Training Log Archive: SarahD

Bit of a grim day in Grinderwald with the cloud right down - we were so lucky for race day. Had most of the day spare so set off for a walk anyhow, hoping that active recovery would help my legs in the longer term. Took a bus as high as my free ticket would take me to Ober Gletscher, then traversed back by a path along the slopes if Schreckhorn, round above the Unter Gletscher and then down to Gletscherschlect. Would have been great on a nice day, but bugger all views today. Legs didn't like going either up or down hill and I was walking very very slowly. Out for ~3h.

Awesome, awesome race and very very happy to have got so close to 5h.
Weather conditions on race day were perfect - bright and sunny with some high cloud, but cool. Bumped into Robbie S whilst warming up (he finished in 11th place in 3:08). It was really nice to have a pre race chat and put a big smile on my face at the start.
The race plan was simple - to cruise the first half in ~ 2h leaving plenty in the tank for the second half and ~1800m of climb. Set off slightly faster than this, but knew that the first 10km were the easiest. The first climb is at 11km and after taking it steadily I was rather worried to feel my left calf already, but tried to put it to the back of my mind. At the only railway level crossing at 15km I managed to arrive just as the half hourly train was pulling out of the station - a 20 sec stop and subsequent congestion. Between 17 and 19km there are a few single track sections of path and this caused some stop-start running putting me out of rhythm and losing a bit more time. So having been a bit up in schedule reached the half way point bang on 2h, feeling pretty relaxed but not quite as much so as I had hoped.
The climb begins at 25.5km and it didn't take long to realise I was a lot stronger than most folk around me on this. It felt good to be passing lots of people and kept my spirits and energy up no end. All those long hill training sessions had paid off. I still had concerns about cramp, and once I got to 3h I was expecting it to kick in any time. To my relief and amazement it never happened and once 4h had passed I was very happy. Even more so as I passed more and more people suffering the dreaded fate. I managed to keep running the easier slopes where others around me were walking and continued to pass lots more people.
At 38km a short descent was finally too much for my lower legs and the cramp tried to kick in, but never made me stop. By this stage the vast majority were suffering equally as badly. I still had energy for the last steep climb at 39km, but unfortunately the single track mountain path made it really difficult to pass others, and there were a lot of people going very slowly. I think I'd have broken 5h without this congestion, but as that had never been part of the plan ( I just wanted to go sub 5:30) I wasn't at all worried. The last km is downhill and to my surprise my legs were able to cope with this. I had a huge smile on my face as I finished.
The views throughout the race are fantastic and the finish is in such an amazing location. What an experience.
A few surprises
- the first half is certainly not flat and the race profile doesn't show half of the undulations.
- I wasn't expecting so much congestion at various times during the race
- It was mostly on back roads with a lot of track running, so my lack of tarmac training wasn't a problem.

I'd thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking for a special challenge, but make sure you save your pennies first. Switzerland is extortionate.

C • Nice one! 2

Tried to find a flattish route for a short run out, but not easy in Grindelwald. Feeling a bit heavy and sluggish - something to do with the lunchtime pasta and snooze me thinks. Would have been better to get out earlier, but took a bit longer in Interlaken than planned. Legs fresh though.
Much brighter day and the Eiger is looming impressively over the town.

C • All the best for tomorrow! 1

From the hotel in Grindelwald. Picked up some signed footpaths from behind the station and headed up the side of the hill into wodland behind the town. Felt rested and running relaxed. Good to give the legs a reminder about running uphill. Wanted to keep going, but common sense prevailed.
Eat, drink and relax for the rest of the day now. Cloud down on the mountains but briefly caught a glimpse of the Eiger through a gap in the cloud. Hoping it will lift later.

Travelling out to Switzerland for the Jungfrau Marathon on Saturday

2 bridges at GT widdershins. Started fairly steady but wound up into quite a pacey run for me, with Joe W, J and E on his bike all looking a bit more relaxed. Didn't feel great at the start, but much better once we got into it. Last proper run before the w/e.

Bit of jogging around at athletics club