TNF Trans Gran Canaria – Pre Race

Posted on February 26, 2013 by talkultra

It was a cold night in the mountains… the hot temperatures on the coast at lunch had disappeared. Wrapped under four blankets and still fully dressed during the night we emerged to a glorious new day.

As the sun rose so did the temperature. It wasn’t really hot but hey, it was warm enough. A couple of hours on the trails to allow me to capture images, that is all I needed. I love the light in the mountains. It’s warm and at this time of the year the sun is low in the sky providing some strong directional light.

Gran Canaria has some incredible trails and when you put Ryan Sandes, Philipp Reiter and Trailschnittchen Julia Böttger on them and only good things can come of it.

Philipp was like a wound up cork, he literally hasn’t run for 3 months. He has been skiing. It didn’t affect him, he shot up the trail immediately and we chased. What followed was a series of memorable moments on some incredible trail. Here is a highlight but you can see all the images HERE.

Our morning fun over we left for the coast at midday. A leisurely lunch of fresh seafood and salad with views of the beach. The break over and another short journey, we arrived at what can only be referred to as a palace. Our hotel for 2 nights, the H10. In incredible hotel.

Ryan Sandes did a talk and presented a video of his Fish River Canyon run. It was a really enlightening and informal chat… I have to say, Ryan came out with some great quotes:

“My first marathon was like a teenager having sex… It wasn’t pretty!”

“I enjoy the mental aspect of ultra trail races. Immense highs and lows. I’ve learnt lots about myself. But it’s about enjoyment. I really respect those runners that take twice as long to complete the race than I do…. But, they get better value for money!”

“Lots of foot prints on the trail, do you follow them or do you make your own?”

So as our first day draws to a close it’s time to make the most of the H10 hotel and take advantage of a wonderful dinner laid on for us by the management.

Ryan Sandes website HERE

Philipp Reiter website HERE

Julia Bottger website HERE

The TNF Tran Gran Canaria website HERE

Salomon S-Lab EXO Twinskin Skort

Posted on February 22, 2013 by talkultra

You are going to have to trust me on this one… I don’t wear a ‘Skort’ often but I have seen Emelie Forsberg and Anna Frost in them throughout 2012.

Now of course they are Salomon sponsored athletes but believe me, if they didn’t tick the boxes and if they were not completely comfortable, they would be choosing another item to wear within the Salomon range.

‘Skorts’ are an unusual item. Initially they were frowned upon by many… my partner included, but it would appear that once you wear one there is no going back!

Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless

Skorts are basically a tight fitting short (like cycling shorts) with a loose ‘over’ fabric. Now I am guessing here but the functional side is quite obvious. The tight shorts provide close fitting comfort and the loose overlay provides some modesty.

The EXO short is a compression product and as such holds the leg muscles tightly providing reduced muscle fatigue and postural support by increasing blood flow. Within the shorts are an additional inner brief for comfort.

The compression reduces muscle vibration and from all the ladies I have spoken to who have used the Skort they have all come back with similar comments: “I could feel the tightness of the compression holding my muscles and restricting vibration but in a very comfortable way. It didn’t feel restrictive”.

Of course this hold and compression not only reduces fatigue whilst running but it also aid the recovery process. In both the mens EXO shorts and the ladies EXO Skort a universal comment of “legs feel less tired and trashed the next day” is common

The EXO fabric has actiLITE material and this is strategically positioned to be thinner in certain places to allow the body to loose more heat. They have a high waistband with pockets included. The S-Lab range is all about functionality and it is these pockets in conjunction with EXO fabric that sets these products apart from much of the competition. The pockets can carry a small jacket rolled up, gloves, gels, a phone, money or whatever small essential items that may be needed. The pockets have a ‘tab’ to make access easy and of course if you use the Skort with the 2013 S-Lab Light Jacket (HERE) they make the perfect combination.

The S-Lab range is all about making products that perform at the highest level. They allow freedom of movement and offer additional functionality. This, as always, comes at a price so expect to pay in the region of £90 in the UK.

Anna Frost at Cavalls del Vent copyright Ian Corless

Specifications

Light postural support, muscle compression and improved blood flow, these shorts improve performance without chaffing.

EXO SENSIFIT STABILITY – Run easier: better alignment of your body allows you to run easier on uneven trails downhill & uphill. Run longer: Reduce cramping, muscle soreness, saving energy & preventing injuries. +5% of muscle performance. Recover better: Improve recovery time. +11% of active recovery.
Twinskin technology – skin fit under-shorts, loose fitting over-skirt
Ultralight, flexible ACTILITE™ Stretch Woven outer skirt material that is light and breathable
ACTILITE Stretch Mesh – lightweight & breathable waist construction
3 Pockets for gels, gloves, jacket etc
Skin fit
Inseam length: 23 cm

Fabric:

ACTILITE™ STRETCH WOVEN material – light, flexible and breathable
ACTILITE™ E JERSEY
ACTILITE STRETCH MESH – highly breathable mesh
Inner Brief: PA 78%; EL 22%
Shell: PES 88%; EL 12%
Overlay: PU 100%
Waistband: PA 59%; EL 41%
Weight: 140g

Salomon website HERE

Miguel Heras – Calendar 2013

Posted on February 22, 2013 by talkultra

Miguel Heras at Templiers copyright Ian Corless

Salomon athlete, Miguel Heras has just posted his race calendar for 2013

– ULTRA DEL MERIDIANO 2 FEBRERO

-TRANSGRANCANARIA 3 MARZO.

-ADVANCE WEEK 3-10 ABRIL

-LAKE SONOMA 13 ABRIL

-TRANSVULCANIA 11 MAYO

-ZEGAMA 26 MAYO

-WESTERN STATE 29 JUNIO

-EUROPEAN CHAMPS 27 JULIO

-LEADVILLE 17 AGOSTO

-RUN RABBIT 13 SEPTIEMBRE

-UROC 28 SEPTIEMBRE

– SAN FRANCISCO 2 DICIEMBRE.

Miguel Heras copyright Ian Corless

Great to see some classic races in that list and of course plenty of Skyrunning too!

Follow Miguel at his website HERE

Salomon S Lab Light Jacket 2013

Posted on February 20, 2013 by talkultra

Salomon need no introduction to the trail and ultra running community. Born in 1947 in the French Alps. For more than 60 years the brand has progressed to now offer some of the most innovative and ground breaking products to be used on the trails and mountains. With constant athlete feedback and collaborations, Salomon have progressed running apparel to new levels with innovative solutions.

The Sense and Sense Ultra shoe models are now one of the most talked about footwear options in the trail and ultra community. A shoe that was developed closely with Kilian Jornet.

Apparel has also been developed, tweaked and modified to provide todays runners with specific clothing designed to excel. Welcome the 2013 Salomon S-Lab clothing range.

Salomon S-Lab Light Jacket

This is the jacket that the Salomon racing team have been using on the trails and mountains throughout last year. The 2012 season threw some really bad weather at the team and this jacket was put to great use at races such as Zegama, Cavalls del Vent and Templiers.

Andy Symonds at Templiers copyright Ian Corless

Weighing in at just 70g this jacket rolls up into nothing and can be added to the pockets within the S-Lab shorts/skort range (see follow on posts) or added to a waist belt. It is ultra light, windproof with a super soft and comfortable feel. It has a simple design and is ideally designed for racing situations when a light and additional layer is required. Should conditions be particularly cold or continually wet, a more durable jacket may well be required.

Specs

Fully windproof CLIMAWIND™ material

Featherweight at 70g

Highly breathable

Full length Zip for easy/quick on and off

Highly Packable and will fit in the palm of your hand

Reflective branding

Active fit jacket – unrestricted movement

Fabric:

CLIMAWIND PRO™

Available in white and black.

Salomon website: HERE

Trans Gran Canaria update

Posted on February 19, 2013 by talkultra

I have just had confirmation that I will be flying over to Gran Canaria on Monday 25th for several days ahead of the race the following weekend.

I will be staying at a holding camp with the elite athletes so that I can obtain some interviews, capture some images and report back before the action commences.

Unfortunately due to prior commitments I will be unable to stay for the race as I need to leave for Lanzarote on the 28th, rest assured though I will provide as much feedback as possible.

I guess the breaking news is as follows:

Lizzy Hawker has withdrawn from the 119km race as she needs more time to allow for adequate recovery before moving on with a very hectic 2013 racing schedule.

Emelie Forsberg is a last minute addition but she is taking the short option of 42km. It was only last week that she stepped of skis so this will very much be an easing into 2013.

Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless

Ryan Sandes said it’s still early season and has dropped from the 119km distance to the 83km. He obviously has big plans for later in the year and quite rightly is taking a cautious approach to what is still very early in 2013.

CONFIRMED ENTRANTS as of Feb19th

119km

Carlos Sá Portugal 119km race
John Tidd USA 119km race
Lidia Gómez Spain 119km race
Marta Prat Spain 119km race
Miguel Heras Spain 119km race

Miguel Heras copyright Ian Corless

Nerea Martínez Spain 119km race
Sebastien Chaigneau France 119km

Seb Chaigneau copyright Ian Corless

Zigor Iturrieta Spain 119km race

83km

Julia Böttger Germany 83km race
Marco Olmo Italy 83km race
Philipp Reiter Germany 83km race

Philipp Reiter at Cavalls del Vent copyright Ian Corless

Ryan Sandes South Africa 83km race

42km

Emelie Forsberg Sweden 42km race
Nuria Domínguez Spain 42km race

Update on Talk Ultra – @talkultra

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/talkultra

Blogs, photos and posts – https://www.iancorless.com

Run or Die – Kilian Jornet

Posted on February 18, 2013 by talkultra

Looks like the wait is over… ‘Run or Die’ by Kilian Jornet is now available to ‘pre order’ in English for July 2013 delivery.

Kiss or kill. Go for glory or die trying.

This is the extreme philosophy of an extreme athlete. A hero. An extraordinary person. An exceptional competitor. Kilian Jornet is a world champion ultra-runner, and before age 25 had conquered some of the toughest physical tests on the planet. He has run the great Mt. Kilimanjaro faster than any other human being, and struck down world records in every challenge that has been proposed.

Run or Die is not just Jornet’s story, but his philosophy of life.

Available on Amazon HERE

Skyrunning World Series Participants 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by talkultra

SWS – champions choice

Building on the 2012 Skyrunner® World Series success and the introduction of the Ultras, 2013 prepares for an even bigger star-studded cast.

The line-up of champions is headed by 2012 SWS winners Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg and Nuria Picas, joined by past world champions Emanuela Brizio, Oihana Kortazar, Luis Alberto Hernando and Tofol Castanyer and WMRA champions Marco De Gasperi and Stevie Kremer.

Nuria Picas copyright Ian Corless

Philipp Reiter copyright Ian Corless

Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless

With some of the big American ultra legends crossing the pond last year to get a taste of skyrunning, the word is out! Joining them this year: Anton Krupicka, Dakota Jones, Rickey Gates, Mike Foote, Timothy Olson, Joe Grant….

Kilian and Tony Krupicka copyright Ian Corless

Dakota Jones copyright Ian Corless

It’s full immersion for Kilian Jornet who, with his unique skills, will participate in no less than all three Series: Vertical, Sky and Ultra!

Kilian Jornet copyright Ian Corless

Lizzy Hawker will be toeing the start-line at the Series’ first 100-miler while Anna Frost will take part in both the Sky and the Ultra Series. The mix includes Phillip Reiter and Julia Böttger from Germany, top French names: Francois d’Haene, Julien Chorier, Michel Lanne, Yann Curien, Maud Gobert and Stephanie Jimenez, Britons Andy Symonds and Tom Owens, Canada’s Adam Campbell.

Marco de Gasperi – copyright Ian Corless

Anna Frost copyright Ian Corless

Strong team participation is engaged right across the Series headed by the heavy-duty Salomon team as well as hefty, international line-ups from inov-8, La Sportiva, Salomon Agisko and Arc’teryx, The North Face, Haglöfs, Montrail, Scott as well teams from Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan

Take a look at the mix here. Have we got everybody?

You’re still in time to join the throng and remember, if you’re competing in the World Series, there’s always a slot available for you.

Follow the action on Skyrunning HERE

Follow on Talk Ultra HERE

On Twitter @talkultra

The feet and the heart

Posted on February 13, 2013 by talkultra

Nice compilation video showing Kilian Jornet (amongst others) in action on the trails and mountains. By Arnaud A

Salomon Fellraiser

Posted on January 30, 2013 by talkultra

Andy Symonds and Ricky Lightfoot very much pioneered the Salomon Fellcross, as the inside of the shoe says ‘Designed in the Alps‘. They tested the shoe and made tweaks to the design that would ensure that a shoe came to the market that was perfect for the job!

In 2013, a Fellcross 2 is certainly on the cards but fresh from the Outdoor Retail Show in the US the Salomon Fellraiser has emerged. Due SS 13?

Low to the ground? The Fellraiser is lower to the ground and apparently more flexible than previous models in the Salomon range. A 7mm drop (tbc) with a supposed12mm of cushioning at the front and 19mm at the back, this shoe will certainly become popular on muddy and gnarly trail. It has aggressive traction and a contragrip outsole with a fast drying and lightweight upper.An EVA midsole should provide great feel and enhance quick transition from one foot to the other.

UPDATE 1st Feb

Many thanks to Gripmaster who has been testing these shoes, he has confirmed the ‘drop’ at 6mm with forefoot cushioning at 6mm and rear cushioning at 12mm. He says “the new profile is quite cool, better on rock than the fellcross 1, so more usable in the alps that way..”

Is this ‘the new‘ Speedcross? Who knows… it certanly seems as though it is an offering in the ‘Speedcross’ arena. Certainly, the lower drop, if confirmed, will be appealing. But I have already seen new colourways of the Speecdross 3 for 2013 so this almost certainly will be an addition to the Salomon range.

It’s also lightweight, current stats are showing 230g for a UK8.5 (tbc)

Of course until I get my hands on a pair of shoes, look at them and test them, I can provide no more information. Rest assured, news will soon follow.

Salomon Website HERE

Trans Gran Canaria 2013

Posted on January 29, 2013 by talkultra

Transgrancanaria is a race that has been held on the island of Gran Canaria since October 2003. In the Transgrancanaria participants must cross the island on foot passing through several aid stations where they can replenish their water and food supplies, also giving the organisation a chance to monitor the competitors’ progress.

The Transgrancanaria is the pioneer of this kind of event in the Canary Islands. Arista, the organizer of the race, have placed Transgrancanaria as one of the main highlights on the national , European and now, the World stage.

The Transgrancanaria is held in the first week of March and has four different races, making accessible to everyone:

Transgrancanaria: DISTANCE: 119km. Elevation: + 7.000 m. 31 Hours.
South-North Transgrancanaria: DISTANCE: 83km. Elevation: + 4.700 m. 24 Hours.
Media Transgrancanaria: Distance: 42km. Elevation: +- 4.000 m. 14 Hours.
Transgrancanaria Starter: 24km Ascent: +- 1.800 m. 10 Hours.

The first edition of Transgrancanaria in October 2003 had a total of 65 participants, and over the years has grown to more than 1400 athletes, walkers, joggers and nature lovers from more than 20 countries that have decided to take the challenge of crossing the island on foot in less than 31 hours. On this route participants can find rain, sun, mud, dust … but above all they will enjoy direct contact with nature. The course is the same for everyone and will be fully marked to avoid errors.

The Transgrancanaria not intended only to test the elite, but is an event for everyone, which is why you have 31 hours to do it. The first competitors will finish in daylight and the last will finish in darkness, however all will pass through the aid stations ensuring the competitors’ safety and comfort.

The North Face Transgrancanaria 2013 will be on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of March and will have four races: Starter, Marathon, Advanced and Transgrancanaria. The main race (Transgrancanaria) being one of the highlights in the national and European racing calendar.

The North Face athlete, Sebastien Chaigneau 3rd in 2011 and winner in 2012 with a time of 12:54:19 will be returning in 2013 to hopefully dominate on this rough and tough course. He will have some competition though from Salomon athletes Ryan Sandes and ‘wonder kid’ Philipp Reiter.

The ladies race will have returning champ and The North Face athlete ~~Lizzy Hawker~~ (**updated 18th Feb Lizzy Hawker will no longer be racing, she is still recovering from a stress fracture) and Julia Boettger fighting for the win. UPDATE – Emelie Forsberg has now confirmed that she will be racing (17th Feb 2013)

Taken from http://www.corredordemontana.com link HERE

Although some elite runners are still to be confirmed , just over a month before the start of the race, some of the most internationally renowned professionals shave secured an entry for March 2nd in Gran Canaria. Sebastien Chaigneau and other runners such as Ryan Sandes, John Tidd, Zigor Iturrieta or Portuguese Carlos Sa, are favorites to win the test.

Also included in the participation of the race is ultra legend, Italian Marco Olmo, who at 64 is still running in the most demanding tests and competing at the highest level. Like other elite runners as Aitor Leal, Llorens brothers, Philipp Reiter, Armando Teixeira, Fernanda Maciel, Nerea Martinez, ~~Lizzy Hawker~~ (not racing), Julia Boettger and Emelie Forsberg.

Published on Mar 20, 2012

Join us in celebrating 1st place wins for The North Face®athletes Sebastien Chaigneau and Fernanda Maciel at the 123km ultra-race of The North Face® Transgrancanaria – Gran Canaria, Spain, 2nd-4th March, 2012.