Sunday Jul 1 |
 | Cycling warm up/down 45:00 [2] | |
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| warm up and cool down on hire bikes, which doubled as our transport to and fro, Chamonix for the race |
| Run race (Mont Blanc Marathon) 3:57:00 [4]42.2 km (5:37 / km) +2200m 4:27 / km | |
| ahr:171 shoes: Brooks Racer ST |
| Ouch! I actually had a good run and it wasnt as painful as I expected, at least for the most part. Over 2200m ascent and over 1200m descent.
Started a bit back from the front, part of my plan not to get caught up and try and race my first marathon, especially having been so sore all week. Pace was slow so managed to make ,y way up in sight of the leaders and found Andy. Even commented to him that it was slow. Course was quite flat for first 5km so got into a good rhythm. From then on slowly picked people off. Small climbs early I went through quite a few and downhills held position. Lots of annoying Salomon sponsored runners around just about getting a massage every 5k from their ridiculously big support crew. Fely good and kept the pace solid up a few climbs. First big climb (600m maybe) was strong until the last 100m or so, think at that pace altitudes of 1900m and more start to get me. Half way point at top of climb and was starting to feel it. People kept telling me I was in a position I didnt understand, but I thought it was 20th, but it was 10th. The helicopter at the top of the climb distracted me and I rested up, letting another Salomon runner go away from me down the long and at times viscious descent. At the bottom it was essentially one long climb. Picked up 4 runners gradually and at 35km I was 6th, but hurting. After a drink station at about 38k I started feeling good again 5and it flattened off) and I opened up quite a big lead on the pack of 4 runners. The DVD from the race should be cool as I think the helicopter filmed me down a wicked steep descent out by myself. At 40k everything started going wrong, started getting giddy and weak but I had maybe 2min on the chase pack. Just before 41k the path to the finish went up a wall, all the way to the finish. Hurting to keep in front I thought I could hold them off then I completely popped. All 4 passed me and I lost about 10min over the last 2K. It was gutting, I wlked, stopped, tried to just not fall over... But all in all it was a great fun race, beautiful views, nice massage and food at the end, and I should be able to beat my marathon PB comfortably.
Will put my splits up when I get internet access next time. I cant believe I kept my HR that high for that long. |
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| C • Awesome effort 14 |
Saturday Jun 30 |
| Note | |
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| decided not to do anything today, just sweating it out thinking about tomoz. there is not much that doesnt hurt in my body, I even have a toothache. possible the worst preparation ive ever had for a race, and it could be called an anti-taper. |
Friday Jun 29 |
| Run 2:50:00 [3] | |
| shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 5 |
| Another spectacular run. Mont Blanc side of the valley. From Chamonix up to Mer de Glace. It was over a 1000m climb for this one, and view at the top (which is where the furnicular ends) was absolutely spectacular. HAVE to come back here. Then ran back to Plan d'Aguille (~2300m) where the gondola mid-point is. Its more or less a contour give or take a few hundred metres.
Then Andy and I went up to Aguille d'Midi (~3800m) on the gondola. Oh my god, this was scary. And people are nuts where they climb and go climbing. It was spectacular. Then headed back down to Plan, and ran back down to Chamonix.
1400m climb, 1200m descent (walked back the other bit) |
Thursday Jun 28 |
| Run 3:52:00 [3] | |
| shoes: New Balance 872 OR |
| From Les Houches (1010m) on road to Chamonix, then up to Brevant (2517m) then back to Les Houches. Spectacular views across valley to Mont Blanc. Some running in snow, so so cool. Right ITB knee pain still, and this is not helping.
over 1600m climbing today, about 1200m descent.
Staying in cool hotel in Les Houches, more like an apartment really. Views and a verandah look straight out to Mont Blanc itself. |
Wednesday Jun 27 |
| Run 40:00 [3] | |
| shoes: Brooks Racer ST |
| Around old town of Montpellier. Nothing too exciting but it was pretty nice.
After the run caught a TGV back to Lyon which was almost an hour late, causing us to miss our last connection to Chamonix. Since it was the trains fault they took us as far as Chamberey and in a hotel. This ended up great because the hotel had Eurosport and we watched Buster win a 5km live against an unbelievable good field. |
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| C • Mottram 1 |
Tuesday Jun 26 |
| Cycling 2:00:00 [3] | |
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| Hired some cracker bikes from Montpellier. Rode to the coast and some chuch on a tiny hill with vineyards which as quite nice. Rode through some owns but I can't remember their name. Went for a swim too and it was freezing. Mediterranean was freezing!! Was a pretty funny ride. I had a much cooler bell than Andy. |
Monday Jun 25 |
| Run 1:20:00 [3] | |
| shoes: New Balance 872 OR |
| Run around the free zoo in Montpellier. The Brown bears were swimming, the Big Red Kangaroos were lying around looking ripped off in their relatively small enclosure. Nice for a free zoo though, good for a run. |