Written by Scott Harris - http://runninganimo.com

Silly rain. I hide under my buff as the rain gently falls focusing on the task at hand.

I recall the elevation profile which I’ve committed to memory, how far apart each of the aid stations are and the 50k or so of the route I know. So focused am I, I barely notice a photographer half a metre from me taking a photo. I’m staring intently straight ahead, not at anything in particular just the race plan I’ve settled upon. I have times in mind for arriving at Teror, Tejeda and then Garanon. Beyond this I haven’t really planned. I know I haven’t trained as much as I should have since the start of the year. I push this negative thought from my mind as another photo of me is taken close up. My attire must be slightly amusing or maybe it’s unusual to see an Englishman dislike rain. Someone starts shouting “Fran” holding up a dropped race number. I maintain my focus as we all start to shuffle forward to the start line. The countdown begins. I remind myself to be patient, to run my own race and to not get ahead of the schedule I’ve set myself.

We’re off! 430 runners charge out of Fontanales. The pace is I as expected but I just settle into what feels right. It doesn’t take long to fully appreciate the impact the rain is having on the route. Descending is difficult as I slip and slide trying to maintain my balance. I can’t really extend my stride due to fellow runners so I’m forced to try breaking more than I’d like. At one point both of my feet are sliding from underneath me but I manage to stay upright somehow. It reminds me of the race I did in Madeira, slippery, wet and steep. Soon the downhill becomes an uphill and I realise it’s going to be a long hard day.

I don’t stop at the first aid station in Valleseco. I start to recognise where I am which is comforting. I overtake a couple of people on the start of the descent recalling where I need to be vigilant to a couple of left turns. The rain doesn’t impact this downhill part which makes it much more enjoyable. Both turns are well-marked as I get closer to Teror. I’m happy with how long it has taken me to get here but now it’s time for the first long climb of the day up to Cruz de Tejeda. I know most of the climb apart from the initial part where steps are waiting. My calfs start to ache, I’m slightly disappointed they do this early.

I alternate between walking, power hiking and a little bit of running as I continue up the climb. Mentally I know this is the first hurdle. The second being completing the climb up to Roque Nublo. I top up on water at the Talayon aid station and push on. I look up every now and then but try to only think about the two metres I can see under my visor. Last time I was here doing a recce in early February I ran most of this part, it’s frustrating that I’m not now, doubt creeps into my mind. I look up again to see blue sky waiting at the top of the climb. Whenever I come to Gran Canaria this is often where the weather changes and I’m very pleased to see today is no different. I hit the top of and take the short section of road as the sun warms my face and spirit.

Just before I re-join the trail I overtake someone wanting to enjoy the descent into Cruz de Tejeda. The sun is out, I’m on very familiar trail and I run downhill with a smile. Extending my stride, speeding up leaping over rocks rather than going round them. I hit the road section and quickly pass through before beginning the descent to Tejeda. It feels like home. I know this section well after living in Tejeda as I  prepared for the race last year and returning twice since. I have to turn my autopilot off as I approach Tejeda knowing the route will probably be different to what I’m used to. It is. I run past the apartments I’ve stayed in knowing exactly how far this section of road is before the route becomes trail again.

I should get to Garanon in 5 hours 30 minutes as planned. I take my time on the climb up to Roque Nublo. There is little shade on the climb as mid-day approaches. The race is going well and I’ve little to complain about as I enjoy the views. I keep climbing and can see Tenerife in the distance with one side of Mount Teide covered in snow. I’m soon at the top and continue on towards Garanon.

The plan is to replace my food , top up on water and re-apply sun tan lotion. Unfortunately I got a little burnt on a recce a couple of days before the race. I double check I have everything I need and repack my drop bag only to rip it! I ‘ve no idea how to repair it before leaving. I stare at the tear for a moment wondering if I should try to repair it but unsure as to how? I find tape in the drop bag I had in case my feet needed attention and use that as best I can wasting a few minutes that I probably should have spent eating.

The very steep climb out of Garanon isn’t fun. It hurts, I don’t enjoy it and I can’t wait to begin the descent. I stop a few times looking over my shoulder to see how others are doing. I keep going hands on knees leaning forward. As I approach the top I see a snowman! Never thought that would happen in Gran Canaria.

I start the descent knowing this will determine the remainder of my race. It’s goes okay but I’m not running as fast as I want to, I regret not eating more at Garanon which I probably would have if it wasn’t for ripping my drop bag. After the next aid station at 51.2k I start to struggle. Even an easy hill gets the better of me. It gets steeper yet and I’m glad I didn’t put any expectations upon myself from here. The gap to the aid station is only 14.6k but it feels significantly more. After the long climb there is some easy running but I have no speed. I keep going knowing there is some very technical downhill just before the next aid station. It is the most technical terrain I’ve raced on slowing me to a walk on a couple of occasions. I let a couple of people pass who are clearly more comfortable than me on this terrain.

At Artera now with only 17.4k left. This is the part I did a recce of a couple of days before the race.  Mostly flat with a bit of downhill. I top up on water and leave trying to find the speed that normally returns to me during races of this length but it isn’t there. I do what I can knowing the time I had in mind isn’t going to happen. Mentally this doesn’t help. The visions I had of myself charging towards the finish line from here clearly isn’t going to happen. I continue on settling in to an okay speed having been on my feet for most of the day. It isn’t until shortly after passing the last aid station that my mind awakes. The terrain becomes more engaging as I have to pay attention. I find more speed and determination running down the canal wondering where this strength and power has been hiding! If only I felt like this after the long decent from Garanon!

.

I have new motivation as day light starts to fade. I’m not getting my head torch out, that isn’t happening.

I look at my watch, slower than last year. Damn it! I just want to finish and get it over with having not particularly enjoyed the second half of the race. I cross the finish line before dark in 11 hours 29 minutes taking 54th place. Tired, frustrated, grateful and looking forward to sitting down.

It was a good race even if it didn’t go quite as I had hoped. There is a good chance I’ll be back next year better prepared and ready to tackle a new route. It’s a beautiful island, with good organisation, well stocked aid stations and well marked from start to finish.

Full results here

My race report is on Run247. Plenty of content here to keep you busy whilst you rest your legs.

It was nice to meet up with Laureda and Michael who both took on the 125k race. Far braver than I!