Mike’s Sunday run
Sierre – Zinal 06 , 13th August 06, 31 klm., weather +8 / -4 degrees, 6314 Ascent
If you like your races high, hard and intoxicating this could just be for you!
The Zinal is an established Swiss international race where mountain goats worldwide congregate each year to conquer the Obergabelhorn Mountain 4062 M.
Set in the heart of the Valais region Sierre Zinal follows a steep valley dominated by snow covered peaks of Dent Blanche 4357 M and the Matterhorn 4478 M. The valley follows a terraced pattern with beautiful Alpine villages dotted on the "big" landscape with forests, vineyards and pastures and the obligatory alpine cows wearing bells.
Recent weather had changed from 30 to 15 degrees at ground level with the last couple of nights snowing above 2000 M adding a worrying new dimension to the organisers who had to abandon the race 4 years ago due to 60 cm of new snow overnight.
The 1447 Tourists set off at 5 am with the winner of this group coming in at 4.33hrs, while 713 Coureurs started at 9am.
No such worries on this occasion as the brass band played the Funeral March to a somewhat muted group of runners well protected from the freezing altitude wearing hats, gloves and lycra. Bizarre really I’d just come from south of France in 38 degrees now anticipating freezing conditions. Sod it I kept to shorts and vest with a jacket bagged up.
I just had time to say hello to a few Brits including Jon Brown who warned me of the height and altitude. The start at 500 M is on the road and quickly disappears into thick, steep forest with narrow paths similar to our own Macc forest just steeper and higher and longer !
You can’t run but try to walk quickly bent forward almost touching the runners in front’s heels such is the ascent. To the right a helicopter emerged from the cloud rising with us, graphically illustrating the height gained. Onwards and upwards I thought this bloody ascent wasn’t going to end, legs heavy with lactic acid, calves burning even my ears were popping. Every so often standing up straight going dizzy feeling tired and lethargic it seemed like I came to a complete standstill as other competitors strongly strode past and ever upwards. Thats 4920 ft of ascent in 10 Klm.
After 118 mins of hill ascent I reached Chandolin grateful to be on undulating paths trying to make my legs work, eventually after a klm I picked some speed and resolve to make up for the climb, a quick slurp of hot Bovril (urgh) and banana then I was hoofing it after the Swiss and French who mercilessly overtook earlier, they seemed to be trudging along as the forest gave way to an open track on the steep mountainside.
Making up ground I finally reached Weisshorn hotel at 7829ft although whilst refuelling my calves cramped; luckily the drinks stations were well managed and someone was on hand to help. Unfortunate for Jon who had to retire at this point.
I knew we only had "10 klm" to go and apart from a minor ascent there was a welcome downhill section and although it was a snowy blizzard I felt calm and ready to make up more ground. The path narrowed making passing difficult – I uttered allez..allez.. then merci.. lots of tourists still on the course incredibly some 8 hours later. The cold felt dry here, we were exposed and I didn’t want to fall, there were no views for me just cloud and snow and new runners coming into view as I made progress.
The tight, stony path made way for open ground and a more severe descent – I knew we must be on the last leg and threw whatever energy left into getting down, legs started to cramp again but I carried on hopping from one to the other to avoid a full seizure.
All of a sudden the village of Zinal appeared and crowds urged us on with shouts of "tres courage" cramping more badly I only just finished by hopping crazily from one leg to another cursing the others passing me on the final straight.
Then the big shock – I found out I had run hard, as hard as I could for, 4hrs 20. Such is the different terrain, sights and feelings time seemed to fly by. This for me wasn’t about my time but the experience, the competition and the camaraderie. A fantastic journey into unknown territory for me, in a beautiful country.
The event was well marshalled, supported with lots of "up..up..up"and good drink stations.
Results
1. Ancay Tarcis 2:36
3. Billy Burns 2:40
351. Mike Cooper 4:20
690 Finishers.
23 Dnf
Ps the course was officially "plus long" and theres a feast after for all finishers!
Mike Cooper
More details of the event, and results at http://www.sierre-zinal.com/site2006/index.php?p=description&r=2