Images : Courtesy Ben Samwell |
one in Lech , a beautiful town nestled in the Alps , very relieved that the first leg was done and we were still in reasonable shape .
Stage two seemed to be a bit easier , just 24km with a total ascent of 2000m , but it proved one of our toughest days to manage within the time limit . The first climb of more than 1000m started after only a small trot through town , and soon became a tough , technical single path through the forest , with the last couple of kilometres through snow to the top of the mountain . I realised that we were in some trouble , with no experience of snow , and for the first time really having to get to grips with running poles . The views were spectacular , but the pressure high on the difficult terrain . We managed to make the first water table with around five minutes to spare , but made up time on a pleasant snow-covered downhill . After a spectacular traverse , we climbed another tough hill to reach the last water table surrounded by snow-covered peaks , and then a gentle downhill brought us to the end of a longer-than-expected day in St Anton .
Stage three to Landeck ( 40km with 2000m of climbing ) was a muddy affair through misty mountains , with the previous week ’ s rain making the steep single tracks quite slippery . It was another tough day of climbing and our bodies started to take strain , and knowing that stage four was the longest stage was a taxing thought even as we celebrated the completion of stage three .
The Longest Day Stage four took us across the border to Samnaun in Switzerland , with 47km of running and nearly 3000m of ascent . I could sense the strain of the previous three days as it took more effort to get out of bed , and sensed the doubt in my wife ’ s face as we waited for the start . This was really going to be a deciding day , given that we constantly ended close to the back of the field , and the risk of this being our last official stage was high . We decided to approach it the same as all the other stages : Start conservatively , take each section on its merit , and run where possible to reduce our average time .
The day started with a pleasant run along a river for a few kilometres . A 1600m climb followed , initially meandering through a forest and then ending with a monster of a climb up a ski slope to the first water table . Following a well-deserved downhill , another long , steep 1000m climb followed , which took us to an 8km pass at the top of snow-covered mountains with beautiful lakes . Again , our lack of experience on snow was evident , but the scenery was so spectacular that we enjoyed every moment .
|
The last climb over a snow-covered mountain top with icy winds , wet clothes and short pants made us realise the need for really specialised gear when it really counts . Needless to say , we expanded our frame of reference of cold weather and inadequate clothing , but enjoyed the run downhill to a warmer finish area in the valley , delighted to have completed this brutal stage .
Hanging Tough Having survived stage four , we did not expect the fifth stage of 37km with 2100m of ascent to Scuol in Italy to be that difficult . We were wrong ! The first climb reminded us of Sani pass , while the second was another typical Alpine snow-covered mountain top , and the third was a killer of a climb – like The Wall at Sky Marathon – on a moon landscape that ended with teammates pushing their partners to the top . Following a long and knee-breaking downhill , we finished in the most beautiful Alpine town on a pedestrian bridge over a large river in Scuol . Having survived another day that was longer and tougher than expected , we were finally thinking it may just be possible for us to complete this race , and we were determined to survive the last two days .
We studied stage six of 44km and total ascent of 1700m well , and realised there was a nice gentle downhill over the first 7km that we could make up a lot of time in . The route then turned up an impressive mountain pass that is very popular among mountain biking enthusiasts , carved out of the cliffs with sheer drops into the valley . This was a spectacular run that took us to Prad in Italy , probably our most enjoyable stage , and we celebrated the fact that we were actually going to start the last stage .
We were determined to give everything on the last day to make sure we finished . After all , it was only 31km , with 2700m of climbing . The first technical climb of just over 1300m took us through a misty forest , and
|
after a pleasant downhill , the second climb started . This was a massive climb of 1400m over 6.5km that climbed through the forest to reach an impressive moon landscape on the higher slopes of Ortler Mountain . We traversed the top of one of the peaks on a short trail , assisted by chains , to reach the final downhill that zig-zagged down the mountain , surrounded by very high cliffs . It was as exhilarating as it was frightening !
The thought of finishing kept us going and we completed the last stage filled with awe and gratitude . Of the 281 teams that started , only 189 finished , and given that we ended in the last 10 % of the field on stage one , we were very thankful to have made it ! I recall one tough stretch , where a fellow struggling runner told us , “ You only have one chance !” This race once again made me realise how spectacular trail running is , and how awesome the people from around the world are that share our passion . So , what lessons can I share after this incredible experience ? Don ’ t let past performance limit your future potential , and never underestimate your spouse !
|