Brocken Challenge 2011 - What a Blast!

2011 and my third Brocken-Challenge (BC), and like the previous two, 2011's BC was a blast!

The Brocken-Challenge is a winter charity ultramarathon of approximately 81 – 85KM with a positive change of 2200 meters in altitude that takes place between the city of Göttingen and the Brocken Summit in the Harz Mountains. Proceeds from the B-C benefit primarily the Hospiz an der Lutter (http://www.hospiz-goettingen.de/ and several other charitable charities.

After the adventure of BC 2010 I was uncertain if I was going to take part in 2011. My doubt hinged largely on the roller coaster of changes that were published by the organizers of the BC over the course of 2010. Beyond a couple of tweaks in the rules and requirements the largest of which was the new requirement to walk 10KM off of the Brocken summit which didn’t bother me, the question of the registration cost was the central issue. In September 2010 the organization team Ausdauersport für Menschlichkeit e.V., (ASFM) published that the registration cost for 2011 would be 200 Euro! I read this news with much dismay. Although the registration costs completely benefit charity, 200 Euro was simply beyond my 2011 race budget. Given this expense I decided not to participate in 2011. Many concerns and comments were shared by many other BC runners and fans on the BC web site and via e-mail. Fortunately in November 2011 the ASFM decided to lower the registration price to 85 Euro (~1 Euro per Kilometer). Based on this change I decided to sign up.

Registration for the BC 2011 opened on 1 December. The field of 150 was full after fifteen days. This is important to note, particularly if you’re interested in taking the Challenge as the ASFM limit the starter field to 125 - 150 runners. Limiting the number of runners is critical based simply on the logistics of the race. I prefer this small field as it results in a much more personal and friendly race.

This year I traveled to Göttingen on Friday, 11 FEB to participate in the pre-race orientation, see some running friends and get organized for the Challenge. Like the last couple of years I billeted in the Jugendherberge Göttingen (http://www.djh-niedersachsen.de/jh/goettingen) which given its location, cost and atmosphere is perfect for the event.

The BC offers a number of options for overnighting and meals with the focus centered on the Hainholzhof am Kehr (Bismarckstr, Göttingen). Here you can overnight either in the Jägerhaus, or the adjacent riding hall. The Jägerhaus sponsors an excellent Pasta Party the evening before the race.

Race day starts at 0500 at the Hainholzhof am Kehr with breakfast and final check in activities. Once everyone has completed their final sign in, Markus starts the Challenge with his traditional “Brocken-Challenge 2011, here we go…” and the race begins at 0600.

Environmental conditions for 2011 were significantly different from those of 2010. This year the weather was as if spring had sprung for at least the first half of the route. Temperatures were projected to be chilly with a slight chance of rain and winds out of the south. As we progressed over the route the wind shifted to a wind out of the east and brought with it frigid temperatures. I was glad that I had invested in a pair of snow cleats. At Oderbrucke (73.9KM) snow and ice became more and more significant and it was super to have the cleats along to maintain a good pace and sure footing. As we approached the summit the temperatures dropped significantly and a snow storm rolled in at 1700.

In the event you missed my report of 2010 you should note the following:

The Brocken finds itself in Germany’s largest national park, the Harz National Park. The Gipfel (summit) is located in a raw sub-alpine environment. It is characterized as follows: fog over 300 days a year, covered in ice 100 days out of the year, snow covered 176 days out of the year, 85 days out of the year are below 0 °C with temperatures dipping down as low as −28 °C. The highest measured winds were recorded at 263 KPH (164 MPH). As you might imagine, the Brocken Gipfel offers its own unique twist to the BC.

Like the last couple of years the highlights of the BC remain for me the efforts of the organizers and the race volunteers. I have not experienced such a great group of volunteers and helpers. This year I’d like to highlight Juliette Mallison that throws a great pre-race breakfast and then rushes to set a buffet like no other at station six (Lausebuche) and the lady riders that host station five at Jagdkopf. My hat is off to you all – thanks for your support and great attitude!

Unlike last year I don’t recall a significant low point this year. Although I started the race slightly demotivated, as the sun came up and I settled into the day’s affair my spirits rose with each kilometer. I set a personal best at the BC this year completing the race in 10:28 and well before it got dark. Doing so afforded me the opportunity to get a couple of quick, albeit wind and snow blown snapshots on the gipfel.

If you’re looking for a super adventure, a reason to contribute to several great charity organizations and a well organized ultra to start off your season you should consider the Brocken-Challenge.

Keltisch 30KM

Ran a nice 30KM today!
Aside from the lovely environment, the weather, and my trusty
iPod the hardest part of today's run was getting bored.

What do you do while out running a long run to avoid
getting bored? Boredom can be a real challenge
for me when heading out on a multi-hour run.

I did run past this great Celtic Burial Site. I've been
walking and running in these woods since 2004 and
have never stopped to take a look at what the
historical marker says. Today I did...

UTMB 2011

All right friends... I think I forgot to mention this, but... I pre-registered for the 2011 UTMB. OK, I know - I was/am very tempted to blow the whole commercialized thing off. After all, the organizers still owe me 100 Euro for last year's disaster (they are still trying to figure out how to reimburse everyone), pre-registration cost me 50 Euro and I have to wait to find out if there will be a raffle, and if there is a raffle for start numbers I may get kicked, and chatter on the UTMB's web forum is not too friendly...

I don't know for certain what got into my head except the fact that the UTMB is still out there. It is reputed as one of the ultimate ULTRAs. And, I've not completed it.

So why all the questions... I'll figure that out in the next several months.

I'm off to register for the Thüringen ULTRA; registration should have opened today.

Keep running...

Enchanted Forest - Eye of the Needle - Gut Check

21KM of three of my favorite local runs all on New Year's Day. What a great way to start off 2011...

16K Powder Run

With temperatures at -8C and sunshine pure it was an amazing day for a powder run! Like yesterday I ran mixed cleared and uncleared farm paths and trails. The vistas were breathtaking and the running was a challenge.

Running was great where the path or trail had either been driven or trampled down. It was much like running on wet beach sand. It became a challenge were either no one had gone before or very few people or vehicles had traversed as yet.

Today I was running in my Asics T9 gore tex shoes and have to tell you that I did not feel much of difference as far as the cold went from wearing my Vibram Five Fingers yesterday. Although the T9s are a conventional "water resistant" shoe given today's weather conditions (well below freezing and about 30cm of new snow on the ground) they don't offer much protection from ice and snow around your ankles. I suppose in order to do that I'd need a pair of gaiters. So at the end of the day (I had ice rings that formed around the collars of both shoes) I'm convinced I've got to go back out in my Five Fingers again.

Let it Snow

It's been snowing here like crazy the last couple of weeks and the entire time I've been dying to get out and try my Vibram Five Fingers in the snow. After lunch today the opportunity finally presented itself. I'm still undecided on how I feel about running them in snowy conditions.

Today the temperature was at -6 C; the ground was covered in about 30 centimeters of new snow. The surfaces I was running on varied from unpaved, uncleared farm paths, side walks and roads. Going was good on the paths that had a firm (non-powdered surface); it was tougher where the road or path had been cleared by a snow plow because of the ice (hurts a little more than rocks in general) and toughest in the areas where little to no clearing had occurred. Other than those areas where the snow had not been cleared I did not have cold feet. My ankles got cold after pushing through relatively uncleared areas after being exposed directly to the snow.

Where the path was snow covered and firm I made the best time and ran in the most comfort in my Five Fingers. It was much like running on firm sand and provided a relaxed and comfortable workout. This type of surface is obviously the most enjoyable to run in this type of minimized shoe.

I don't have a pair of Five Finger socks so I can't test that aspect. If the weather stays cold like it is now and people continue to walk around I'll give the Five Fingers another shot on packed down snow. Until then, it's back to my Goretex shoes and preparation for the BC!

Happy Trails!

Brrrrr...

Well... As you've likely seen here my last couple of posts have been about the winter weather that has arrived. I'm a bit surprised at how early winter arrived this fall. We're currently experiencing lows at the -6 range with highs running around -2. This is normal for January and early February, but late November and December... While running this morning I was thinking "Just make the best of it, no sense in complaining. Besides, it's great training for the BC 11." All of which is true.

I've been down almost two weeks with a nasty little bug I picked up along the way. I'm planning on running into work this Wednesday morning (that's where I started feeling like junk two weeks ago), and hope that I don't run myself into the ground. In general I don't believe that you can make yourself sick by being outside in the cold. While out this morning doing a 10KM I felt great and am ready to ramp back up my mileage. We'll see how it goes...