On this morning we were awoken by birds singing, rivers burbling, horses neighing and sheep bells ringing. And by the silence.
We opened the window and from the first breath of fresh air, we were enveloped by the smell of the forest, freedom, inspiration, and excitement.
Two hours later we stood at the start of a half-marathon in Terchová.
We and 400 other runners.
We didn't know the route.
We didn't know what awaited us.
Running through the mountains
The first kilometers beyond Terchová led through an impressive entrance to the valley Vrátna, the canyon of Tiesňavy, under the bizarre rock formations named The Stony Monk, The Camel, Jánošík's Bed, and The Crocodile.