6 days Antibes 2010 - Christian Mauduit

Ultra News - True Stories

30 June 2010

Written by Christian Mauduit

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Lu 725 fois

Source: http://deca.ufoot.org/actu/cr6joursantibes?lang=fr

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Context

I'm going in June for six days to prepare myself to Antibes for Deca-Ironman in Monterrey in November. I am not a beginner in ultra but I need to know how to handle multiple (more than 3 or 4) days of continuous effort.

1295 meters of happiness. Beware of rocks!

The test consists in turning as often as possible on a circuit of 1295 meters, for 144 hours. You can stop, eat, sleep, bathe, the winner is the one who did the most laps. I start with a goal in mind 700km to 800km, I have prepared my luggage, I devote an entire week at one of my passions, running. I appreciate the privilege I enjoy, not everyone has the chance to live your dreams so directly.
Happiness is as simple as a smile

While descending on the train from Paris to Antibes, I finished reading a Christmas book Tamimi and noisily eaten radishes (organic!) In my seat in first class. The mystery of the charging station are impenetrable, for 45 € I travel from Paris to Antibes in comfort mode. I travel alone.

Their slogan "more powerful cleaner. At a time when their platform drilling blackens devastated the Gulf of Mexico, they would have done better to remain silent.

The controller checks the tickets. I just say, I'm done, not her laugh. I hate people who do not smile. I know from experience that when I meet a runner in training and it makes me not my cheerful "hello! "I get grumpy and I want to speed up a little, to put a mine, just to make him understand who is boss. Watch the hikers in the mountains, they say "hello! . And myself, when I'm out and about in the woods and I meet someone, I rarely miss an opportunity to make a discreet mark, if not sympathy, at least cordial. But the gentleman with the cap refuses to cheer, loyal to the unflattering caricature of his profession, he punches, we dealt a look austere and icily. What a mess. I guess we can not expect a smile, and after all, he remained courteous, very good in the social norm. But finally, someone who wanders daily trains hundreds of people should be open to anyone who loves the contact, the discovery of the other, right? Instead I have before me a copy of a claim, a concentrated authority reduced caliber that just check. Nothing more. Controller, why did you steal my smile?
Antibes Juan les Pins

The day I walk in town. Pépère.

My main pair of shoes, and all plans B, C, D, and maybe more. Better to have more than one trick up his sleeve.

Arrived in Antibes, change of scenery. It's fine. I pitch my tent. I'll do some shopping. I forget half. I decided to go swimming. After 30 meters, something I scraped the right brat. A jellyfish? Not possible, not at this time ... I still swim. I'm okay, it's nice, the water is just cold, I might as well swim as far as Tunisia. And then suddenly I'm a big OUCH discharge in the left arm, no doubt, is a jellyfish, a real one.

I stroll to watch the boats is less than navigate but it is not unpleasant.

I'll be back gently on the beach, my pleasure tempered by disappointment, with three fine scratches on the left arm. Going to the pharmacy to find a soothing cream.

Restaurant on Saturday night. Mark unfortunate bread sprinkled with pepper (go Mark, admit it) in the desperation of his flat phantom.

I rob the radius of baby food jars.

The evening ends in a small restaurant on the waterfront whose rates have nothing to envy to those of the Paris market. The service time either, not downward. It gives us time to talk comfortably, I'm here with - among others - by Alain Gestin fighter if any. Its catalog shopping is appealing.

The bike organizer Gerard Cain. Vintage. The bike course.

My tent, the only time she was about row.

After a good night's sleep, I returned to town to buy the latest things that are missing, I get my bib, and takes hot date with my friend Tonverre braggart, who I played with the car 4. A good lunch out of the race, away from other riders. I miss the briefing but oh well, at least I am relaxing, I am comfortable without heavy pressure.

For falling asleep difficult, even more powerful than any medication, I opted for The Art of Computer Programming, Knuth, 2nd Volume. The ultimate weapon. I do not need.

Every day I had planned a melon, a little bag of sweets and a few jars for baby. Under an air of great tinkerer, I sometimes get organized.

Finally I put in place and ... is the beginning.

A good old salad, yum yum.

Nothing can beat a banana split.

Secret plan

Yes, I had a secret plan. I even hesitated to publish it during the race (the 4th or 5th day) through my wife Valerie, but I gave up, out of superstition.
Basically, everything came to my reading Slow Burn, the book by Stu Mittleman, who holds unless I am mistaken, the world record of 1,000 miles. He said earlier in this book - I think in the preface - Stu at his record of 1000 miles (1600km more so) was the last day cooler than the first. Yes, you read correctly, he looked in better condition on arrival at the start, with a world record to boot. How is this possible? In any case, it intrigued me, and without imagining that six days of racing non-stop going to rest, I too wanted to understand how to achieve such an outcome.
He describes in his book two of its participation in six days in La Rochelle. The first is a failure. It falls a bit at the last moment due to the cancellation of another race, and takes the departure knife between his teeth, determined to run as far as possible. When it is cooked, it will sleep a little, just enough to leave, and so on. In fact, his plan is that he has no plan, he relies on his build of a Champion on 100 miles to do the rest. The big snag is that after 36 hours, it gets stuck hard. It is found wandering on the runway, no trick n'engrangeant more effective. After a few hours notice asked an expert to observe the other riders. What are they? How are they different? And the lesson falls: each has its own mode, and run six days longer just a affontement strategies, habits, routines for runners, only a simple game which is the strongest. He eventually recover by adopting a 5:00 race pace / 1 hour walk, and finished respectably. The second participation in the six days he describes is a more straightforward success. Led this time by Maffetone, it applies a scheme where he walks one hour, runs one hour, one hour walk, runs one hour, one hour walk. And four times a day. It is very skeptical, but the plan still applies. As he performs the first hour of walking, it is ridiculed, is whistling (then also, being American was not always a plus to go up in the esteem of the French) but it s 'stands in the plan. On 3rd and 4th day he finally back in the rankings. And the last day, but winning the race, he finished only a short distance from Jean-Gilles BOUSSIQUET.
So that's all that intrigued me. Failing to have complete confidence in the words of Mittleman, I decided that this type of strategy remained my best card to play. I imagined cycles of 3 hours with one hour of walking and two hours of racing. 2:00 racing is a big fat jogging Sunday morning, everyone likes to run 2:00 on Sunday morning, is not it? So that's the plan, gross smelter.

4:00 to 5:00: walk
5:00 to 7:00: Race
7:00 to 8:00: walk
8:00 a.m. to 10:00: race
10:00 to 11:00: Walking
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: race
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Walking
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Race
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: walking
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: race
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Walking
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: race
10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: walking
11:00 p.m. to 1:00: Race
1:00 to 2:00: walk
2:00 to 4:00: Rest

The scoreboard still blank, before departure.

And while you do, I organized my day, Mode Bidochons the holidays, "and it gives this:

4:00 to 5:00: wake up! Getting Started, ideally, at 4:15, put the first foot on the runway at the attack. I walk the time to wake up.
5:00 to 7:00: the little jog in the morning with the sunrise in the middle. Very nice one, I figure a good mileage (16 mini terminals).
7:00 to 8:00: walk, with breakfast in the middle. A good opportunity to sit at table with friends, take a large coffee, sandwiches stuffed himself with 2 layers of butter.
8:00 a.m. to 10:00: The second morning jog. Coupled with the first, both 1st releases are what I call my two battering morning. Because some of these riders have sometimes thought that "I was pushing" the morning. No, I respected my plan, that's all.
10:00 to 11:00: walking and tasting melon. The ritual was therefore to cut a melon in 8 districts put in a plastic plate and eat the pieces with undisguised pleasure, while walking at a brisk pace along the route.
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: a run of two hours, one more. That one gets harder, I admit that sometimes I made a break for a snack.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: walking, with the aim to fill a variety of food, the aim being to apply themselves well to loot supplies.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: race, shortened by a good refreshing shower. This ultimate jogging closed because the first cycle of 12 hours, and brings us to 4:00 p.m., the hour of departure, then. The shower is placed here because it is a hot hour of the day, and it can also start from the following 24 hours while being beautiful all clean.
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: walking. And then, out of the race, as Mittleman during his six days in La Rochelle, I walked. This is a good time to take stock of the classification and the amount of running.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: race. That's why he had to take a good shower and walk the hour before, because the day is far from over!
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: walking, dinner, remember to call Valerie.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: race. In general, this range is difficult, it is accompanied by the dusk.
10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: walking.
11:00 p.m. to 1:00: race. To be honest, I rarely managed to run this entire portion. It was very hard, after nearly 20 hours on deck to find the energy to raise.
1:00 to 2:00: On (if I am fishing, if not to sleep live)
2:00 to 4:00: nap tent
Well, that was my plan. Not very difficult to remember, not even need a paper, it is found that head-holding time t0 is 16.00 and that the scheme is still running 1h / 2h race with the clock set to 4:00 am .
You will also notice that there is no mileage. Actually in my original plan had included distances but soon the start, I no longer paid attention and did not even take the time to get my paper. Useless. Anyway, walking and running in the same proportions every day, you are almost certain to reach the same result ...

A small detail that kills, Valerie had offered six hits for my birthday. I wore a different one each day.

To conclude the spirit of the plan, think about Flaubert who said "Be settled in your life and as an ordinary citizen, to be violent and original in your work. "Basically I relied on an organization as a holiday village, cool, relaxed, entirely consistent with the framework of Antibes, to hit highest level race. The choice of sleeping at night, for example, between 2am and 4am, is deliberate because it corresponds to times when the body is in standby. While the outside temperature is ideal, but if the body is not ready, no need to try. I prefer to face the sun from 14.00 with all my ways no strength to fight against the night.
The race tactics

Although I had a strategy (plan), but in the tactical level, I stayed light. At most I worried about the end, protect my 3rd place and / or see if the second was scratching up my alley.

From the start, I opted for a light hold.

But overall, I mostly saw lots of riders wanting to tear each other's hair to overtake each other. Me I arrived, quiet, and pof, jogging for two hours. That may not sound like much, but two hours on the limit, it is sending. Typical scenario: A rider is behind me, he got in the crosshairs. He sees me walking. Said the guy Mauduit, is not brave, is cooked. He takes turns. I do not flinch. It is almost my height, and even before. Here it is 8:00 in the morning. So j'embraye. I run. He clung. I run one hour. An hour and a quarter. I do not work anymore. He won. I leave it 45 minutes. Here I have taken the lead. And then I walk, placid. For me it's easy to take two hours because I know there are only two. For the other it is more delicate, it can not really knowing how long I'll run. Except if he observes the way I work, or if assistance does. But nobody is bothered. So whenever I had to manage my position in the ranking, I was in control, not controlled by the other competitors, but rather supported my plan (simple, but effective) I knew that respected to the letter, he could send me far away.
Whenever I had a difficult passage, I am required to plan, the fact that it was there was comforting. Follow your plan, you'll go far. This position was reinforced by Paulo and MMI and in this I am very grateful to their help, their confidence was very valuable.
The mistake not to do (especially!) Is to try to run some walked to catch up. By following my plan carefully and running at 8km / h, walking at 5km / h, by chaining and semi-marathon in 3 hours, you can tease 900km.
Walking

I should have more walking to work in training. Because 95% of participants riders have neglected this aspect. On Day 6 I was walking legs hurt horribly when running became natural, the only problem of course is that it draws too much on the heart and it messed the feet because of the shock.

The cheapest spa on the coast, these six days of Antibes, I'm telling you.

However, by the way, I had an idea it is good. For indeed many marchers were enrolled in this trial, and as I walked I often had the opportunity to make friends - at the beginning of the race - with some of them while leading the race killed others to forward. But then I spoke at length with Jacqueline. 40 years of race-walking competition, the record in 5000 meters, a lady walking. And while you do, having learned that she was coach, I offered myself accelerated training.
The results were mixed because I have taken a little later and arm swing was quickly problematic due to friction in the armpits, but clearly, the next time I come on a six days, I will be better armed.
Pleasure

On 3rd day (well, I think it was the 3rd) I started back in the rankings. Without going into the game the small war instead, I began to tell me that it would be fashionable not to spoil a chance to make a great race, and who knows, getting on the podium? But then going off a little more serious, I try to be in my race. Previously I sometimes stop running to chat with so and so, to wander (oh, a little, just a little) to a refueling time of a good joke.

Crossing in front of the motor homes. I've already been there.

I decided to put an end to all this.
Bad pick. I am aware of the evening. I am unable to run at 23:00, I'm washed, rinsed. I wandered like a zombie on the track, I loop tours more than 20 minutes (less than 4km / h). I stay on track because I'm not there to string beads, but it's still very hard and certainly not productive. The next day I decide to stop depriving me of my daily pleasures. I begin to tease the boys, to take the good breakfast sitting, enjoying the ambiance of the moment. In short, I play the map well-being rather than serennité archarnée fight against the clock and opponents.

We're not animals, it has the right to discuss a bit.

And it pays. The night I arrived back to a slice 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 looks like something in the end, the mileage is better.
The lesson is that I have chosen to make multi-day I can not - some, perhaps, but not me - being consistently in the drive. I have moments where I recharge my moments of pleasure and camaraderie. When Gilbert walks his dog wearing a bob (Gilbert, not the dog) he does not waste his time. Fred with his leading man looks of Phil and his good-natured smile, Marc always ready to rap, all are part of a setting conducive to performance. And when I wish a happy birthday in full flight - I was born June 9, was the third day of racing - this is important, and it touches me. And I insist, walked my hour of start of race was used extensively, not only because it put me in a good rhythm, but also because it allowed me to know a lot of people the middle or back of the pack, I'd never known otherwise. Having to stop running to talk to someone who walks is not necessarily time wasted. This same person will be there later to support you, and vice versa. At the end of the race, I could not run 400 meters without seeing a head record with the key encouragement, a smile.
That smile that the controller had stolen from the station go.
That smile that all the other riders have made me, that smile that lit up my face to read the messages of encouragement that we were given the morning paper. That's what pushed me to the end.
Thank you all.
Thank you to Valerie, to Paulo, Gege, Gilbert, Phil, Fred, Neo, Florence, the seagulls, Daniel, Maryse, Jeannick, Jacqueline, Philip, Marianne Jean-Claude, Stephane, Greg, Peter, to Bagnard, Coureursolitaires to Sam, Chalk, Runstephane, UPDA, Jamel, Maipez, Mamin, Guy, Bottle, Oslo, Boo, Shadock, Mireille G., Olivier91, The Blueb, Agnes, Embrumman, the Boar, Romain, Bikoon, Eminence , Hikaru, Judith, Pet, Björn, Stephane33, Aude, Winnie, Nicolas, Kandahar, Dominique Jose, Did, Gilles, Runningbinez, Runner14, Lawrence, Quick-fact, Bernd, Mica, Chicot, Yorcire, Logan, Cyril, Vivien Francois de Bauges, Manu, Frederick Festy, Gia, Mr Menguy, Hémérodrome, Mohammed Said, Yves, Tonverre, Mac Manu, Mireille M., Anne, Cloclo, Bipedy, Miro, all volunteer organization and all those I forgot, and hopefully forgive me.
Food

It will be simple: I ate like an ogre. No energy drink, no powder, nothing. My only originality, the baby food jars, my favorite on these six days have been those of the carrot and zucchini. For the rest I robbed the supply of the organization, which was supplied with everything you can imagine needing on this test. Cookies, peanuts, crisps, sausages, bananas, plain water, soda water, cola, everything was there.
Back in Argenteuil, I weighed myself, I lost about 1kg. Not huge on six days of effort ...
Sleep

So, no easy or easier for a six days? Try it, you'll see.

My obsession was not able to close his eyes because of the excitement. From that side, not too worried. However, I discovered after days at 130km, once stretched, after half hour, I was seized with violent pains in the legs. It left after half hour, or rather, it fell below the threshold that allowed me to sleep.
Finally, the night "typical" was to direct me to my tent about 1:15. At 1:30 I was lying, quiet, but often with a cold sweat, not very comfortable. At 2:00 I was awakened by my legs. Between 2:00 and 2:30 vaguely trying to find a position analgesic, in vain. I finally fell asleep around 2:30. Wake up at 4:00, and we go again.
I can not say I have good memories of those nights, the hard part is having to manage the logistics of low-level, choose the type of socks the next day, after the latter to assess the number available and know whether or not it's worth to go rinse in the shower, check 3 times the alarm was very "on". In short, in terms of night and sleep, a little outside assistance can not hurt.
Laughing gas

It hovers on the campus an electric atmosphere. When my little sister Florence Friday joined me, I'm laughing with Mark, we're like two schoolboys who bidonnent no real reason. I do not know why I laughed. Is 48 hours of arrival, all clean all beautiful Thursday afternoon and Friday already in bulk, which made us crack up? We told you my friends, the trail is relentless hairy foot novices! What a weird idea also to start with clean shoes and colorful, while all participants in the six days revolved with the same model: unknown brand, gray dust.
And the rider who hesitates with the doctor of the race, to repeat his bandages on the feet. But there are only 36 hours ... Oh yes you are right for only 36 hours it is perhaps not the shot all over again.
I'm not sure I had all the time my head. I found myself one night, consider going to turn on the other circuit. The emergency circuit. I do not know where I would have gone if I had passed the act. In town maybe ...

Opinion windy on the beach. Waves superb, it feels like the edge of the Atlantic.

And then I pushed the great euphoria at the gale that has done so much sweat the organization (the race was almost canceled!) I'm just at ease, like a fish in water, I taste the pleasure of the wind glides over my body, I even stopped to film the sea and the waves coming from the large, powerful, and crashed against the rocks. I like to think that I am moved by the same energy, I imagine to be the tidal wave that breaks up the miles, slowly but surely. I live some of the most beautiful moments of my life was daunting, more time, more space, just me, my stride, wind, and runway.
Last night

It is fine to stick to the plan, not to watch others do that mileage check every 6 or 12 hours, but at some point, anyway, there is concern not foolishly lost a seat, we're busy yawning bliss before the seafront
So then Friday night, less than 24 hours of the end, I'm in 3rd position. The 4th is far enough, it works quite clearly in recovery, and how I can turn him evil to express its potential. Or maybe I'm going too fast. Or maybe he's sick. Regardless, it is behind, it will not return.
But before, you never know, if it falters ... And then I feel I can hook the 800. But I do not have to whip all day tomorrow to make, for example, 80 terminals in 12 hours. It is therefore - remember the plan, the alarm rings at 4:00 - to kill enough of miles before going to bed. And do not go to bed too late.
But I'm screwed. Death, cooked, washed up. I just ate, it is 21:00 and I'm hot, I'm too hot. I sweat profusely on, I feel I have a fever, I advance more, I can not feed me, is the Beresina. Damn, I'm not going to roll over now? I remember that two days ago I was still locked in the hospital one hour after a nosebleed. I know it does not go into force. And the clock running, and I standing still, my sleep time is shrinking before our eyes.
I sit next to my tent and asked a friend to wake up in quarter of an hour. Too bad, I invested in the micro sleep, I was able to Lenshan, why not here? At least it will cool the pot, because I'm hot hot.
And here we go again. Left for the longest jogging my life. For the meantime the mileage display of riders crashed. So I do not know where I am. I know that I walked too much, I spent 15 minutes at the stop, I'm probably late for the 800 line, but that's all. So for once, just once in the week, I forgot the plan, and instead of walking I ran. I ran and ran and ran and ran until it is time to go to bed. I ran with clenched teeth, saying "this time it Christian, you loose nothing! . It lasted about three hours. 3:00 is ridiculous compared to 6 days. But try to see, take three hours to the hard running.
Shortly after 1:00 am, the display gave 736km. Mission accomplished. So there I went to bed.
The race was over. I knew the next day it was enough to make a very ordinary 70km to over 800km.
I was calm, relaxed. As someone who has just completed a good day's work, and finally returns home, tired, but light-hearted.
The most beautiful jogging in my life

In the end, I pulled out the hat of Mr Shadock, which is very apropos, my faith.

The most beautiful jogging my life? This one I started with Marc this Saturday, on the stroke of 11:00 am. A run that would propel me close to 800km. With good night's work for the day, I can afford 2h light jogging (everyone likes to make a good jogging two hours!) In the sun.

I am the best of the podium, the way it is easiest to get. The others are too high.

While Oliver and Christian Chaigne Fatton brawl like cats and dogs in front, I stroll back, I take the present moment. Unbelievable. I'll be on the podium. I'm happy.

My Saucony Echelon will therefore have served their office. 812km over the counter (they are around 900 so) and they have not aged a bit.

But, you say, what is this attitude of fun? Would it not be wiser to force a bit, right? Nothing is less certain. I tried to see, to force the pace a bit. Oh, just a little. I quickly understood. The trail of hairy, full sun is merciless. Certainly, one can spend up to speed. But it can also end with a good old malaise. After 140 hours of racing, we're not quite in its normal state. At a micro sprint to impress friends, and I find myself with giddy, thrilling and does not descend, remaining the cleat. It is a time for play and a time for sure.

We told you need to make the racing shoes 2 sizes above, you understand why? Well, it's clear it's not that very normal, but my feet always inflated a bit (!) After the race. He has swollen ankles that the little Christian! (Do not worry, when I write these lines, everything is back to normal)

So I finished my race as I had begun at a rate of senator, and that is just fine. Full circle. In 812km.
Some figures

I remember being at the 30th marathon, and have passed the 100km in 15h. For the rest, see the table below, reconstructed from the data recorded by Valerie:
+------+------------+--------------------+-------- ---------+
| Today | Ranking | partial distance | total distance |
+------+------------+--------------------+-------- ---------+
| 1 | 9 | 157 | 157 |
| 1 | 6 | 136 | 293 |
| 1 | 4 | 129 | 422 |
| 1 | 3 | 131 | 553 |
| 1 | 3 | 129 | 682 |
| 1 | 3 | 130 | 812 |
+------+------------+--------------------+-------- ---------+