Running 6:21:31 [4] 40.0 km (9:32 / km) +3200m 6:49 / km
BUFF Epic 42km Skyrace :D
Short story:
Just fantastic! Massive climbs, awesome rocky ridges and some incredible mountains all around - absolutely loved it :D
Long story:
I knew before starting that this was going to be a long and hot day out. It is by far the longest and hilliest race that I've ever done so I was certainly a little nervous but very excited :)
Started very conservatively, nice easy jog out along the river for the first 3 or so km before the first climb started. There were loads of people about so it was impossible to start fast.
The first climb was reasonably small (~650m) and thankfully in the woods and in the shade, just steady away and a few ladies around to keep me going. Grabbed some watermelon and a bar at the food station then kept plodding up the hill. It was a nice grassy run along the top before a super steep descent back into the valley. This became a bit nuts as everyone around seemed to be trying to nail it whilst I was desperately trying to save my quads!
Once back down the long climb started (~1400m), it was lovely to begin with just on a small rocky path by the river, feeling good, running the easier bits and walking the steeper bits. After a piece of cake at the next aid station the path winded straight up the side of the valley - horrendously steep, super windy and really rocky up through the woods. I was in a bit of a train at this point so although it wasn't going fast it kept a good consistent pace. Once above the tree line we headed up to a lake then scrambled across a scree onto a ridge, the views were fab!
A short run along the ridge then a horribly steep descent down a rocky grassy hillside. I went flying a few times, not helped by a random Alsatian dog that appeared out of nowhere, decided it liked me and followed me all the way to the next aid station - it kept taking my legs out from under me!
There was no let up as once we were at the bottom it was straight up for the final climb (~800m in 2-3km). Another steep, rocky and windy climb up through the woods and finally onto a rocky peak - by this point my legs weren't even sore, they were just numb!
After this peak there was an awesome rocky ridge to scramble along then a nice longish section of ridge running :) incredible views all around, so so much fun :) felt on top of the world!
Finally it was time to run back down - quads worsening and worsening the closer I got to the finish, I never thought I'd find a worse final few km than Jura, but a flat, hot 4ish km track after 6hrs of hills certainly tops it! I actually went the wrong way in the run-in and got a lot of spanish shouted at me to run the right way!
This race was nuts. I absolutely loved every moment though even when my legs thought they'd collapse :) just an incredible feeling to be running along the ridges at the top in such an incredible place :) I was really careful with eating/drinking and made the decision to strictly eat every half hour and make sure to fill up bottles at every water station. I didn't get cramp or blow up so I think it worked!
Would certainly do this race again :) now very excited for Zermatt :D