Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2017 - last favourite bits

After this, other race elements seem smaller in comparison. I liked the nighttime start: it meant that we had a good distance under our belts before the heat of the day commenced. The whole route was well marked with reflective strips, even an idiot like me couldn't get lost. The race bib included the basic route alimentary profile, which served as a rough guide - as this was already pinned to my shorts, it was just really useful.
I felt really well 'observed :, there were regular medical posts, checkpoints, and extra drinks stops, - you were never too far from help if needed.
I personally wouldn't want any of this race altered. It felt less like a race, more an observation of magnificence.

Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2017 - favourite parts

First of all, I need to point out that I fell in love with this race as soon as I saw some footage : running through the Dolomites looked irresistible. To me, this was certainly the case throughout - the scenery was amazing. If I forgot, for a moment to look around me, I would kick myself into trying to absorb as much as possible.
Running through a long valley during the second part of the race provided a reminder of how huge nature is, with these tiny human runners trying to get through. The mountains were magnanimous - it's the only word I can find.
Thunder rumbled throughout the whole of the second night we were running. This literally echoed around the mountain ranges. Trying to negotiate summit paths with this in the background was slightly frightening and felt very daring. Not your normal 10k post work run.
Running be forgotten : nature and the elements, the world was always yours.

Lavaredo ultra trail 2017 :Race snippets

Rumour has it, that 1513 race places were given: of these, 1065 competitors made it to the finish line within the 30hour cut off- a 70.38% finish rate . Of these, my 26.52 finish meant I came 856th:sounds meagre, but I was chuffed to bits. The winner crossed the finish line in 12:32: I have no idea how a mere human could accomplish this (I was still wallowing in self pity at the half way checkpoint then). First Brit, Damian Hall, crossed in an amazing 13:28, the inimitable Jo Meek 18.08. These guys are superhuman.

I think it is fair to point out that the course is tough, the second half felt alot harder than the first. When I was trudging along the final summit, there was a thunderstorm which prompted mountain rescue to drive up to meet us in a hurry - luckily, the storm didn't last. They were also at hand to catch people falling off a slippy Rocky ledge which many of us were trying to cross in the dark..... You get the idea. What a race.

All finished

I finished the race about 26:52ish, I'll certainly take that. 30 hour limit. Tears of hypoglycaemic joy at the finish line - I am an idiot. It appears I can't move and have already dropped the white finishers top in a puddle on the way back to the hotel, by accident.
Pics to come.
Roz, thanks for all your texts of support throughout the day, they made all the difference.

Half way

At half way, feel a bit pants

Time to rest and eat

OK, so time to rest and eat as much as possible for the afternoon. The race starts at 11.00pm, hopefully after any evening storms. Race nerves starting to show.
Will try to take pics to put on the blog next week - probably all dodgy or abit blurry. And probably a million selfies - apologies now.
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

Race elites

Kids race / skyrace

The international children's race seemed to go well - all looked like they were enjoying themselves. As did the Skyrace last night :unfortunately there is no way I'd be attempting a sky race - not brave enough!!!

Then finally...

Then to end the day, the mother of all mountainous thunder storms. Thank goodness no one is out running in this. Let's hope it's settled this time tomorrow...

Awesome

The amazing Jo and Jon Meek.... Both ultra running heroes of mine.... They will be at the front of the race tomorrow, while Er I will be at the back....

It's going to be a hot one

It's beautiful and exciting and I'm truly glad to be here. Very hot - 32o c at the moment - need to take it easy during the daytime racing. Exciting and glorious.

It's going to be a hot one

It's beautiful and exciting and I'm truly glad to be here. Very hot - 32o c at the moment - need to take it easy during the daytime racing. Exciting and glorious.

Too old for selfies???

Wherever I end up today on this running trip, at least I made it to the train station

Well

I'm not really interested in football that much... But this is the last time I will be using this running route, due to a job change. I thought I should mark the occasion somehow. Time to find new routes for future training...

Lavaredo Ultra Trail

Next week, all being well, I am flying out to Italy to participate in the Lavaredo Ultra-Trail. Excited???? Oh yes. It is a trail runners' paradise.

The race is on the Ultra Trail World Tour Schedule, carrying four UTMB points for any point chasers out there. It is approximately 120k long, with 5,800 m accumulative elevation. The race follows a World Heritage trail through the Dolomites, Northern Italy. It looks an incredible place to run :if you get the chance, check out the images in the route we cams, on the race website (link on the pages section of the blog).

Following the dream.

Er....it's looking tough....

Like any of the World Tour races, the Lavaredo looks like it's going to be tough...

slowness- it's still hard work

I used to beat myself up about running too slowly in long distance events. I consistently finish in the bottom third of finishers, in any event above marathon distance. Your finishing place may reflect your placing in life, I used to worry.

But, in my defence, getting through the finish line is usually my priority. In events where there is a 10-35% dnf rate, I'm usually pretty thrilled to complete within the qualifying times.

Probably, I like a little chat with other competitors, a bit too much. More than likely, I like to look around too often. I am a firm believer that slow and steady works best for me - a combination of long distance with hard speed would, I am convinced, cause complete annihilation to my legs.

When talking about speed recently with a running friend - or rather, my lack of it, she quoted the legendary Dean Karnazes. He stated that ' it doesn't matter if you finish first or last. We all cross the same finish line'
Most importantly; ' the best runner is the one who is having the most fun'.

That's what its all about, really.