Bib number U118. In Chinese, “118” is directly translated as “yat yat fatt” i.e. “everyday prosper”. My stomach was definitely feeling prosperous as it was getting more than usual, but can’t say the same for the legs.
This race is the start of some form of hill training to go longer distance, higher altitude later this year. Given the pain endured, penning my experiences down in a pensive mood, doubt hanging over my head thinking if i would actually complete the UTTJ 70+45km 7000+ elevation gain. Coming out of this race, i’m curious how much of this pain and post race discomfort recovery time actually contributes to improved FM and 10km time. It remained to be seen.
Attire
Temperature ranged from 6-11 degree. It rained and hailed sporadically in certain distance. I wore long pants and 2 top (long and short-thermal) for Day 1 and 2. It was comfortable but i felt i could handle the cold and decided on Day 3 to come in shorts and calf sleeves. The @mudsweattrails buff was almost a life saver, as in this stretch of the race, it hailed, strong wind, and a heavy downpour. It only lasted for about 15 min but during this time, it was biting cold. On hindsight, gloves would have been more useful. But overall, adjusting to the cold more comfortably the more experiences i gathered under by belt.
Herd behaviour
Day 1 – 17.3km night trail @2130 426m+
Total darkness. Shudder, and doubt hang over my head. Oh, what risk! But seeing the amount of people who came to start, i felt encouraged. It’s like we are in this TOGETHER… yeah…
I stayed close to the front line, without hesitation. When the horn was released, off we went. I ran 100m before the elevation begins, and i was quickly out of breath, and slowed down. Zero hill training, and it got to me. I could feel the energy of these runners who quickly ran passed me, and it made me very uncomfortable in that darkness, so much so, i swore to myself that i will start from behind the next day.
I did not have much expectation but to finish safe. My ears were on over drive as i pay close attention to the sound making sure i am always moving swiftly, staying closer on the side of the track when runner come from behind. The headlamp Gertjan bought for me 2 days before the race was a life saviour. He took an old one himself and it went off after a certain time, and was in total darkness, and i felt awful about it.
Finished the race in 1.48 hours.
Day 2 – 28km 721m+
As i started from the back of the pack, i ended up having to wait in line to get through single track lines. It was pretty annoying as the momentum was lost each time we have to wait. There is a rule in running where you have to run continuously to prevent the body from getting too comfortable with walking pace.
It was a cloudy day and it hailed at some stretch but still runnable. It is biting cold when it rains but only very briefly. Unpredictable weather. I bought myself a 16L trail back pack and manage to stuff quite a few things in it. But forgot the most important one, gloves.
Finished the race in 3.16 hours.
Day 3 – 43km 1123m+
The final day was a good one for me. After 2 days of hill walk-run i am now able to run up the slight elevation at the start of the race without being out of breath. Only this time, instead of turning right (just like Day 1 and 2), we turned left instead, which is a steeper incline and i have no choice but to walk it. I were able to keep running for a good 15km albeit slowly, and at certain tracks, i was running in the woods alone. It was a good feeling, unlike the day prior, where there were a lot of waiting and crowd. The final day was when i really soaked in the beauty of the trail around me.
It got tough after 28km out in the trail. I looked at my watch and the navigation tells me that it is another 15km to the finish line. I was encouraged that i could finish it then. Just another 15km. One quickly forgets the last 70km ran over the last few days, so determined was i to just finish the race and go home! I kept moving and did not register the pain across my feet or the cold.
Finished the race in 5.07 hours.
When i came to a standstill, the pain starts to emerge, especially my right feet cuboid bone area. It swell and i had trouble sleeping. As usual, second left toes swell up. Yeah, for the next two days post race, i must have had some kind of withdrawal symptoms. I dug deep and asked is all this pain worth it?
Why trail running?
I chanced on this article and thought it a good reminder as to why the pain was worth it.
https://www.trailrunningmag.co.uk/news/articles/six-reasons-you-should-run-trails-not-roads
Gulpen and the stay @Hotel Bemelmans and CubeLibre
The hotels where we stayed especially Hotel Bemelmans was a great distraction from an otherwise nerve-racking 3 days ordeal. Because the hotel guests were mainly non-runners, it was relaxing. A 3-course meal dinner was served as part of the hotel rate, and a generous breakfast spread was welcomed.
The race kit came with a free beer at the local brewery, Gulpener. Race finish on Day 2 and 3 was also celebrated with a 10cl of Gulpener beer. Tasty!
(Reflection) A week later after King of Spain
I felt stronger, and a week now, i clocked in 95km running mileage. Working towards 100km running mileage week. So, yeah, it is hard work if one looks to improve.
meysrunningjourney.com 