Le Blog Ultra Distance

Our team of Expedition Akor is officially making moves in the bicycle portion of their journey. They have also brought in two new team members for the last part of the journey: Béatrice Lafrenière and Isabella Donati-Simmons. Both are good friends of Étienne, and they were welcomed, of course, with open arms. They are currently riding between 60 and 80 km per day, even though they are on a dirt road where large ore trucks sometimes speed by. The sight of cyclists can be assumed to be very seldom, so the team is on high alert. They will be in the town of La Ronge in 2 days and expect to be in Prince Albert in 5 to 6 days. At the time being, it is still difficult to give a precise arrival date in Pointe Pelee, which is at the very end of the course. However, it should be between October 25 and November 5.

The team of Expedition Akor arrived at Aziz' lodge, where they were very kindly welcomed. Waiting for the team was the Weber family, whose father (Richard Weber) is in charge of guiding all the expeditions planned at the lodge. Richard Weber is a high-calibre adventurer who has reached the North Pole an astonishing seven times. After starting again, the team soon reached the Four Corners Stone Monument. This monument was erected at the exact point where the Nunavut Territory, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Saskatchewan meet. After a few steps in each province and territory, they set out on an unnamed river marked by its steep drop-off.

Näak and Laurin Thorne present to you, The 5k Giveaway. Aimed at promoting inclusiveness in endurance sports, and general fun in our community, one lucky winner of this Strava contest will get a free box of Ultra Energy Waffles and a ciele cap!

The team of Expedition Akor is traversing the Kazan River this week, slowly making their way to Wollaston Lake. With warm sunshine and clear sky's, our explorers are catching up on lost time from the previous weeks.

After a successful taper, you will feel refreshed, sharp, and ready to tackle the race. One of our phenomenal ambassadors, Marie-Eve Trottier, talked to us about how you should taper in the future. By following these four general rules, you can complete your next taper in the healthiest, happiest manner.

The five last days were extremely challenging: To get across the Kunwak river, they had to pull their canoes or portage almost the entire time. It was raining, sleeting, windy, and freezing (zero at night, every night), leaving them soaking wet, yet again. However, the addition of Catherine to the expedition brings new energy, a breath of fresh air that seems to affect the journey positively.

High winds, mass amount of rain, and freezing weather has caused the team of expedition Akor to detour there route, yet again. However, hopes remain high for the explorers on reaching Black Lake and exiting Nunavut.

We've all been there, race day, and you've got a few hours left before you toe the line. Soon after that point, like clockwork every time, your mind starts cranking out all the unfortunate possibilities. Thoughts of "what-ifs" will inevitably creep into your mind no matter how many times you've placed that bib number on your chest. This is a completely natural feeling. As uncomfortable as it may be, it's simply how we prepare for what's in store. Luckily for you, we've got 3 excellent tips to help keep your mind and body ready for toeing the line on race day.

Tremendous wind storms plague Expedition AKOR as they try to cross a series of enormous lakes. These wind storms, in addition to the -3 degree Celsius temperature, have created a tough week for the team.

During physical activity, staying hydrated is often overlooked. Our bodies require more than nutrients and energy, it also needs water to maintain your water balance. Here, we will tell you all you need to know about your water balance, staying hydrated and what happens if you are dehydrated. 

We discuss about maintaining your water balance, the consequences of dehydration and tell you how to hydrate before, during and after physical activity for maximum performance. We also include a hydration schedule you can save on-the-go whenever you need!

Keeping your muscles ULTRA fueled before, during and after your physical activity may be the best way to fuel thank them for their hard work. Here, Näak brings you 6 ULTRA fueling foods for endurance athletes. These foods will be sure to fill your glycogen stores to make sure your body is not depleted of energy. We mention research supporting eating oatmeal, peanut butter, hydration mixes, energy bars, energy gels and cricket powder. All nutrients, including macro and micronutrients are mentioned, along with their benefits for overall health and performance.