PROJECT 5 - Gran Raid delle Prealpi Tre

PROJECT 5 - Gran Raid delle Prealpi Trevigiane 2018

In 2018, the run had been made a bit longer and a bit higher....yay!

I was flying solo on this trip, as I had plans to follow the Giro d'Italia for a few stages again. following my successful completion of this run.

It kicked off early, 0400hr early...I had 3 goals

1 - finish

2 - finish before dark

3.- stay injury free

I can happily report all three goals were met - I'd even had my post race meal and beer and was on my way back to my hotel before it was dark!

PROJECT 5 - Gran Raid delle Prealpi Trevigiane 2016

An Ultra Distance Trail Racce, in the Dolomites of Italy.

The Total race distance is 70km. Total vertical accumulation is 4,500m

I was going well until the extreme downhills got the better of me.

At just under 40km according to my garmin watch, I sat, had some soup, consulted the map.

The last 10km was pretty much straight down, like falling out of a plane!

The way my knees were, the thought that I would be limping around when I chasse my little girl.... That made up my mind. I must abandon, this time.

Only my 2nd ever DNF in 32 years of serious competition...was hard to swallow.

I thought I was prepared - doing stairwell repaets with my little girl on my back. But it is now clear, living in the tottaly flat UAE, my preperation was not specific enough.

Still, whilst waiting for a ride back to the finish to meet my family, I had spotted a cozy bar atop the Passo San Baldo.

I wandered up there, the sun shining, grabbed a cold beer, sat down and watched live coverage of the Giro d'Italia - so not all bad.

I will return.