Interview with Katka Ludvíková, a winner in 1000 MILES race
02. 08. 2016
Interview with Katka Ludvíková, a winner in the category F1 in 1000 MILES race
1000 MILES is an extreme race. Its start and finish are set and the racers go without support. Where to sleep and eat, it is up to them. A nature trail leads along the northern border of the Czech and Slovak Republic, and therefore most through the mountains.
Kate, congratulations to the great success and especially to the fact that, as one of the few, you have finished this extreme race, and thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
What was for you this year's race ISOM 1000 MILES?
This year it was easier because I rode for the second time and I knew what to expect. I had no such worries as last year, and I had less trouble with acquiring equipment. Even I can say that I looked forward to it. Although a victory was not my priority, but only a fair fight, which is really meaningful, a fight with myself. I wanted to break my race time from last year and enjoy the atmosphere because such events are not about racing, but about friendship, nature, about the fact that a person touches something deep. You forget about everything and all around you and focus only on your own private battle: o)
Did your preparation differ from last year's one?
Within the bounds of possibility, I tried to ride a bike as many kilometers, so that it is such annual classic ... It is difficult to invent something at working and household duties and children. But when you want, you always find some time. In the autumn, I also tried some ultra marathon races and race for 24 hours.
And your bicycle and equipment?
My bike worked perfectly due to the skillful hands of my amazing mechanic and husband in one person. As for the other equipment and clothing, the biggest thank deserves Kilpi that supports me in an incredible way and again provided me with the perfect cycling clothing. And I cannot forget to mention the ring for good luck, which I wear for several years at each race. My daughter always will whisper it some wish that sometimes will fulfill. And then I have my plush Little Reindeer, which is already well-seasoned racer: o)
When was your worst moment?
Difficult moments were countless during the race, but the hardest was at climbing to Krížna (Slovakia). I stepped badly and a sharp pain shot from swollen ankle to the entire calf. I was crying in pain and frustration ... and I wrote SMS that everything is lost and I will not be able to finish the race. But as I sat there and thought about all the people who root for me, I did not want to give it up.
And what‘s your health?
I was mentally and physically well, not counting the pain and tingling in the hands and painful knees ... the only ankle very troubled me. Swelling and pain spread to the knee, but after some Brufen tablets, rinse in cold brooks and firming up with an adhesive tape I could ride a bike, but pushing it up the hill was actually purgatory. Finally, I rode to the finish line with this kind of self-medication and consider it my biggest win at this year's Miles!
Where did you the best sleep and when did you sleep the worst?
Sleeping? The first night after a rainy afternoon, a short way in front of Boží Dar, in the tourist shelter was so cold that I did not sleep at all, and the worst were the wet clothing that I put on at 4 pm. But the marvelous sunrise over Klínovec was worth it. Also at CP1 we rode all night, I slept about five and we woke up in the seven o’clock ... but on the Miles people do not go because of sleeping, right? :-)
And vice versa? By mid-race I was tired and I fell asleep everywhere ... sometimes even during riding a bicycle. So wherever I lay down and my head touched the ground I slept the best and the most deep sleep: o) If anyone has problems with insomnia, I highly recommend to participate in some extreme non-stop race: o)
What was the weather this year?
I enjoyed the wonderful weather and I was never bored. Once it rained all day, sometimes the temperature climbed over 30, at night for a change the temperature dropped just a bit above zero ... but Slovak strong storms gave ourselves a hard time. They expelled me in the night from my sleeping bag. Meadows in the east was full of mud so that the wheels covered in sediment weighed about 30 kg and the wheels did not revolve at all. Water in fords, about 100 km before the finish line, rose by 40 cm and reached to my waist. Luckily, I was there with other racers and we took our bikes jointly on the other side.
Ans some interesting in conclusion?
The Miles race is in itself a big attraction: o) Who wants to understand how ordinary roll and coffee taste amazingly in the morning, how sunrise can be beautiful, how dirty sleeping bag becomes the most wonderful thing in the world after 17 hours riding a bike, how ordinary things gain a deeper meaning and unnecessary things disappear, how people who have never met before can be close, he would have had it at least once in their life to try!
Photos: Petr Bujňák, Michal Balada, Anna Kopková