The Ultra Distance Blog

Sarah Korpach, a certified personal trainer and one of our top running ambassadors, talked to us about the effects of strength and power training on endurance athletes. She gave us some amazing tips, and a few exercises for you to try out!

After spending two full weeks in Baker Lake, the team has finally left for a 40-45 day trip to Black Lake in northern Saskatchewan. They have recently done a lot of hauling (pulling the canoe by hand, with their feet in the water) and went up many minor rivers with low flow. They have already gone up the watershed over 80 meters in altitude. The next two days for our friends will be difficult, as they have to make two portages.

A truth, whose importance the team knew until now only in an abstract way, appeared to them in all its concreteness and depth: the unforeseen is an integral part of expeditions. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Philippe Voghel, one of the four expedition members, has chosen to leave the expedition boat and return home to Quebec City earlier than planned for personal reasons. Catherine Chagnon, an adventurer herself, an avid climber, expeditionist, and Guillaume's girlfriend, will replace him in Baker Lake on Sunday.

This week, the guys were able to get better acquainted with a very sociable insect that is known for its exemplary company: the mosquito. It even forced them to have dinner in the tent, as its taste for good company could not be satisfied at dusk. Fortunately, the wind blows strongly during the day, which disperses these six-legged vampires. As our brave adventurers found ancient Inuit sites, they often marvelled at their status as tourists in these places and reflected on their own experiences. Even though many parts of this land appear uninhabited and hostile, they are imbued with the spirits of the people who once lived and still live there.

The expedition team had to, as you know, repair their canoes last week due to severe equipment problems. In good news, the repairs are holding up so well that the guys have decided not to look for new boats for the next canoe section. Nicolas, Etienne and Philippe also climbed Meadowbank Mountain, 200 meters high. Atop the mountain, they found ancient Inuit occupation sites, tent sites, rock circles, and even artifacts on the mountain, including a tool carved from a caribou leg bone.

Our expedition team currently has very varied days, crisscrossing the territory through chains of lakes and minor rivers. So far, progress is good. They plan to return to the Back River soon. However, a rather severe problem will require a lot of adaptation for the canoe section. It is an equipment problem. The guys have noticed lately that one of their canoes has started to delaminate. Each day, the canoe continues crumbling from the inside, and cracks appear on the hull.

The team at expedition AKOR has been trekking through the Arctic Desert in Nunavut, Canada, for 13 weeks now. This week brings caribou, swans, and much needed break from the journey.

As Canadians, we have the pleasure of enjoying some of the most breathtaking mountains and forests right at our back door. These epic landscapes are home to a broad and diverse selection of plant and animal species, and it's our job to protect them in everything we do. At Näak, our sustainability initiatives have led us to a partnership with the BC Parks Foundation. Working directly with their Parks Bank of British Columbia division, we raise money towards protecting and preserving our beautiful Canadian Parks.

Has your motivation dipped the past year? The 2020/2021 season has been a rollercoaster for all of us. Being an athlete the past year has meant something different than it has before. It has tried our spirits and pushed us to a make-or-break point. However, there is a saving grace, and for many of us, that is the community we surround ourselves in.

More than just an aspect of an athlete's life, sports nutrition is a cornerstone of athletic performance. Focusing on training alone will not allow you to push your limits if you overlook the nutritional aspect. While the human body is capable of storing the energy needed (in the form of glycogen) for about 20 miles of intense effort, running a 26 miles marathon is a real challenge.

Edible insects, like crickets, are a great source of nutrients. One of them is Chitin. Chitin is a prebiotic fiber that is beneficial for your body and athletic performance. For example, Chitin helps with gastrointestinal (GI) emptying and can decrease inflammation. As a prebiotic, Chitin fuels your microbiota, promoting a healthier digestive and immune system. The more diverse your gut is, the better! Lastly, chitin also controls nutrient absorption, especially lipids. Notably, if you have a shellfish allergy, you may also be allergic to crickets. Try to consume chitin from ground crickets in small or big ways by trying Näak's ULTRA Energy Bars, Recovery Protein Powder or Cricket powder!