Training in the Pyrenees

 In August and September this summer we visited the Pyrenees a few times and I did several long runs on my own and hikes with the family. This post is not so much a detailed race description but more a general impression of where I have been on those trips.

Aigüestortes

Puigmal

Llacs de Meranges

Ermita de Bell-lloc

Training in Montserrat

Preparing for the marathon of Montseny last sunday (29/10) my training assignment for today was running 6 hours, goal distance 45km and do at least a full Vertical Kilometer close to race speed. Near Barcelona running a VK means either go to Montserrat or Montseny, or much further away to the Pyrenees, and Montserrat is by far the nearest place to go to and also has pretty good access by car. I also wanted to explore more in that area so I spent quite some time looking at maps and routes on the internet, having in the back of my mind that I might get lost, since maps and reality not always are easy to bring together. So there I was, somewhat after 6 in the morning. It was still dark and cold enough to decide and put on my jacket. Since I asked other runners about ways to drink water on my route and they all told me to bring water since some had had stomach issues with the water of the few fountains out there I started with a heavy backpack filled with water bottles and Powerade and some food. The first part was very easy, dark, but on a wide path slightly downhill from Vinya Nova where I parked my car to Collbató the nearest village. In Collbató I took a path that was unknown to me down the valley following a tiny stream. During the first kilometers that path was quite hard to run, with lots of small jumps, loose stones and bushes and other vegatation barring my way. It was starting to dawn now and slowly the path was becoming wider and more runnable and in the end was very comfortable up to the point where it ended at a small road. After a few hundred meters along that road and some exploring I found the next path that was almost fully overgrown which would take me to the Llobregat river.  Since it had not rained in many days the small dam was dry and I could cross without any problem.

At the other side of the dam I quickly took of my jacket and continued to run. The path  here is very easy and soon I have the Montserrat Monastery in my sight well above, with the first still reddish rays of sunlight making for spectacular views.

Soon I arrived at the Aeri of Montserrat where I have to climb up to the bridge to cross the Llobregat again to start my Vertical Kilometer. Just before I drank and ate since I didn't want to stop again untill reaching the summit of St. Jeroni. This part was more know to me so I concentrated on keeping the pace as high as possible without burning myself out. In half an hour I was at the Monastery still feeling strong and I continued for the second part of the climb that is not as steep as the first part having more almost horizontal stretches, but still the climbing parts are mostly steep stairs up and it was good mental training to keep running all the runnable parts. The last part up is quite unique, since this a very touristic area and without it the St. Jeroni summit would dangerous you climb up a very long concrete stairs to a small balcony with incredible views on all sides. Total time of the climb was 1h20. I think I can go a bit faster, but I still have many hours of running to go, so this should do for the VK training goal. Time to drink and eat and then go back down again.

On the downhill I continued the exploration following a path that was new to me, called el Cami dels Francesos. I was hoping to find a crossing with another path that would lead me to the far east part of the area, but I could not find where I had to change direction, so after stopping quite a few times and checking the map, I decided to go all the way down first and try to find the path from the other end. Between the Monastery and the St. Jeroni summit I had met quite a few people, running and walking, but in this area I was the first one to break the silence and after a few times of hearing mountain goats running way, suddenly I had 3 goats right in front of me. One was still very young and jumped away making screamy noises, but then the mother stopped after a few jumps and turned around and so did the other goat and the young goat and they stood still watching me. With gently moves I dug out my mobile phone and took a picture and then said goodbye to continue the way down along a very narrow path with loose stones, so I was happy when I finally arrived down.

 I am in a bit over three hours and have some 20k done now. I am near the place where I parked my car now, but I think I am still carrying enough water so I continue my way directly to Can Massana. The way up to this parking lot and picknick area is very runnable, always going up slightly, but along very easy paths.

That same day from Collbató they organised a local walking event so here I meet many people walking in the contrary direction following white plastic straps marking their route. Near Can Massana I literally run into one of the organizers who was checking those markers since someone had dedicated herself to removing them, so we had a chat will running up to Can Massana and the aid station they had set up there he invited me to some fruit and then it was time for good bye and heading for what I felt could be a difficult part. After going up a very wide and more easy path I found an indication for the PR-78, a much more narrow path, but at least very defined at that point. From the words I catch of conversations of the people I pass here, I understand that somewhere up ahead there was a mountain hut. But before reaching that hut suddenly the path goes up very steep in between rocks for maybe some 20 meters and half way people are stuck with two dogs. When reaching them climbing up I am not sure if I can help them, but then when climbing up I think that maybe I can, and soon after the dog that was resisting the climb is encouraged and after a fun moment of thank yous and happy dogs expressing their joy to be out in the mountains I continue my way to the mountain hut where I arrived very soon afterwards. From then onwards I learned that the east part of Montserrat is a whole different story. Following the route was hard, the paths where tough sometimes leading us over huge rocks with an impressive incline and at points all route markers disappeared and I stopped many many times to check my map and even went the wrong way at some point until I got the feeling that I was climbing too much and luckily found the path again after having turned back. I stay with other people that follow the same path here. I guessed I might loose more time loosing my way again, than when going at walking speed but having more eyes looking for the right direction. Finally I am back at el Camí dels Francesos, and understand why I couldn't find the PR-78 before, the marks on the rock that indicate the path are so much faded that it is impossible to know that you have to change direction at that point. Still the path itself has impressed me. It shows the more savage Montserrat and at many points has beautiful views.

The last part I run down at easy pace and after some 7h40m I am back at the car. My mobile was almost out of battery. I stopped the tracking app and somehow lost the part I did, but I have redrawn the route in wikilocs so for those interested here is the route, split up in four segments so they can be reused easily.

Vinya Nova - Aeri Montserrat
Aeri Montserrat - St. Jeroni - Vertical Kilometer
St. Jeroni - Can Jorba by Camí dels Francesos
Can Jorba - Can Massana - Camell de St. Jeroni

Vinya Nova - Aeri Montserrat
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20661917


Aeri Montserrat - St. Jeroni - Vertical Kilometer
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20663379


St. Jeroni - Can Jorba by Camí dels Francesos
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20664716


Can Jorba - Can Massana - Camell de St. Jeroni
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20666275

Nit del Mussol - 21k

My trainers at Tecnirunner are collaborating in organizing a trail run in Vallirana, near Barcelona, and handed out two free bibs to their trainees. I was one of the lucky ones. Running half a marathon through the mountains so soon after the Rialp Matxicots ofcourse had me in doubt about whether I would be fine all the way through, but in the training sessions I felt quite ok so I wanted to go out and enjoy. The special thing about this run lies in the fact that, as its name already suggests "Night of the owl", it is a run in the dark.

When I left Barcelona, more or less heading west, it was raining heavily. When arriving in Vallirana the rain was just about stopping and after a while I found a place to park the car and searched for the start area.

Start area in the sportcomplex of Vallirana

Hot sausages after the race!!!!

After picking up my bib number I started my warmup thinking that we would start at 19h00. But when that hour passed without any visible activity I asked, to learn they postponed the start for half an hour, which in the end turned out to be almost 40 minutes. So finally after a long wait we were shot counted down and started, with dawn setting in already. Luckily I already had put on my headlamp so I was prepared for the dark to set in.

The first kilometer leaving the village was along some streets of asphalt and then running along the edge on terrain that seemed not to be a regular path, more like a clearing in the bushes and we had to be very careful to not trip on trunks and roots. Then after a few more meters of asphalt we hit the regular trails. I went out fast to avoid any congestion so I could go at my own pace all the time. The first uphill is fairly steep with some almost flat parts in between. Near the top we have a first point of incertainty about where to go and the indications of the volunteer did not help much either, but we assumed we went the right way. After reaching the top a long and winding downhill followed along a very narrow trail. At a certain point when stepping aside to let some faster runners pass I slip and fall. Luckily the fall only produces some scratches and tiny wounds, but "the running parts" are intact and I continue at pretty high pace and soon make it to the first aid station. A quick drink of some isotonic and on we go. Soon I miss a direction marker at a part where the course makes a loop and I meetup with people at a much slower pace. I asked them if they passed any checkpoint and since they said no I understood I went off course and headed back. Since I was running alone and it was very dark from then on this would be the continuous doubt, since not at all points it was clear where to go.

 The course itself is very demanding, along narrow rather technical trails and I fall a second time bruising my knees and almost a third time nearly cramping up in the movements I made to recover my balance. After passing the second and last aid station and loosing my way again I slowed down.

Trying to finish in a good time with bad indications is pretty frustrating. Finally I arrived back in the village and picked up pace a bit to finish in 2h43h20 in 24th place. Not bad knowing about all the time I lost to find my way. All in all I have to say that, as the organizers state in the publicity, a race for experts, very demanding and technical where you have to be 100% attentive all the time, but also very beautiful. Knowing this was the first time they did the longer run I think it is very recomendable.

Rialp Matxicots 57k + 23k

After months of specific trail training with emphasis on improving running form in order to reduce the chance on injury it was Race Day again. Or on this occasion two race days in a row. "La Combinada" de Rialp Matxicots has split the longer ultra trail of 80k in two parts this year. The first part on saturday, 57km, has been made tougher, and the second part on sunday, 23km, has a more runnable course. I arrived in Rialp friday evening, and it was cold. From the village, far away in the distance, one could see the highest mountain the Montsent de Pallars we would climb tomorrow. It was almost completely covered with snow. Luckily the organization decided it was safe enough to maintain the original course. At least on saturday morning the weather would be good, cold, sunny and not too much wind. After the briefing it is time for a quick dinner, and going to bed early.

After a slightly restless night I wake up at 4am in the morning, to have breakfast, do the last preparations and leave the hostal in Sort to drive to Rialp and walk to the start area after parking the car. It is cold. We are all moving to stay warm until we are counted down to get underway. Without overdoing the pace I try to stay up front a bit in order to not get cought in the traffic. After some 30 minutes we pass through Altron and start to climb up to the village with the first aid station, Seurí, where I arrive after 1h14m. From there we have a very steep climb of some 1200m up. Luckily I dressed warmly and already was wearing gloves from the start, because the higher we go the colder it becomes. On this first climb I never really feel comfortable. I maintain rather good pace, but my legs are complaining already. Once we get to the top the views are really amazing and there is hardly any wind. I made a few photos quickly and without my gloves my hands freeze up in no time. So I put them on again quickly and continue with the short downhill to the next aid station at Coll del Triador where they have put up a big tent to give some shelter. I arrive here after 3h36m. Time for some hot soup and eating and refilling fluids, without taking too long.

Montsent de Pallars in full glory

Next up is the spectacular climb to the highest peak of the race, Montsent de Pallars, 2883 m. As soon as the steep part of the climb starts I feel like being out of breath. From the latest training sessions I learned that controlling my breath was key to controlling my hartrate so I try to figure out a way to maintain pace but also control my breathing. After a while I am moving up better, enjoying the spectacular surroundings. Near the top we have to pass a short stretch where we have to scramble up using our hands and soon after I make it to the top with breathtaking views all around of snowcovered mountains. With 4h57 in the legs the steepest climb with parts of 40% incline is done.

As always the volunteers were cheering us on and clearly enjoying as much as we did

Next up is a tricky part. A steep downhill with slippery snow. After some slips and nearly falling a few times I decide to approach the snow part in a more unorthodox way, lowering my bum to the path and sliding down pushing with my hands on the ground while still holding my walking poles. They call that "kulembachen" here what sounds german to me, but still is the local word to describe this technique. That way I advance a lot quicker and avoid injury. Soon after when I thought the path was becoming better I did slip and though I could break my fall without problems I slowed down untill the snowy patches really were gone. And then it was up again to climb the Montorroio. This climb is not too long and soon we reach the top.

 

 Thanks Olga Bergua for those 2 nice pictures arriving at the Montorroio

On the downhill to the next aid station it is time to face my first time of running a "tartera". It turns out to be actually quite funny. You more or less go jumping down a river of small stones and have to balance each time you hit the rocks since you slide down continuously. Apart from some tiny stones in my shoes that part went smooth. At the bottom, when I sit down to quickly empty my shoes, I have near cramps in my adductors, but I manage to avoid them and luckily don't notice anything when I am on my feet again. It doesn't take to long to get to the next aid station at Pas de Mainera. Outside a younger runner is lying on a stretcher covered in blankets and a few others abandon here. I feel lucky to have survived this part without problems and after quickly eating and drinking and refilling liquids I am on my way again for the last long steep climb to "les Picardes".

moving through the snow brings out huge smiles for most runners

Once again I focus on keeping my breath under control and steadily advance upwards. After getting to the highest point we run through the snow along a wide ridge. After a while we reach the part where the second "tartera" downhill starts. A volunteer explains us that the race organization decided to close the regular path because it was to slippery, but after having done the first "tartera", doing the second one was even more fun. Once again I empty my shoes at the bottom, no more signals of cramps this time and on we go. After a while of running a nice single track path that slopes down rather easy we arrive at the ski area of Espot Esqui. The last part to the aid station there is down a ski piste. Halfway down I run into Pau Vidal, a mountain runner from Barcelona who is waiting there to cheer for a friend.

After a quick chat and some pictures I continue and soon run into the aid station and have my second surprise encounter with Silvia Mora who is crewing her husband, so some more chatting and pictures before I go in and quickly go through all the bigger aid station moves. I change into lighter clothes here, since it was getting warmer. When we leave we have a material check and when coming outside the weather has suddenly changed and I quickly put on a windstopper and the say goodbye to Silvia and run down to where the next climb will start. Everywhere I look, clouds are gathering and the wind is picking up quite a bit.

Last year this climb and also the long downhill afterwards were very hard for me but not so this time. When climbing up it starts hail, but the soft kind the people here call "aigüa-neu". It is not really persistant so for now I continue with only wearing the windstopper. The uphill goes pretty fast and the downhill I go running all the time. Along this stretch I meet the same people back and forth since I go somewhat slower but very steady and others stop from time to time. Since I knew this part would feel endless I just focused on moving forward not thinking too much and drink and eat and then the hermitage Mare de Deu de la Muntanya shows up way below and soon before getting there the path becomes wide and easy. Here I meet Amaia, a female runner, again and I cheer her on to at least keep running. Soon after another runner, Toni, is resting at the side of the path and I asked him to join us. He said he was tired and so we continued, but some time later looking back it seemed that at least he was up and running again. Soon we arrived at Caregue. After having fun talking with the volunteers here we quickly continued. For a while we heard thunder in the air and from time to time it slightly hailed but the real thunderstorm had not reached us yet. A quick downhill follows, and then an uphill following a creek, that takes longer than expected, but finally we reach the highest point. From there we can look into the Rialp valley to see dark clouds everywhere and rain falling down in a dense curtain up ahead. The next village, Surp, is not too far away and just when we get there it starts to rain more seriously. There is a small aidstation here so under the cover I change into my waterproof jacket and on we go to the last climb. Once again this takes longer than expected, also because we don't see where we have to go. Finally we reach the highest point where we have a time checkpoint and then go down. The last downhill. The first part is easy, zigzagging down a wide easy path, but at some point we change onto a narrow path that goes much more steeper. We run to Rodés and continue downhill. Both Amaia and Toni are really tired now and after a while we decided to walk down untill we came onto a better path. And soon we were arriving at the edge of Rialp and then crossed the line the three of us together. Me knowing that I still had to do 23 more kilometers tomorrow. So I ate and drank and then went quickly back to the hostal to rest and get ready for tomorrow, but very happy with how the first part was for me. I finished in 13h27m52s.

The next day I stepped out of bed around 6h45. Outside the dark black of the sky was slightly turning to darkblue already and when I was done with breakfast and the preparation, the sun, though still hiding behind the mountains is already anouncing herself. Once again I drive to Rialp and huddle up with the runners in the start area untill we are shot away. With some muscle stiffness I decide to take it easy the first kilometers. Maybe that was not very smart.

in the middle "hiding" with the yellow headband

 After running along the paved road that leads into Rialp for a while we take a turn left crossing a bridge and soon after we enter a path that still allows for 2 people running next to each other, but some hundred meters after there is a short steep downhill causing us to jam up. And the single track afterwards is the same. We slowly climb up and my pace is higher than the people in front of me but passing is difficult. Only shortly before arriving in Sort around the 6km mark I feel like running at my own pace finally. Next up is a somewhat steeper climb and another time checkpoint very soon after the one in Sort. The next part alternates climbs with horizontal and downhill running through the woods and fields, which is really a great feeling. And soon I arrive in Altron with only 7 km of 23km left. One more uphill, which we already did yesterday and then a steep downhill and I am back in Rialp crossing the finishline in 3:54:08 and a total time of part 1 and 2 of 17:22:00. 56th in the overall ranking and 21st of the veterans.

 Near the highest point of the last climb

Thanks to the organization and volunteers for making it happen again!! And thanks to all the runners I shared the experience with. I enjoyed the experience from the first to the last second!!!

Trepitja Garrotxa - 110k

And once again Finisher!!!! The third and final part of my Ultra Trilogy. For starters I am very happy to have pulled it off. Running 3 ultras in two months is crazy. So why do it?

In May earlier this year I could not even walk normal and without pain. Physiotherapy from Pol Soria got me running again and soon after I decided I wanted to have a third try at completing the Ultra trail du Mont Blanc. The first step to get there is gathering qualifying points by completing Ultratrail races. After going through the list of available races that still allowed for subscription, juggling with dates to allow for at least some training if the progress of my injury would allow me to do so, I also decided that my way of training would not get me there and that I would need help. So somewhere mid July I receive my first training schedule from TecniRunner. They pushed me to my limits and into different directions of training and though hard, it really paid off, though I also know I still have many things to work on.

All three races were held at considerable distance from Barcelona, so Montse suggested we would go there the day before. Many thanks for making all the arrangements and for making the "trilogy" a very much shared experience!!!

So here we are. Third Ultra, and still the "must finish" tagged to it. Training went well but in the last week I had a cold and didn't do much training and didn't feel well. We stayed at a hotel in Oix that has the start of the race literally at its doorstep. After a good night's sleep I go down and have a good breakfast at 6am. Apparently the clean air in this remote area has good effects on my cold, since the symptoms were a lot less this morning. There is still lots of time untill the start at 8 o'clock. Around 7am I pick up my bibnumber, 45, and then go back to our room and start to get ready for the race. It is rather chilly outside so I put on my windstopper. The raceplan today is to go fast in the beginning to get as far as possible with daylight, because I expected the second half to have a lot of difficult stony paths which are a lot more easy to run/walk by daylight. Also I wanted to try and take my homemade gel every 45 minutes to learn how my stomach takes that. So far I only took some every 90 minutes or even less.

Around 7:30 I wake up Emma who said she wanted to make pictures when I left and then went down to pass the material check and then waited for the start while talking with Emma and having shot some photo's in the start area. At the sound of the church bells we get underway at 8 o'clock.

We are only 67 runners and the path in the beginning was wide so no queues and no pace problems at all today. After a while of more or less flat countryside running the first climb starts, though until kilometer 40 the climbs are short and easy.

In just a bit more than an hour I reach the first checkpoint.

Soon after we go higher up and the landscape and views are amazing.

45 minutes later I arrive at the second checkpoint. Since it is still cloudy and cold the stops are short, since I don't have to drink as much as when it is warm and sunny, so much less refilling and only quickly eating fruit, bread and biscuits and continue.

Amazing views of la Garrotxa

Autumn colours

After 3 hours and some minutes I arrive at the third checkpoint.

Sometimes feeling strong and going fast has its drawbacks too. Luckily doing 3 ultras in a row made me very keen on checking the last track marker and at some point I know that I lost my way and inmediately go back, having done only 200 meters extra. Others runners didn't see the change in direction either and indeed it is not the most clearly marked point, but soon we are on the right path and continue down. Soon after there is a second point with a sudden change of direction, but this time we notice it even faster and after no more doubts upto Checkpoint 4, Bolós. In spite of going down hill I am not going as fast as I thought I could. The paths are complicated and full of loose stones at stretches and that breaks the fast running pace.

 Arriving at Beget, 40km

Clearly enjoying the run

I reach the checkpoint in Beget, 40km into the race, after some 5 hourse and 40 minutes. My family is waiting for me here and it is time to eat more and have a little break before continuing. Ofcourse I feel I have done 40km, but I am not tired and only when getting up I notice my muscle are a bit stiff during the first steps. I say goodbye to my family and head out for a 1000m climb.

 

Material check at the Control post in Beget

Bye, bye Beget, the last village for many many hours

Next up is a long climb to the highest peak of the race, the Comanegra. From here on until kilometer 83 the landscape is much more mountainous and steeper, and the paths are narrow and often covered with loose stones, a type of terrain I no longer worry about, but it does slow me down, most of all on the downhills.

 Climbing up to Comanegra - Foto by Josep Maria Montaner

After 90 minutes of climbing I arrive at the next Checkpoint Coll del Boix. Most of the climb is done now, only as you can see in the pictures, the weather up there is very very foggy.

 Arriving at Coll del Boix, it is getting foggy up here

The people at the checkpoint and some minutes later another person that comes walking downhill warn us that at the top it is rather chilly and also very slippery, so we have to be carefull and cautious up there. Soon I am surrounded by a thick fog and the higher up we go the stronger the wind and indeed it is time to put back on my windstopper that I had taken off hours ago.

The experience of walking and running here for me is very enjoyable, not easy, since it is indeed very slippery at some parts, but still, it is nature in its raw form and somehow that is something I can appreciate a lot.

The ridge we follow without any visual reference makes me think I reach the summit before we actually get there. So I made more pictures than necesarry, but it gives a good impression of the area. On one side a rather steep rocky part and on the other a sloping forest of enormous beech trees, that trapped the mist with their leaves and more or less caused rain underneath and a very very wet and slippery soil.

A "selfie" at the top of the Comanegra

The downhill was also long, steep and at points slippery, so all in all rather slow. When I finally get to the next checkpoint, 3 and a half hours after Beget I know that at most I would get to the highest point of the next climb with daylight. The long uphill and downhill make me feel tired, but still I don't stay too long here.

Talaixa, one of the many hermitages in the area

After eating, drinking and refilling I am quickly on my way again

At somepoint in the downhill we pass a house that is under construction. Here a group of runners passes me and one of them, Samuel, tells me their pace was just too fast and we start the next climb to Coll de Bassegoda together. We already shared the downhill to Beget earlier in the race so I knew he was a bit stronger than me in the downhill and he said I was better in uphill, so we started to alternate leading our pace according to that, meanwhile talking about running, family, life and from time to time just breathing in silence while the night was slowly creeping up on us changing the foggy forest into a place of scary fairytales.It is time to start using our headlamps. The fog takes away part of the visibility, but at least we can better see where we put down our feet. During this climb we start using Samuel's watch to measure how much longer it will take until the next checkpoint. Clearly a sign of fatigue, but we keep pushing and finally make our way up to the Checkpoint at Coll de Bassegoda. It is somewhat passed eight o'clock now and already completely dark. Since at the next point we will have our "life bags" we quickly continue after refilling.

Coll de Bassegoda

After another loose stone path downhill we reach a normal road that leads almost upto the next checkpoint. We could have run this part, but since we have one more climb to go and a long steep downhill afterwards we just walk at high pace to save some energy. At the next Checkpoint , Casalot, it is time for eating pasta and putting on a long sleeve shirt. They say it will be cold when we get to the next checkpoint. Samuel tries to make a phone call here, but just as my Whatsup messages are not being sent, he is not able to establish connection. Probably at the next checkpoint that will improve.

Casalot

The climb to Mare de Deu del Mont is a matter of stamina. We are both tired, so we talk less and just breath and push our bodies uphill. After reaching an intermediate highest point we can see the lights of where we have to go way up, but not too far. After a short downhill we reach the path that zig-zags uphill. Steep but doable and soon we are at this landmark that is worthwhile a visit if you are ever in the area. People from the organization indicate us we have to go around the main building and enter from the other side, in order to keep ingoing and outgoing runners separated. The Checkpoint is set up inside, so for a change we can warm up a bit, though it is not as cold as people told us it would be.

Here Samuel can make his phone call and I take some time for Whatsup messages. When leaving we are warned for the first part of the downhill, which is steep and wet and as such slippery. 

Mare de Deu del Mont

Actually this is only a very short stretch and the rest of the downhill is much better doable than I expected. From time to time we cross the regular road and walk a few hundred meters on asphalt before continuing on narrow paths again. We both arrive at Checkpoint Beuda with sore feet, in my case most of all my right foot. It is just past one o'clock now and we still have quite a while to go. We take some time to take care of our feet and the prepare for the last stretch of the race. Two more checkpoints to go before arriving at Oix, and some 26 kilometers. At the end one more hill to conquer and that's it.

Beuda

When leaving Beuda, a group of 4 runners passes us jogging and soon after I suggest Samuel to try and jog a bit too. Actually this goes well for both, only very soon after we have to do a short climb and go back to walking again. From there on we will run at easy pace most of the downhill parts. Also because most of the paths are good to run on. Just before reaching the next Checkpoint at Tortellá we are back on asphalt again. Flat but also very hard surface, but certainly runnable. We hoped to have some bread with tomatoe, catalan style, here, but they tell us we have to run to the next aidstation for that. Since we are only 16km away now we soon leave and continue.

Tortellá

At some points we have doubts whether there is a village up ahead. The night is utterly silent, and no light of civilization is seen anywhere. Only a million stars overhead and half a moon and some owl that breaks the silence from time to time.

At the next checkpoint we find people sleeping next to a campfire while others attend us with whatever we need to make it to Oix. Indeed they have bread with tomatoe and we eat a view pieces and fill up liquids for the last time. And off we go, for the final 9km, with a not too steep climb and downhill between us and the finish. We still have the group of four runners just ahead of us, which helps us knowing where we go, since there headlamps clearly light up in the dark forest ahead of us. When we reach the highest point we catch up with 2 of the group of 4, one of them a woman, who is sitting on the ground and clearly not feeling to well. Stomach problems she says, mad and much wanting it all to be over. Somehow the exchange of words we have there makes here get up on her feet again and of we go. Samuel feels like running and down we go at good pace. At some point we have a first glimpse of Oix, clearly visible. Also, the headlamps of other runners indicate we are not going there straight away but around a valley in a long curve down. We alternate walking and running and reach Oix after 23h13m13s.

Montse and Jordi are there for pictures and sharing the moment of completing the first part of the quest for finishing UTMB, getting my qualifying points. Thanks a lot for being there!!

Thanks Samuel for running along the second part of the race. Good recovery and who knows we will meet again at some other ultra in the future!!!

The final aidstation serves us a delicous hamburger and more pasta!! We take time to eat and then say goodbye.. time to rest a bit.

Many thanks to the organization!! I very much enjoyed the race and the good atmosphere in all the aidstations.