MATTERHORN
ULTRAKS K30
Even
though the Achilles tendon never really healed I decided it was time
to go back running and signed up for another challenge. The K46 felt
too heavy so that I compromised on the K30 (32Km and 1950m elevation
gained)
I
did some research to try and understand what went wrong to get
injured. Everyone seems to stress the importance of having a balanced structure,
and looking back to my previous training plans I spotted a few major
flaws:
- I tended to focus on the distance rather than speed and quality (the more is not always the better!)
- No variation in training (no intervals, no speedworks...)
- Not enough recovery time
- Not enough stretching
- Not enough strenghening exercises
Aware
of the mistakes I prepared a new training plan, by phases and with
different workouts. I avoided long workouts as the tendon would cry
loud after one, and forced myself to rest more than I'd have done
before. Still, I managed to accumulate 1200 Km in 7 months.
After 12h of travels we finally arrived in Zermatt in a comatose state and went to pick up the bib and check in at the super expensive (still the cheapest) hotel, with an inspiring view on the local cemetery.
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| First sight of a smoky Matterhorn |
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| After 12h of travelling around...where are we? |
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| Got my bib! |
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| View from the room... |
You
wait for the race for months and when the moment finally comes and you
are at the starting line you don't feel ready. Maybe I should
have done more intervals, more uphill sections, maybe I should have
worn the other shoes, had a bigger breakfast. Whatever, as soon as
the race started, I was 100% in it, no way back, only up up up.
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| Race day, first thought of the morning |
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| Getting ready |
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| The half broken shoes that I'd throw away after the race |
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| Breakfast |
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| Pre-race stretching... |
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| 3,2,1 GO! |
The
start was hard, we were all lined on this narrow path up the woods and
my heart was beating fast. After 6Km of steep uphill we got to the
first aid station in Sunnegga (2260m) and started a quick descent
with some technical bit in the wood. I remember at some stage I
turned right and saw the Matterhorn so close and big that I almost
got scared, you don't see much of it during the race as it' usually
behind you, but its majesty and beauty were somehow a constant
inspiring presence all over the race.
After
Riffelalp the path started to go down to reach Furi at the bottom. To
my surprise Paul was waiting for me there (I thought he would have
stayed in a café in Zermatt drinking a hot chocalate...) I couldn't
stop long but that was a very pleasant surprise. I just got a quick
bite as my stomach was not feeling great, and started the 4km of long
steep ascent, in pouring rain!
The first bit was in the wood so it
was not too bad, but passed the tree line we were exposed to the
elements and didn't get much of a view. Still, the rain refreshed me
and I washed away the sweat and heat accumulated in the first half of
the race. Finally I spotted the highest point in Schwarzsee (2583m),
Paul managed to get the cablecar and was waiting for me in the pouring rain. It
was really sweet to see him up there, I even thought to get the
raincover he brought up but then realised that it would have been
only a burden, so that I started the descent wet and happy.
The
last 12Km were all a sweet descent. I felt strong and speeded up to
4.30 km/min. I really enjoyed this last bit, finally I had space to
run freely, the weather was not as bad as before and I could see the end approaching quickly. Getting to the finishing line is always a
special moment, all the tension is released and you get your medal!
The
final time was 4h 15'; 16th of the ladies, which is better
than what I expected.
After
a good shower and some rest we went back to the finishing line
waiting for Gavin, who was brave, or crazy enough to sign up for the
K46 (which is actually 49km...) He did really great and deserve all
our respect!
Together we went for our deserved pasta and then for an
early rest night. Me I was still hungry so that I went with Paul to
get a pizza, and couldn't believe that the cheapest Margarita Pizza
in Zermatt is 22CHF, that place is really a rip off! I had a great
time but I really doubt that I'll go back to Switzerland any time soon...
Gavin was leaving the
day after, while me and Paul decided to get the
train up to Gornergrat (3130m) which was the highest point in Gavin's
race and walked the 1500m of elevation down to Zermatt. The legs were
kind of stiff but with the poles I managed to drag myself down. The
weather was brilliant and finally we saw all the stunning landscapes
that we couldn' see the day before. What a show, nature never fails
to surprise!
So,
what did I learn this time? There is no finish line, I want more!
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