The decision to run the Eiger Trail in Grindelwald (Switzerland) was made a year ago. We then hesitated so long with registration that the 51 km that Emiel had wanted to run was already full. We both signed up for the 35 km (E35) at MudSweatTrails. Well enough in advance to think how we should train for a mountain trail. Just look at the elevation (2500m+), how do you train that in our flat country? We took every opportunity to run (powerwalk) hills, including on the so-called Rotterdam Alp. Running this ski hill up and down a good number of times. We also visited the French mountains for a week for the necessary meters elevation. Would it all be enough for the Swiss adventure? July 14, we would know the answer ...
Thursday before the race we arrived in Grindelwald at the Mountainhostel MST had seized. This group alone consisted of almost 100 participants from the Netherlands. In the afternoon we walked a "short" round to explore the course. It was not easy, especially the steep downhill I found difficult. I was getting a bit concerned about the race! Later in the afternoon we had the material check and pick up of our bib numbers. We wanted to do as little as possible on Friday, so we took the cable car to First. This is a nice place at high altitude, from where we could admire the Eiger (we even saw a small avalanche!). The E51 and E101 pass First, runners of the E35 don't. The weather was nice, although predictions for Saturday were warm (25 degrees) with rain and thunderstorms. The next day, race day, we first took the train to Burglauenen. It began to rain lightly, while we were waiting for the start. It didn't bother us much, as the first part to Wengen was mainly in the forest. After Wengen came the (in)famous vertical kilometer. I was surprised how well it went. I could catch up with a lot of people, as far as possible on the single track (traffic jams!). At the top, at Mannlichen, I took a little more rest. Then came a nice descent, followed by a climb that I found at least as heavy as the vertical kilometer. Now fatigue and height also counted. But I knew, when I am at the top, most will be downhill. That sounds simple, but 14 kilometers down is heavy on the legs. I tried to run "lightly" (not to hang on the thighs). The downhill was pretty technical with stones. This is really something one can't practice in the Netherlands! I was therefore overtaken on all sides. Down in the valley heat fell over me like a heavy blanket. We climbed again and then, for the last 5 km, we went into the forest. The good feeling I had before was totally gone. Here I had to walk almost everything, I felt so overheated. How happy I was with the finish! Emiel was already there and he too found the last part of the race very warm. Then we went to the hostel to hear the stories of the other runners. It's nice to go with a group, during the race I saw so many familiar faces. I usually passed them going up and they passed me on the downhill (I know what to work on). Running a mountain trail is quite an experience. Not comparable to a "normal" trail in the Netherlands. And we had nice weather (too hot for my liking). The rain came later so the E51 and E101 runners did suffer from this. If you ever want to run such a mountain race, I recommend the following: Don't forget to look around!
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