Well, she's almost zero mountain running this year to prepare for this so hardly shocking.
Exactly. She can't be surprised either. Spent entire year focusing on track/ steeplechase which is fantastic, following her dreams. But literally a few week later hitting mountain running with all the champs. I was surprised she headed to Europe with so little training. She s not afraid to look unprepared and out of her league. Hopefully next one will fair better and race herself into shape.
Well, she's almost zero mountain running this year to prepare for this so hardly shocking.
Exactly. She can't be surprised either. Spent entire year focusing on track/ steeplechase which is fantastic, following her dreams. But literally a few week later hitting mountain running with all the champs. I was surprised she headed to Europe with so little training. She s not afraid to look unprepared and out of her league. Hopefully next one will fair better and race herself into shape.
Sierre-Zinal stands alone as a very unique mountain race and profile that requires very specific training. Imo it is the greatest mountain running race in the world (can't say it's always clean though...they've welcomed back EPO cheats will open arms).
As an American it can be a very hard adjustment to those trails and it's tough to get right the first time. I learned that myself when I first ran the race (horrible hamstring cramps within 10-miles), but then I learned how to train for it and when I went back a second time I lowered my best on the course to a 2:37 (still a far cry from Kilian's 2:25 CR), but I got 11th place that year (2019).
I'd also say it's probably a pretty long race for Allie to be doing....especially considering the track steeple focus this summer and her past with basically only doing "short mountain races". It feels more like racing a full marathon (nearly 3 hours for the top Women) at a very hard effort. The Boulder trails that exist now simply do not replicate the profile of SZ. It requires more specific prep and training imo. Boulder it not a good place to train for it.
Anyway, it does look like runners like Anna Gibson did quite well with a 6th place finish (3:08) on the Women's side as she was coming off the track trials for the US also. It probably helped she raced some VKs and the 26km at Broken Arrow at least in prep.
I think Allie can do better at shorter mountain races like Marin and Mammouth..although the training certainly has to be dialed. As someone who made top 10 in the Golden Trail Series Finals the two times I've tried (2018-2019), it is quite a series and very rewarding. Some of the most fun I've ever had in the sport of MUT. I wish her (as well as the other Americans trying) the best of luck!
Personally prefer watching sub ultra trail. I do look forward to the day when people stop thinking that big mountains are necessary. You guys in the mid west got plenty of cool places to creat challenging trail runs. Ever hear of gravel grinding races 👍
Hang on , while I spin this.....32nd of 284 entries , so top 11% . Way to go , AllieO
it's an open race so the vast majority entering are hobby joggers. That's like saying you finished in the top 11% of the NYC marathon - not impressive for a pro runner.
Ironically, Seattle would have been pretty ideal for preparation, based on the course profile. 1500m of gain in the first 5k. Plenty of accessible terrain like that within an hour.
Ironically, Seattle would have been pretty ideal for preparation, based on the course profile. 1500m of gain in the first 5k. Plenty of accessible terrain like that within an hour.
It's not just the gain over distance ratio....it's the nature of the trails in the Alps vs most US mountain ranges. Sierre-Zinal basically starts off with what feels like almost a double VK where you are powerhiking like 15-min miles and then all of a sudden you have to drop a low 5-min and 6-min miles on mountain trails (which feels very fast!). It is not technical. It's usually hot and exposed. The last 10-miles are actually a net downhill. That transition is super tough and requires some mountain legs but also some very specific turn-over. It helps to have some altitude training as well though.
Pound for pound it is probably the deepest and most competitive mountain race in the world (and has a super long history). Again, I can't say it's always clean though.
World mountain champions like Max King and Joe Gray and many others get beat at Sierre-Zinal. It's deeper in competition than UTMB or any other ultra or shorter mountain race I can think of. It is THE Mountain Race.
Ironically, Seattle would have been pretty ideal for preparation, based on the course profile. 1500m of gain in the first 5k. Plenty of accessible terrain like that within an hour.
It's not just the gain over distance ratio....it's the nature of the trails in the Alps vs most US mountain ranges. Sierre-Zinal basically starts off with what feels like almost a double VK where you are powerhiking like 15-min miles and then all of a sudden you have to drop a low 5-min and 6-min miles on mountain trails (which feels very fast!). It is not technical. It's usually hot and exposed. The last 10-miles are actually a net downhill. That transition is super tough and requires some mountain legs but also some very specific turn-over. It helps to have some altitude training as well though.
Pound for pound it is probably the deepest and most competitive mountain race in the world (and has a super long history). Again, I can't say it's always clean though.
World mountain champions like Max King and Joe Gray and many others get beat at Sierre-Zinal. It's deeper in competition than UTMB or any other ultra or shorter mountain race I can think of. It is THE Mountain Race.
Wow. Sounds grueling and exciting at same time. I'm surprised Allie would sign up for this on limited training or maybe her contract with sponsor was highly encouraging her to hit it hard right after trials. Either way she's a gamer and never seems to back off a challenge.
As fans of running (supposedly you are if you are in this website) most of us would understand this race wasn’t going to go well - no experience, just finished focusing on the 3000- but her sponsor needs her to run some races for what they sponsor her for. the result doesn’t matter - specially knowing she didnt prepare for it at all!
Yeah, I don’t see what the big deal is. She tried something new and probably had to talk her coach into it. Why not do some different stuff over the summer and have an adventure?