Training Log Archive: OJ

Event: Mont Blanc Marathon
 

Jog down to the start with Alex and Florian.

The short version: 10th place. That went about as well as it could have done and although it involved a lot of pain in the last 5kms, I loved every minute of it, paced it well and got the most out of myself.

The long version: I'm sick of being asked (by non-runners) if I have ever run a marathon. So I did. I've also wanted to run a Skyrace for a long time, and this one seemed like a good candidate - without too much of the race spent at serious altitude. That coincided with Inov8 aiming to take the Skyrunning series more seriously and it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss.

The start in the middle of Chamonix was a real buzz with a big crowd despite the 7am(!) start. After a day of torrential rain yesterday it was mild with mostly cloudless skies, so ideal running conditions. I just about managed to get myself to the front of the narrow start corridor, next to a bubbling Shona Stephenson (also Inov8), who kept me amused until the gun - it took me 500m to overtake her, she's nuts. I was surprised that the pace was quite comfortable for the first flat 3km and I settled into a nice pack of about 15, none of whom seemed willing to get in front of Kilian. Wonder why? It got a bit harder when we hit the climbs and I tried not to overcook it here without losing touch. I was saved for the time being by a technical bit of singletrack that bunched the pack back up again.

We were all still together when we hit the first serious climb at about 11km, and I made the choice to sit back as the pack strung out in front of me. I was in about 15th and happy that some of them would probably come back to me. Up and over the Col de Montets, where I was on my own, but I made some inroads on the long descent to Vallorcine. Here we hit the first feed station (at about 18km - they were few and far between). I loaded up on cake and banana and dug in for the crux of the race - a 1000m climb to the summit of Aiguilles des Possettes at 2201m. I ran every step but quite conservatively, although still managed to pass a couple of stragglers and I didn't notice the altitude at all.

The ridgeline descent back to Tre le Champ was possibly the most spectacular bit of racing I have ever done with a complete panorama of the Mont Blanc range dizzying you on a technical knife-edge ridge. I hit this hard to try to work back onto a couple of folk that I could see in the distance and enjoyed the technicality in spite of some cramp twinges in my calves - amazingly the only cramps I felt all race. By the bottom I was thirsty and hungry and it was still a long way to the next feed station, which was a bit of a worry. Made it in one piece and loaded up on salty crackers (not easy to eat but necessary) washed downb with energy drink. I got passed here by the only person who overtook me in the whole race - he was fair shifting and I had to let him go. With 11km to go and a 750m climb up to the finish I knew I had to focus on my own race.

The climb started gradually along a balcon route through boulder-strewn forests, before climbing steeply up a switchback climb to Le Flegere - I felt good initially and passed another guy here, but quickly realised that I had underestimated the climb. This was the toughest part of the race for me and I had to walk a couple of short sections up to the cablecar station and another chance for a drink. With 5km to go there was some respite on a stunning but technical contouring path across some open screes, which revitalised me and I was suddenly on the back of a New Balance athlete, who I knew was probably in 10th. I gambled on making an assertive move and overtook him fast, hoping that he would capitulate. He didn't and I knew that I had committed myself to a world of pain. A short downhill was followed by the denouement of the course - a 150m climb up to the finish in the last km. Aware that I was being chased I resolved to run every step of it (no different from Hero's, surely?). It was horrible and if it wasn't for the amazing crowd (especially Tessa, who ran behind me shouting for a bit) I would never have managed it. Marathon PB.

Great support from Inov8 all the way round. All I could stomach for 2 hours after was watermelon. Got cold, caught the telephonique down to Chamonix, lay down in the square to sun myself and soak up the atmosphere and fell asleep. After a double espresso, a massage and two beers I felt like a new man.

Now I just have to get home without missing the last train from Manchester airport...

C • Tres bon 18

I had to run as fast as I could from the gate to the train station with some heavy hand luggage to make the last train home with seconds to spare. It destroyed me.

Morning jog up the valley before a very lazy day. Rain, rain, rain, but sun forecast for tomorrow!

Long day of travel out to Chamonix. Got out for a late jog from the Inov8 'athlete retreat' for an easy leg loosener.

Out to Blake Street for 8x20sec bounds followed by 2xthe whole street in 47, 46. Feeling light and bouncy. Good.

C • smash the frogs! 18

Meander along Rivelin via BHP feeling good with no fatigue and no niggles to speak of, which is always a little worrying.

IW shortest possible route.

2xHero's, up and down on the first effort, then just up. 5.15 (off the pace, didn't feel great), 3.28 down, 5.01 (much better, but suffered for it). Pleased with the time although it would have been nice to dip under 5. Home via Alex's place for a tour.

C • It's my place too! 2

IW, smashed from a late night and early morning.

HFW followed by an early night.