Icebreaker - Pure Merino

Sometimes people just do the most amazing things. On February 4th 2012, Justin Wallace began running the Yukon Arctic Ultra, pulling a 50lb sled across the frozen Yukon river and over the wooded hills that surround it as well. 100 miles (160km) and in a time of 21 hours and 41 minutes later he was the first competitor to arrive in Braeburn, getting there before the finish line had even been set up and establishing a new course record!

“The race started out too warm for my 200 weight GT top from Icebreaker, but as temperatures dropped to below -30ºC during the night, the base layer really shone. With only a light jacket over top and a well covered head, I ran through the darkness warm and dry. My physical comfort allowed me to enjoy the race, marvelling at how the snow crystals in the trees twinkled in the moonlight and watching the faint northern lights dance in green waves overhead.”

Here’s an excerpt from the February 5 Yukon Arctic Ultra News:
“Justin Wallace from Whitehorse sets new record and wins 100 mile race. We knew yesterday morning that Justin would be fast. I do admit that I did not expect it. Simply because I did not know him. Friends of his were not as surprised. I am told he trained very hard and used any excuse to go to places pulling his sled rather than taking a car. Not just once he showed up with an iced up face mask at friend’s places after a long run. And it paid off. Justin reached the finish line in Braeburn at 08:13 this morning, 21 hours and 41 minutes after race start and won the 100 miles. And not only did he win. He also broke the existing record by more than 2 hours!”

It started as a simple bet; if a certain number of people liked the Teton Running Company Facebook page, I would  let the public choose my outfit for a the next local race. No harm there, I thought. I’ll probably end up running in some high split shorts and a bright jersey.

Turns out the people felt I needed a little more support and that I had a stomach to die for, or at least laugh at. The votes were counted and a running skirt and sports bra reigned as champions.

The skirt seemed simple enough, a compression short with some extra drapery, in all reality very comfortable. The sports bra was another issue. Ask any girl and they will tell you this is a big deal. Make the wrong choice and you will be bouncing, rubbing, or even worse you might have the highly feared (and completely detestable) ‘uni-boob’.  Can you see the environment for a nickname being created if I made the wrong decision? The Icebreaker GT Run Rush Bra was the obvious choice.  Icebreaker fits great and if I was going to subject my man chest to tight fitting womenswear (and inevitable humiliation),  I could only put my trust in the sheep. I never see any sheep taking flack about their chests.

The race went beautifully. I looked great, had no support problems, and the merino felt amazing. Chest sweat was no issue and I’m certain that’s the best I’ve ever smelled after a race. Just like the bra, I was hot to trot.

- Gray Augustus, Store Manager, Teton Running Company

After our wonderful sailing experience my family and I spent some time on the island of Crete. My dad decided it would be a fun idea to walk the Samaria Gorge – the longest gorge in Europe.

The gorge is 16 km long, starting at an altitude of 1,250m at the northern entrance, and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli.

Dressed in Icebreaker GT and Superfine, the family was all geared up to tackle the gorge – we had convinced ourselves it was nothing more than a “walk in the park”. Everything we read said you only needed a medium level of fitness, there was a well worn “footpath” to the end, and as it was all downhill it wasn’t very strenuous. I mean, we had all done the Tongariro Crossing, this would be a piece of cake – right?

WRONG! The guide on the bus had warned us – if you are having any knee pain within the first 4km, then turn back…it’s only going to get worse. At the 4km mark, after a very steep descent, I had rolled both of my weak ankles numerous times, and my left knee felt like it was facing the wrong way. I then started favouring my right knee, which started feeling the strain very quickly!

The terrain was definitely not what I would describe as a well worn footpath – more of an uneven rocky stony trail – often there wasn’t a trail to follow and you made it up yourself.

The hardest part was trying to beat the heat. We started the gorge at 8am but were advised to try and finish before pm as the last 3km were exposed. With temperatures in the high 30′s, walking in the blazing sun was to be avoided – so keeping a fast pace became essential.

We had a quick stop at the half way point, the ancient village of Samaria where we lunched with the Kri-Kri’s – Cretan goats that are only found in that area.

We made it through the most famous part of the gorge, the Iron Gates, where the sides of the gorge close in to a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of 500m.

We reached the 14km mark at a painful shuffle. Mum and I were experiencing bad knee pain from the constant downhill over rocks, and my feet were more than ready to get out of my trail shoes! The shoes and Icebreaker socks came off, and the jandals went on…and suddenly I thought I was hallucinating. Up ahead was a small shack with a sign “Bus to Port – 1 EURO”. Not surprisingly I was the first person on that bus for the last 1km ride to Roumeli!

We shuffled into a taverna, put our feet up, and enjoyed ice cold beers for the rest of the afternoon before a ferry took us back to Hóra Sfakíon.

Wearing Icebreaker was a saviour – the heat was intense, but our tee’s kept us cool and dry. I have no doubt that wearing Icebreaker socks saved our feet from blisters!

Luckily the knee pain only lasted a day, our calves and feet were back to normal a couple of days after that…but the photos will last forever!

- Leah Evans, Global Communications Executive