UTMB Nice Training: Fatigue

Whilst I’m feeling increasingly sharp, I’m also starting to feel the fatigue. Since June, this has been noticeable on both the DMBA trail and the Cagous trail. But I’m struggling to regain my form, even though I’ve cancelled a few basic endurance training sessions.

During yesterday’s long run – with a target of 4 hours and 1,000 metres of elevation gain – I had no trouble completing the first ascent and descent of Mont Dore in 2 hours 5 minutes, covering around 12 km and 650 metres of elevation gain. But when I set off on the second lap, I immediately sensed that it wasn’t going to be as easy as it had been a fortnight ago. The problem wasn’t my legs but general fatigue; I simply didn’t have enough energy left. Perhaps a taste of what I’ll be feeling in September 🙂 . I’m treating this as training in managing fatigue.

Yet that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment at all. As always, I come across walkers and runners, and in this setting everyone greets one another. Added to that is the landscape, which I’m starting to know well without ever getting tired of it.

And anyway, the training objective has been achieved.

Now, how do I recover whilst continuing to follow the training plan ?

I’m going to make the most of this week, with a slightly lower training volume, before the long session, to rest as much as possible.

The aim is to be in the best possible shape in preparation for my long session, which this time will take place over two days:
– Day 1: 1 hour 45 minutes for 450 metres of elevation gain
– Day 2: 5 hours for 1,200 metres of elevation gain

The long runs are starting to get more and more demanding, so I mustn’t start them feeling too tired from the outset.