ULTRA TRIATHLON
IN SIBERIA, Russia
IN SIBERIA, Russia
Nuppu Hepo-Oja
The three-day competition in Siberia from 8 to 10 August 2019 was divided into daily sections. The race routes were located in the Abakan region, the Siberian Taiga, the Khakassia grasslands, the Saya Mountains and the Siberian pine forest in Minusinsk.
1st race day: 10 km open water swimming and 145 km cycling section
2nd race day: 276 km of cycling
3rd race day: ultra run 84 km
The competitor is responsible, together with his service team, for food and maintenance during the competition.
1st race day: 10 km open water swimming and 145 km cycling section
2nd race day: 276 km of cycling
3rd race day: ultra run 84 km
The competitor is responsible, together with his service team, for food and maintenance during the competition.
In the summer of 2018, I found a picture of the Siberman ultra triathlon race on Instargam. There was an immediate strong feeling that you had to get there. In the fall of 2018, I watched an English actor travel by train through Siberia.
Abakan can also be reached by train. First from Helsinki to Moscow by night train and then just over three days and nights along the Siberian Railway. So I ended up on a plane on my way to the race city. I very quickly received an official visa invitation to the race from the Russian Triathlon Federation.
Abakan can also be reached by train. First from Helsinki to Moscow by night train and then just over three days and nights along the Siberian Railway. So I ended up on a plane on my way to the race city. I very quickly received an official visa invitation to the race from the Russian Triathlon Federation.
There was an immediate strong feeling that you had to get there.
All other competitors speak Russian. Also, a German man who had worked in Russia before, Estonian and people from other country. The matter was solved when I hired an interpreter for me for the race. Arina was quite a super girl and also served as my race captain. Sure, it was exciting to go to a three-day race with people you don’t know and in part don’t speak any common language.
Trust is really important to build a straightforward and functional race team. I have generally easy to get to know people and I’m pretty open, which facilitates the uncomplicated interaction and confidence-building.
Trust is really important to build a straightforward and functional race team. I have generally easy to get to know people and I’m pretty open, which facilitates the uncomplicated interaction and confidence-building.
Abakan airport photo by Nuppu
The race hotel was a neat business hotel where everything worked. I packed from Finland, e.g. malto, recovery drink and gels. I wasn't sure what the selection of the Siberian supermarket had. The material package to be distributed in the competition information included the awesome Siberman valenki.
Only the race hotel was located in the city of Abakan, race routes elsewhere. The swimming was done in four 2.5 km runs. The swimming place was an artificial lake where the water was clean and clear. My 10 km swimming time was 3 h 29 min 30 s.
Nuppu swimming photo by Siberman
The attachment of my cycling shoe broke just before getting on the bike. Instant glue repair helped, but improper attachment caused pain in the leg. On the way I drove downhill at 50 km/h and to my horror I got three stinging wasps. The mark on the thigh was sore and red for another week after the race. In addition, there was a flat tire on the first day of the race. No group cycling allowed.
The organizers of the competition played the Finnish national anthem thoughtfully on the 1st and 3rd day of the competition when the finish the race day.
The organizers of the competition played the Finnish national anthem thoughtfully on the 1st and 3rd day of the competition when the finish the race day.
After first day. Photo by Siberman
On the second day of the race, the weather was horrible when cycling to the finish line. After the morning heat, Siberia appeared in the form of its power, thunder, and heavy rain. There are also water puddles in Siberia size.
I even got excited about the Russian-speaking pro-triathlon driver / mechanic race echo on the second day as I pulled the fast-paced man past the team racer a mile before the finish line through a huge puddle in the left lane and straight up the hill climb.
I even got excited about the Russian-speaking pro-triathlon driver / mechanic race echo on the second day as I pulled the fast-paced man past the team racer a mile before the finish line through a huge puddle in the left lane and straight up the hill climb.
Photos by Siberman
On the third day of the race there was an 84 km forest trail run. Listening to music / using headphones was prohibited throughout the race. It was wonderful to run 7 km of jog (12 times) in the woods alone, where it is very quiet.
The third day started with stomach upsets as the supply of vegetarian food in the evening was a bit unsuccessful. The running time was 9:59:57 h, just under 10 h. However, I was pleased, even with the toilet visits and sore blisters, the going stayed on the running side all the time and there was no need to walk.
All the race days started at 8 am, so the rest between the days with transitions and packing the car was very short. So, it was a week after the first race day, when I no longer woke up in the middle of the night. The body was a little strained, so the sleep was bad.
The third day started with stomach upsets as the supply of vegetarian food in the evening was a bit unsuccessful. The running time was 9:59:57 h, just under 10 h. However, I was pleased, even with the toilet visits and sore blisters, the going stayed on the running side all the time and there was no need to walk.
All the race days started at 8 am, so the rest between the days with transitions and packing the car was very short. So, it was a week after the first race day, when I no longer woke up in the middle of the night. The body was a little strained, so the sleep was bad.
It was a week after the first race day, when I no longer woke up in the middle of the night.
The race is a team race. Cycling rides are in the middle of the Siberian steppes, where there is nothing. The service car also follows the driver for safety reasons. The condition of the roads and the driving style of other motorists can be what hurts. The roads feel endless, as do the ascents when they happen. The most common hill slope was 4 to 7%, which was kindly reported at the bottom of the hill. The hills were 1.2 km long, for example. On the plus side, they then dropped down at a brisk pace.
After finish. Photo by Siberman
My team also included my parents. My father worked as a general care man and took photos and videos. My mother helped with the snack service perfectly. Very tired, it is wonderful to be able to speak Finnish. The race organizers do sport events in Russia in a "nearby" city of millions, 500 km away. It was also visible on the level of the race. The race was self-sufficient, but everyone else was handled in style.
How long did it take? 30 h 32 min 21 p. I was the first Finn in the race. As well as the first woman in the world to perform in an approved time. It felt nice to win a couple of men in a few days in both the overall race and the daytime stage. I haven't been to the podium in the champagne shower before, so more new experiences came along from the trip. The time limit was 12 hours every day. My credit goes to my coach Tero Hyppölä, I was sure that my endurance was enough.
How long did it take? 30 h 32 min 21 p. I was the first Finn in the race. As well as the first woman in the world to perform in an approved time. It felt nice to win a couple of men in a few days in both the overall race and the daytime stage. I haven't been to the podium in the champagne shower before, so more new experiences came along from the trip. The time limit was 12 hours every day. My credit goes to my coach Tero Hyppölä, I was sure that my endurance was enough.
I was the first Finn in the race. As well as the first woman in the world to perform in an approved time.
Photo by Nuppu
On the way home, the exchange in Moscow was so long that we got to the airport lound to squeak glasses of sparkling wine for the race. To my delight, I also found a massage chair where I guess I could go. Aeroflot took gentle care of my bike and it got along nicely with the change flights. Siberian flights are very crowded, so if you are traveling there, I recommend booking your flights in time.
From the author:
Nuppu is mom of two teens from Finland. First started to run marathon in adult age. Last years races were cancelled by COVID. Let's see if tripla ultra triathlon would be possible in 2021. Nuppu is working in public sector with EU-project, safety & quality. And studying in free time MBA grade in English, Sport Business management in Sport Business school of Finland.
Links:
Tips for ultra triathlon in Siberia blog post by Nuppu (English)
https://siberman515.com
IG Siberman515
IG nuppuo
Links:
Tips for ultra triathlon in Siberia blog post by Nuppu (English)
https://siberman515.com
IG Siberman515
IG nuppuo