After Hamperokken, before the UTMB

171 kilometres and 10,300 metres of elevation gain define the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), taking place this year from 31 August to 2 September. Florian Grasel is Austria’s most prominent representative at this major event. Here, the Lower Austrian reflects on his sport and life.

(c) David Wallmann.

We are at Tromsø airport: two adults, two eight-month-old children and four large suitcases. The taxi driver refuses to take us to the hotel. He has no child seats, and carrying us without them would be illegal. I understand and agree on safety grounds. But after 12 hours of travel with twins Anna and Anton needing almost constant attention, we simply want to reach our accommodation. No chance. We take the bus and walk the last two kilometres. I have already completed a real ultra before even starting the Hamperokken Skyrace.

The race itself was fantastic. I did not know what to expect. 57 kilometres with 4,800 metres of climbing commanded respect, yet I worried it might be too short for me. I had not prepared specifically and just wanted to enjoy it. Fog covered the most technical and dangerous section, which probably suited others as well as me: we could not see the 200- or 300-metre drops on either side of the ridge. I finished tenth and was delighted. The winner took 7:04 hours; I took 72 minutes longer. Those numbers alone show how demanding Kilian Jornet’s race is.

Hamperokken was one of many highlights in Norway. I had never visited before and was overwhelmed by nature’s scale. New Zealand’s fjords are beautiful; Norway’s are unbeatable. We returned with so many positive impressions that going back, sooner or later, is practically decided. I can recommend this corner of the world to everyone!

From the past to the future: the UTMB is in two weeks. This will be my fourth start after 2013, 2015 and 2017. Last year, I finished the mammoth course in under 24 hours, and that is the goal again. For the first time, I will have no dedicated support team. In 2017, my wife and BOA Running Team friends Michi and Ivan helped, the latter finding time while travelling to another event. This will be a new experience, hopefully a positive one.

I plan to arrive on Thursday, 30 August. The start is Friday at 6 p.m. I want to be home on Sunday, 2 September, and at work the next day. It sounds stressful, and it is. But there is no other way. I am grateful that my wife supports my running adventures, especially as our children need more attention. I do not want to be away a day longer than necessary. Then there is my work and company: thriving, but needing care and presence.

I divide myself into three, knowing my priorities: family, work, trail running, in that order. I want to give my best at the UTMB and, like anyone, would be disappointed to miss my goal. But honestly, beyond a little self-affirmation, nothing is at stake in my running.

That makes me free, light-hearted and happy.

Want to learn more? Here is the book “Intensität”.