World Masters Mountain Running

Sun September 23 2007
Listed by WillBill
Entrants (1) Club PB SB Pred Time WAVA
WillBill Well... this should be fun, despite being uphill only. Couple of hours before the race, I felt so, so tired and lethargic. Wathcing the older age categories set off before our race, I was slightly horrified at the pace some of them were going (the race started with a lap in the Bludenz before making for the steep slopes of Muttersberg). Felt rather better once we'd started warming up, Lou and I. Even so, took up a rather conservative position at the start, a few rows back from the front rank, and set off at a steady pace. Felt better almost immediately, but kept going steadily on the lap, before starting to overtake on the section along the cobbled street and then on the steady climb towards the cable car station. It being hot and out in the sun, I'd been fearing this stretch up the road but there was a nice breeze, albeit one blowing in your face. Despite gradually overhauling people all the way, I still felt I was running within myself, that is until the approach to the forest, where I put in a bit of an effort to gain a few more places before the steep, narrow track up through the trees. The first section of the climb was good - a mixture of rocky paths linked by short sections of road, and then a really, really nice run ablong a terrace to emerge by a small chapel. A short downhill followed: the Italian I'd been tracking dithered a bit at the top & so I plunged past, making the most of the few, easy, effortless strides before the hard work resumed. On up the road and then gravel tracks. I started to suffer a little here, no longer gaining so obviously on the people in front and the Ialian guy got back at me, and we had a bit of a battle over the next couple of kilometres. I started to feel better (!) after the 7km marker. Perhaps it was the spectacular views, Bludenz looking a long way below now, perhaps it was a slight lowering in termperature - and perhaps it was the knowledge that I had a bout a mile of hard work to go (the last 300m of the course being downhill/level). Anyway, finally pulled clear of the Italian and started to make up a little ground on the German ahead. Failed to make up any places however, as the last climb, from 8.5km, was a real killer and just seemed to go on and on. Encouraging shout from Robbie at the top, and then the angle eased. Found some speed for the last 200m of uphill and then it was over the top and a brilliant run in to the finish. Wow, that felt great! Wanted to do it (the last 300m) again. Fife AC 52:09 52:09 52:09 49.43

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