Jean-Philippe

Former rugby player (age 28), I started road racing in January 2020 just before Covid. 2022 was for me the discovery of trail running and the campus 😊

January went very well, I gradually got back into shape, workouts were frequent, and the morale was there. Initially, the limiting factor was cardio, but eventually the strength workouts took effect! Besides the plan, I manage to include strength & conditioning, a mobility routine, stretching, and the nutrition plan with my nutritionist's help.

Here's the big day, I wake up feeling slightly feverish and with a cold. That's not a good sign.

0-5km: Very bad sensations, very hot, I fall into a false rhythm, heart rate skyrockets to 170bpm.

5-16km: The competitor takes charge, I am entering a slightly rolling section, and I decide to speed up. Not in the best shape, but I'm enjoying it.

16 -19km: I grab a Haribo treat and start the climb. I know it well, having done a practice run 2 weeks before. I manage my effort well but my legs are starting to burn. I pass the summit of Béout and start the very technical descent, hindered by people ahead and unable to overtake.

19-25km: Last climb comes and suddenly my energy vanishes, leaving a blank. I'm struggling and asking myself many questions.

I finished in 3h16 in 64th place.

Former rugby player (age 28), I started road racing in January 2020 just before Covid. Initially drawn to asphalt, I aimed at 10km and half-marathons in 2020 and 2021. I began to tire of the pavement and the mountains in the background of my runs seemed enticing.

2022 marked my introduction to trail running and college life at the end of the year 😊. The year was split in two: January to July focused on trail running, and August to November focused on road.

In 2022, I had to juggle with injuries (adductor strain, ankle sprain, and Achilles tendonitis) while discovering a new discipline. In terms of performance enhancement, it wasn't a stellar year, but it was a major learning about self-management (injury handling, understanding mistakes, performance analysis) and self-reflection.

It was mid-November 2022 and I completed the Lourdes - Tarbes half-marathon in 1h30'36 with good race management. Having struggled with injuries throughout the year, I decided to properly heal all the issue for the end of 2022. I took a complete break for 2 weeks, intensive physical therapy, and gradual resumption with help from the campus.

And here I am in 2023, refreshed and full of enthusiasm.

In recovery since December, the first question was what plan to follow before the trail plan in early March. I had about 2 months to spare and after consideration, I chose an 8-week MAS plan. The race was scheduled for week 7, perfect to validate the preparation. January went very well, I gradually got back into shape, workouts were frequent, and the morale was there. Initially, the limiting factor was cardio, but eventually the strength workouts took effect 😊.

Besides the plan, I manage to include strength & conditioning, a mobility routine, stretching, and the nutrition plan with my nutritionist's help. Everything is going well 😀.

But of course, a plan never unfolds smoothly. End of January, first alert for my back, one of my weaknesses. It's not the first time it happens, so I'm not worried. I focus on mobility work for that part. The pain doesn't go away, but I can still keep up with the workouts and feel strong in my legs.

Then comes February 10 (a week before the race) with no more back pain, but a discomfort appears in the hamstring, yet I can finish my workout. The next day discomfort shifts behind the knee but doesn't stop me from running (it disappears when I warm up). The next day after that the discomfort shifts to the calf but this time it's a significant pain. I think it doesn't look good for next week…. I call my physio on Monday for an emergency session but they are overbooked. So I analyze the pain with help from the community and find it's a sciatic-type syndrome, so I set up a home protocol (massaging, back mobility, electrostimulation). It works as the pain gradually fades 🙏.

21km-1000m+ in duo with my friend Christian (we are about the same level). The aim is to complete the entire race together, a great sharing and effort-support principle with some nice arguments for couples 😅.

No time, placement goal, just enjoy and have a great time with my friend. This race will allow me to assess my form at the start of the season, see weaknesses, test nutrition, and new shoes.  

Here's the big day, I wake up feeling slightly feverish and with a cold. That's not a good sign. 10 a.m. Christian calls and says he's down with 40°C 🌡️ in bed due to the flu 😪. No longer a race partner, I share I'm looking for someone and contact the organizers to learn about next steps. They say I could race alone.

In the early afternoon still a bit under the weather but I decide to race as I needed to assess myself. So, I prepare my gear, choose to go without poles given the course profile, and get to test my new trail shoes (Salomon Ultra Glide 2). I ensure proper hydration and nutrition throughout the afternoon. 3:45 p.m. I head towards Omex (40 minutes from home).

Arrived at 4:30 p.m., 1.5 hours before the start, I pick up my race bib, chat with my friend Guigui from the organization, prepare my gear, and do a very light 10-minute warm-up. I reach the starting line 5-10 minutes before. The crowd is buzzing, a hundred teams present, the atmosphere is great. Both races are full (all bibs were picked up). Given my condition, I choose a conservative approach and start at the back of the pack. Ready for the challenge.

0-5km: Very poor sensations, extremely hot, I fall into an erratic pace, heart rate shoots to 170 bpm and I linger at the back of the pack. I'm questioning if it was a good idea to come considering my state. This lasts 30 minutes. Then Casper 👻 kicks me and tells me you came here to test yourself so speed up and if you explode it's not a big deal.

5-16.5km: The competitor in me takes over, I reach a more rolling section and decide to speed up... My legs respond a bit, the heart rate drops and stabilizes. I try to speed up in the descents to work on my technique and finally enjoy myself. Not in the best shape, but I'm enjoying it. I carefully follow my nutrition plan to the letter. I feel like I'm eating all the time. The kilometers flow along with gels, cashews, fruit pouches, and bars. No need to stop at the first two aid stations. I move up in the rankings and know I'm gaining time on a large group (15 teams) I can see in the distance. I'm 1 hour 52 minutes into the race, 59th place for 16.5 - 5 km with 500 m+ and 550 m-. The 40th place passes in 1 hour 43, 9 minutes ahead.

16.5-19.5km: At the third aid station, I take the time to eat well and catch my breath because I know the next kilometers will be uphill. I grab a Haribo treat and start the climb. I know it well, having done a practice run 2 weeks before. I manage my effort well but my legs are starting to burn. I pass the summit of Béout in 2 hours 13 minutes at 18.5 km, having moved up to 58th place. I sense the large group isn't far ahead visually (cursed visual effect in uphill) but the time tells another story. I'm a bit tired, but in good spirits, so all is well. 6 km with 250 m+ and 450 m- remains. I start the very technical descent, unable to progress as I'd like due to people in front and no room to overtake. Holding back I feel my quads heat up, but I push on.

19.5km-24km: Approaching the final climb, and suddenly I am out of sound and vision 💥🍿 No more energy. I hang on, try taking a gel, hydrate, but nothing works. I'm struggling and asking myself many questions. What happened? The slope increases, heavy legs, sharp back pain, I'm moving more with my head than anything else. My friend Casper supports me, people passing from behind encourage me but mentally it's tough. I reach the summit, with 3 km left, 250 m- downhill, and a slight incline. Unable to pick up the pace, it was a long struggle to the end ✝️☠️

I finish in 3 hours 16 minutes at 64th place, whereas the 40th finished in 3 hours 1 minute. I'm exhausted, oddly my legs aren't too sore, but my back is in agony and I'm very cold. Heading to the car to warm up, change clothes before going to the banquet 🍴😊.

April 1: Trail Vallée des Gaves: 21 km - 1200 m+

Mid-June: Patou Trail: 42 km – 3300 m D+ relay (my section 23.5 km – 2000 m+)

End of August: GRP Néouvielle 44 km-2400 m+ GOAL

September to November 2023: road running with a 10km or possibly a half-marathon (to be decided)