After many years of mountain running almost the whole year, this year I wanted to try and go back to an "off-season" more road race oriented training. I made it through the long distance season without real injuries, just some sensitive tendons, but I can run, while taking care of that and working more on speed and also having the races last only 45 minutes for the 10k's and 1h30 for half marathon is also great for a change. I already have plans for the mountains for next year, but for now it will be "short" distance for some months.
The first 10k was in a town about 30 minutes from Barcelona (less in the very early sunday morning trafic), Sant Andreu de la Barca. I think some 10 years ago I already did a mountain run here, this time 10k on asphalt. I arrived nice and early and first picked by bib-number. I explored the area a bit and then around 8:30 am started my warmup and other race preparations. I have been ill for a week and only had 3 runs and a cross training session this week to get somewhat in shape again, but I knew I was far from ready to go hard. The plan was to follow the 45min pacer and see how far that would get me. After a nice performance of local drummers around 9:30 we were counted down and first had a very wide avenue to run on and get into a pace. The first 2k went by in exactly 4m30 pace and I felt quite ok. After the course had some 180 degree turns and some uphills that made maintaining that pace more difficult but at least up to 5k I was able to do so and I more or less passed in 22m30. The second round I could keep up with the pacer up to about the 7k marker, but from there on, on the uphills I had to be more conservative to not completely blow up and after a good last kilometer I finished in 45m30, which I was very happy with. I hope the coming weeks training will become better and the next 10k can already be just under 45m.
After finishing my last mountain marathon I felt I was not fully ready for stepping up to any ultra race with the typical D+ of 5000 meters or more. So I decided to sign up for the Matagalls Montserrat, which is long, 84 km, but has less total climbing, so in race time it would be just "somewhat" longer than running a mountain marathon.
Since the plan was to finish around 7am early Sunday morning I drove up to the Montserrat Monastery on Saturday morning, took the "Cremallera" down to Monistrol de Montserrat from where the organization had organized transport to the starting area in Brull. The previous editions I started from Coll Formic, but that point has little to no room and is hard to get to either by bus or by car, and Brull is much easier, though over 3000 people is still a lot and when we got to the start area it was already very busy and somewhat chaotic.
After checking out the start area I sat down in the shadow and had dinner and after wandered off to a more quiet place and wait for my time to start at 16h44. The first people would start this resistance march (it is not a race) just before 15h00 and after every minute a new group of people would start.
When the first people get under way I find a spot in the starting area and after a while by pure coincidence a friend, Barend and his wife Ingrid come to the same spot to wait for their moment to get under way, about one hore before me. We have a nice chat and then they go down and start walking. I do some last drinking and eating and then go down to the start and at 16h44 I start my 4th MM, as always running the first part. If the first part was easy in earlier editions, this time it was even more easy since the first 3km where all on asphalt and after a wide easy gravel road, so my pace was between 5m and 6m per km depending on the slight up and downhills of this section. Soon we start the descent into Aïguafreda and after a few switch backs we enter town, meanwhile chatting with people. Here I only make sure to have enough water, pick up an energy bar and some banana and continue my way onto the first climb. Just after leaving town we enter a single trail for a while and it is still crowded so for some minutes we go very slow. After that turn onto a much wider trail and everyone can go at their own pace, though as you can see in the pictures it is still very crowded here. Up higher the views of the cliffs here are amazing.
After the climb a short flatter section follows with a nice trail that winds through fields and then a second shorter and more easy climb up a rocky trail follows. Here I pass Barend and Ingrid and after fotos and wishing eachother good luck I am on my way again.
In preparation for the Matagalls Montserrat later this year I decided to run part of it by daylight. The MM starts in the afternoon, so most of scenery we never see and I know from other visits to the area it is really beautiful out there.
I parked my car near the small hermitage, Mare de Deu de les Arenes, the path passes nearby but at night we would not see this at all.
The first section is a winding path through the forest that slowly climbs up. At times you get a glimpse of "la Mola" though the route is not going up that far but passing on the left.
At some point it started to rain so I changed into the "bad-weather" gear quickly and continued. So far I have been running everything, at easy pace, but running, which during the MM most likely will be hiking on the uphills.
When I reach the highest point of this section it more or less stopped raining. The downhill is through a small village called Matadepera. For a training run it is not very interesting, during the race it is a welcome break of rocky mountain paths going down on asphalt for a while.
The section just after leaving the village is really beautiful, it is easy to run and the landscape is amazing and when you reach the highest point and cross into the next valley the views are amazing. At night you see the lights of Montserrat briefly.
The last part up to La Casa Nova d'Obac is relatively flat and very runnable. I take some time here to drink and eat and then turn back. I seems to be raining up ahead still and I see a rainbow very often and the dark back drop makes for spectacular views.
Near the end I of the training it is completely dark already so I get some running with a headlamp too during this training. Really happy to have gone out and do this, from now on it is a matter of taking it easy and prepare for race day, eventhough officially Matagalls Montserrat is not a race, but a resistance march.
After the last race being cancelled after only 18km I looked for another I could fit into my schedule, and Trail Catllarás was perfect. After a few more weeks of training and a night of camping I arrived early in La Pobla de Lillet to prepare for a very warm day of trail running in complete contrast to the snowy adventure some weeks ago.
Sports Centre of La Pobla de Lillet
The finish and start area in Carrer del Verger
Early morning in La Pobla de Lillet
At 8 o'clock just over 70 runners left the village to not see much of civilization until many hours after. The route is almost completely through the woods and mountains. After less than 1 kilometer we hit the trails already. The sun is already out and though not running too fast I am feeling warm almost right away. Luckily the first part is alternating between sunny and shadowy trails. Most of them are single track but since we were not too many runners there is room for everybody and we don't have to wait in queue. The climb up to the first aid station especially near the top is very beautiful with the sunlight trickling through the rather dense forest and from time to time we pass massive rockwalls on our right. When back out in the open for a second the group I am running with lost the markers since one was displaced by the wind. Soon we see runners way higher up and find our way again and shortly after have a quick stop at the first aid station. Since the second aid station is only six kilometers after I make it short here.
First aid station - Monclús at 9km
After a while of very runnable climbing a long steep downhill follows. The downhill goes very well zig-zagging throug the woods, but right away after that we have an even steeper uphill without any sun cover and here, even though we are only two hours into the race I start to feel tired. Normally I can push hard on the uphills but today I feel I have no strength and go easy to make sure I just make it to the top. After an easy downhill follows which I can run again and shortly after we reach the second aidstation. This time I take some more time to eat and drink before I get underway again.
Second aid station - Xalet at 16km
I loose contact at this point with the group of people I had been running with for quite some time. I am still not feeling too well, and have to take it more easy and lower the pace. The next uphill is very gradual though and the landscape is very nice, changing all the time and when we get higher up a light breeze gives some much needed cooling and also most of the time we run under trees or in the shadow of rockwalls again. I make it to the next aid station without much change, but at least I can eat and drink well so I fill up again and get going again.
Third aid station - Collada de St. Miquel - 22km
The next part is the most technical one. Even though it is mostly downhill we are following a very narrow ridge and we have jump up and down rocks for a long time and at times have to climb down more steeper rock formations. Even though I start to feel better I am progressing much slower than I expected, but on the other hand I enjoy the adventure and the spectacular views the ridge offers from time to time. The very last part up to the next aid station is more easy and runnable again. The volunteers at the aid station here in St. Julià de Cerdanyola are very helpfull and even offer to poor water over my head at the small water fountain they have right there, which seems an excellent idea, since indeed I still feel very warm and the next part is a steep uphill without any shade.
Fourth aid station - Sant Julià de Cerdanyola 29km
Sant Julià de Cerdanyola.. and the next climb onto the ridge on the left
I did some calculations and since even go under 8 hours is no longer possible I take it easy on the next climb. The path is steep and rocky and crosses through grape terraces on the hills untill we hit the crest and continue climbing on a narrow trail through the moutains with some shadow from time to time, even though it is warm. The last uphill is more easy on the feet on a very wide path and the downhill the leads to the next aid station is very runnable.
Fifth aid station - Falgars 38km
Very tired, but still smiling
From here to the finish is only about 4km and mostly downhill. Just when I leave the aid station my watch, that can only handle detailed recording for 8 hours stops, so it is really a matter of head down and keep running from there on. We switch between rather steep and rocky trails to very wide and easy trails very often untill we start coming near to La Pobla de Lillet. The trails are very muddy and slippery here so it must have rained here before. On the other side of the valley a serious thunderstorm is developing and I hope to finish before it arrives. After some last winding throught the village I finished in 8h24m21s and headed straight for the Sports Centre. Soon afterwards it starts to rain very very hard so luckily I made it just before that.
Thunderstorm, hiding in the Sports Centre
video that shows more of the landscape and the adventure of today
As always many thanks to the organization and all the volunteers!!!
This time the race was all about the weather. Some days before race day we were already told that due to very low temperatures predicted at high altitude during race day, we would run the marathon course and not the full 70k that does up to 2900m. We arrived the day before in Ribes de Freser where the start and finish would be and all eyes were on the weather prediction. It seemed to be at least ok to do the marathon course, but even at around 2000m temperatures around freezing point or below and snow was predicted.
The next morning I woke up early at 5am to have breakfast and lied down a while longer at least resting the legs. At six o'clock I got up and dressed myself, right away dressed for the worst even though it was not yet raining down here in the village. After saying goodbye to Montse I did an easy warmup while moving to the start area.
The start area in Ribes de Freser
Soon we could enter the start box and word had it that in Nuria it was snowing already. At 7am we were counted down and after a short while running through town we took a right and went straight uphill and soon were back to walking. The first part was rather steep and with so many runners still grouped together somewhat slow. Passing eachother on a narrow path is almost impossible and also takes more effort than pay-off later on so I reduce that to a minimum. After about 45 minutes we are more spread out and I can go comfortably at my own pace. No longer are we going steep up and the climbs are alternated with short stretches of runnable single track paths winding through fields and forest slowly climbing up to the first aid station at Coll de les Barraques. Well before we got there it started to snow.
The first snow flakes
First very tiny flakes, but soon they grew bigger and they started to paint the ground in white patches. After 1h24m22s I reached the first aid station. After quickly making a photo and messaging my family I continued onwards.
Coll de les Barraques
This part I knew from having walked here last summer. The snow is becoming more and more dense changing the landscape into a typical winter scene. The path is still easy to follow but soon we reach a creek crossing and have a while of climbing afterwards and this section has no trees anymore and here the path is about as white as the ground left and right of it. After the climb we go slightly and up and down for quite a while and from time to time the wind picks up. It is time to put on gloves. As you will see in the video when I am done editing, filming with gloves is not ideal, but I am still glad to have footage of the adventure. Around 2h25m I arrive at the second aid station in Font Alba. We arrived in a big group of runners and right that moment the race organization announced the race was cancelled and that we had to run back. Some runners indicated they had family waiting in the next aid station and also, since it was only 4km away and from there transport could take us down, or even running/walking to Queralbs was easy. After some minutes they tells us the organization agrees with that and that the race will be stopped in Nuria. So first I make some pictures and send more messages to my family and then I continue.
In just 1 hour the landscape has changed a lot!!
Aid Station Font Alba, normally you can see paths here... but not today
all is covered with snow
The next part from time to time is very cold. The wind is strong here and regular gloves are not enough to stop the cold. But it is only my hands, the rest of the body is nice and warm and I am feeling good and enjoying the adventure of my first time running through snow. We have to pay attention to folliwing the little small yellow flags that indicate the path. The snow is covering everything at a fast pace and in the areas without trees no paths or footsteps of runners that passed before are visible. In less than an hour we see Nuria in the distance, vaguely, since it is foggy and with the whirling snow that does not make for good visibility, but the path here is wider and more easy to see, and soon we enter the aid station in 3h25m52.
Nuria, end of the adventure of today
I first send mesages again to tell my family everything is ok and after that first had some soup and food and then debated with myself on wether to run down or take the train down. In the end I decided for the second, since that would fit better into the rest of the plans for that day. All in all a great experience and ofcourse I have to sign up for some other race now soon, since energy wise this has been just a good training, but I was not at all tired.
Over the past few months training for next weeks 70k mountain race was alternated with weeks of lower back pain, so today after 7 weeks of training without interruption I went out fot an easy 10k race to test longs and legs and know a bit of where I stand in my overall physical condition.
I arrived early in the start area and did a good warmup before going to my start box and wait for the start at 9a.m. Different from the previous days it was cloudy and though it was not really raining some scattered drops were falling from the sky. Since the Diagonal where we the first 3k is very wide, right from the beginning we all had space to run and I quickly settled in a good rhytm, probably way too fast, but without any pace training lately it is hard to feel what I can do. The first 3k all went in low 4m pace and though that is very fast for me now I felt I was holding back. Up to 5k where I passed in 21m03s I felt really good. From there on I had to slow down, though I could still run under 4m30 pace. The air somehow irritated my throat and to cough from time to time to try and reduce the itchy feeling, but luckily it did not hinder my running. The course was perfect for running a decent time. Very flat and with long straight stretches where you could see the next kilometer marking from far away. The last kilometer I had no strength for sprinting but I am very happy with finishing in 43m31. It has been a long time that I finished in below 44m and without really training speed.
Today's race starts at 7h30 a.m. and in order to be there on time and pick up my bib number I had to wake up early, since the village, Sant Quirze de Besora, is just over an hour driving from Barcelona. Somewhere half way driving, somehow something in my low back shifted and without even having run one step I was already in pain, though I have ran before with the same issue, it is just less fun.
The mountains of the Besora area - foto by Jordi Costa
When arriving at the start area it is still dark. Somehow I forgot to pack my headlamp, but luckily the local trail running shop, Non Stop Sports, had opened very early, so after picking up my bib number and bringing back the runners bag that was full of goodies, I bought a cheap one, just in case my back would force me to slow down so much it would be dark again when running or walking the last kilometers. In the mountains it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Foto by Gil Ayats
Shortly before 7h30 we all enter the start box and then we are counted down and get under way acompanied by the noise of a chainsaw and firecrackers and the cheers of the people gathered near the start area. Soon we leave town and run slightly up and down on a wide path to the neighbouring town Montesquiu were we cross the river Ter and start running on a more narrow path. By then the group of runners is already spread out and the risk of bottlenecks is low. Soon we arrive at the first aid station and since it is not very warm I don't have to eat or refill bottles yet. I did want to stick to strictly taking salt and gels every hour unless that would coincide with stopping at an aid station. Running has been somewhat uncomfortable so far, but I feel I can manage the low back for the many hours ahead.
Aid station 1 - La Farga de Bebié - 7km
The next part is winding through a forest and then passes a last section near a highway before finally heading up to the mountains.
foto by Gil Ayats
The valley of the Baga de Sant Moi is a nice, gloomy and humid forest and eventhough I still cannot really find a good pace at least it is entertaining to run.
foto by Arnau Sidera
At the end of the valley we go up a steep hill and soon after arrive at the second aid station.
Aid station 2 - Bar Beví11,5km
Shortly after the steep climbing continues up to Els Bufadors de Beví, a narrow passage in between rocks covered with moss, the perfect fairy tale area.
Els Bufadors - foto by Montse Casas
After a descent and a long climb I make it to Castell Llaés in about 2h30. I still have not really found any good pace yet and feel tired. I eat some bread and fruit, drink water and fill up my bottles and continue without spending too much time here.
Aid station 3 - Castell de Llaers16,5km
The next section has some fun climbs up with ropes. We have to queue a little here, but not too long. Around 3 hours in I start feeling very low on energy. This is quite normal, though hard nonetheless, but I push through and try to not think about it and just continue.
Climbing a steeper section - foto by Jordi Costa
foto by Jordi Costa
The next aid station at Bauma del Teixidor - 21km, I pass with only quickly drinking some water. Next up is another climb with some very steep and somewhat tricky sections. On the next photo's you can more or less see my weary face.
foto by Martí Miro
foto by Martí Miro
Then a more easy flat section follows and slowly my mood and energy is improving. Changing from climbing to running flat is hard on the back in the first minutes, but after that I can relax and move at a decent pace, not as fast as normal, but not too slow either. The climb up to the highest point of the race, Castell Milany (1550m), is only very steep at the very end where once again ropes are fixed and a somewhat longer queue has formed, so it takes quite some time to finally make it to the top. The views from there are amazing (see the video, link at the end), but I don't really stop and continue on to the aid station a few hundred meters below.
Aid station 5 - Castell de Milany26
The next part is more or less downhill for many kilometers, sometimes going down very steep and tricky trails or even rappeling down using ropes. This part specially goes much slower than normal, but I try to focus on just running along even on slightly uphill parts.
aid station 6 - El Pujol30km
I arrived in Vidrà after about 6h50, already 50 minutes slower than I hoped for, but maybe 50 minutes wasn't all that bad. After all my main goal today, apart from finishing, was not arrive as the last runner as I did in the last mountain race and for now I certainly wasn't the last one out on the trails. I stop a bit longer here, eat some pasta, and drink more and ask the medical assistance for a painkiller. Since I am no longer feeling very tired I do not really need to take extra rest here, so after refilling bottle I am on my way again. First we continue to go more downhill and after we will take on a very steep uphill on a mountain ridge.
aid station 7 - Vidrà - 36 km
The downhill part is very beautiful and also, since it is a very sunny day, it is nice to run through a dense forest in the shade.
Salt del Molí
Then I start the uphill of Cresta de Canemars, really steep, with ropes at times, but climbing so far has been good, I have strength to keep pushing and even the tricky downhill sections on the ridge I can handle without issues This is a very slow section where my pace drops below 2km per hour at times. Finally I arrive at the Bellmunt aid station, take a quick moment of taking in the views and continue on a nice single track sloping downhill winding through the forest. It seems that the painkiller did ease my low back a little and I can run a bit better now.
aid station 8 - Bellmunt - 41km
At some point during this downhill we start hearing music. I suspect that is from the next aid station and from judging the distance, eventhough sound carries far in the mountains, the music must be quite loud. When we finally arrive there we are indeed greeted by a DJ behind a turntable with people dancing.
aid station 9 - Bosquetell - 44,5
a volunteer offered to make a picture - all smiles by now
Right out of the aid station we have a short climb and soon after a more or less flat section that at some point offers a nice view over the valley, with a singular mountain in the middle. I didn't know the area, and thought that looked "too far away", but it turns out that later we will climb it, shortly after the next aid station.
Castell Besora - in about an hour I will be climbing up there
I arrive in Santa Maria de Besora (50km) feeling quite ok. I chat a little with the people at the aid station and then walk out the village to start the last climb. We don't really see the castle that is on the top and continue onto a nice section with grey soil and funny shaped little hills. When arriving at the last aid station before the finish, El Revell (53km), the sun is already setting, I don't really stop here since there are only 3km left. It is all downhill from here, on a mostly wide path, but with many loose rocks and some steep sections. On this section 2 runners catch up with me, on the steeper sections they pass me and on the flatter sections I pass them. And then we enter Sant Quirze de Besora running down concrete stairs until hitting the river Ter again. After crossing the river more stairs and then, suprise surprise two enormous wooden logs to jump over before crossing the finish line.
Mission accomplished!! I finished in 11h48m10s which I am very happy with after running with lower back pain the whole 56km. Far from last and feeling much better than after the last race.
A huge thanks to the organization and volunteers!! Finishing 259th and being recognized by several of you shows how much you cared, not just for me but for all runners!!
Since I knew this race had many steep sections with ropes or scrambling I designed and 3D printed a mouth mount for my GoPro. Someday I hope to get my hands on a newer version of GoPro since they now come with stabilized images. For now here goes another somewhat shaky video to give an impression of the race. Many times throughout the race I had the thought of "Oh my, I have to get out the GoPro again". The full experience can only be had by exploring the track itself, either some year in race form or in a less competitive hiking way. Truly recomendable!!!
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