Etna Marathon 2008-06-17

I’ve finally found the time to write something about my race adventures this year.  While last year was a year full of highs and lows, this year has been altogether  more balanced.  Although there is always room for improvement!  

 

Etna marathon is the high point of the Mongibello team year with months of planning and hard work behind it.  This year was no exception, though some things were easier to plan based on previous experience, other things had to be improved and the course had to be perfect (no wrong turnings this time!). 

 

I had been looking forward to the race which I knew would be tough for a long time and was keen to do a good well.  It was a beautiful day, I felt fine and my bike seemed okay.  During the start loop I stayed calm, knowing that the real race would start when we got to Fornazzo and the first proper climb.  Though I knew that it was vital to stay ahead to not get stuck behind anyone on the first narrow paved track.  I was with a group of very familiar faces, including training mate Alfio and biker mates Gaetano and Paolo.  We pretty much stayed together, taking turns to lead the group up to the first big climb of the day.  Here I got ahead of the group I was with (except for Alfio) as suggested by team mate, Valerio.  I felt fine and continued ahead up to the really scenic windy hill through the Cerita woods.  More biker friends in the shape of Gabriele and Davide were manning the feed zone near the top.  While the excursionists kept climbing, we descended.  I lost some of my advantage here, but knew that the climb that followed would allow me to gain again.  Alfio was still ahead and so I concentrated on catching up with him.  All fine, that is until we hit the rocky descent to the tarmac road leading up to Le Ginestre.  I hit a rock with my back tyre and I felt it go soft.  Once on the road, I got off and tried to mend it with the fast.  No joy, so I ran up to the feed zone to seek help.  Valerio’s entire family were there and very generously asked riders for help.  Luckily somebody did, but two fast repair cans later had no effect.  The tyre was  too badly cut.  I then decided to soldier on, as this was my favourite part of the course and I didn’t want to miss the climb up past Grotta delle Palombe even if it meant running it.  I rode bits, ran bits.  Two saints by the names of Super Tino and Fabio Dovis (Hope you recover very soon!) gave me inner tubes, but neither worked.  Okay I thought, I’ll get to the Brunek and then see how it goes.  At this point, I had been pretty much been overtaken by everyone!  I ran most of the climb, but managed to pedal the last part.  I got to the Brunek, managed to get my tyre properly repaired and set off.  Hooray! I would at least manage to finish the race.  I battled up the paved and rocky ascent past the Brunek to then get to the last feed zone manned by Francesco and relatives.  Got frowned at by Francesco for poor race performance, while his uncle tried to fill my pockets with enough food for another day’s riding!  I declined the food and set off towards the 2 monti determined to do better. Past here I caught up with Danila and thought about catching up with Sabrina who was leading.  Once on the descent, I struggled along the sandy trails at the top and could see my team mate, Ciccio ahead.  I know the downhill here by heart as I’ve done it several times in training and looked forward to getting to Milo and maybe gaining some more places.  I caught up with Ciccio at the end, on the short climb before descending into Milo.  No sign of Sabrina who had come in  10 minutes ahead  of me.  Nevermind!  Experiences like these are familiar in long distance racing.