Training Log Archive: cpn

Trans Gran Canaria 2014 Maraton

412th place out of 645 finishers, and about 50 dnf’s.
44.3km in 7 hours 10 mins. 1100m climb and about 2800 descent.

There were around 700 of us starting the race here out of about 3000 on the five different race lengths. So it was a crowded start. Just as the 10am start time approached, we got word that the first of the ultra runners (who'd started at midnight in Agaete) were about to pass through, and we all shifted over to look through the trees and see him pass. Then the same happened again a mniute or two later, and again a third time, before we were allowed to go at about 10:05. It took me 50 seconds to cross the start line and we headed off through the pine forest for the first km and the first road crossing. I started nearer to the front than the back of the field, and I think I was passed by quite a lot in this first km, though I wasn't really aware as I was already intent on my key objective of not falling!

Having crossed the road we began the steep ascent to the summit. The path quickly narrowed, and it became a slow queue to the top. I was quite glad of this as I might have been tempted to waste too much energy on the first climb. (Pico de las Nieves in 33:43 in 422nd place). We then began the long descent to San Bartolome over mainly rocky and difficult terrain. It was still quite cool in the forested sections and not too hot in the exposed sections either. I really enjoyed this first third of the race, still had plenty of energy and enough skill on the rocky descent to overtake a few people. I saw Victoria for the first time at the road crossing about 2/3 of the way to San B. She passed me a peak hat that I'd texted her to bring for me after setting off in the bus having decided my buff would not be enough protection from the sun, and a bag of fruit and granola that I'd left behind. I put this in my bag where it stayed untouched to the end of the race. Soon after, I got my walking poles out of the bag. I'd decided they would help protect my bad right big toe when jumping down the many rocky steps on this section, but having run well without them to this point I wasn't sure if they were more help or hindrance.

This section down to San Bartolome was quicker than I'd predicted and I was worried that V wouldn't have made it down through the traffic in time, but she was there and we had a big hug before I went in the first feeding station. I skipped on the ham and cheese and chose some chocolatey energy bar and topped up my bottle with a fairly dilute-tasting sweet and salty drink.

By this point I'd done 12k in 1 hour 53 which included the 22 minute(!) 2nd kilometre to the summit. (San Bartolome 412th place – gained 10 places)

I was now on the unfamiliar section which I knew included 300m climb over the next 4 or so km. Everyone was walking this and I was pleased to have my poles which I was getting more proficient in using. The section on top was a more runnable dirt track, and gave me a little chance to admire the very desolate and beautiful landscape to the west and south. Everywhere was lush and green by Canarian standards on account of recent rain and snow. My feet had already taken a battering on the last part of the first section, but they were ok on the flat. I knew I had a couple of blisters but was thankful they were on toes not heels (for the moment). We passed the half way mark somewhere up here, but then came the very steep and technical descent into Arteara. This was much longer than I'd expected, and very tough on my blisters. Many people I'd been keeping up with got away from me here. I even took off my shoe to let out a stone, which turned out to be a blister! I was using my poles just to stay upright and try to protect my feet on this dusty gravelly windy track down to the second feeding station at Arteara. It was very slow. I topped up the bottle again, had only a segment of orange and a few raisins to eat (not enough), and chatted to V for while. I enlisted some help to shorten my poles as I'd now be heading uphill again. It was very tough getting back up to the track. I had to stop a couple of times to rest even to break a very slow walk. I was by now resigned to walking much of the last 17k even though much of it was a gentle down hill over relatively easy terrain. I occupied myself calculating the minutes per km required to complete in 7 hours, and checking my pace on the garmin. I alternated a brisk Nordic style walk with the poles, and slow jog when I felt able. I was consoled and surprised that most around me were also walking this section and was surprised to learn afterwards that I had continued to pick up places. It was a long hard slog. We had a third and final feeding station 6 km from the end, where I again topped up on the same drink and had more orange and chocolate. I almost missed the electronic control on leaving here. I continued the walk/jog routine from here to the end. I was cheered to see the 5k-to-go sign, until I realised that that was about an eighth of my total distance and it suddenly seemed further. Approaching Maspalomas, and finally getting out of the uneven rock paved river bed, it was nice to be cheered and encouraged by passing tourists. I tried to thank them for their encouragement. Then onto the beach and along the wooden footpath and past the lighthouse where I immediately saw Victoria and Pilar and Francis and Yone cheering me across the line! Yay, I did it!

checking out first part of route of trans GC