Training Log Archive: SarahD

Wow that was some experience. An amazing race in an amazing location, but totally made by the camaraderie of the week, old and new friendships and an amazing team of volunteers who couldn't do enough to make it 100% AWESOME!

C • Sounds and looks amazing 1

UTMR day 4 Macugnaga - Grächen. Another long tough day. Felt really nauseous as well as tired on the first 1500m climb up to Monte Morro and burst into tears at the relief of reaching the first checkpoint after 2h30m. Picked up after that and managed to enjoy the very skitey scramble over the top past the Madonna and down through the Norwegian style boulder field. There was then a fair stretch of faster flat and downhill track before a bit of a climb to the feed station at Saas Fee. In my head I had it in the bag from then but it actually turned into a gritty 21km up and down along a high level balcony back to Grächen. It was a glorious day and there were some great views but I’m not sure I managed to do them justice.
Saw both chamois and beech marten today.
Some 177km 11,500m climb in 34+ hours. Delighted to complete the race and so nice that all the Deeside ladies were so successful ( not to mention JS on the ultra). Finishing 2nd FV50 was a bonus.
In the words of the brilliant race compere- epic and awesome.

UTMR day 3 Gressoney- Macugnaga.
Well that all got a bit gritty; not too surprisingly. Set off v slowly with quite a lot of queuing up the first part of the climb which was good for getting the body going gradually. The rest of the 1400m climb didn’t seem too bad and at the Col in 2h30m. Then it was a never ending descent (~2000m) to Alagna and the feed station. Was too technical a descent to eat on the way down, so well ready for some food and a break at that point. Left food station after 4h30m, then it was all the way back up again with a 1700m climb to the next Col. With RB and a couple of other guys for much of the climb which helped pass the time a bit. But it was all still a bit gritty and went on for a long long time. 7h30m to the top. Managed to relax into the descent ok but taking it steady as the rock was wet. Got a wee shower of rain at this point too, but thankfully it never got any worse. The toughest part of the day was still to come with the next checkpoint and drinks station promised at 41km, but it didn’t materialise until 43km - not what you need at that stage. Then, just as bad, I thought it was meant to be 4km to the finish but turned out to be nearer 6 with a bonus uphill near the end.
Totally brutal but lived to tell the tale. Fastest Deeside lady today and consolidated my 2nd really auld wifie position. Just got to survive tomorrow now.

UTMR stage 2 Zermatt - Gressoney. 12km and 1700m climb straight up from Zermatt onto the Theodul glacier. Bought a new headtorch last night which helped with the early stages. Then it was just a long steady plod ever on and up. Cracking views of the Matterhorn. Glacier crossing was very straight forward with a ski piste up the middle of much of it. Felt the altitude on the last little climb up to the race high point at 3300m. Grotty ski resort over the Italian side but once past that and a short climb there was a long descent through a lovely valley. Then it was back up again with another 750m climb which felt infinitely more than that. Caught up with RB at the Col for the last descent which was much better for me than yesterday, but we got a good heavy shower of rain just to make sure that everything got soaked.
Body held up remarkably well, just very very tired.
Even longer day tomorrow....

UTMR stage 1 Grächen- Zermatt.
Fantastic day. Start in the dark at 6am. Headtorch was a bit minimalist and struggled to see the path well enough through the forest, but it soon got light. Route had been diverted down into the valley because of rockfall on the Europaweg and there was a few miles of less interesting running here. First climb started from Randa to go up to the Europahutte. With ME at the bottom but got into a good rhythm and went ahead, passing KH and RB too. Stopped for a couple of mins to refuel before dropping back down to cross the 500m suspension bridge (no running allowed!). Route then undulated along fairly precipitous slopes but with a fair bit of quite good running still. KH caught me back a while later and we stopped at the Täschalp together after another big climb. Let KH go ahead on the last 10km to Zermatt. This seemed to go on forever and I didn’t enjoy the descent with feet rubbing and complaining knees. I can put up with that though. Just a tad worrying that this was the easy day.
All round awesome day. Clear blue skies but in the shade for much of it, so never got too hot. Views of the Matterhorn etc to die for.

From the dam at Emissone up to Col de Terasse with KH ME and RB. Plan was for a bit of easy paced acclimatisation. Starting from 1900m and felt really short of breath from the get go. Have never really had any problems with altitude in the past but this wasn’t good. Struggled along at the back trying not to work too hard. Was rather more than I would have done on my own, but good to get a feel for the altitude effect. Hoping that my body is more up for it by Wed when it knows it has to perform.
Loving being in the mountains though.