Wading through chest high chilly river water isn't everyone's idea of a great or jolly way to spend your weekend.
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But, for Forster mum, Kristie Yovan it is all part of the fun of competing and finishing an extreme ultra marathon event.
Last month the single mother of three finished one of the hardest marathons in Australia, the Six Foot Track Marathon, a gruelling 47 kilometre race from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves in just over five hours and 30 minutes.
And, she finished with a beaming smile, in fact Kristie smiled for much of the way.
"I was just happy to finish; my goal always has been to just finish," she said.
"But, if I get a place in my age group that's a bonus."
I was just happy to finish; my goal always has been to just finish.
- Kristie Yovan
Kristie said the best prize was getting to see the changing scenery as she traversed the challenging conditions.
"You normally get a good reward with a great view; that's a major drawcard."
After running up and down steep inclines and slippery stairs in unusually high and humid 30 degree temperatures, Kristie said she actually looked forward to an invigorating dip in the Coxs River.
"It was really nice and refreshing, it had been a muggy day.
"It's not normally that hot."
The 35-year-old had no expectations of a place, she just wanted to complete the course.
In the three weeks before the race Kristie had to pull back on some training after a tendon injury.
"In the lead up I didn't have the best preparation."
Kristie, who relocated from Penrith to the Mid North Coast just before Christmas, was still settling in to a new home, new job and new schools.
But, after her girls, aged four, six and nine, went to bed Kristie began her training, running on the treadmill for up to three hours.
To pass the time Kristie would watch a movie.
Like so many mums before her, Kristie began exercising to move some excess weight gained following the birth of her last baby, and to get fit.
She started by running two kilometres around the block.
Just 12 months later she competed in and finished her first event, the 42.2km Orange Running Festival, in a credible three hours and 40 minutes.
"I was happy to finish; and it wasn't a bad time for my first run."
It was after this run that Kirstie fell in love with trail running.
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"There is no-one around; it is so peaceful."
Competing in the Ultra Trail Australia, a 50 kilometre loop of Katoomba sealed her love of trail running.
"It left me hungry to do another.
"It was such a great experience, even though it left me exhausted."
Kirstie is now training for the Jabulani Challenge, another gruelling 45 kilometre race through the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park before tackling the Forster Running Festival Treble Bridge Buster ultimate challenge later in the year.
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