It’s not often you get to see and experience the full perspective of a race. Watching the preparation, looking behind the scenes, understanding strategies, decisions and equipment choices.

I have just been fortunate enough to spend the last 10 days at two races; the Transvulcania La Palma in the Canaries and the Zegama race in the Pyrenees.

What was notable about these two races was the runners. Both races had arguably some of the best runners from the trail, ultra and mountain running scene. Both races also offered great contrast. The Transvulcania race was run in hot temperatures over some 50 miles. The Zegama race was marathon distance and took place in cold, wet and even some snow at the top of the mountains.

So, why the post?

Well, Zegama revealed many weaknesses and ultimately bad decisions by runners that seriously affected the ability at which they could perform. Yes! Even at the top of the sport, poor choices can be made.

What should you consider when racing?
1. What terrain will I be running on
2. What will the conditions be like
3. What variables do I need to consider
4. What clothing options will I need and shoe choices
5. Will I need ‘mandatory’ kit to race
6. Race day temperatures and variables
7. Will I need to be self sufficient or will they have feed stations
8. What pace will I run and how long can I expect the event to take
9. Best case scenario
10. Worse case scenario

The above questions are all completely relevant when undertaking any event. Certainly, the longer the event takes or the higher the event goes then the above list has even more relevance.

Assuming that your training is done. You have prepared meticulously and arrived at the race in the best form possible, why ruin it by making decisions or should I say, making a lack of decisions that will ultimately result in a below par performance or even worse, a DNF.

Zegama

As a reference point I am going to use the Zegama race. We arrived in the Pyrenees on Thursday two days before the race. Weather conditions were chilly and wet. On Thursday we attended press conferences, looked at the course and went out for a short 10k run covering a small section of the race route. I was with Mike Wolfe, Nick Clark, Ian Sharman and Marcus Warner. So, as you will note… Mike Wolfe was 2nd at 2011 Western States and Nick Clark was 3rd. Need I say more… Two very experienced ultra runners at the top of the game. We discussed the terrain on the run, the footing, the fact that it would be possible to run quick and as Mike and Nick said, this part of the course was Douche Grade meaning that it was easy. I guess they were right. This part of the course was downhill single track trail and a mix of rock, mud and grass. Mentally the guys made a decision that this was a quick and easy section.

The next day I ran the same section of course but this time went to the summit some 12k away and approximately a 1000m high. This time I was with Serge who is an R&D guy with Salomon. I was also joined by Marcus. Notably the previous night we had had thunder, lightening and torrential rain. A low lying mist covered the course making visibility a little poor but not problematic. The terrain was considerably muddier and much more slippery than the previous day. As we covered the course we discussed sections, looked at possible problems, discussed the weather, discussed temperatures, discussed footwear and then at the summit noted how cold it was. As we did all this I took photographs of sections.

That evening I saw Serge sit with Salomon Team Manager, Greg Vollet and Kilian Jornet and he talked them through step by step what we had done. He mentioned temperatures and he discussed shoes and made recommendations. Imperative. This information was then related to each runner within the team and they than had a team meeting. The information was relayed back to all the runners, clothing for the race was discussed, strategies for feeding/ nutrition planned and they then went to sleep armed with the required knowledge for the race.

By contrast, I showed my images to the other runners and by this I primarily mean the Americans. I relayed that it was potentially chilly on the tops particular if it was constant rain. I also mentioned that it was technical in places with rocks, mud, loose leaves and potential other hazards.

That night it never stopped raining…. Harder and harder. The following morning was considerably colder and snow was forecast for the summits. I had gone to the 7k checkpoint some 2 hours in advance of the race and relayed back by phone that it was cold and wet. At the 7k point the trail was a mud bath and slippery.

As the race unfolded and as I looked on at the, it was apparent that it was going to be a tough day, the front runners slipped away on the terrain. Of course good technique reduced some issues and good shoe choice also made a big difference. But it was apparent that a lack of technique and more importantly the wrong shoes could mean the difference between performing and surviving.

At the summits light snow was falling and then at the final summit a 13k decent lay ahead. Waiting near the last section of trail with just 2 km to the finish I watched runners appear. Firstly Kilian bouncing along like a mountain goat, then Hernando, Tom Owen and the first American, Mike Wolfe. It was a surprise to see Mike as pre expectations had touted Max King as a potential winner. Then Max King arrived not looking happy at all. One by one the Americans arrived and ran past me. As Joe Grant passed I asked how he felt. ‘Not good’ the reply.

Post race talk was about the terrain, the difficulty and more importantly the ability to run or survive the final descent. Although wet and although snow was falling at the summit, few runners said they had got really cold. Certainly the compulsory jacket had helped here! What was apparent though was the inability for many to stay upright.

Nick Clark said I had no grip
Joe Grant said ‘not sure road flats was a good idea…’
Mike Wolfe said ‘I had the wrong shoes’
Max King said ‘I was completely un prepared’
Lauren Jeska said ‘I am just not good on downhills, I couldn’t keep upright’ (importantly, Lauren was leading the women’s race and lost a podium place on the 13k decent, Emelie Forsberg was over 13 min behind Lauren at the top of the last climb but went past her and took 3rd place)
Ian Sharman wrote in his blog ‘It was fun to see what the Skyrunning guys do and to see really European-style races with huge amounts of vert and more technical running than back in the US. In fact, the mud, rain and snow of Zegama made me feel like I was on a fell run in northern England…just wish I’d had some fell shoes with me.’

I have to ask the question what preparation pre race was undertaken to make sure that nothing was left to chance?

It is appropriate here to make one or two defences.

A) The American contingent may very well have struggled with luggage/ baggage allowance that restricted the option to bring multiple shoes (I usually think running first and then bring what will fit after that)
B) Sponsored athletes may very well have not had a shoe available from the sponsors range for the conditions (not much you can do about this BUT Mike Wolfe can use any shoe he wishes as can Joe Grant)
C) Extreme weather that created out of the ordinary conditions (always expect the worst)

So although I provide some defence, between the lines I am sure you can read that ultimately they have no defence… School boy errors that could so easily be rectified. I liken the lack of prep to a new or novice runner.

Prep
Prep
Prep

These guys and girls can run, no doubt but it’s no good being one of the best if you throw it all away by doing a Paul Simon by that i mean, slip sliding away!