Profoundly in love with Andorra. Written on June 29, 2009, by johnh.
I have just got back from Andorra, where along with Rob Jebb, Tom Owens and Nick Sharp (and a special guest appearance from Robs brother Andy), I ran the Andorra skyrace. It was generally a good race for the team, with Rob third, Tom fifth and Nick ninth, I on the other hand had a nightmare struggling in in 19th. Andy came a very creditable 31st for what was his first skyrace.
I set of feeling quite good, going up the first climb without pushing too hard, but then coming out of the trees I fell apart in the sun, as soon as the race got high I suffered with the altitude as well. I don’t think I have ever done so much walking in a race, all the main climbs were so steep that nearly everybody walked them all, and even on some of the descents I was walking bits as I was so groggy that I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t just trip and fall. I must have drunk about five litres of water on the way round and despite this I still never quenched my thirst.
However, although the race was a bit of a nightmare for me, in place it was also one of the most spectacular races I have taken part in (hence the post title shamelessly ripped off from Adrian Mole). Some of the views would have been breathtaking, but for the fact that I didn’t have any breath to take, and some of the running, such as the main descent, was amazing.
I’m looking forward to a much needed break from racing now for most of July, hopefully followed by a good end of season.
