UTMB Prep July

I just re-read Mike Mason's post on The Path Less Traveled regarding his UTMB Adventure of 2008 and am getting a bit nervous about my planning for the race and particularly the focus and extent of my training and readiness for the 2011 UTMB.

There is so much to accomplish and prepare for and so little time. Did I make a mistake in running the TU 100 Miler? Mike's experience says yes. Have I done enough long runs to build the appropriate base? I am not convinced that I've done enough hill and mountain work to get ready for the elevation change that is found in the UTMB.

At this juncture I have what I have and can only continue to build upon that. I've put together a five week plan that peaks the first week in August with a planned 156KMs for that week. I plan to include a number of two-a-days and night events. I will taper starting the week of 15 August and include carbo-loading all that week.

Logistically, I'm looking at the following to get me to Chamonix and the race. I plan to leave home early on the morning of 24 August to drive to Chamonix. Although perhaps not the best course of action, I will be camping at the same camp grounds we stayed in last year. I'm a bit apprehensive about camping based on my past post-race physical condition. We're going to see how that goes and if I can drive back home on Monday 29 August. Getting to Chamonix on Wednesday will allow me time to ensure I have a camping spot, integrate into the environment and check-in for the race. In the next couple of days I'll be posting my logistics package and plan for the camp and race itself. A couple of concerns include my race plan and logistics support plan.

Until then I'm drawing motivation from Bernie Conradt's 2009 UTMB experience. "Feel it, Fight it, Finish it!"