Hill race over 10k with approx 250m (820ft) of ascent.
Start time was 17:00 Weather: warm and sunny, ~20°C/68°F Price €4.50
Profile: 400m stadium round then easy uphill to km1. Wavy to km 2.8 where the first long hill climb began over 1k long with a 17% slope, downhill to km 5, then the 2nd 1k long hill climb, steep downhill for 1.5k, 15% slope and then the last hill between km8 and 9 but with only 50m (165ft) height ascent. Last k downhill with 300m stadium round to the finish line.
This was an attempt at a harder type of hill race, I wasn’t too sure what to expect and was hoping for a time under 42 mins. I didn’t use the garmin as I found it distracting last race.
The first 400m round felt easy but I figured these guys know the course so I tucked myself in at 5th place. We left the stadium through a gate straight into woodland and uphill, I was immediately overtook by a young lad, I concentrated on keeping the leaders in sight. I was overtook again by a white shirt runner on a downhill section but on the first hard hill climb I regained my 6th position. I concentrated on keeping a fast but steady pace uphill and felt ok. Then it was the first steep downhill losing all the height gain, I was overtook again by white shirt and I went all out to keep up with him but he was gaining ground. At the 5k marker I glanced at my watch, 20:05. Then came the 2nd hill climb and I slowly clawed some ground back on white shirt, near the top I was overtook by a following blue shirt runner who put an amazing surge on and overtook white shirt as well and left us for dust. 2,5k to go. Steep downhill again where I again lost ground, then the last hill, smaller but boy was that tough, the km markers seemed to take forever to appear. Again I could gain some ground uphill but loose it downhill. The last k downhill into the stadium was a hard hard drive, I entered the stadium in 8th place, the runner in front finishing 20 secs before me. No threat behind me but I keep it max to the finish line as the time is added on as part of a series. The commentator over the microphone announced in english, „Welcome to Eppingen Ian" which was a nice touch.
Straight into the massage tent which was painfully good and hopefully helped towards a speedy recovery. A celebratory Pils vom Fass with Johanne and a shared portion of chips completed the day. A different sort of race scene here, with inspiring poster boards of mountain races with breathtaking views. I bought a mountain race journal that profiles all the races in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland and hope to have a go at a few now I’ve dipped my toes in the water.
Conclusion: I was pleased with my performance, I was more motivated this week and felt I gave it max effort throughout, even when tired at the end. The time and placing was better than I anticipated. What is obvious is I need to work on my downhill speed, I can gain uphill only to loose it downhill. I felt I was going as fast as I could on the day but I need to get something extra here to pose a greater challenge. | 