Going out for a run.

[Antonio247]

“Monos” is Ancient Greek for “alone, only, single, sole, without a companion;” take your pick. From monos we get the prefix mono- leading to words like monopoly, monologue, monosyllable... It is also the origin of the word “monje” in Spanish, “monk” in English.

So there you go.

Sunday’s race was across, along and around two valleys. In other eras these steep sided valleys were populated by Visigoth monks, some of whom sought solitude and silence in the mountains of El Bierzo. They called the area the Tebaida Berciana because of the proliferation of monasteries as in Thebes in Egypt and this explains the peculiar name of the race.

It’s official. El Bierzo has gone trail running crazy.

April 1st Morredero race; 100% tarmac. 28 starters.

April 22nd. Tebaida Berciana. 100% offroad. 250 race entry limit reached in record time. Just like the Alto Sil in March.

“There’s a lot of expensive equipment out there” commented Bulgarian Pete as we scanned the hillside for a place to park. And he was right. We are seeing an authentic off-road running boom with all its paraphernalia, razzmatazz and marketing. Big watches, top of the range gear...
“A lot of big cars too.”
Sometimes it takes somebody looking in from “outside” to tell things as they really are.

The buzz of the trail after a week in the office or the town hall or the law courts is irresistible for many. The days of Pedro the lumberjack spliffing up after a big race already seem a generation away. Inevitable really.

We tried to convince our friend to join us but Bulgarian Pete, unemployed construction worker, decided to save his 15 euros entry fee and instead headed up the rocks in search of Saint Genadio’s cave, the sacred hermitage of the Visigoth Renaissance monk-man. Meanwhile, Bierzo Baggie, English teacher, and wild Oscar, lawyer, joined the gaudy mob below warming up to a pulsating beat of spin-class gym-techno in front of a giant inflatable bottle of coca cola. Had a bit of a jig myself actually.

I’d been looking forward to this race. The route is lovely and it suits me with its run-walk sections and its steep descents with a bit of single-track in between.

First we ran down a muddy path which took us through woods to the village stream and past a tiny water mill. Then I got my walking in early as we pushed up above the trees, across open moorland and over the hump of a sweet grassy col. On the mad, rock strewn descent I regained the places I’d lost on the climb. Ran through the ruins of the monastery of Montes where I grabbed half a banana at the first drinks station.

Next, a few kms along a wide, gently descending trail was followed by a vertical descent down the side of the valley to cross the road. Kept my feet although bits were starting to fall off one of my Mizunos.

Ran-walked the next climb, a more gradual one to the next village and the second drinks station. More banana and a final undulating section took us along the other side of the valley. Managed to overtake a few runners and finished just behind the second lady.

Ran well and finished in the upper half of the field which is a rarity these days.
The time:2 hours 28 minutes, a minute slower than last year but the course was slightly longer.

Pete was waiting at the finish. He’d found Saint Genadio’s cave and had spent a gentle morning of peace and reflection in the Valley of Silence. Unlike us noisy buggers.

Some wonderful photos of the race here (not mine).

Congratulations, BB! Besides, beautiful report as usual.

Saludos desde Almería