This time the race was all about the weather. Some days before race day we were already told that due to very low temperatures predicted at high altitude during race day, we would run the marathon course and not the full 70k that does up to 2900m. We arrived the day before in Ribes de Freser where the start and finish would be and all eyes were on the weather prediction. It seemed to be at least ok to do the marathon course, but even at around 2000m temperatures around freezing point or below and snow was predicted.
The next morning I woke up early at 5am to have breakfast and lied down a while longer at least resting the legs. At six o'clock I got up and dressed myself, right away dressed for the worst even though it was not yet raining down here in the village. After saying goodbye to Montse I did an easy warmup while moving to the start area.
Soon we could enter the start box and word had it that in Nuria it was snowing already. At 7am we were counted down and after a short while running through town we took a right and went straight uphill and soon were back to walking. The first part was rather steep and with so many runners still grouped together somewhat slow. Passing eachother on a narrow path is almost impossible and also takes more effort than pay-off later on so I reduce that to a minimum. After about 45 minutes we are more spread out and I can go comfortably at my own pace. No longer are we going steep up and the climbs are alternated with short stretches of runnable single track paths winding through fields and forest slowly climbing up to the first aid station at Coll de les Barraques. Well before we got there it started to snow.
First very tiny flakes, but soon they grew bigger and they started to paint the ground in white patches. After 1h24m22s I reached the first aid station. After quickly making a photo and messaging my family I continued onwards.
This part I knew from having walked here last summer. The snow is becoming more and more dense changing the landscape into a typical winter scene. The path is still easy to follow but soon we reach a creek crossing and have a while of climbing afterwards and this section has no trees anymore and here the path is about as white as the ground left and right of it. After the climb we go slightly and up and down for quite a while and from time to time the wind picks up. It is time to put on gloves. As you will see in the video when I am done editing, filming with gloves is not ideal, but I am still glad to have footage of the adventure. Around 2h25m I arrive at the second aid station in Font Alba. We arrived in a big group of runners and right that moment the race organization announced the race was cancelled and that we had to run back. Some runners indicated they had family waiting in the next aid station and also, since it was only 4km away and from there transport could take us down, or even running/walking to Queralbs was easy. After some minutes they tells us the organization agrees with that and that the race will be stopped in Nuria. So first I make some pictures and send more messages to my family and then I continue.
In just 1 hour the landscape has changed a lot!!
Aid Station Font Alba, normally you can see paths here... but not today
The next part from time to time is very cold. The wind is strong here and regular gloves are not enough to stop the cold. But it is only my hands, the rest of the body is nice and warm and I am feeling good and enjoying the adventure of my first time running through snow. We have to pay attention to folliwing the little small yellow flags that indicate the path. The snow is covering everything at a fast pace and in the areas without trees no paths or footsteps of runners that passed before are visible. In less than an hour we see Nuria in the distance, vaguely, since it is foggy and with the whirling snow that does not make for good visibility, but the path here is wider and more easy to see, and soon we enter the aid station in 3h25m52.
Nuria, end of the adventure of today
I first send mesages again to tell my family everything is ok and after that first had some soup and food and then debated with myself on wether to run down or take the train down. In the end I decided for the second, since that would fit better into the rest of the plans for that day. All in all a great experience and ofcourse I have to sign up for some other race now soon, since energy wise this has been just a good training, but I was not at all tired.
On the way down to Queralbs
Video hopefully done next week.
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