UTMB Training: 5 weeks to go

30/7: 2:52. 3200'.

Japan Alps - Top of Goryu Chairlift to 8500' Goryudake Station. Super technical and steep grades lower down, a patch of pretty technical flatish running after around 30 minutes to base of the actual climb. Climb itself was exposed in places and involved some actual climbing using a pre existing fixed rope and hanging chains. 1:30 ascent and 1:22 return an extra 300 feet lower down to the second cable car. Had 3 hours total so timed it right. Rain blew in on the return leg.

Goryuka Summit Trail

31/7: 1:02. 

Kyoto, Japan. Flat bike trail along the river was the best I could get. Stifling heat too. Good training for Sparta, not so much for UTMB. 

1/8: 2:01.

Kyoto, Japan. Bike trail. 

2/8: 2:02. 1200'.

Nara, Japan. Found a decent and completely empty trail up and around the parkland, filled with local reindeer. Amazing experience. 

3/8: 1:29. 2000'.

Tokyo, Japan. Hotel treadmill after a long day of travelling. 10' w/u, 45' climb at max incline/ hiking speed, 10' run at speed, 25' climb at max incline/ hiking speed.

4/8: Nothing. 

20 hours of travelling back from Tokyo to London. 

5/8: 1:52. 1000'.

Back in the UK. Up at 5am suffering from jet lag. Usual loop.

Total: 11:18. 7400'.


Not nearly what I'd hoped for this week. Really difficult to get any significant climb in due to travelling all week through Japan, staying mostly in cities. Consistency was there and I hope therefore a decent platform to build off for two big weeks upcoming, around the NDW races next weekend. Looking for a 2.5 week taper for UTMB and as much vertical as I can get in between times. 

Goryuka Summit Station, Japan Alps.