By Ryan Sandes
Images copywrite Plan B / Lars Schneider
Wow – what a race and awesome experience!!
The Zugspitz Ultra was my second one stage 100km race and the most elevation gain / climbing I have done in a single day…those mountains are HIGH!! Hence I started quite slowly and probably a bit conservatively but my goal was to finish the race feeling strongish with my big goal, the Leadville 100miler just 8 weeks away.
In a nutshell I felt comfortable for most of the race and in the second half of the race I made up time on the 3 guys in front of me. I finished 3 minutes behind the 3rd guy and caught up to him on a few of the last climbs. So I am relatively satisfied with my race – it’s not a 1st but I have a bit to learn when it comes to mountain running in European conditions. There were a few times when running up a 1200m climb that I thought to myself bring back the heat, sand and flat of the deserts.
Well done to Miguel and Julia for their wins – awesome athletes!!
With my big goal race, the Leadville 100 miler, only 8 weeks away I am feeling quite confident. It’s important that I get a few big weeks of training in at altitude and then I should be ready to run. The Leadville is a bit flatter and less technical than the European Ultra’s, which should suite me.
OK enough with the race stuff …
Next stop is Kilian’s Classik next week in the Pyrenees… then I head to the States to crew for the Hard Rock 100miler and prep for the Leadville 100.
Thanks again to everyone for your messages of support, my sponsors, family & Vanessa, Kelly and my coach and medical support team (not sure if that is the right terminology but you guys know who you are).
For more of Ryan’s blogs, visit www.ryansandes.com/blog
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