I will just remember this for the Marathon (in just 8 days!). Have been ill this week, so I haven’t trained, and next week is all about tapering. Just try to finish, and don’t stop 😉
Something to keep in mind
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UHT
Well, this time the tone is slightly less optimistic. We have our very first marathon in less than 2 weeks, and I’m starting to get worried…
Stephan and I have run the Utrechtse Heuvelrug Trail (UHT) twice now in the last two weeks. The UHT is a 30K trail from the train station Driebergen-Zeist to the station in Rhenen (or the other way around) which you can run whenever you like and then upload your time on the website of mudsweattrails. The ‘proof’ of your time are pictures of yourself with the station clock at the start and finish. This is not exactly foolproof, but the rankings are mainly built on trust, cheating is simply not done.
At the start
The first time we finished in just over 3,5 hours. Stephan was not extremely tired, but already after an hour my legs were heavy at every ascent. To add to that I also felt very sick after eating a nut/seeds bar (ate too much at once I guess), so we had to walk ten minutes until I could run again. But in the end we did finish, and surprisingly we barely had sore muscles the day after.
At the ‘finish’
Our second attempt was less successful. Although in the beginning everything went much smoother than before (no aching legs every time I had to up), in the end I just could not continue uphill, my legs were just too sore. Stephan decided to not go on on his own, but to come with me to his parents house. So we did about 25K instead of 30,4K. Conditions were not exactly easy that day, lots of melting snow, water and mud, but still I would have liked to have finished it…
So now my problem is clear: less than 2 weeks to the marathon, and after approximately 30K my legs just give up when going uphill. For a flat road marathon that would not be a problem, but the Galgenberg marathon we will be doing is also a trail and will partly be going uphill as well. So, well, let’s just hope the conditions are favourable that day so we can both finish our first marathon ever!
Film MBM 2010
Almost a shame to run there, instead of walk and enjoy the view…
Upcoming races
For the next season I am going to run these run trails for certain:
- 2 March 2013 Galgenberg Marathon (42,2km and 550d+)
- 12 May 2013 Koning van Spanje (31,8km and 800d+)
- 1 June 2013 Stuwwal Trail Oosterbeek (18,5km and 500d+)
- 30 June 2013 Mont Blanc Marathon (42,2km and 2500d+)
- 13 October 2013 Duinentrail Schoorl (28km and ~400d+)
The main target this year is the Mont Blanc Marathon, that is quite far our of my comfort zone and should prove to be a nice challenge! I am not particularly worried about any of the other races. Without injuries these should all be perfectly possible without too much of a hassle.
I’ll probably run some more races, but for these I already registered or I am convinced I am going to do so. Interesting fact is that there are no road races present. I like running through nature way too much to spend any time on the roads…
First MBM clinic
Hell yeah, the whole ‘Mont Blanc Marathon’ thing has all become very real again. Last Sunday we had the first of two clinics by MudSweatTrails with the group that comes with the group travel. First we had an introduction round on the basis of pictures, including someone who had not provided a picture ‘because she makes sure she is never on them’. That tactic failed her this time though, they made a very fine picture while she was talking 😉
It became clear the group has a very diverse (running) background. Some people have been running over 30 years and participated in dozens of marathons, some have been running for a long time, but never off the road or more than a half marathon, and some have been running for just a few years (such as we). It was very funny to notice the different views on and goals for the marathon. One man is going to crawl home if does not finish under 6 hours, but I’m already very happy when I finish within the time limit of 9 hours (I believe).
The training is going very well at the moment. I can run for 2,5 hours again without feeling my knee, so I think I dare to say it is entirely healed. The only downside of this whole injury-thing is that I lost my speed (if I really had any). I’m even slower than I was before :p But well, that is very trainable!
Race report Voorne
The weather predictions were pretty bad the day before the race. Warnings for black ice in the night and morning, while we would have to leave at 8.30 for an 1,5 hour drive, and the rest of the day rain and strong winds. Luckily the warning was withdrawn before we left and the trip was as easy as they can come. We arrived well in time to pick up the race bibs and the customized buffs. I decided to try my buff immediately, since the predicted wind was definitely present (tried to blow away the start arc)!
After less than 100 metres it was already clear what we could expect on that trail: a lot of muddy trails and barely any hills. We started quite at the back, because my lack of training required me to keep the pace low. The downside of this was that at every really muddy spot we had to wait for the people ahead to cross it, which was pretty annoying. The scenery was by times really weird. The maasvlakte was very close, which resulted in a natural scene in the front with a background of large cranes and industry. Not exactly what we are used to.
Running-wise, the first part up to the aid station (km 10) went quite well, but after that it became noticeable that I had a ‘slight’ lack of training. Running 18,5K proved a little challenging if training only went up to 10K. On the bright side, my knee held up fine 🙂 The chatting with local runners offered some distraction and made time fly by. And my beloved boyfriend was kind enough to run with me the whole distance, instead of charging of to a better finishing time. Even when I became really tired and grumpy in the last few kilometres…sorry dear :p
As a surprise the organisation had selected a very good ‘swimming pool’ just before the finish, which was impossible to run around. As you can see in the picture, the only way to pass it was straight through. Really makes you feel like a child again 🙂
End conclusion: Fun trail with excellent organisation, but the lack of height differences and change of scenery made it a bit dull. We may come back for the long distance (35K) next year to check out that route, it should be more challenging.
The philosophical side of running
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Help, doubts!
To make a long story short: My knee is still not completely recovered. So while Stephan could nicely begin his Mont Blanc Marathon training, my goals are a bit more modest: (1) run for (at least) an hour without pain during or after the run and (2) participate in Voorne’s duinentrail (website) on December 9 (indeed, coming Sunday…). All achievable goals you might say, but what if I tell you I had 3 weeks to complete them and had to start at the very beginning with 15 minutes of running/walking in a 1:1 ratio? Makes it a little harder right!?
I must admit that 3 weeks ago I did not expect to come so close to really do this, but I ran 52 minutes last Tuesday. Unfortunately, that was the first time my knee hurted a little bit again when walking the stairs afterwards. However, everything was fine the next day so today we went for a run of at least 60 minutes in, oh yeah, snow! 🙂 We were out for 75 minutes, of which we walked a few, and I am really curious to how my knee will be tomorrow! I mean, if it is fine then, it should be able to make it through a 18 km race on Sunday, right? Ahhh, I know the safe option is to not go of course, but well, if it is possible I do really really like to go! Please help? Anyone?
And I know it is cold, but which runner would not like to run in a snowy, magical world like this? Plus it is a great excuse to reward yourself afterwards with home-made apple pie 😀
Wrapping up November
This month I officially started my training program for the Mont-Blanc Marathon. I am happy to say that my knee injury seems to be a thing of the past. Because of this I was slowly building up the weekly mileage again during November. Even with two recovery weeks I easily ran about 115k. What, compared to what I ran this summer, isn’t that much… but I do not have any issues, pains or whatever! So I am feeling confident for the upcoming month, where I will add some serious speed-work again.
To wrap up, below you will find a satellite picture with the paths I ran during November. Yeah, it is a mess :p
Oh, and a point for anybody who can figure out where this is…
Mont Blanc Marathon
Today it is official: I started with my training schedule for the Mont Blanc Marathon. A couple of weeks ago we came across this race and decided to register for it. After some registration issues, mainly getting and uploading a medical certification saying we are not going to die during the run, we are officially registered. How to get there and where to stay is taken care off. But somehow is still felt somewhat unreal.
For the ones not certain on what the Mont Blanc is, the Mont Blanc is with 4810 meters the highest mountain in Western Europe. And is situated on the border of France and Italy.
I drew up a training schedule for this marathon and that started today. During my run it suddenly felt all too real! I was wondering what we let ourselves into: it is a marathon in the mountains for crying out loud…. 42 kilometres and over 2.5k in elevation gain. Where we live the highest “mountain” is something like 65 meter high. That’s merely a speed bump compared to this. We are proper flatlanders, what are we looking for in the Alps? I suppose the answer is the challenge ahead… it is a massive goal and it will be absolutely awesome!
Anyway, we are registered and I am set on completing in a decent time. So there is a lot of work to be done! And I am excited to do so 🙂
Ambulabimus 