Ultra Trail Montsant 15/16 October 2011

After probably the worst preparation ever for a running event due to holidays and recovering from achilles tendinitis it was race day again. With the weather much better than normal the long list of obligatory material like a raincoat and gloves most likely would remain deeply buried in my new running backpack.

After an early morning trip to the unknown area of "El Priorat" I arrived nicely just after 7 a.m. in Cornudella de Montsant. After changing clothes and doing some other preparations I set of to pick up my Bib number in the theater of this small town. Everything was very well organized and in no-time I was outside again with the technical shirt and socks (which maybe I should have put on right away) and went back to the car to drink some more water and leave all unnecessary things behind there.

Registrating in the local theater

Then it was time to walk to the start area and pass the material control. It was a pleasure to meet Juan Carlos here, fellow runner on the NQB before summer, and this time assisting in the organization of the UTSM. After a wait and a few talks with other runners just after nine the start signal was given by firecrackers and a stadium horn and of we were. After a few minutes of running through the village we entered a small path slightly uphill with from time a time a few meters of steeper climbs.

The trail just outside Cornudella de Montsant

As always the pace maybe was to high, but I enjoy racing along through the mountains and did not hold back. The first checkpoint was set up very early after less then 15 minutes of running and the second checkpoint also came within the hour. From there we headed for the first more serious climb and soon I was back to walking through the beautiful landscape.

The first climb to Coll del Grau Gran

The typical landscape of Serra de Montsant

On the top we passed the third checkpoint and soon after we passed this small hermitage. After we continued along a small winding path that first went up and down on top of the mountain range and later on really on the edge passing underneath overhanging rocks and trees which was really nice.

Hermitage Mare de Deu de Montsant

Trail underneath the rocks

From checkpoint 4 it was down to the first village, Ulldemolins, where we could refill water and eat and drink to prepare for a part where there was nothing at all, no controls and no food or water. On the downhill I slowed down and I felt ok arriving at CP5. After taking out some small stones of my shoes it was on to Margalef through a canyon with Montserrat like rocks all over the place. Even though the path overall goes downhill and some runners considered this a "running part" it was a constant going up and down and in the second part quite a few stairs and bridges allowed for continuing through the irregular landscape.

Congost de Fraguerau

The rocky ups and downs in this valley

Pantà de Margalef

 

The biggest of the many bridges we crossed

Halfway the canyon the sun started to come out and also my first dip. From time to time I walked and I was happy to come out of the canyon where some people were climbing the steep rocks in freestyle.

Freestyle Rockclimbers

the last bridge to Margalef

Margalef before entering the village

The road on to Margalef was mostly concrete and asfalt now and after passing the last small bridge I arrived at the CP7 in Margalef after just over 6 hours. After resting for a while and refilling water I continued to walk, but slowly buy slowly I felt better and could start to run again. I follow to other runners here just to maintain good pace and at the next CP I only stop very shortly to drink water and continue to start the next long climb. 

The landscape climbing up to CP 9

Going up was going very well and in spite of having to repair a blister on my left heel I feel comfortable and the long downhill I also complete in good shape to arrive at Cabaces where we can eat and drink whatever we want. I was happy to meet Juan Carlos again who was helping out at the checkpoint. He cheered me on since I was already well halfway. For the first time in an Ultra race I dared to eat pasta and I really filled up here for the many kilometers to come. I drink some soup too and take some bread with me since eating the energybars gives me nausea. Just before coming to the next CP I come up from behind to meet Jordi Riba and we soon decide to complete the UTSM together. Soon dusk is setting in and it is time for putting on frontal headlights. At that point we are lucky to have another couple of runners making the same mistake as we did just before us and so the four of us head back in search of the red and white markers that indicated to correct direction. From then on we talk some less and check out more for those markers since going back is not always fun. The trail goes up and down and up and down again passed La Vilella Baixa, a surprise checkpoint and La Vilella Alta onto Escala Dei. Just before arriving there I notice a second blister coming up and inside the huge hall I once again put on a patch of Compeed. The blister is open and painfull, but I don't want to give up for that this far in the race. After eating and refilling at this beautiful place acompanied by very lively music and after making a last phone call home (it was just past 11 p.m.) we continue onwards to the most steep climb. The first kilometer was uncomfortable, but after that I could soon walk normally again and we started climbing. The first part was easy, but then the real rock climbing started with hands and feet and quite some effort and for those who wanted with ropes. At the top a whole group of runners, including us, goes left, but we see no signs at all and after some deliberation we go back to find out there was one more rock to climb up higher! After that we walked for a long time on the highest part of this mountain range, a very irregular path and also windy and after a while misty. Jordi decides to put his jacket on too, I was wearing extra clothing since Escala Dei. The group we started with of some ten runners slowly breaks up and at some time I have to slow down. I guess a combination of lack of fuel and water, since eating the pieces of bread is very hard to do with a dry mouth and my water has a really awful taste. Finally we reach the CP where the steep road down starts. Going down I start feeling better. For my companion this part is harder because of knee problems. It does not take too long to arrive at Morera de Montsant where we drink Coca Cola what makes us both feel a lot better. From here on it is only some 8 kilometers and eventhough the road goes up and down this is nothing compared to the climbing we have done before. We twice cross local roads where the police kindly guards our safety and soon we check at the last checkpoint, which is the same as the first, and the road down to Cornudella de Montsant is easy. We are joined by another runner and the 3 of us walk down the last kilometers while making jokes and having a laugh knowing the job is done. Jordi and I check the finish line at in exactly the same time cheered on by people waiting at the finish line. Every 3 to 5 minutes another runner comes in, and we are all happy to have completed another ultra. 19h23m18s knowing how little I have been able to prepare is something to be happy with. Next year next Ultra and maybe the Ultra Trail du Montblanc

1/2 Maratò de Collserola

And we are running again!!! After a few weeks of no running due to a tendinitis in the achilles tendon, today it was time to come back to enjoying a good mountain run. After a long warm up at 8:30 we set of for a rather steep uphill, which at some parts I walked. After that a very long downhill that after a while changed a broad path for a very narrow and windy one through the forests of Collserola. After 35 minutes I arrived at the first checkpoint. I decided to slow down a little in order to not compromise to much my tendon. The path continued to be narrow and more rocky going up a small hill and soon down again. At the bottom of the hill we continued on a broad a slightly uphill path upto St. Medir a small hermitage where the 2nd check point was setup, where I arrived at 1h05m. Soon after the long climb to the highest point of the race started and I still felt quite ok. Just before the top we passed checkpoint 3 around 1h27m. The last part up was somewhat steeper and I slowed down considerably there and after passing the top was lacking strength - after some many days without training that did not surprise me - to go downhill fast eventhough the pace was quite ok. Just before the finish someone came up from behind and for fun I sprinted to stay ahead to complete the race in 1h56m24s. Lots of water and a good massage completed the event, happy to feel this is possible again.

Ultratrail Nuria Queralt-Berga - 2/3 july 2011

Just after 7 a.m. I get on the train at Plaça Catalunya station sharing it with people that clearly just enjoyed the Barcelona nightlife. Later on other early birds get on with mountainbikes, but no runners so far. Only the last 10 minutes before arriving at Ribes de Freser two runners coming from the back of the train sit down in the same wagon and we have a chat. Without delay we arrive and have a bit more than 5 minutes to get on the Cremallera that will take us up to Vall de Nuria. Once up there the first thing is finding a toilet. With that settled I pick up my Bib number and my check point tag. Near the start I sit down in the grass for the last preparations and happen to sit next to the other dutch runner, Jaap Wegbrans. We wish eachother good luck and enter the start area. After a short explanatory speech of Race Director Lluis Soler at 11 a.m. 374 runners run off and soon form a long line along the narrow trail that takes us to the first check point. After passing quite a few runners I find myself in a group that more or less runs at my pace. The trail goes up and down but is easy to run and nice to warm up with. After 1h07m I arrive at the first check point. As always I started of too fast, but I feel ok and pick up a 2 chunks of watermelon and start the steep ascent to "El Pas dels Lladres".

I soon feel that I lack training hours in the mountains. I take it easy and just steadily walk uphill. At some point the fastest female runner, Judit Casas, passes by at amazing pace. Near the top the slope flattens out and the wind picks up, so time to put on a jacket.

Once over the top the trail is slowly downhill. After a few minutes of easy walking and breathing I start to run again. My waistpack turns out to be a bit too heavy and is not stable and as such disturbing while running at a higher pace. For the next run ultra it is time to try out some kind of camelbag. After a long but rather easy downhill and a short climb I arrive at Checkpoint 2 in 2h51m. I drink some water and fill my bottles and rush downhill, on to the next stop in La Molina. This part is rather steep but my knees hold out very well and soon we line up for the water fountain in this small town more known for being a great place to go skiing. I pick up some pieces of banana and cross a long foot-bridge across the railroad. On the other side we soon leave the village to go up through the forests on the lower slopes of the mountains. Soon we arrive at the ski stations above La Molina and than the steep climb to Coll de Pal starts.

At this point it seems like I have a blister on my left heel and once I make it to the top of this mountain pass I sit down to check it out and take care of it with a good patch of Compeed. Running down to Bagà starts with a paved road and once again I take it easy for some minutes to rest the legs from the uphill. Once back on the trail the part to the next checkpoint is nice to run and the mountain refuge where checkpoint 4 is set up is a very nice place with a huge cold water basin just before arriving to cool down head, neck and arms and fill up bottles. Shortly after arriving another runner stumbles down and complains about nausea and other typical problems. The people at the checkpoint take care of him and after eating some pieces of watermelon I am on my way again. 6h35m and going strong. Shortly after the first surprise checkpoint is set up where a man called Paco takes pictures and cheers on all runners coming by.

This area is very nice and I really enjoy running here.

The last part before Bagá is very steep down hill and rather technical. Half way my legs are still ok but I don't force this downhill remembering experiences from other ultras where I went down too hard. Just outside town, a mother and her little son are waiting for dad Enric, I hope he will arrive soon, since the sun is doing his job here. The entrance into Bagà is a very steep slide down to a small creek and then through some narrow streets to the village centre square. This is the first place where people decide to abandon. Not me though!!! More than half way and still ahead of the 18hrs schedule with 8h04m I fill up my bottles pick up more chunks of melon and head into the moutains on the other side of Bagà. The first part I climb up with a woman who told me she just went back to Bagà after some 15 minutes of climbing since she was not sure to have registered correctly at the checkpoint. After hours of running keeping your head clear and concentrated becomes more difficult. This part of the trail is very warm and steep and I have my first dip. Getting to the highest point takes a long time and has a lot pseudo tops that make you think you are there and 5 minutes later you go even higher. In spite of having a hard time I enjoy the place it self which is a real fairy tale forest!

After 10h29m I arrive at Gisclareny, still on 18hrs schedule even though I decide here to slow down and see how fast I advance if I just walk. The climb upto this checkpoint 6 has taken its tolll and I want to make sure to be able to arrive. After a good rest and more chunks of watermelon I continue my way on to Saldes with my headlight already in place since it will get dark soon. It's a pity to not have done that part by daylight. Even in the dark this is a very nice part, though quite hard, since it follows a small river that goes down. At some parts the trail leads through a narrow canyon where you have to dance from rock to rock. Arriving at Saldes is a great moment. It is well after midnight, but the terraces are still full of people that cheer and applaud every runner that gets this far. 12h28m still 30km to go but enough time to make it within 24hrs and the legs are ok. The next part up to checkpoint 8 is not as steep as I feared. It consists of small climbs and long stretches of a nice trail through the forest and soon the silence is interupted by the sound of a generator that supplies electricity to the lights of checkpoint 8. 14h06. The trail continues to climb and soon I am out of the forest and here it gets colder and more windy. I run with a group of some 3 or 4 other runners and a few some minutes ahead and others some minutes behind judging the lights dancing up the mountain. Where we expect to have to go to Refuge Ensija we find the next hidden checkpoint and we are told to follow the indications and not worry about the refuge, which keeps us puzzled for a while. All of a sudden the downhill begins, really really steep this time and I need hands and feet and full atention to slide down and also finding your way is not easy on this part that lasts quite a while and later on turns into a very narrow and winding path through the forest. Soon after the steep part voices and a generator indicate that the next checkpoint is nearby. The few runners gathered here are cheerfull. 16h42m. The toughest part is done and from now on it is just hanging in there untill the finish line. I take some time here to drink warm soup and eat more chunks of watermelon. The next checkpoint is two hours ahead at my current pace and I prefer to eat and drink enough. After some time the sky starts to show signals of a new day break and the birds start their goodmorning concert. The trail is wide and easy, going downhill and with enough daylight I start to run again. After 2 hours I run into a village but no signs of the checkpoint. I continue but at some point there are no signs at all so I check back in my memory what other paths I have crossed lately. Three runners arrive and they too are surprised to not have found the checkpoint yet, but we are sure of going in the right direction and after some 5 minutes we find checkpoint 9. 19h05m underway and some 8km left, one more steep climb and the rest is downhill. After a short rest and more watermelon I continue, with a good pace going uphill. I decide to more or less walk the downhill to the Queralt Monastery to enjoy the view since I am sure to finish well within 24hrs.

Just before the monastery the last hidden checkpoint is set up to clear any doubts about having missed it before and than the only thing left is the stairs down to Berga. My knees are still ok and I can sort of run them down. Once I enter Berga I check my watch and see that finishing within 21hrs might still be possible. Even though it takes longer than I expect with a last sprint I manage to put 20:59:56 on the clock. Shortly after it starts to rain and a thunderstorm passes over Berga. While walking to the busstop to go back to Barcelona other runners come down looking to the dark skies above, but luckily for those still up in the mountains it does not rain too heavily. In the bus on my way to Barcelona my thougths already go over the things to improve for the next ultra, happy to have finished this one, which is regarded as one of the tougher ultras in Catalunya.

Para los que se animen: Ultratrail Nuria Queralt-Berga

Some words about the title

In spite of being dutch and coming from a extremely flat country I have a thing with mountains. Every time I see one I feel I have to go out and climb To the Top!!! Fortunately enough at least I am good in climbing and over the years the unavoidable downhill has improved a lot as well. In these pages I share running experiences and everything I come across with related to this passión. Enjoy, good luck and good health!!!