TAR Stage 5 - shortened route, and more…

Stage 5, Klosters to Zernez, was shortened by the organisers due to bad weather. Temperatures at high points would have reached -8 with wind chill and as this is not classed as a winter race they took the decision to stay low and give us something rather than nothing.

We therefore took a train to Lavin and a 1.5km hike to what would have been the 2nd check point and timing mat and started from there. No mass start, just get there somewhere between 9am and 11am.

I wasn’t feeling great this morning (despite a bit of time the day before to recuperate) but then I haven’t really been feeling great any morning. Our run today was only 15km with less than 700m elevation. On any other day it’s a pretty safe training run.

I could find no rhythm and struggled with breathing. Alarmingly even on easy firetrack descents, gasping for air and feeling like I was 150km (thanks Anne) into an ultra rather than 5km.

We hit a short road section and I could barely shuffle along on the flat, gasping again.

It was a lovely wee route and thankfully I did find some kind of groove to really enjoy the switchback descent towards the finish, flying past people with a big smile on my face.

Crossing the finish line we found out we were off the podium for the day, we knew this was going to happen, and Anya led me straight to the medical tent where, once the medic figured out which way round the stethoscope went, I was declared fit and well.

After a change of clothes and quick bite to eat we headed by train to our accommodation in Scuol. What a flippin magic place we’re staying in here!

Anyway, I went straight to bed (about 1:30pm) and Anya took a walk to town to find a wee supermarket. I slept, Anya came back and we had a chat.

So, starting a stage event like this, any event that requires physical and mental exertion, endurance, focus, resilience etc requires, of course a level of preparation suitable to meet the challenge. I had that. Unfortunately I also had a pretty substantial head cold that affected my sleep considerably in the days leading up to the start. It clearly impacted my ability to put in the level of exertion that I wanted to and subsequently depleted my reserves compounding my recovery for each stage.

My cold didn’t get better, it got worse and dug deep. Shrugging it off didn’t help. Ignoring the impact on me didn’t help.

Actually I couldn’t figure out why I was struggling so hard at times. Yes, I know it’s difficult and challenging. The distances can be far, the terrain can be technical and the elevation high but allowing for all that, knowing my body and my abilities I knew I should have been managing better. So it’s got to a point where I can’t ignore it anymore and need to allow my body to rest. I’ve kinda run myself into the ground.

In the place we are staying I’m out of breath going up 2 flights of stairs! That’s a bit alarming. Reflecting back on the previous days I can honestly say there has not been one day where I felt good at the start, nor one where I felt good at the end. I’ve had moments when I’ve felt good on the trail but mostly I’ve been trying to convince myself and others.

The allure of the podium after day 1 was influential and the fun ding-dong with the other people in our category was exciting and so enjoyable. We have made some wonderful friends, 2 of whom live in the area of Klosters and run these trails regularly. It’s satisfying to know that we can shake it up a bit with locals having done most of our training on 300-500m hills in Scotland.

Other positives are the things I was worried about before haven’t bothered me at all: SI joint and lower back pain, knees and ingrown toenail! No bother! Also, legs are feeling great! Take the wins an’ all that.

So, Anya’s back out today, as are Anne and Pauline. I’m chillin by the pool and will head into town for the razzmatazz later and see them come in.

Today is stage 6.

34km and 2296m elevation.

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