UTMB RACE REPORT

“It is not a pristine mountain experience, but rather, it’s a spectacle of the sport of mountain ultra running. I happen to like this aspect of the race. For a sport that is often niche and very grassroots and an activity that I spent a vast majority of my time doing alone, almost everything about the race is an over-the top, at times kitschy, experience; a true celebratory event.” — Adam Campbell

While it’s always fun and beneficial to write a report after every event I run, doing so for the UTMB seems just as daunting as finishing the course. It’s definitely the hardest ultra marathon I ever ran. 105 miles (168 km) in high mountains, 31,000 feet of steep climbing and descending, semi-autonomous mode. Video here!

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UTMB NEWSCAST 02

I was hoping to post some nifty video podcasts to cover the pre-race week in Chamonix. Not really happening for a couple of reasons: the bandwidth at my hotel is very limited, there is really not that much going on. I’m spending a fair amount of time resting and getting last details sorted out. I also did a try with my GoPro and I sounded like a total idiot. So here’s more of a journal format. It seems a little more humble… UTMB Newscast 02!

It is a treat to spend time here in Chamonix. During the last three days I’ve established a routine: get up at 8:30, have a huge breakfast at the hotel, go for a one hour run on the nearby trails in the woods (so green) or an hour swim at the magnificent Chamonix Olympic pool looking at the Mont-Blanc. Then lunch in town, shopping for last race essentials, socialize a bit (the town is full of runners so it’s easy to just pick a victim and chat!). 

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UTMB NEWSCAST 01

UTMB newscast 01 from Chamonix! I haven’t gotten around to record myself on video yet to produce a podcast – I’m not so much into “selfies” so here’s some news with words on the page. And bandwidth is anemic at this hotel.

I arrived in CHX around 19:00 on Saturday pretty rested from managing the flights well. I slept solid from LA to Frankfurt thanks to one of those emergency exits seats where legs can stretch infinitely, melatonin, cozy neck pillow, silicone earplugs, a hooded puffy jacket that is like a sleeping bag and blinds on the eyes! A shuttle was waiting in Geneva to bring me to my hotel which is in the Lavanchers area – a little out of the town center but with direct access to trails.

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UTMB TRAINING: THE REST

After  Volume + Intensity, Nutrition and The Gear, this is the last installment of UTMB Training: The Rest!

One week from today the race will be on and there are a couple more points I would like to address before going to Chamonix, France, my homeland! First, I never had to prepare for such an adventure. In the week leading to taking my flight, I must have spent at least two hours a day packing, unpacking repacking, weighing items, labeling, re-reading the runner’s guide, preparing the drop bag and getting ready to get there with all I need on the start line.

One thing that is certain about the UTMB is the uncertainty about the course! In previous years, the weather was so bad that they had to shorten the course.

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