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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UTMB TRAINING: THE GEAR

In this article (UTMB Training: The Gear) I want to explain and clarify the issues that relate to the gear needed or required for participating in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. First of all, for US-based ultra runners, this is subject to much torture because in the US I have yet to see an event that has a mandatory gear list! It stems probably from the fact that in the US no one cares if you die on the mountain in severe weather and also reflects cultural attitudes: in the US you’re on your own!

In contrast, the UTMB organizers provide a list of clothing and safety items that participants have to carry. The bags are checked when bibs are handed out (a couple of hours before the race) and random checks can occur on the course. It’s a lot of gear to carry for a ‘running race – this sounds more like a fast packing list. And it took quite some time and research to assemble most of the items. Finally, please note that the list doesn’t include a backpack! I’ve had a great experience with the Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 5 Set so I got a Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab 12 to fit all the gear that I need to take with me. On long runs carrying the UTMB gear the pack weights about 8 to 9 lbs.

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UTMB TRAINING: NUTRITION

Training for the UTMB isn’t just about physical and mental fitness. This post is about UTMB Training: Nutrition.

Over the years I have developed a nutrition strategy that supports the muscular and systemic training load. This can be broken down into three different components: routine nutrition, effort nutrition, and recovery nutrition. Routine nutrition is concerned with daily food intake (meals, snacks, hydration, supplements). Effort nutrition is implemented during long runs and races (fuel, supplements, and hydration). Recovery nutrition comes into play when effort has stopped and the body needs to repair and regenerate. One thing to remember is that there are no hard rules here. Nutrition needs to be tailored to genetic make-up, athletic level, and circumstances. In other words, my nutrition strategy is only specific to me but I do hope that the following points can help inspire many ultra athletes design their own strategy.

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