Sailing
Sailing the world has transformed ultrarunner Christian Schiester's outlook
Two years into his circumnavigation of the globe by boat, Austrian ultrarunner Christian Schiester has encountered storms, doldrums and exhaustion, but nature's beauty has changed his life forever.
In 1987, Christian Schiester weighed 100kg and smoked 40 cigarettes a day. In an effort to turn his health around he started running and, within two years, had completed the New York Marathon and won his first half-marathon. Since then, he's entered famously punishing endurance races such as the Marathon des Sables, Himalayan Run, Antarctic Ice Ultra and 4 Deserts series.
Now 52, Schiester wanted to try something other than ultrarunning and persuaded his partner Daniela Bärnthaler to get onboard for Sail & Run, an ocean adventure to circumnavigate the world that has taken them to the Seychelles and Bali so far.
Watch the latest episode of the show below and then read on to hear what Schiester had to say about the journey so far...
What has been the toughest part of this circumnavigation so far?
First of all, you have to learn how to do it. It's the same with running – you can't start running and go and do 250km through the desert. You need experience, exercises and luck. Today, the navigation of sailing is the easiest part of it all, as it's fully electronic. You have a waypoint somewhere on an island and can head straight there. The most difficult thing about the journey is actually the weather. The wind, the waves, the currents and the storms.
Hear more about Schiester's incredible life story on Jabra’s ‘The Soundbar’ Podcast:
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How do you keep functioning in bad weather and how do you manage your sleep. Is it similar to what you experienced as an ultrarunner?
At sea, the longest time I had to go with only a few minutes or seconds of snatched sleep due to the bad weather was eight days. After that length of time, you hear voices and you see birds, but there are no birds. You see mountains in the water, but there's nothing there. I had the same experience when I was running long distances.
It's the way the body reacts in special situations. It's a bit like having a cinema in your own head: if you have nice views for a moment, it makes you happy. If you see a nice bird, you continue sailing. If you see a nice fox in the desert, you can keep going.
Setting sails for Sail & Run, a 7-year circumnavigation of the globe
© Jürgen Skarwan/Red Bull Content Pool
How did technology help you during the trip, in particular at dangerous times?
We were lucky enough on our journey to be surrounded by technology that made our everyday lives easier. We were using Jabra headphones and speakerphones to connect with people back home and communicate with each other. Having technology like that in such extreme and isolated environments makes you realise how vital communication and connecting reliably with others really is.
When the wind conditions are difficult onboard, we communicate via headphones, using BlueParrott Bluetooth headsets. It's the only way we can hear each other. I often have to be at the front of the boat to set the sails, check the instruments, or look out for other ships, while Daniela is at the back, so we communicate using headsets.
I’ll be a runner until the end of my life
Has your philosophy about life changed dramatically during this adventure so far?
You have to change everything in your life after an experience like this. In the open sea, you can't call anybody to pick you up. You have to continue. Everything is also moving on the boat and you can't sleep. So, when my right foot touched the sand of the Cocos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, and nothing moved, that was one of the most glorious moments in my life. No movement, no wind, no waves and nothing dangerous.
This isn't a simple pleasure cruise
© Jürgen Skarwan/Red Bull Content Pool
Speaking of being back on land, how strange was it doing the Wings for Life World Run on an island after being at sea?
I'll be a runner until the end of my life. In the past, it was for the victory, the competition to fight against other runners or against the watch, but I've now changed completely. I'm just happy to be strong and happy.
Running is still a big part of my life and the Wings for Life World Run is a goal, because I can run anywhere with the phone app. It's a wonderful feeling to know that there are thousands of people running at the same moment for this cause and I'm really proud to be a part of it.
It's not always about the top speed or the best time now and people are trying to understand the voice of nature
Schiester ran the Wings For Life World Run during a stop on dry land
© Jürgen Skarwan/Red Bull Content Pool
What parts of ultrarunning do you also enjoy through sailing?
If you run on the street, it's easier, but you have to follow the street. This was the secret for me – if you run trails, you can make your own route. You can run through the forest, surrounded by wonderful nature. It's the same when you're sailing. I'm happy because it’s not always about the top speed or the best time now and people are trying to understand the voice of nature.