Tag Archives: Salomon Running

Episode 38 – Cooper, Campbell, Draney, Canepa

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Episode 38 of Talk Ultra is all about Ronda dels Cims. We discuss the race and have interviews ‘live’ from Andorra with 3rd place Matt Cooper, 7th place Jared Campbell, 8th place Ty Draney and the ladies winner Francesca Canepa. Speedgoat talks Western States, we have a special Talk Training with Jez Bragg and we have the up and coming races for the next two weeks.

Show Notes
02:56:18
00:00:00 Start
00:25:40 News
00:39:10 Talk Training with TNF athlete Jez Bragg – If one person knows how to pack a rucksack and what to put in it for a long training session or race in the mountains, it is Jez Bragg. On this weeks Talk Training we discuss mandatory kit and discuss some of the options that are available and what we should consider. Jez Bragg HERE
01:01:45 Interviews
01:02:30 Matt Cooper from Australia came to the 2013 edition of Ronda dels Cims and had a stunning race. Not many people could fall into a freezing river in the middle of the night, climb out and then continue the race in sub zero temperatures and finish on the podium. Website HERE
01:25:04 Jared Campbell is somewhat a legend in ultra running. He has achieved so much… one of the few runners to finish the infamous Barkley, he is considered a tough guy of ultra running. Listen to what he thinks of the Ronda dels Cims course. Website HERE
01:52:00 Ty Draney has been running ultras for well over ten years, he has run 100’s and completed Hardrock 100. Ty expected Ronda dels Cims to be his toughest ever challenge. Was it? HERE
02:25:00 Francesca Canepa turned peoples heads in 2012 when she placed 2nd behind Lizzy Hawker at the TNF UTMB. Incredibly, just seven days later she raced Tor des Deants and won… her win at the 2013 edition of the Ronda dels Cims certainly puts her high up on a pedestal for long distance races. Website HERE
02:40:50 Meltzer Moment
02:49:20 Up and Coming Races
02:52:30 Close
02:56:18
LINKS:

Julien Chorier wins the 2013 Ronda dels Cims

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What an incredible 28+ hours on the mountains and trails of Andorra. Once again, Julien Chorier proves that when it comes to ‘tough’, no one comes tougher!

With wins at UTMF, Hardrock 100 and now Ronda dels Cims, Julien Chorier has proved that he is a master of his craft.

Having watched him up close during this event, I am amazed at how calm, relaxed, methodical and how easy he made this look… just this morning on the final climb of the day after spending a cold night on the trails, he smiled, laughed and casually asked how far behind 2nd place was.

I told him he had no need to worry, second was at least 90 minutes away!

Many congratulations Julien, it was a wonderful performance on what is, without doubt, an incredibly tough course.

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Ronda dels Cims (day 1) Race Images

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©copyright .iancorless.com._1120943Night has fallen. Day 1 on the 171km Ronda dels Cims is done and as the runners follow that narrow beam from a head torch, you are able to look at a selection of images from the day.

Julien Chorier has lead from the front all day and as we move past midnight, his lead was almost an hour over second place.

Emilie Lecomte also lead from the front but Francesca Canepa pulled back time around the 50k mark and has slowly pulled away. However, the first three ladies are very close. Anything can happen!

 

Ryan Sandes – Wandering Fever Fund

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MG_00841Ryan Sandes is a modest and extremely giving person. Modest about his ability, one almost has to laugh when he says, “An impulsive decision one Sunday afternoon completely changed my life back in 2008. Could I run 250km, self-supported through a Desert? Without another thought, I maxed out my credit card and entered a race I knew almost nothing about. The lead up to the Gobi Desert Race consumed me but most importantly it enabled me to dream.”

Dream he did and look what has happened. He has won races on all continents, he is unbeaten in the four deserts, he has won Leadville 100, he was second at Western States 2012, beating Geoff Roes CR and loosing out to a flying Timothy Olson.

It is an incredible journey.

Ryan says, “I have worked damn hard to achieve my dreams, but I have always been in a fortunate position. What about the people who do not have the opportunities to make their dreams a reality?”

Way back when Ryan’s  journey started, long time friends Dean Leslie and Greg Fell (The African Attachment) asked if they could document his story. What a coup. Nobody would have thought that a fil project called ‘Wandering Fever’ would actually document the rise of somebody to the pinnacle of the sport.

Now Wandering Fever has been a long term project, Dean, Leslie and Ryan have said many times… it won’t be long! Well, finally, it looks like the latter half of 2013 may well see the release of this highly anticipated film.

Ryan is extremely appreciative of his success and he wants to give back.

“I want to provide a base, a launching pad for people to reach out and grab their dreams with both hands and change their lives. I have decided to set up a Fund which will be distributed  to individuals, charities or worthwhile causes, enabling people to LIVE their dreams.”

It is all about givingback to the community, and I for one am so pleased to here of this initiative.

“The “Wandering Fever Fund” is currently being setup and will be kick-started by 50% of all the profit made from the documentary Wandering Fever (which is due to be completed later this year). Wandering Fever has been a very raw and personal project for Dean, Greg (The African Attachment) and myself, and we all feel very strongly about giving back to the community that has given me so much.”

Ryan finishes off by saying, “It is up to us more fortunate people to share our opportunities with those less fortunate. If I could help only one person live their dream, then that in itself would be a dream come true for me.”

Links:

Ryan Sandes HERE

Wandering Fever HERE

Julien Chorier pre race interview Ronda dels Cims 2013

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Julien Chorier, Ronda dels Cims 2013 copyright iancorless.com
Julien Chorier, Ronda dels Cims 2013 copyright iancorless.com

Julien Chorier talks to Ian ahead of the 2013 Ronda dels Cims. A tough 171km mountain course with altitude gain of over 12,000m. Early in 2013, Julien returned to UTMF 100-mile race in Japan (he won the race in 2013) and placed second. He says that he feels recovered and he is excited by the prospect of racing over this tough course in Andorra.

From Julien’s website:

Ever higher, ever stronger to face the challenges that allow us to mix nature in its most beautiful pageantry, whether in our wonderful mountain scenery in the midst of Corsican maquis, face to face or circuses Reunion Mount Fuji …

Yes, but this is made possible by the support of my family, my friends, my faithful partners and supporters.

Remember Into the Wild: “Happiness is only real When shared” 

Julien CHORIER

YouTube HERE

Links:

  • Julien Chorier HERE
  • Salomon Running HERE
  • Ronda dels Cims HERE

Kilian’s Quest S4 Ell – Time to Move On

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“It’s important not to get stuck in a routine and evolve as an athlete”

Kilian Jornet

He is still so young but we feel that he has been around for so long…. without doubt, in my opinion, he is without doubt one of the greatest athletes of all time and he still has so many years ahead of him. What he can achieve is beyond parallel. What he has already achieved is beyond parallel.

It may be time to move on, but it’s only time to move on from Kilian’s Quest.

I for one am excited about what the future holds for a true ambassador for ALL sports. Bravo Kilian and bravo Salomon for helping him on his journey.

Filming one again by the boys at The African Attachment. Top work fellas!

Trans D’Havet 2013 why not?

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Why not?

Why not indeed… Trans D’Havet is waiting for you! Take advantage of the European Skyrunning Championships and enter one race, two races or all three and make a week of it in the perfect location of the Dolomites and the Veneto. Still places available!

Entry available HERE

Every two years the European Skyrunning Championships are celebrated and 2013 is no exception.  The big news is the inclusion for the first time of the ultra distance.  The venue is all-Italian with the Vertical Kilometer® and SkyRace® in Canazei, Dolomites on July 19 and 21, while the Ultra will take place just six days later in the nearby Veneto Region.

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The Dolomites will again host two of the events in the three-year history of the Championships.  The record on the unforgiving Vertical Kilometer® course just 2,1 km long, stands at 33’16” by world record holder Italian Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola in 39’13” back in 2008 when the course was inaugurated.

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The classic Dolomites SkyRace® favoured by the world’s top runners offers a new challenge after record-breaking performances here this year by Kilian Jornet in 2h01’52”, and the three top women, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg,American Kasie Enman and Spaniard Mireia Mirò – all under record time.  Forsberg’s record stands at 2h26’00”.

The challenging and often technical course represents one of the toughest proving grounds for the relatively short distance:  22 km but with 1,750m climb to the summit of the Piz Boè which, at 3,152m altitude, towers above the start and finish of the race in Canazei.

The much anticipated Ultra is embodied by the Trans d’Havet, a point to point 80 km long with 5,500m vertical climb traversing the Piccole Dolomiti in the Veneto Region.  The route, technical in stretches, includes 6 km of tunnels dating back to the First World War, created by General D’Havet, to whose name the race is dedicated.

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Info:

  • Distance: 50 km / 62.1 miles Elevation gain: 5,500m
  • Elevation loss: 5,500m
  • 5 peaks or passes at 1,600m altitude
  • Max altitude: 2,239m (Rifugio Fraccaroli) Pass below galleries of the first World War 8 aid stations
  • 23h time limit
  • 2012: Daniele Palladino (ITA) 10h58’44’’
  • 2012: Francesca Canepa (ITA) 11h44’45’’
Francesca Canepa copyright iancorless.com

Francesca Canepa copyright iancorless.com

At the launch in 2012, the men’s winning time was 10h58’44”, no doubt destined to fall with the top European runners participating here in 2013.

Following on from the Dolomites SkyRace® on the 21st, five days’ activities and fun-packed action are being organised for runners who want to stay over for the Trans d’Havet.  More news on this later.

The European Skyrunning Championships are open with individual titles at stake in each discipline based on the sum of the highest points scored in two out of three events.  The national title is based on the score of the first three men and one woman in all three events.

Vertical

Dolomites Vertical Kilometer®, Canazei, Trento, July 19

Sky

Dolomites SkyRace®, Canazei, Trento, July 21

Ultra

Trans d’Havet, 80k, Piovene R, Piccole Dolomiti, Vicenza – July 27

LINKS:

Trans D’Havet website HERE

Dolomites Sky Race HERE

Dolomites VK HERE

Skyrunning website HERE

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0 Recovery Shoe

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Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0

Do you need a recovery shoe? Ultimately, I guess not. You can survive without them for sure… I personally have always been fond of a pair of flip flops or similar post runs to allow my feet to breathe and basically just allow the foot to relax. However, I have never been able to walk too far in them. Step in Salomon.

Salomon produced a range of recovery shoes some time ago; a pair of flip flops called RX Break, a ‘slide’ shoe called RX Slide and a shoe version called RX Moc. I am testing the ‘jazzed’ up version of the Moc called the S-Lab RX 3.0.

I guess in principal it is the same shoe as the ‘Moc’ but has S-Lab branding, flashier colours and you pay a little more… I don’t mind, they look cool and feel great!

Recovery shoes are basically the perfect antidote after a long and tiring workout. They are ideal before and after sports provides amazing cushioning and breathability.

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0

The S-Lab RX 3.0 has been developed with Salomon athletes and includes new REELAX which combines sensiflex™ technology and new OS tendon construction that elevate recovery.

In short, they work!

I have been using these shoes for over a month now and they are my normal day-to-day shoe. Great on the street or great in the home. Light, breathable, extremely comfortable; you don’t even know you are wearing them most of the time.

Whilst walking for any length of time I can feel my foot working and the RX provides almost a massage feel. Like many other shoes that provide support, the RX is minimalist in construction and therefore allows to foot to work in a natural way.

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0 sole

Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0 sole

Grip is not unlike the ‘Sense’ range of shoes and on wet pavement they grip perfectly. Of course the upper is not water or weatherproof, so, if it’s raining you are going to get wet feet. The midsole is injected EVA providing perfect cushioning for daily use. The footbed is leather for added comfort. With or without socks your feet do not get hot in the RX 3.0.

The shoes do everything you would expect from a recovery shoe. Light, comfortable, a pleasure to wear and of course they have that unique Salomon styling that pleases from a visual perspective also.

Recommended!

*Note – they size a little small, I am a UK9. I usually wear a UK9.5 in Salomon but in the RX I take a UK10. I have all three models the ‘Break’, ‘Slide’ and ‘Moc’ and this applies to all.

Features:

Weight: 220g/ 7.8oz for UK10

UPPER:

– Breathable Open Mesh

– Sensflex

OUTSOLE:

– Non Marking ContaGrip™ – Salomon’s unique traction technology. Contagrip™ is a mix between density, compound and geometry to optimise grip and durability for each surface or activity.

SOCKLINER:

– Leather footbed – provides excellent comfort & climate control

MIDSOLE:

– Injected EVA

Price is expected to be around £60.00 in the UK. They are currently only available on pre-order so please check around. Expected stock is Summer 2013.

Links:

Salomon Running HERE