Tl;Dr

October 2024 i completed my 1st trail marathon – 42k and 1900m EG.

Lot of fun, both during race and training sessions. A little pain and some moment of doubts.

Went very conservative, keeping eye to stay mostly on Z3. So i ended in pretty fine shape. Spent the following day building a stone stair with stepfather.

Goals

✅ Have fun
✅ finish race
❗ < 6h
✅ without being completely wasted

1stMarathon

Thanks

To “Courir à Lyon” for their free weekly strength training workshop and urban trail running. My knees thanks you.

To #runnersofmastodon for your likes, advises and inspiring adventures.

Training

I planned 3 runs per week. Goal is to complete race distance and EG during the week. Taking care not to get hurt.

1 strength workout session per week.

3 or 4 longer test runs (max 32k) with EG >= 1000m to test legs, gears food and liquid intake.

I should have done more EG, more longer run at low HR to build endurance, and more hill repeats.

Going up a big hill once (most of my training) is not the same as going up/down 200/300m EG during 6h

Gear

tight short, long sleeved running t-shirt, buff, a pair of poles, a pair of running shoes, an hydration vest full of food, mandatory gear: rain jacket, emergency blanket, whistle, cup.

Food and drink

home made hydration liquid : 1l earl grey tea + lemon + salt + honey + spiruline in 2x500ml flasks.

i refilled them with plain water at each CP. i took hydration pills along to replenish but did not use them. My liquid was quite concentrated and i did not ressent the dilution.

i took a lot of food (compotes, haribos and @JiminyPanoz@piaille.fr’s powerball) i only ate the later, about 1 every hour.

At CP i mostly eat dry fruits, banana, pasta soup at CP3 and drank sparkling water and coke.

CP were both dreaded (because of closing cut-out time) and appreciated. It gives you a short term goal, you are welcomed, cheered, fed. i probably spend too much time there (around 20 /25″)

Organization

lots of volunteers, very enthusiastic. Navigation marks was sufficient. There were some uncertainty around cut-out time, they were not the same in race rules, and on the bib …

As a french, i still need to rant though: race rules mandated to have your own cup because there wont be any at CP and talks about waste management.

Well there were disposable cups at CP, the meal provided upon finish was served on disposable trays with 500ml plastic bottle. that sucks.Oh and if you are vege, then that meal will be rice and ratatouille.

How it went

I wake up at 6, finish yesterday’s pasta. 1/2hour drive to Cublize, get bib number, go to bathroom and start race at 9am. i let the pack in front of me. we are around 400 people. Only 50 women.

1st 10k is just going up 400m EG. I speed walk most of the climb, and run on flat and downhill. I joked about it but it turned out quite true : i was waiting for the next climbs to rest. I keep close eye to keep HR in Z3

1st checkpoint at 15K i arrive 10 minute before cut out time.

Until checkpoint #2 at 24k morale get low, legs begins to get sore, finishing starts to not be that easy after all. the steep climb around K20 is exhausting.

It get better en route to CP#3 i am not faster but i keep rolling. i overtake some people in the climbs.At CP#3 we are welcome by a fanfare. These CP marks the longest distance i have ever run so far.

I let myself a little loose afterward during the big latest climb to “Grand Mont” and then down to finish line. My legs are still functioning pretty well in the last technical muddy rooty downhill.

How it ended

i finish in pretty good shape. One would say i did not push enough !

Very happy with my energy consumption / intake which was one of my main concern. i only ate 2 of those haribo croco.

i’ve been able to walk normally to the car, get back home, and after 12h of sleep able to resume normal activity. No sunday running though, as family was here.

Now i need to find my next race. In “real” mountains. Maybe a little longer ?