To Be An Ultramarathoner

Ross Hendry / 25.08.2012

Day One In Vielle Aure

There is a gamut of emotions running through my mind. I am at once excited, scared, jubilant and apprehensive. I have done all the preparation that I set out to do and I am still trying to find that one thing I seek: complete confidence.

I am in Vielle Aure to run the fifth edition of the Grand Raid de Pyrenees, an ultramarathon event of varying lengths with races of 80km, 160km and, for the truly hardy, 240km. I will be taking part in the 80km edition which, thankfully, is still called "grand" rather than "petite".

I entered the race way back in January and, unlike other events I've taken part in, I've been training hard and smart for this one. A training calendar was devised and stuck to (for the most part). I set goals for myself and ticked them off as I passed them, or took a step back and retried when they were too great for me. My ultimate training goal was a 50km run and I achieved that well within my alloted timeframe. However, I still have the fear. What about the extra height? What about the sun?

At the opposite end of the experience spectrum is last year's winner, Dawa Sherpa, who we spoke to before Friday evening's briefing. Having been running ultra marathons for fifteen years he is now taking it easier and running the races that he wants to. It is a great feather in the cap for the organisers of this event that he has chosen to return to Vielle Aure as he enjoyed the terrain so much. It is certainly a different prospect to the thirteen and fifteen day ultra events that he organises in Nepal. While I have no doubt that I will not see Dawa's heels for dust, it is heartening and reassuring when he gives me a firm handshake and wishes me luck for my own race.

This was one of the things that has helped to dispel my fear as well as seeing first hand that the race is well supported along every step of the way. The 160km race set off this morning at 7am (after a two hour delay for bad weather) so on a trip to the Col de Sencours today in order that my running mate could take some pictures, I saw just how well organised that support is going to be.

The feed station we visited was more than just a few slices of fruit; it was a well stocked buffet! Fruit, cheese, biscuits, meats, and enough water to float a small boat. Helpful marshals were on-hand to guide runners into the check point, and while I may not understand most of what they say, the universal language of waving and pointing will see me through.

The bag is now packed, unpacked, repacked, sworn at and finally packed again. There are just a few hours until the 5am mass start and I must at least try to get some sleep. Tomorrow I become an ultramarathoner.

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