COSTA BRAVA XTREM RUNNING – MODALITAT CHALLENGE
Cap al mes de febrer varem decidir amb l’Anna C i l’Anna E participar al que seria la 2a edició del Costa Brava Xtrem en modalitat Challenge. Són un total de 105 km en tres etapes. L’Alex faria la modalitat Xtrem, uns 200 km.
Elles mai havien participat en una cursa per etapes i al principi made them a bit of trouble thinking that it would not be able to finish. I was convinced they would, and knowing how to run, I knew they were capable of doing this and much more!
The first time you consider this type of modality you sell yourself with doubts and insecurity. But it is not always true that we overcome the challenges imposed?
We started training together at least three times a week, every Friday doing a little flip about 20 km long. The truth is that these trainings will be unforgettable. We spent good and bad times, but always we have made next to each other, forming a great team. Last week all day we enviàvem SMS, we were nervous but very excited by the challenge.
finally reaches the big day. Friday morning we go out and collect Annes direction Blanes, all are nervous laughter, not stopping to say nonsense. Once we arrived, we headed back to collect. Looking all participants that we find, especially since women are our rivals. Alex and I find a great number of friends of the Transalpine is very cool, as you discover and comment all the races you've done and what you do and almost always return to match in another test. We
any hotel, we will assign a room and change clothes, we headed to the exit. Although two hours, we lack, to take a "Bocata. Nailbiting
As Anna E, when Barbara was damn glasses off because that means even the highest concentration. Increases in walking and jogging the rest. It is clear that the first day is the appetizer and we left very conservative. We wish you good luck and start running. The first stage is
Blanes and Tossa de Mar, about 25 km with a vertical drop of 1,500 feet. Bring Annes just behind me until I stop listening, I was running very quiet. The first miles are inside the Botanical Garden and Sea Murtra Pineapple and Rose after Fenals direction and then reach the first "check point" found in Lloret de Mar. Then we pass coves, Canyelles where the second control is the last in Cala Llevadó. The last 4 miles are a steep ascent and then descent to reach the goal. First day passed!
We had dinner together while the comment period. Anna C complains of pain on the ground but we know their psychological pain! Alex went to sleep early, get up the following day at 3 am to meet his 2nd stage of 100 km. He did suffer hard. Briefing and then we go to sleep. We are very lucky that we get later in the Challenge. The strange with us by car to Sant Feliu de Guixols. We come in peace, rest water backpacks, recent visits to the bathroom and stretching. The second stage of Sant Feliu de Guixols in Pals. About 50 km with a vertical drop of 1,350 feet accrued. Leaving a half hour later, it is very hot and humid, we will have to force hydrate throughout the day. This stage is rolling, you can run much more than the previous one but is longer. When we leave, l'Xtrem have already running 4 hours! The first kilometers are stairs and a long tail. Then we follow the path as we go round and distancing. We walk the beaches S'Agaró, Playa de Aro Cala Gogo until Sant Antoni de Calonge where the first aid station. Once arrived, beak, eat some nuts and I take the sand from shoes. As costs for running the sand! Do you feel that no advance. Im'enganxo out with a small group just behind them not to go alone. We continue to Palamos La Fosca and about three coves until you reach the second control located in Calella de Palafrugell. Strength back, look out if anyone else but, I go alone. The truth is that in the provisioning and controls only the time to stop drinking coke and grab bananas and nuts, but after the expense of boot! Arrive at scales Llafranc port and then comes the sharp rise in the lighthouse of San Sebastian. Now we walk. Once the ascent is a very nice way, he dips and rises up again to beaches, the latter is the Cala Pedrosa and then reach through the third Tamariu "check point". It is very hot and humid, drink lots of water and stand for camel back. Now we have the ugliest part of the stage, about 16 km, first ascent of asphalt is the step in Begur road and then a path of sand. I'm more than a single until I leave behind but catching people, I want to reach. In the end I get
Pals, but not me I believe: they screwed up the goal church. He plays a small steep hill and stairs! I arrive with a time of 5:58! Then change the line as there is a wedding and ran to see if Annes arrived and were actually there. We hug and we are excited. There is a good atmosphere, drink a few beers to celebrate that we have almost won the battle. Way to the bus stop to arrive as soon as possible in Roses. A good shower, dinner and sleep. We are tired and burnt from the strong sun that has made all day. When we
the bus, we have a boy and we Xtrem announces that has withdrawn almost half of the participants. Alex suffers, but I send an SMS reply. Good signal!
Once at the hotel, I received a call from Alex. I understand that starts to walk the long and endless beach of Roses. The calling and we encourage; streets has done! Once we showered, we will receive the Alex. Makes face is very very tired and burned. We had dinner all together and sleep. Despite the fatigue that we carry, we are very excited: we have practically made the whole race.
The third day I wake up very happy. This is the last day and only 30 km separate me from the goal. It is from Cadaques to Portbou accumulated about 800 feet. We march toward the Cadaqués Annes, Quintas and the usual, our support driver and luxury. We come and do our usual ritual: water, toilet and stretching. Let's see how to pass Xtrem since they have a "check point" and encourage. They tired of long faces, but were walking when we see and hear their names, do a little skipping. We see Alex. Tired, passes control to the soul we see. Around 9:15 we give out. The first section can not run because the climb is strong but short, about 3 km. Then take the old road from Port de la Selva, it can track and shoot but his legs are starting to be loaded. Let people going Xtrem. They played fairly, but to stop encouraging them. What envy now have almost Xtrem in the pocket! We follow the track until al'avituallament Port de la Selva is located at km 12.5. It is very hot and I decided a little wet hair. Continue along the walkway that leads to Llançà. I lost along with a small group; signs of this stage was very bad, but they come out pretty well and not lose much time. Once past Llançà pass the Cape of Ras and Garbet Beach. Do not advance too fast, fatigue is already starting to notice. We arrived on the third control Colera; grab a bottle of water and throw me all over. I'm tired, I got all hot and uncomfortable. We then warn that there is a sharp rise, només em queda un cartutx per fer aquest tram. Tothom va callat i concentrat. Un cop arribem a dalt de la muntanya, veiem que només ens queda la darrera baixada fins arribar a Portbou. Al finalitzar la baixada, un grup de noies m’animen i em diuen que tinc l’altre noia molt a prop de mi. Aconsegueixo veure-la i la passo, arribant a meta fent esprint. Sóc finisher! I a continuació arriben les Annes! Som les tres finishers! La veritat és que totes juntes hem gaudit molt dels entrenaments i de la cursa. Hi hagut moments molt especials i anècdotes i això ho recordarem sempre més.
No us penseu que la cosa ha acabat aquí; ara les estic liant per fer una cursa de més distància. Segur que piquen, ja ja ja.
Alex - Xtrem - ranked 16th. Time 24:34:42
Anna Escudé - Challenge - ranked 7th and 50th overall. Time 13:28:42
Anna Cuatracases - Challenge - ranked 6th and 49th overall. Time 13:28:42
Barbara - Challenge - ranked 5th and 35th overall. Time 12:54:35
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