UTMB CCC Race Report; Fueling the Obsession.

Hi. My name is, Tim, and I like big mountains, sunsets, and running ridiculously long distances.

Just over a week ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to France with many close friends to take on the CCC, a 101km sister race of the iconic Ultra-Trail du Mont Blonc.  It would be my first attempt at anything over 50 miles and likely 5-6 hours longer than anything I’d ever done. 

It would also be just 11 months since my first ultramarathon.   And with the honeymoon phase about to end, I feared a possible post-nuptial shutoff in our blossoming relationship.

The course:

101km through Italy, Switzerland, and France, boasting 5 major mountain passes and over 20,000ft of climbing and equal amounts of descent.

The goal:

Being my first 100k, just finishing was high on the list.

 

But, the competitor in me wanted to win.  And my coach, Mario, and I were confident that my preparation in Mammoth over the summer had positioned me to do just that.

 

Chamonix:

I arrived 2 days prior to the race and after a couple of shakeout runs, a photo shoot with B. Yang, press conference, extensive gear check, drug testing, product talk with Nike shoe designers, and enough French food, cheese, and croissants to send me into cardiac arrest, I was ready to detox and hibernate.  I mean race.

 

Lunch with teammates atop La Flegere; 93k of the race.

Morning Of:

I awoke to a text from Linds: “Remember the only thing I ask is to come back with a positive attitude and with all your limbs. Do your best and run smart. That wins races”

 

She still thinks this trail running business is dangerous.  Like I might fall and need stitches or something…

 

The Race:

The start line was electric.  Hundreds of people lined the course as music roared and the Italian locals danced in the streets.  I looked over at Zach and said, “Let’s run this like cross country.  Every point matters.”

Kaaaaay go! Photo credit: UTMB

The pace early felt easy, as any ultra should.  Despite the conservative approach, I found myself in 5th position, acting as the caboose to the Zach Miller train.

It was forecasted to be one of the hottest races to date and even with cool morning alpine air, I could feel the temperature rising.  My MO was to drink and eat early and often.

On the first climb I decided check my ego and let a few guys nipping at my heals pass rather than raise my effort to match that of theirs.

 

This strategy meant I’d yoyo between 15-60 seconds from the lead group, gaining more on the flats and descents as I’d open up my stride and prime the descending legs.

Photo credit: Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

The first summit came around 10k and my legs felt fresh and ready to roll.  I reconnected with Miller and the others as we navigated a sharp serpentine stone laden descent that led into a few miles of rolling single track.  

 

85km to go

 

I now really felt the heat and continued to drink more than I typically do.

 

I was in 3^rd and tucked in behind Japanese athlete, Ruy Ueda.  After nearly being trampled by a heard of cattle on the course, we began the climb to Grand col Ferret, the highest point of the race at 8,284ft.  Midway up he stopped to let me pass and a few switchbacks later he was gone.  Based on his labored breathing I figured he had finally redlined and blown a fuse. 

 

Towards the top I spotted Miller maybe 2 minutes up and heard a roar as he crested.  As I grew closer I spotted a grip of American fans including Brett and Larissa Rivers, DBo and Harmony, and Topher and Kim Gaylord.  Their english cheers chilled my overheated body.  I’m pretty sure Topher’s head exploded with the excitement of two Americans leading the race.  I was tempted to rip down the other side in a fury but 9 hours of running still remained… 

Top of Grand col Ferret. Photo credit: Matt Trappe http://www.trappephoto.com/

 69k to go

I was almost dry on fluids and Kim said the next station was about 4 miles downhill.

 

As the heat sunk in, I began to hike mellow hills and could tell my body was flirting with dehydration.  Little muscle groups began to intermittently cramp and ease, something I’ve never experienced in training.

 

In the first major aid station, I refilled all my bottles, ate a few oranges, and race directors strapped my wrist with a GPS tracker.

So happy to find fluids.

 

I left feeling fair and began to run quickly along the easy gravel and dirt trail that covered the next several miles despite continued threats of muscle cramps.

 

Zach eventually came into view around mile 29 and after a low 6 minute mile I made contact and we ran into a small village together. 

 

50k left

 

I had planned to meet up with our support crew here so foolishly I decided the skip the water fountain Zach had found in town.  Turns out I was wrong.

 

The crew access wasn’t until 55k and a climb still lay between us and Champex Lac.  I was now dry, the sun beat down hard, my quads, calves, and adductors were all cramped, and Zach motored up the trail alone.

 

As I painfully walked up the trail with no power in my step, the live TV crew conveniently latched on and documented my misery for several minutes.

 

I felt like a celebrity being hunted by the paparazzi after a juicy new scandal.  Things were shitty, my body was shutting down, and I really wanted to be left alone in my despair.

 

When I finally stumbled into Champex I was at a low point mentally and wanted a reason to drop.  Pat refilled all my bottles and food as I sat dazed and tried to eat a banana.  

Trying to decide which of these was the banana… Photo credit: Billy Yang

I knew things were grim as I struggled to run the next couple of miles that were a mix of paved and smooth dirt descents.

 

Billy was along this section and yelled at me, “Remember Tollefson, this is an ultramarathon not a marathon.  Just keep moving forward through all the shit!” I hated him for saying this but it became the only positive thought in my head.  Just keep moving forward.

Entering the darkness despite plenty of light. Photo credit: Christophe Aubonnet

The next climb was rough.  It kicked me in the balls.  Really hard.  Multiple

times.

 

Every muscle in my legs continued to cramp.  I completely drenched myself at each creek crossing and it wasn’t long before third place caught and passed me at mile 39.  It was Nico Martin, a Frenchman, and he looked fantastic and nimbly bounded up the steep climb with the audible “click clack” of his poles striking rocks. A failed surged to stick with him lasted no more than 30 seconds before he was out of sight.

 

I finally reached a bit of reprieve in the trail and attempted to run the buffed out flat single track.  My right calf cramped and I tumbled into a bush. I lay there for a bit, massaging the muscle until it finally eased.

 

I stood up, pissed blood, and turned to see 4th place not far behind. At that moment I hit an extreme emotional and physical low.  My race was done.

Broken. Photo credit http://www.skiandrun.fr

Visions of falling out of top ten were vivid and I just wanted everything to end.  It was decided that I would drink and eat everything in my pack over the next quarter mile and abandon in Trient, about 4 miles ahead.

 

I walked and jogged the rolling terrain and waited for 4th, and 5th, and 6th, and so on to catch me.  But they never came.

 

Over the next hour my body began to rebound and I started to run the descent pretty well into Trient.  I told myself, “just keep moving forward”.

Out of the darkness and into Trient. Photo credit: http://www.skiandrun.fr

I got in and out of the aid station quickly.   An American spectator commented that I looked better than runners 1 and 2 and that reengaged me into race mode. I was determined to regain contact with the leaders.  

Num num num. Photo credit: Billy Yang

29k remained

 

With the cooling temps of evening setting in and more shade along the course, I could feel my stride strengthen with each step.  My quads and calves continued to cramp on the uphills so I was cautious to not raise my effort too high, but, the flats and descents were getting easier.

 

At the top of the penultimate climb I could see Zach and Nico for the first time in hours and I was confident that I could close the gap. 

25k to go

 

Entering the final crew access point in Vallorcine, I was just 2 minutes down from Nico with the hardest climb of the day left up to La Fregere. 

18k left

 

A few switchbacks in I had regained contact with Nico and it was apparent that he was struggling by his staggered gait and heavy breathing. I surged ahead to ensure no counter attack would be made.

 

The climb had several painful false summits, a good mix of high and technical steps, and intermittent hand holds.  Despite total body fatigue, I begun to enjoy the race again.  A dozen or so horned ibex littered the trail and bound around effortlessly as if to mock my slow pace.

 

As I crested the summit of La Tete aux vents I was reminded of home.

11km to go

In my mind I was looking at the Minaret Range.

 

I have run up Mammoth Mountain to watch the sunset over the Minarets, and bombed my way down Dragons Back many times.  Months of hardening my body to simulate this very moment.

 

As I watched the same sunset over Mont Blanc across the Chamonix valley, for the first time in hours, I felt nothing but joy.

 

I was confident that despite fatigued legs I could navigate the technical descent and hold onto second position, but, accepted that Zach was out of reach.

 

Donned with a headlamp I entered darkness and the final 2700ft drop from La Fregere.  “Just stay on your feet”, I told myself as I navigated the root and rock laden trail.  

8k 

 

Finally down, the turn onto the river path in Chamonix was magical.  Fans lined the streets and patrons of the local restaurants and cafes gave cheers and a standing ovation.

400m…

 

After a few turns and hundreds of hi-fives, I stared at a finish line that I had given up hope of ever seeing between Champex Lac and Trient.  Overcome with joy, I turned to thank the crowd before crossing the line and kissing the ground.

 

Although I didn’t come in first, in many ways it felt like a victory. Photo credit: @lepapeinfo

I think they designed Chamonix after Disneyland… Photo credit: Billy Yang

2nd overall; 12:06:54.

 

THANKS

I have an incredible support system and couldn’t be more thankful to you all. Photo credit: @lepapeinfo

Enormous thanks to our crew boss Pat and film maker Billy, Nike Trail, SRA Elite, GU, and Ugo Bars for keeping me fueled, fitted, and motivated along the way.  Huge congrats and thanks to Zach for running a hell of a race and leading the charge.  Being able to share it with him made it that much more special.

Thank you to Catherine Poletti, Stephane, and the UTMB officials and volunteers for hosting this grand event and executing it seemingly flawlessly.

Thank you to Mario for prepping me to tackle everything the Alps threw at me.  Except the heat 😉

 

Thanks to my Mom and Ron who travelled out in support, my teammates who make suffering that much more fun, the dozens of Americans that were running around the valley all week, and the many friends, family, and coworkers back home that were yelling at computer screens while at work.

 

Finally, thank you to Lindsay who juggled many fronts stateside to allow my trip to happen and still managed to take 3rd at the USATF 50k Trail Championships.  I both love and am proud of you Linds!

The Stats
Strava Data:

2129 runners started

659 runners abandoned

Gear:

Nike Wild Horse 3: ACG overlay

Petzl Tikka RXP headlamp

1.5L bladder and 2, 17oz soft flasks

Pack loaded with pounds of required but useless gear

 

Fuel:

Roctane Energy Drink- Grape

Water

Roctane Sea Salt Chocolate  Gels

GU energy chews

Ugo Wanderlust Bar

Coca Cola

Peach Rings

Bananas and oranges

Podium selfie with Magda and Zach.