 |
| Team Canada - Sebastien, Beverley, Stacie, Suzanne, Stacey, me and Coach Ryne |
 |
| Conwy Castle - history from Llandudno, our gorgeous home for 4 days |
 |
| Gwyneth, 3 months - Our team good luck charm in the aid station IAU tent |
 |
| Course terrain / elevation - 50% single track (above), 50% fire roads and open trail (below) |
 |
| In love with everything on the Promenade of Llandudno |
 |
| Pont Fawr - Llanwrst bridge built in 1600 AD, our starting gate |
 |
| My lovely family - The Tranterminators after enjoying Caffe Nero (background) |
 |
| Opening Ceremony - Nations gather in groups (RSA in yellow/green) |
 |
| Starting gates - A very narrow starting gate/bridge, the excitement builds |
 |
| Top American David Riddle and South African Charl Souma (we bonded on lap 4) |
 |
| World Champ, Ricky Lightfoot - aptly named as he destroyed the Gwydir Forest course |
 |
| Men's podium - R. Lightfoot, flanked by Florian Neushwander, GER (2nd) and Julien Rancor, FRA (3rd) |
 |
| Holding form - at about the 70k mark, on top of Mt Snowdon holding 4:30/km |
 |
| Women's Champ - Natalie Mauclair of France - ran away from me! |
 |
| Flag Procession to Start - Led by Country alphabetical order (AUS, AUT, BEL, CAN etc), I am in white |
 |
| Team Canada - Llandudno Pier |
 |
| My Lovely Crew - Hilary and Gwyneth! |
 |
| Team Crew - Dave and Ryne |
 |
| Love to Hurt - finishing the 3rd lap (46k), turning right and Hurting for my wife & Gwyneth! |
 |
| Dave James - USA 2x 100 mile champ, highly respected, but had a rough day |
 |
| Final splash to final dash - at 69k the last aid station, I push for home |
 |
| Last steps - sprinting, shouting "Canada!" and celebrating this opportunity! |
2013 IAU World Trail Championships, Llanwrst, Wales
"What you do in battle counts, when the pain sets in." ~ John Short
First of all, it was an honour just to make the team. After an extended process of ranking 603 Canadians at the 50 mile trail distance, I was 5th and then after our fastest 2 men were injured (Adam Campbell / Jason Loutitt), I was part of the fully funded A team, top 3 men. Sebastien Roulier ranked 3rd (and fastest 100-miler) in Canada ended up the fastest Canadian (30th, 6:45:51) and myself 2nd Canadian, 16 minutes back (35th, 7:02:22). I got quite fit in 12 weeks running to/from work and pushing long runs, steep hill running and mountain biking. You can imagine how supportive Hilary was!
Prelude
The IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) with the IAAF (World Track Governing body) and LOC (local organizing committee, Conwy, Wales) hosted a very professional world class, competitive race in 5 spectator friendly 15k laps. After a flag procession with bag pipers to the start, an opening ceremony, closing ceremony in a luxurious Welsh conference venue, awards (teams and individuals), and post race dinner and party, with our daughter Gwyneth (Welsh name and nominated as the race good luck charm), my wife Hilary and I realized this was one of the best decisions we ever made!
I felt fortunate to be participating with the World's Best runners. Despite full funding, the world's best marathoners (Kenya / Ethiopia) have never finished in the top 10 in the IAU trail championships or IAU World 100k (Commonwealth or Worlds). It seems the IAU 50k World Trophy is where the transition between speed-endurance and strength-endurance happens as an even split of all cultures appears in the top 10.
A different type of athlete strives under the accumulated stress of 6 hours of mountain running, rather than 2 hours of flat road. Somewhat resembling the build and fiber type of an Ironman athlete - muscled in all the needed areas, trail ultramarathoners are hardened by the ruthless and relentless terrain. "Cycling hip strength" is critical for climbing and type I, fatigue-resistant fibers are preferred over the top marathoner type II b fibers (fast-twitch oxidative).
An IAU trail ultra is certified with a labelling system (created with the IAAF) to build the toughest courses on the planet. The result requires the athlete to push the body upward and downward constantly, just to move onward. Alberto Salazar said the Comrades ultramarathon was a far greater challenge than his WR at NYC or the Boston Marathon Duel in the Sun. According to the IAU labelling system, The Comrades is less challenging than all 4 of the IAU World Championships (2007, 2009, 2011 & 2013).
The IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) with the IAAF (World Track Governing body) and LOC (local organizing committee, Conwy, Wales) hosted a very professional world class, competitive race in 5 spectator friendly 15k laps. After a flag procession with bag pipers to the start, an opening ceremony, closing ceremony in a luxurious Welsh conference venue, awards (teams and individuals), and post race dinner and party, with our daughter Gwyneth (Welsh name and nominated as the race good luck charm), my wife Hilary and I realized this was one of the best decisions we ever made!
I felt fortunate to be participating with the World's Best runners. Despite full funding, the world's best marathoners (Kenya / Ethiopia) have never finished in the top 10 in the IAU trail championships or IAU World 100k (Commonwealth or Worlds). It seems the IAU 50k World Trophy is where the transition between speed-endurance and strength-endurance happens as an even split of all cultures appears in the top 10.
A different type of athlete strives under the accumulated stress of 6 hours of mountain running, rather than 2 hours of flat road. Somewhat resembling the build and fiber type of an Ironman athlete - muscled in all the needed areas, trail ultramarathoners are hardened by the ruthless and relentless terrain. "Cycling hip strength" is critical for climbing and type I, fatigue-resistant fibers are preferred over the top marathoner type II b fibers (fast-twitch oxidative).
An IAU trail ultra is certified with a labelling system (created with the IAAF) to build the toughest courses on the planet. The result requires the athlete to push the body upward and downward constantly, just to move onward. Alberto Salazar said the Comrades ultramarathon was a far greater challenge than his WR at NYC or the Boston Marathon Duel in the Sun. According to the IAU labelling system, The Comrades is less challenging than all 4 of the IAU World Championships (2007, 2009, 2011 & 2013).
This was a "championship race", which meant pacing off the best in the world. My Garmin broke off my wrist just past the marathon mark anyway! Tripping on a root and thrown amongst the rocks and roots near the river's edge, bloodied and a possibly fractured elbow, the tough love mantra began: "What you do in battle counts when the pain sets in".
Here is a description from 19th place, and 3rd American, Ben Nephew:
Here is a description from 19th place, and 3rd American, Ben Nephew:
I’ll start by attempting to give you an idea of how competitive the fourth IAU Trail World Championships was. There are many ultrarunners who don’t know much about this race, and even some running journalists who think that the WMRA (World Mountain Running Assoc.) is involved in ultra trail races. The JFK 50 Mile (named after the esteemed creator of our sport) has 1200 feet of climbing, includes only about 10 miles of trail, is often run in ideal weather, and has a course record of 5:35 that is universally acknowledged as an outstanding performance by Max King (USA champ from IAAF steeplechase to 100k).
The IAU course in Wales had 8,000 feet of climbing, 25 miles of singletrack, and was run on a hot day. The men’s winner, Ricky Lightfoot, ran 5:36, and the top four were all under six hours. While the course was advertised as 48 miles, it was actually right around 50. Patrick Bringer, who was fifth behind Sage Canaday and Tim Olson at Transvulcania this year and was third at the halfway point in Wales, didn’t even end up in the top three on his French team. Julien Rancon, who was third in Wales, ran a 1:05 half marathon earlier this year and has won WMRA grand prix races in the past. The gentleman in front of him, Florian Neuschwander, is a 2:15 marathoner. At the end of the day, the differences between some of the medals came down to three or four minutes per runner.
The Journey
The race was 80k in length, with 2.44k (8000') climbing, and 40k of this course was technical single track, riddled with rocks, roots, and some areas so dark and mossy, and steep from the thick foliage, at times you are pulling on the ground to move forward. The ascents were up to 22% and during these spots, power hiking would be adopted by most except Ricky Lightfoot (GBR, champion) and company.
"Do the things you think you can not do". ~Thoreau
The race was 80k in length, with 2.44k (8000') climbing, and 40k of this course was technical single track, riddled with rocks, roots, and some areas so dark and mossy, and steep from the thick foliage, at times you are pulling on the ground to move forward. The ascents were up to 22% and during these spots, power hiking would be adopted by most except Ricky Lightfoot (GBR, champion) and company.
Simply being in Wales was a gift realized with proper planning. Working OT (10-12h days) and caring for a 3-month old baby (some sleepless nights), required patience and most of it came from my wife, Hilary! She granted me the freedom to pursue the World Team after first articulating the lofty goal exactly 365 days prior after finishing my first trail ultra, the Creemore 50k.
I went out with the Canadian women to be conservative, then stayed with a Greek "Leonitis" until lap 3, then a South African "Charl Souma" for lap 4 and finally Dave James "2 x 100 mile trail USA champ" in the final lap. I stayed within myself and accepted the pain, embraced it and negotiated with it.
Each lap was a blessing to see my wife and daughter (photos above) and receive aid from Team Canada Manager, Ryne Melcher (who had raced this course at the 2011 Commonwealth Champs) and Suzanne's fiancee. Suzanne was joined by Beverley Anderson-Abbs, Stacey Cleveland and Stacie Carrigan on the women's team (all in former AC singlets, top photo). We rallied each other before "battle" and pushed each other on the course.
I was happy with the result in this gorgeous but torturous venue in the foothills of Mount Snowdon. I was humbled by the great Ricky Lightfoot (GBR), Florian Neushwander(GER), Julien Rancon (FRA), Iain Ridgeway (GBR), Thierry Brueil (FRA), and Fabian Antolinos (FRA) all finishing an hour ahead of me. 2012 JFK 50-mile champion, David Riddle was 7th (58 minutes up) and I deeply respect his pacing, professionalism and finishing as the best North American. The 2011 IAU Trail World Champ was Erik Clavery (FRA), finished in 6:20:46 - a testament to the tremendous competition and growth of our sport. My team-mate Sebastien Roulier (Sherbrooke, QUE) finished in 30th, just 5 positions and 16 minutes up.
At the end of the day, this was a tremendous family experience. Nothing can take away this 13-year goal achieved - representing Canada on the World's Highest stage, and being acknowledged by the ACU Coach as the 2nd best Canadian Trail Ultramarathoner. It was a process of attrition, that can only be realized with intrinsic motivation, self-talk, goal-setting and most importantly spousal support. Giving the car away was the best trade in the world!
Lastly, I would like to thank Director Gerry Slattery at Medix College enabling the time off and the "encouragement" to take on this once in a lifetime challenge. A true champion coach, he role models accountability in staff development just as he developed champion rugby teams. Also, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my sister-in-law, Alison Innes in partnership with Kelly Newton at Montrail / Mountain Hardwear Canada (Columbia sportswear) for supplying me with a half dozen of the best trail shoes.
Note: Rob will be racing the Haliburton Forest 50 mile on September 7th, to finish the season.
Media:
1) Metro News - online
At the end of the day, this was a tremendous family experience. Nothing can take away this 13-year goal achieved - representing Canada on the World's Highest stage, and being acknowledged by the ACU Coach as the 2nd best Canadian Trail Ultramarathoner. It was a process of attrition, that can only be realized with intrinsic motivation, self-talk, goal-setting and most importantly spousal support. Giving the car away was the best trade in the world!
Lastly, I would like to thank Director Gerry Slattery at Medix College enabling the time off and the "encouragement" to take on this once in a lifetime challenge. A true champion coach, he role models accountability in staff development just as he developed champion rugby teams. Also, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my sister-in-law, Alison Innes in partnership with Kelly Newton at Montrail / Mountain Hardwear Canada (Columbia sportswear) for supplying me with a half dozen of the best trail shoes.
Note: Rob will be racing the Haliburton Forest 50 mile on September 7th, to finish the season.
Media:
1) Metro News - online
http://metronews.ca/news/london/724572/londoner-to-take-on-running-challenge-of-a-lifetime/
2) Official video - Check out the speed of the top men!!!
2) Official video - Check out the speed of the top men!!!
3) 2011 IAU Trail World Championships, Connemara, IRE video -
4) 2009 IAU World Challenge - Sierre Zinal, FRA
4) 2009 IAU World Challenge - Sierre Zinal, FRA
No comments:
Post a Comment