They are here, the pre-race jitters. So far I focussed on telling you everything about the UTMB races, here in Chamonix. Now that I’ve picked up my bib number, my own race is on my mind.

It is strange how that works. As long as you fool your mind, the pre-race jitters stay away. As soon as you have your bib number in your hands, you can’t get rid of the jitters anymore. My bib is laying in our rented apartment in Chamonix. Everytime we walk through the door, I see it. I could hide it, but my clothes, race food and shoes are also on display.

Nothing is as big as UTMB

For local races I’m not that nervous anymore, but for big races … And there isn’t a race as big as the UTMB CCC. Even when the CCC is seen as the little sister of the UTMB. I’ve never run a big race like this. The crowds, the amount of runners, the brands that are out here; everything is bigger. Even the distance.

See, I’ve never ran a hundred kilometres. I wanted to, but it didn’t happen. I picked the Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques to work my way up to 80 kilometres. After that, I hoped to run the Dutch Mountain Trail, a hundred kilometres trail in the South of the Netherlands. My idea was to run it in two days. Fifty kilometres, back to back, but within 24 hours.

Injury

As you know, I got injured at the Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques. Or better said, just before the Grand Trail. A torn hamstring and a pulled stomach muscle have kept me sidelined in the last couple of months. I biked a bit, I swam a bit, I walked a bit, but I couldn’t do any serious training. I think that’s what makes the pre-race jitters even bigger this time.

RELATED: Good news and good news, CCC here I come

The CCC is going to be my longest race. It’s going to be by far the most altitude I’ve ever done. Now, it’s also going to be one of the races I feel the least prepared for. At the Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques I felt ready, now? No. I don’t know what two months of minimum training will do, I don’t know how my body will hold out. It’s going to be one, big discovery.

Happy and hopeful

However, I’m happy to have my bib number. I’ve doubted about racing for a couple of weeks. For a long time, I didn’t know what was going on with my belly. Only last week, the doctors could shine light on it. I know I can’t make things worse. I do know I will be in pain. But who won’t be in pain at the UTMB CCC.? These races are never easy. So let’s bring it on.

Keep on running,
John

Photo: Hoka