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Re: UTMB etc 2011
well done to alan and morgan and everyone else who finished and bad luck to the others. I know how shin splints feel, Nick, having had to deal with them on the UTMB on my first attempt. Fortunately I had poles and used them to great effect to get myself round, but it was very painful and I couldn't run again for 3 months. I levered myself round from champex. I remember someone urging me to run at the end and I felt like crying as this was a distant possibility with shin splints. I used my poles to get around over the next month. hope you recover a bit quicker.
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Sorry to hear your tale of woe Nick.
Rest up and get well soon.
As you say, third time should see it done. :D
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Hi nick - Best wishes for a speedy recovery for you.
I could tell you were in great discomfort to say the very least when i caught up with you at the bottom(ish) of the Col du Ferret
All the best...
Mark....
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Just to echo everyone's thoughts.. I did the CCC and was overwhelmed by the organisation, the course and the supporters. I can't recommend this event enough to all. J
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Nick, that sounds so tough. I feel for you. It is obviously much harder than UTLD.
It was great watching all the brits on the tracker. You and Mark were doing great and gaining places at every checkpoint.
I've read all the blogs and accounts and everyone seemed to struggle with fatigue right from the start even the yanks like Roes and Jurek.
Kilian obviously didn't.
Did anyone else see the eurosport coverage apparently Jornet would run ahead of Karrera and Heras on the climbs and then wait for them on the tops. he could have gone well under 20 hours
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Bad luck Nick, knowing you, you'll have given it your all, and you'll be back, wishing you a speedy recovery.
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Thanks all for your kind comments. I don't know where shin splints ocur but my problem is lower shin just above the foot, where the tendons would presumably be. I'll be back given time. Fingers crossed for the High Peak 40 in 2 weeks' time. I can't let the Grand Slam slip through my fingers now.
It is certainly tough out in those mountains for all the events - UTMB, TDS, CCC and (cringe) PTL. Compared to the L100 I'd say the UTMB terrain is better but the ascents and descents make it much tougher overall. Mark, you summed it up perfectly when you referred to it as relentless. I know you are no slouch at the Ultras but I was flabbergasted that you were still out there and getting your full money's worth when you called me on the homeward leg after Vallorcine.
Well said T_u_b and others, the organisers and their quick responsiveness to changing conditions are truly impressive. To delay the start by 5 hours was a master stroke. The effort that went into the course marking, and to change the routes after the race was already underway, was also impressive, as were the checkpoint facilities. It is a mammoth undertaking. The enthusiastic supporters lining the route and cheering, even through the night in the rain, was unbelievable. I have never experienced such widespread enthusiasm and celebration of athletic endeavour in any other country. I can't wait to return to do something more deserving of their applause, "Bon courage" and "Allee Allee". I felt such a fraud as I limped my way through the cheering throng to retirement at La Fouly.
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
Hi Nick
what a bummer. It was good to have a chat with you on the first wet and rather chilly night. You and others are right. The terrain is pretty much ok its just the sheer scale of the ups and the downs.
I got some bad blisters and needed my left foot to be dressed at the Refuge De Bonnatti. The second night for me was the toughest. i was out on my own from La Fouly to Champex Lac and it was so hard mentally just following the reflective strips and flags. It was only by linking up with a guy called George at Champex Lac that i kept on going.
Tom
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
nick - sounds like shin splints to me. thats exactly where I hurt. take it easy. 2 weeks sounds like too short a rest period to me. I got shin splints whilst doing the lakes 2500 feet tops and continued to run after a break. this was a mistake. it got me back on the UTMB and then it really did hurt and take a long time to recover. :thunbdown:
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Re: UTMB etc 2011
