UTMB etc 2011

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BritNick

I've just posted my pictures of the week in Chamonix and my race as far as Arnuva, after which it got dark on the way up to Grand Col Ferret. Report is yet to come.

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Great pictures Nick.

And a number of those should help dispel any remaining suggestions that the kit requirements are over the top.

I was a bit disappointed to see a comment by one of the leading US runners on his blog saying:

I was carrying (by requirement) enough stuff with me to run through a hurricane. I can't imagine any conditions in which I would ever wear all the gear they make us carry in this race. I have never run a step in my life in waterproof pants, and I can't imagine a scenario in which I ever would.

Well I had my waterproof trousers on during the worst part of the Friday storm and we know from the video footage and some of your photos that plenty of others did too.

The people at the front may not need these items but plenty of the slower runners do need the gear when the weather turns nasty, as it did that night.

If injured it doesn’t matter how fast you can run uninjured. Mr Roes included.

Out of 2,300 runners on mountain tracks at night in that weather, I would say injuries that prevent reasonable forward motion are a guarantee for some unfortunate competitors. When moving slow, or not at all, you would have got cold on either of those nights.

However I would prefer it if we made the decisions on what to carry based on the weather forecasts. But I can see why they take that decision away from us, as there is a lot of people in their care.

The only things I didn’t wear were the waterproof over trousers and the legging tights. But if immobile I’m sure I would have put them on straight away.

One of the big talking points of the UTMB this year was the poor performance by America's finest. The top US runners have a penchant for sharing their thoughts. The posts on various blogs perhaps collectively bring home just how hard the long race was this year. Here are a few to read and digest:

http://akrunning.blogspot.com/2011/0...ent-wrong.html

http://web.mac.com/krissymoehl/Kriss...TMB_-_dnf.html

http://halkoerner.com/2011/09/04/utmb-takeaway/

http://irunmountains.blogspot.com/20...ce-report.html

http://thatdakotajones.blogspot.com/2011/08/europe.html

This year's UTMB was one of the rare events where I wore my long trousers for warmth and comfort as much as anything. Underneath were shorts and bare legs. The trousers combined with my amazing OMM jacket, zipped or unzipped, hood up or down for fine temperature control, kept me as snug as a bug in a rug all the way, including the never-ending trudge-cum-sit-down from Grand Col Ferret to retirement at La Fouly. I only needed a thin long-sleeved top as a base layer. I never needed the additional warm layers I had in my rucksack, but I would have done had I been REALLY incapacitated.

Regardless of what the rules say I would never embark on such a journey with anything less at my disposal. I like my comforts too much. Perhaps I'm influenced by a history of LDWA 100s. A sense of self preservation may come into it as well.

About the US runner never needing to wear waterproof trousers, isn't he lucky being able to always run in such benign conditions back home. Surely that can't apply to events like the Hardrock 100 or Leadville 100 can it? I wonder how UTMB compares with Hardrock? Anyone done both?

At the start I only had a thin x-tremities hat, a pair of 2XU knee length tights, short socks and a T-shirt with a highly recomended Haglofs ozo jacket as a shell. I only needed to add to this on Bonhomme where I put gloves on and added a doubled buff under my hat. I was right on the edge of comfort, but it was just enough without my full lenth base layers or Over trousers (I used my base layer top on the second night instead of a jacket). On these long runs it is always good to know you have that extra kit just in case of a "Hurricane". It is a fine line between comfort and having kit / clothes that are too heavy, especially when wet.

When I arrived at Col de la Forclaz I had been in very heavy rain for a couple of hours. It was blowing hard up there. Up til then it was shorts for me, plus a Raid Light cag from the Martigny aid station.

No point trying to struggle into Salomon 3/4 tights and long socks; Montane Atomic over trousers, easy to put on.

Though if you'd seen me hopping around the Col in that hoolie of a wind trying to get the things on, you would have thought otherwise! ;):w00t:

Seriously, I didn't think I could wait to descend to Trient to sort the issue, it had to be sorted then.

A great short video put together by Salomon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT4K5...ayer_embedded#

just to add my two-penneth to the kit list reqs...

I thought the organisers got it spot on.....I at various points in the event had ALL my kit on - just working on the theory that if i had it in my bag anyway i may as well wear it....save my back & feel as comfortable as possible. OK - it wasn't that cold.....but i certainly felt the chill when i stopped at outdoor cp's. It wasn't as though my high speed running was ever going to keep me warm ;-)

One of my overriding memory is feeling quite chilly on the Sat eve as the sun had dropped behind the mountains and i was just shy of Refuge Bonatti.The weather was good....the sun had been shining but had now gone behind the hills.....and there was quite a wind blowing. There's me togged up in 3 top layers & my Ronhill tights & gloved up also yet some still seemed to be in shorts & t-shirt mode........I suppose as people get more tired they feel the cold more....i certainly did.

I wouldn't have wanted to carry or wear any less than i did....so in that respect the mandatory kit list worked spot on for me.

Mark...

Well said Mark. I agree. I normally wear less than anyone else but I was surprised at the spray on shorts / capri tights / T-shirt brigade when I was wearing windproof longs and top for warmth and comfort.
You may or may not be pleased to hear that you got an honorary mention in my long-awaited report. :w00t: Well done for your well-deserved finish.

A couple of further reports that are worth a read:

http://www.alpine-works.com/2011/09/utmb-2011-2/

http://ultrastu.blogspot.com/2011/09...what-went.html

Joe Grant's photos are excellent too.