Race day. Morning was good, I woke up and felt great. Then I had breakfast - I had Gorila protein oatmeal (brand from Serbia I always use before the race) with 100ml of soya yogurt and some mixed berries. So yummy and delicious. Then I had my regular coffee and it was time for the lunch, i.e. pre race meal, as this race started at 5pm, very late start for me to be honest. I tried to train my body to be active at that time for the last 20 days and it has been successful. My pre-race meal was white rice with a little bit of Gorila protein oatmeal and come red berries, and it was 3 hours before the race start. It was not an easy part to wait for the time to pass by and start with preparation for the race but we managed it somehow. The good this was that our friends were running Istria UTBM race and we were following them and cheering them by sending messages, etc. This helped a lot.

Women start at Calamorro Skyrace, photo: guijarro.photo

Finally, we went to the start line approximately one hour before the start of the race. Interesting fact was that women race started at 5pm and men race at 5:30pm. Around 70 females and more than 100 men were at the start line. They are here to compete and achieve the best results and ranking within Merrell Skyrunner World Series 2024.

*Finish of the first climb at Calamorro Skyrace, picture by: _guaresti*_

Race started. It was a good first climb, a have been running fast and the uphill section went well, I felt strong and like I could push. The last climbing section was a true climbing section, where you needed to use your hands as well, but it was amazing, the feeling when you are surrounded by big rocks motivated me to move faster. First section was done in 41 minute, for me very fast, didn’t expect it.

Then downhill started and it was technical one but I managed it well, chasing some girls in front of me. Then some stomach ache started, it was very light in the beginning, just enough to make you feel it, but not to start slowing down. I was hoping it will pass, so I can continue smashing the course. The second section was done in 36 minutes, great timing. Then second control point came and they had water, pepsi, aquarius, orange, banana and some salty nuts. I took pepsi and fill my flask with water, as I needed to sprinkle myself with water all the time as it was too hot. Then second uphill started. This is where first men overtook me, hehe, finally. Roberto Delorenzi, the man who broke the course record and finish the race in 2 hours 25 minutes, when I was at the end of second downhill, crazy, isn’t it.

So, while I was at the second climb, a lot of men were passing by my side and a lot of times I needed to stop and let them pass, which was not pleasant at the time, as often I was out of my rhythm and the uphill was so hard. Still could run though. This uphill has the hardest section at the end where you have 200 meters of elevation in approximately 400 meters of long trail, mostly through the forest, where was humid and very hot. Still pushing and going hard. Reached the top.

Not easy at all. At this third control point I took some Pepsi and 1/4 of an orange and the girls refreshed me with some water sponge, this I needed a lot. Second downhill started. I started slowing down as my stomach started to ache and the pain was not really bearable, especially with bouncing on the rocks while trying to run this technical section. And then I saw asphalt - seems like they changed the route for some safety reason, but that was only for 400 meters, approximately. The pain was increasing and I was trying to keep up but couldn’t, this is a moment where I started to slow down drastically. At fourth control point I took a sip of water and continued.

Latest downhill at Calamorro Skyrace, photo by: quimfarrero

Third and the latest uphill, 2.3 kilometers with 424 meters of elevation gained. And I though this would be easier than the previous one. So funny of me. I suffered a lot during that climb and it lasted so long, like a cave without the light at the end. I was so deep in it and I thought I wouldn’t be able to find my way out. Stomach pain was increasing and as I couldn’t ear nor drink, I started to feel a but dizzy and didn’t like the feeling at all. But what could I do in that moment. I tried to eat some crackers but my moth felt so dry. Add some water and it was a bit better. Some time after, it was better, continued to move a bit faster and finally reach the top of the latest uphill section and started my decent.

Slowly, but with each step closer to the finish line. Walking and then running, clenched my teeth and started running faster thinking that I need to finish this, I cannot crawl anymore, it is time for me to give my all in these last 3 kilometers. At the latest control point at around 23rd kilometer I took a sip of aquarius and continued, running until the end and sprinting into the finish line, angry with myself and pissed out at my stomach and wondering why it didn’t listen to me, why it didn’t behave normally and make me shine and run and enjoy in this wonderful race, as it really is. And yes, I used my new head torch, wonderful and light as a feather - Petzl Bindi - even only for 2 kilometers it was very useful and I believe it made me run faster.

Even with this mix of feelings, I made it, finished 27 K with 2200 m of elevation gained (and lost) in 4 hours 13 minutes, as 33rd woman. Not the time I was hoping to have at the end, but glad I make it through. The fun thing was that I was using headlamp for the latest 2 kilometers and that this was the first time ever I was running with it and I could say it was an interesting exoperience. It is good when you don’t see clearly where you are stepping as I think I run faster because of it, as everything seemed the same and smooth.

The best part of the race for me was ending of the first decent where we literally climbed the peak, hugging and cuddling big rocks while being motivated by the spectators.

What could be done better next year - organizers - please have cola or pepsi at every aid station. Also, if you can add soda (or agua con gaz) that would be amazing. As pro athletes already have their nutrition waiting for them at all control points, I assume adding these would benefit other runners.

My nutrition strategy for the race was to survive, this time.

What I was wearing:

Salomon S-Lab Ultra 3 running shoes
Crazy socks
T8 shorts
Some unknown sports running top I bough in some store in Malaga for 6 euros
Compressport running belt
Petzl Bindi head torch

For me this was also one special race as it was held at my grandma’s birthday and I wanted to run this in her honor and make her proud by finishing it, which I did. Thinking on her gave me strength even when it was hard and difficult to move on.

The race was in Benalmádena, south of Spain, on 6th of April 2024. This was the second race of the circuit. Runners climbed mountain Calamorro and had 3 main climbs, all approximately had around 500-600 meters of climbing in not more than 4 kilometers. Roberto Delorenzi was leading from the start and created a big gap which he held during the whole race and at the end broke the male course record for more than 15 minutes or so. On the woman side, Sara and Júlia were fighting the whole time and the winner was known at the last meters of the race, when Sara gathered her strength and moved a bit faster than Júlia, less than a minute faster, but that led her to victory and braking the course record. Astonishing achievements for the race winners, both male and female.

The race was covered by Evasion Outdoor TV and you can watch it at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_K0hhTFhYI