48 hours indoor in Brno. Word Cup 2006.

(By Jan Ondrus)

The decision to be in Czech national team for World Challenge in Taipei February 25.-26. was given in December 2005 at Czech Association of Ultra running. But I didn’t give up of Brno’s 48 hours indoor only for weeks later. So I decided for the compromise training for both races as for one affair. I supposed not to accomplish exceptional results in any race but I believed in reasonable outcome of both. My training plan was the huge mileage through November, December, January and February just before Taiwan Challenge. In spite of very cold weather I was successful in it. And after Taiwan I intend mostly Rest and Relax. It was more difficult to meet „R and R“ during hiking through Taiwan, working hard in my job and fulfilling social and family duties. Last 10 days before Brno’s Cup I was disturbed and tired. I had some muscle-pain in my thighs. Fortunately just before Brno I got a good shape. My ambition was to become Czech champion and to overcome 400 kms.

On Friday March 24 at 10 a.m. started the 11th edition of World Cup in the „Z“ hall of Brno’s Exhibition Fairs. There were 32 ultra runners of 11 countries. The strongest teams were Czechs, Russians and Swedens. This year’s edition was omitted by world best Japanese team and Dvoracek from Czech who was preparing for 7 days in Loutraki Greece. We run on the concrete lap exactly 250 m. The direction of running was changed every 4 hours. All laps were detected by chips fastened to foot of runner. Laps, kilometers and rank were permanently displayed at the large screen.

The race was surprisingly smooth for me. I felt well and strong during nearly whole time. Czech runners Jiri Hofmann and Mirek Osladil were pacemakers in the first quarter of the race. In close contact with them regularly run Timur Abzalilov from Russia. I began calmly to appear in top ten after 6 hours. In this part I may have done my mistake. I accelerate to 10 kms in hour and went ahead of the pack. On the 14th hour I did 138 km and was running on the second place 2 kms behind Hofmann a just in front of Abzalilov. On the end of 16th hour I overcame Hofmann and for long 25 hours began my reign over the race. My benefit gradually grew up for maximum 18 kms in 34 hours. Far behind (more than 30 kms from me) accelerated Slovakian runner Ivan Durkovsky, his velocity was 1,5 kms in hour over my own and he started slowly diminish the huge difference. But I had strong idea that I couldn’t be beaten not to win the whole race. Most of ultra-experts didn’t believe, that Ivan could continue in this formidable speed. But unbelieved came true and in the 41st hours Ivan overcame me to continue easily to his victory. Ordinary and steadily running Martin Sattler finished for bronze and innovated German indoor national record. The extraordinary performance was achieved by the best lady Michaela Dimitriadu from Czech. She accomplished 351 kms and created the new Czech record.

I am not very satisfied with my 373,5 kms (I loose 11 kms from my personal best). But I am happy about the 2nd place and with title Czech champion. I was also delighted by my 221 kms in the first 24 hours. I had no deep crisis through the whole 48 hours. I felt uncomfortably only in early morning in Sunday. I had dizziness and lightheadedness caused by sleep shortage. I slept only 10 minutes.

Alongside of our track were held various parallel competitions (relay for 12 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours...). So I met with some friends running there. These races didn’t influence me not in positive nor in negative way.

The best advantage for my performance was my perfectly working supporting team. The team comprised my daughter Marie, her friend Cathy and my brother in law Karel. They operated accurate like a Swiss watch and it’s clear that without them I couldn’t´ reach such a good result. I am not sure if I can quantify their help in kilometers (maybe 15 – 20 kms). More important for me was psychological and tactical support. In every moment during day or night I could ask for advice, foot and drink, change of music in my earphones or contact with outer world. And in every lap I was sure to see any of them. Second night Karel had a very tough but important task to keep me out of my sleeping bag. He was successful – I spent only 15 minutes in the bag. Their perfect job forced me to do my best, not to knock down their effort. No other supporting team was able to hold on so precise work for the whole 48 hours.

I am looking forward for the 2007´s edition, where in case of good health, not rapid getting old, and hard winter training like this year, I will try to reach my magic goal of 400 kms.

jondrus@centrum.cz,

http://www.webpark.cz/ultrajan