Training Log Archive: 'Bent

Quebec Mega Trail 50k.

2019 Quebec Mega Trail from Richard Ehrlich on Vimeo.

This race was unusually well organized. They warned us that the first half is much more difficult than it appears from the profile as it is very technical.
It was heavy fog when we got in the busses, but cleared up a bit. Very humid, and the trails were full of mud. Poles were banned until the 23km mark, but would have been excellent. Lots of traffic, but moving fast.
I had GoPro problems, which meant a break where I had to re-pass some less confident runners.
The dreaded Mestachibo section is basically in and out of the canyon Ste. Anne, with lots of scrambling on slippery rocks and a ton of stairs. Some nice scenery though, with the roaring river. I was glad to have great traction, as a lot of folks were having issues and taking mud baths.

I got to the aid station at the base of Mt. St Anne, fixed a blister and refilled liquids.
I was so glad to get my poles, as next stop was the summit. We climbed through fog into steamy heat, then full sun near the summit on ski slopes. I was feeling good but trying to protect my stomach on the climbs and my knee on the descents. We dropped back down, then re-climbed all they way back up a twisty trail with a surprising number of black flies. At the summit aid station there were hints of queasiness but I got some fruit and coke down.

From this point it was a long descent, then a long easy climb up the xc ski trails, and generally steady down on some road and some slippery singletrack beside another raging river. Normally I’d bomb this kind of running, but my gut shut down around the 45k mark, and I had to ultra-shuffle, walk off every sip of water and walk every uphill, even with booming thunder as incentive.

I finished mid pack, and got a finisher beer, but I had to go lie down and it took me an hour to sip the beer and some water. I was still too nauseated all afternoon and evening to eat anything much. I saw lots of 108km runners come in looking a lot better than I did! On the bright side, my knee was a non-factor.

Bash’s phone had died, but a woman she ran with was able to contact her partner who updated me. Bruno and I waited at the finish, and Bash came in looking strong after 80km+. Her friend Genevieve was the last finisher in the 50miler, but there were lots of drnfs.

C • Congrats! 12

Easy spin to work. No dogs.

Note- knee is feeling improved. Still a bit sore, but hopefully close to 100% for the Quebec Mega Trail ultra this weekend. I certainly took the taper seriously.

C • Good luck this weekend! 3

Lumberjack- shot-putted about half a ton of wood, split a couple of loads, hauled and stacked one. Also some rehab and core.

Knee friendly hike/jog to work sans pooch.

Easy trot in with the big boy. Knee is a bit better.

Knee was sore again yesterday evening, despite an easy weekend.
Spun very light gears to work with the big boy.

Biked Charlevoix trails for a lap with the big boy, then a second lap by myself of Palgrave singletrack. Had the place to myself, because everyone’s at the 24 hour at Albion. Perfect conditions, absolutely perfect.