

 Impressive times!

Diego Constantini took some fine images on top of the Mount Quilanlahue during the Patagonia Run. 

Credits for that Diego!

I’m simply amazed. Amazed by this gigantic system of magnificent trails. You have to be totally blind not to find a decent place to run here. Occasionally the toughest choice is which direction to take. Left or right?

The weather changed to the better today and the hours in the mountains flew away.

All sorts of trails fall into each other. My final decent was on some sick Mountainbike trails, which brought back memories to the good old childhood days on two wheels – Servus Beni, Gagi & Steckner!

Tune of the day: Mutated Forms – Feels Like

Nice 4-hour jog this morning around the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Magnificent panorama despite the weather being a bit dull. When I arrived on the summit I could not see the lake Nahuel Huapi – hard luck. Still worth it to carry the iPhone and take some pictures.

It is kind of suitable to be in this popular part of Argentina during the touristic off-season. I had the trails for myself and did not see a single soul in the mounts all day.

Tune of the day: Marsimoto – Angst (just one part of a very good album “Grüner Samt“)

The Good, the Bad and the Ultra

Tuco Ramírez

The Good

Wow. What a day. This race had it all. And it might had a bit too much, at least for me. As I’m pretty much new to this thing titled “Ultra Running” I was stoked, exited, charmed and now I am humble.

The Patagonia Run around San Martin de los Andes is a brute, a stunning brute.

This whole days holds so much stories that it would probably puts everyone to sleep reading it. I try to cut that huge chunk of deep feelings and impressions in a small one.

A 4am start means a timely wake up. I didn’t really have to wake up as I didn’t really sleep. So I got out the bed at 1.30am had food, listened to some music and prepared the rest of my stuff.

Then it went fast and we set off, out in the dark night. And nights in the middle of the Andes are dark. The pure wilderness is pure black. So I tried to stay with some runners. As I knew that Nelson would be starting defensively I stayed with him for a little bit. The pace then felt not right to me and I let him go. His head torch was noticeable for a few minutes and then disappeared in the pitch black forest. I was on my own. No one behind me, no one in the front. Only the huge quantity of helpers was the only species of life I confronted in the forest. The trails were great not to say amazing. Paired with the dark and the quietness it was even more amazing. Very good marked and prepared so it wasn’t a problem to run alone. The time flew by and I passed some aid stations. I ate well, took all my gels and tried to get moving.

The first severe climbing came at the 28k mark. It continued to be the major uphill portion of the course – the way to the Mount Quilanlahue (1673 m). This baby was very technical and impossible to run. Looking back this part took a good volume of energy out of my frame. The climb was long, steep and tired me immensely. At this phase the sun was rising and the sights while ascending the fell was just mind-blowing. What a sunrise, what a striking part of the world. I passed the checkpoint on the top of the mountain and faced the downhill, which had the same feature. An aid station was set up just after the decent and I could empty the shoes, eat, drink and went on.

I could rave for hundreds or thousand blog posts about the trails, lakes, woodlands, foothills, trees, plants, light… It is sheer incredible and far amongst the imagination if you haven’t witnessed it yourself. When you run past a group of wild horses through the snow-covered grassland while the sun is about to set, you surely recognize why you love this sport.

The Bad

And then it went downwards for me.

Despite being systematically with the nutrition I bonked. And I bonked like I have never bonked before. I walked parts and tried to come back. Ran through pain and tiredness but it did not work. I filled up at an aid station in the hope I wake up again but I didn’t. The inner tiredness was unreal and something I never faced before. I kept going and tried to fight the fatigue and sleepiness. I passed a group of volunteers and decided to take a lift back to San Martin.

DNF – Race over somewhere after the 60k checkpoint.

Still I don’t know what happened. I went back to the apartment, showered and went straight to bed where I remained for the rest of the day!

The Ultra

As this was only my third run past the 42,195 kilometer mark I still have a lot to learn. Despite not finishing the race the impressions running long and running trails are amazing.

The best pill against a post-DNF Trauma is just on the table – the 9th edición Yerba Buena a Tafí del Valle in Tucuman in two weeks.

Despite Mauris (He was in the 100k) and my DNF the gang had a good outing as Laura and Gustavo won the 100k and Gusti came 6th.

I have to catch up on pictures.

A selection of my Valparaíso shots can be found on my tumblr page.

About four days ’til the Patagonia Run in San Martin de los Andes.

At the moment I’m fortunate to spend a bit of time with fellow racers Gustavo Reyes, Mauri Pagliacci and his cool and openhearted family in the city of Neuquén.

After a rough 15 hour bus ride from Mendoza I got the first smack of the fabulous and challenging local trails yesterday evening.

Runners here are so blessed with a extensive trail setup that is so close to the city.

Also make sure to check the boy’s webpages!

Gustavo Reyes

Trail Running Argentina

GR Team

Record of the week (…so far): Mr Brady and Elaquent – Sayin Somethin

Got the good auld Panasonic DMC-FT1 out the bag for a little walk around the picturesque town of Valparaíso on the chilean pacific coastline.

I love the german name: Paradiestal. So true!