Nordic Ultra is a new "E-magazine in English about ultra running in the North of Europe".
http://www.issuu.com/nordicultra/docs/nordicultra2_2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Table Mountain
And now for something completely different: Table Mountain! Long time ago I spent a week in Cape Town with the local running club. There are plenty of amazing routes available for runners. Unfortunately the crime rate of South Africa means it isn't often comfortably safe there. But the natural sights make taking calculated risks worthwhile.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A Trail Run
I enjoyed a short (6.33 km) but steep (600 m D+ and 600 m D-) trail run yesterday. It was a gorgeous day, but I focused more on running than filming. However I believe something essential of that trail experience has been preserved in the video.
A technical note: D refers to the French word dénivelé, which means altitude. With European trail running races you will often see a number followed by D+, which is short for denivélé positif, ie. elevation gain. D- would be denivélé negatif, ie. elevation loss. The measurements are usually in meters. For example, 600 m D+ would be equivalent of 1,969 ft. elevation gain.
A technical note: D refers to the French word dénivelé, which means altitude. With European trail running races you will often see a number followed by D+, which is short for denivélé positif, ie. elevation gain. D- would be denivélé negatif, ie. elevation loss. The measurements are usually in meters. For example, 600 m D+ would be equivalent of 1,969 ft. elevation gain.
Monday, September 26, 2011
I would like to learn some French
Bonjour! I'm plan to do plenty of trail running in French speaking areas in the future, so I simply must learn some French.
English is not always enough, and it might help you finish a race. Like last summer, when I was running on the Alps in the middle of the night and required some help, a fellow competitor replied: "Sorry, but I'm too tired to speak English!"
Also after this years UTMB, I observed some complaints by English-speaking runners. They seemed to think that the organizers didn't do a good job communicating about the course changes during the race. I wasn't there, but I believe everyone did their best in a difficult situation. It occurred to me that it couldn't hurt to learn some French, if you are going to race in France (or Western Switzerland).
I believe a little French can go a long way to start a friendly conversation. You can always switch to English if your French fails.
It can be funny when a Frenchman tries to speak English, and vice versa. The two languages are quite different, so this will be a huge challenge, but I'll refuse to quit.
It seems one of the best ways for me to learn is to listen to Podcasts like Coffee Break French while training, commuting and shopping.
I've also started to follow some blogs by French trail runners, you can find them on the right margin of this page.
À plus tard!
English is not always enough, and it might help you finish a race. Like last summer, when I was running on the Alps in the middle of the night and required some help, a fellow competitor replied: "Sorry, but I'm too tired to speak English!"
Also after this years UTMB, I observed some complaints by English-speaking runners. They seemed to think that the organizers didn't do a good job communicating about the course changes during the race. I wasn't there, but I believe everyone did their best in a difficult situation. It occurred to me that it couldn't hurt to learn some French, if you are going to race in France (or Western Switzerland).
I believe a little French can go a long way to start a friendly conversation. You can always switch to English if your French fails.
It can be funny when a Frenchman tries to speak English, and vice versa. The two languages are quite different, so this will be a huge challenge, but I'll refuse to quit.
It seems one of the best ways for me to learn is to listen to Podcasts like Coffee Break French while training, commuting and shopping.
I've also started to follow some blogs by French trail runners, you can find them on the right margin of this page.
À plus tard!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lozere Trail 2011
Lozere Trail is a 43K race near Chanac in France. Ludovic Pommeret (Hoka) won it in May 2011 with 3:45. I've never been there, but the video sure looks inviting!
PS. As 43 km is a bit too short for many ultra trail runners, the organizers will offer a two-stage Ultra Lozere option in 2012.
The first day (May 26) will be a very technical 40K, starting in the heart of Gorges of Tarn. However the route may have to be changed, if a pair of rare golden eagles will choose to nest there. The first day will finish in the medieval village of Saint-Enimie, where a meal and a camp will be organized.
The second day (May 27) will be a challenging 67K, finishing in Chanac. The price will be very reasonable 70€ for two days of trail racing and one night of camping in the Cevennes National Park, which is an UNESCO World Heritage area.
The number of runners for Ultra Lozere will be limited to 150 and registration starts on November 1, 2011. There will also be shorter race distances (45K, 24K, 14K) available.
PS. As 43 km is a bit too short for many ultra trail runners, the organizers will offer a two-stage Ultra Lozere option in 2012.
The first day (May 26) will be a very technical 40K, starting in the heart of Gorges of Tarn. However the route may have to be changed, if a pair of rare golden eagles will choose to nest there. The first day will finish in the medieval village of Saint-Enimie, where a meal and a camp will be organized.
The second day (May 27) will be a challenging 67K, finishing in Chanac. The price will be very reasonable 70€ for two days of trail racing and one night of camping in the Cevennes National Park, which is an UNESCO World Heritage area.
The number of runners for Ultra Lozere will be limited to 150 and registration starts on November 1, 2011. There will also be shorter race distances (45K, 24K, 14K) available.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)