UTMB Nice Training: Decline in training volume

Having reached the peak of my training, I’m going back to two sessions at the weekend, with more reasonable durations. Even so, things aren’t going to go quite as planned.

Day 1: the usual round trip to Mont-Dore

3 hours 50 minutes – 1,400 m elevation gain

Set off with a friend. The weather is fine and a little warmer than it has been in recent months. The days are getting longer, and the sun is starting to feel warmer, but not too hot.

We set off at a brisker pace than when I run on my own, but it’s still manageable. I’m starting to get into the habit of checking my heart rate to manage my effort better. The aim is to establish a reference point between my rising heart rate and how I feel.

We reach the summit in 55 minutes – five to ten minutes longer than the last time we ran together. For me, this is a sign that I’m handling the climb better, which should allow me to tackle the rest of the route with greater confidence.

Just enough time to snap a quick photo, and we’re off again down the cliff-top path. We head down quite quickly, whilst remaining very vigilant, as this section is technical.

We bump into Chouchou, a well-known local runner, particularly because he organises numerous trail runs in New Caledonia. After exchanging a few words, we continue our descent.

Once we reach the car park, we take the time to eat a muesli bar and rehydrate before setting off again. This time, I make sure not to get carried away. Despite this, in the final third of the climb, I start to fall behind. The pace is fast for me; it’s tough, but I don’t give up.

One last push and we reach the summit for the second time. Out of breath like never before! 🙂

Just enough time to catch my breath, then we head back down at a leisurely pace. My right foot is playing up: one toe is sore and I don’t want it to get any worse. And, incidentally, I’m also feeling the effects of that energetic climb!

Day 2: the equally traditional Mont-Dore loop

3 hours 50 minutes – 860 m elevation gain

Just like the day before, the conditions are ideal. I get ready and set off on the loop.

I start with the Pic aux Chèvres. I’m not feeling too much of the strain from yesterday’s outing; everything’s fine. I simply take the time to admire the scenery, without wasting too much time.

I make my way along the route without difficulty and pass the wind turbines. I then head onto a more technical and slippery section, on the red earth. I think I’m starting to get used to it, even if I’m not really going any faster.

The further down I go, the more technical and rocky the terrain becomes. I get through the trickiest bit and reach a stretch of ground covered in a thick layer of pebbles when, suddenly, I feel my feet slip forward. I fall and, as I break my fall, I hurt my left wrist.

At first glance, it doesn’t look serious. So I carry on running.

Once I reach the bottom, I want to take an energy gel from my rucksack. That’s when I realise my wrist is worse off than I thought: I can’t hold anything, not even open my rucksack with my left hand.

I start to worry about the Nice Ultra. If I can’t use my left hand at all, that means I won’t be able to use my poles and it’ll be difficult to help myself on the climbs, or even to steady myself if I lose my balance.

Once I reached the road, I followed the coast for a while before deciding to turn off and head back to the car rather than continue up Mont-Dore. I didn’t want to risk making the injury worse.

In the end, today’s run will be shorter than planned. I’m now going to do my best to look after this wrist.

Eventually, after two or three stressful days, the pain subsides, which reassures me. Although my wrist is still sensitive whenever I have to open a door or carry something, it’s getting better. I’ve got 15 days left to sort it out.