Dawson City’s Jessie Gladish is ready to take another run at victory in the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra (MYAU).

Gladish, a young 37, won the Ultra 300 mile race from Whitehorse to Mandanna Lake and back last year on a fat bike.

The Star spoke to the ultra athlete the day before the race began anew.

She said she was feeling “pretty good” going into this year’s race.

“My training has been a little unconventional I guess. It’s just been work over the winter, outdoor work in Dawson and getting out on my bike as much as I can. I’ve had a couple of rides that were two to four hours long, but I’m kind of banking on just some memory from last year. I’m kind of always constantly training in a way. But as far as bike specific, it hasn’t been as much as I probably would like to but that’s okay.”

She has been doing some unconventional training.

“I’ve been doing Fire Smart work in Dawson and I’ve been doing snow removal. So you know, neither of those are on the bike, but they’re outside and hard physical work, on my feet all day. So I’ve definitely been acclimatized to some pretty cool temperatures we’ve been having up in Dawson this winter. And so that’s helped. And then I have been out on my bike quite a bit.”

Gladish was asked if she’s feeling any pressure with being the defending champ.

“This year, I’m doing a different distance. Last year was a 300. And this year is 430. So it really feels like a totally separate race. Also I ended up being the only biker in the end in the race last year. So it’s sort of felt like a category of my own time. There’s two other women on bikes this year going to Dawson. One of them is another Yukoner and another one is a woman who’s finished on her bike before, the 430, and has come back, Pat Cooke-Rogers. Gilian Smith is the other Yukoner. And so they’re both on bikes and we’re all doing the 430 which I think is really cool. Yeah. To go back to your question, do I feel any pressure? Not really, there’s always some kind of perceived external pressure, but really, I’m just trying to do it for me.”

Gladish said she’s expecting to have a little easier going than last year, when she compared the snow conditions to “mashed potatoes.”

“Well, mentally and physically are different things. I think the trail conditions are better than they were last year. It’s not as warm. Last year, it was warm, overflow, slushy, soft trail. And this year is shaping up to be better. You know, there’s obviously still a chance that it could get really cold. I was just out on the river today and the trail is great, but there’s corners with windblown sections where I did have to hop off and push my bike. You’re like, ‘oh, yeah, not this again’. But overall, I think the trail is going to be fairly good, at least on this end.

“I was out on the trail on the weekend and it was really nice.

“Mentally speaking, last year it ended up being an out and back. And I think this year, the fact that it’s back to the original plan, and you just go one way, I think it’s really exciting going all the way to Dawson. I think it actually mentally helps me to know that I don’t have to turn around and come back. It’s just you just go and I’m living there now. So I’m essentially biking home, which is really hugely motivating. It’s great.”

Gladish didn’t say specifically how long she expects to take to get to the finish line in Dawson.

“Thirteen days is the limit. I’m hoping that the bike is faster for me than walking. The fastest that I’ve walked, it was 11 and a half days. So I’ll be happy to beat my own walking time on a bike. I would be disappointed if I didn’t. Essentially I just want to finish but I am aiming to shave a few days off the walking time.

“If everything goes to plan which, how often does that happen? But, short of mechanical issues or some kind of injury or poor decision or something like that, I do think it should be faster.”

Gladish learned a thing or two last year about competing in the Ultra on a bike.

“I did learn quite a bit being on the bike last year over that distance. I’ve pared down the stuff that I’m taking a little bit more this year, and I’ve changed up my footwear. I’m now doing liners with Neo boots over top. So that’s been a change from last year. I’m bringing shoes in a drop bag just in case I need to switch but yeah, definitely changed up a few things.”

Gladish only brings one pair of heavier duty footwear.

“You’re so limited on the bike for what you can bring. I’d love to bring another pair of footwear. I just don’t. To me, it’s less essential than some of the other things that I’m bringing. It all adds up.”

When asked if she has any idea how she thinks she’ll do this year, Gladish replied “Not really. Finishing is the main thing. I would love to roll into Dawson – I don’t care if it’s on day nine or 10 or 13. Even if it was day 14 I would still probably keep going.

“I have my dogs waiting for me. That’s part of what I learned year after year and just in life in general is that the uncertainty is just something that you have to deal with. I don’t know how it’s gonna go. I don’t know exactly what it’s going to be. But I’ll keep moving forward as long as I can.”

Like last year, when she was considered one of the favourites to win it all, Gladish doesn’t really want to make any goals she has for this year’s race public.

“I definitely hesitate to put any numbers out there. Just partially for myself, because, just to keep some stuff ‘just me’. I don’t want to set expectations and feel pressure. I always have internal stuff. But as far as sharing all of that with anybody, it’s a little bit harder for me to do that.”

Gladish was willing to share her keys to winning the gruelling race.

“The key to winning this race for anybody, if that is their plan, really, it’s to be efficient at checkpoints. Get enough rest but be moving fast and getting in and out of checkpoints quickly, managing your gear so that you don’t have to dry it as much. It’s all about being efficient and moving quickly. But still getting rest.”

The Ultra began on Feb. 4 from Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.