UTCAM 145km D+10000m et D-9000m net uphill race. Tortorous terrain, heat, steep and long climbs, technical descents what are sometimes rocky screefields, sometimes straight down grass slopes. What else you need at the end of your summer to beat you down badly ?
Pacing is the key to success, as this is what will keep you able to consume calories, to make you go all the way, to help your crew understand your goals and so. Pacing !
Calculating pacing is difficult if you have never done the race, or never have been out on the course and not going for the win. You can compare it somehow to another race you have done, but this will not be that accurate. I highly recommend to not to jump into any race, that you cannot recce out properly before, especially if we were talking about over 100km distance.
Either ways, if you do not have a chance to do any of these, there is internet what left. Youtube videos, hiking websites and blogs.
Things to know:
- The terrain in general
- The terrain for each section: climbs, descents, flats
- Elevation gain and loss for each section
- You can check runner's last year's splits, to make sure your calculations are in-line with reality
- Position of aid-stations, check-points, water sources
- Dangerous or difficult parts on course
- Use of poles or not
- Getting your crew and your race and back up gear right
- Nutrition for different parts of the race
- Temperature and humidity ; recent meteorological conditions
- Your concurrent runners
- Race course marking and sketchy parts to navigate on
- Headlamp selection and use (practice before as it will make your head turn, if you did not have the habit of it)
UTCAM 145
- P1 T. Levens to Ferion 11km to 29km = 18km climbing D+1200m
- P2 38km to Mont Tournaret 65km = 28km climbing D+1800m - Steep Descent
- P3 RB 76km to Cime de Prals 95km = 20km climbing D+ 2000m / Longest climb
- P4 Madone de F. 102km to Cime de Pisste 105km = 3km climbing D+500m
- P5 Boreon 111 to Archas 116km = 5km climbing D+1000m - / Hard Climb / Steep Descent /
- P6 Anduebis 121km to Pepoiri 125km = 4km D+1000m - / Hard Climb / Steep Descent /
Gear
If you had the chance of changing your clothing, shoes and stuff, have it ! During this race I can change 3 times, so I am gonna do so ! Having fresh and dry clothes will reduce chaffing and eliminate bacterial growth, blisters and so. Having completely fresh cushioning will also reduce your chance of getting impact caused muscle break down, but also can change up your stride, so the risk of getting over use injury is less likely. Therefor I will change shoes, accordingly to the terrain. 2 or 3 times. Definitely get something really protective for the first part of the course to avoid getting my feet smoked on the rocky terrain, like the Lone Peak 2.5 from Altra beefed up with a protective insole from the Superior. Maybe the Hoka Speed Instinct for the second part from Roqubilliere as the terrain will be very soft and runnable, except of course the long climbs and the Saucony Peregrin for the third chunk, what has still enough cushioning and protection to handle the terrain, but a lot more grip for those 2 x 1000m descents !!!
Changing socks is also important to get rid of things stuck in the shoe and to avoid blistering. Will change them 3 times.
If you had the chance of changing your clothing, shoes and stuff, have it ! During this race I can change 3 times, so I am gonna do so ! Having fresh and dry clothes will reduce chaffing and eliminate bacterial growth, blisters and so. Having completely fresh cushioning will also reduce your chance of getting impact caused muscle break down, but also can change up your stride, so the risk of getting over use injury is less likely. Therefor I will change shoes, accordingly to the terrain. 2 or 3 times. Definitely get something really protective for the first part of the course to avoid getting my feet smoked on the rocky terrain, like the Lone Peak 2.5 from Altra beefed up with a protective insole from the Superior. Maybe the Hoka Speed Instinct for the second part from Roqubilliere as the terrain will be very soft and runnable, except of course the long climbs and the Saucony Peregrin for the third chunk, what has still enough cushioning and protection to handle the terrain, but a lot more grip for those 2 x 1000m descents !!!
Changing socks is also important to get rid of things stuck in the shoe and to avoid blistering. Will change them 3 times.
I am using the Suunto Spartan Ultra as a watch to test out battery life, but not gonna give a big significance to the data it gives. Maybe keep a small eye on the average pace to stay under my expected time limits.
No poles this year, just keep it pure and focused ! Walk uphill with a straight back and keep everything in check, nutrition, hydration, small steps and regular speed.
Some of you might say, that it is a race, just keep on racing. Well, if the race organisers allow outside help, crewing and gear change and you can have an organised crew around you, it would be stupid not to use it !