De qué hablo cuando hablo de correr...

[Bierzo Baggie]

This is the race I almost miss every year but seem destined to run regardless of all possible obstacles. It’s too long and too early in the season to be honest. I'd prefer some shorter races to break myself in gently.

This year’s edition I’d not counted on either. The organizer, Lolo, a master of marketing, has billed the Alto Sil as a mini-Zegama. Trail runners and mountain freaks come from far and wide as if descending on a Spanish Woodstock. The elite use it as preparation for more lucrative events across Europe.

But this race, although not particularly “technical” can surprise. Last year England’s Tom Owens, a winner of the 3 peaks race and 2nd at Zegama was the hot favourite. I’d say he’d probably come here with a bit of warm weather training in mind and in the end he didn’t even make the podium. Maybe the 2012 Alto Sil snowfest took him by surprise. Maybe he was injured.

This year the 350 or so places were destined to fly in the blink of a wobbly monitor screen. Entry would depend on the speed of your internet connection. I had already decided not to enter the undignified ruck to sign up for a race that would probably leave me lame.

Then a week early an e-mail informed me that as I had completed the previous 4 editions I was one of the privileged few who could jump the virtual-queue.

Sod it.

So I’m in once again.
Recorded the previous races here here here and here (why can't I use the hyperlinks anymore?)

2009 http://www.runningcommentary.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=86&pid=16260#pid16260
2010 http://www.runningcommentary.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1817&pid=19417#pid19417
2011 No race report for some reason..
2012 http://www.runningcommentary.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2125&pid=22659#pid22659

And in 2012 I took my favourite ever race photo as we trudged upwards through the eery stillness.
They’re predicting snow again for this Sunday.