Thanks for the advice about the poles, I think I’ll skip them then, or maybe just use them for the night section (I have a bad ankle so they can be good for balance at night). But it’ll be nice not to have to drag them along during the day!

As far as at the UTMB, I really hated the people using poles (I didn’t have any in the CCC) because they always ran with them sticking far enough out to the side that it was hard to pass on the narrow trails, and there always seemed to be a scary dropoff on one side of the trail whenever you had to get around someone with particularly annoying poles. I also went on a training run with a French guy who had done very well in the UTMB a few times and he was very anti-poles because he said that people generally used far more energy carrying them when they were running along than the poles helped them.

The other thing is that I didn’t think the uphills (except for one) were that bad; I thought it was more the downhills that were the killers, and really you probably wouldn’t even use the poles going downhill if you’re racing.

But on the other hand, about 95 percent of the runners were using them, so maybe they’ve tried both with and without and decided that with is better…

Alicia

You absolutely do not need poles at Superior. In fact, I’m not sure in my eight finishes there that I’ve ever seen anyone using them. As you probably know, there are a few notable climbs but nothing Mont Blanc scale. Don’t be deceived. The course can still be a killer because people underestimate the cumulative effect of the constant small ups and downs. The secret is smart pacing. Start slow, then ramp it up later if you want.

I hope I haven’t talked you out of one of the races. It comes down to your goals and as always, something of a gamble. For me, I certainly couldn’t race both all out though I could put in a strong run at both. I’ve just got too much going on to give two races that much mental focus. However, you’ve probably been racing enough to know you can prepare all you want and still have an off day or walk into a race in less than desirable circumstances and have a great run. If you wait for the perfect time to do them like you want, it may never come. One possibility would be to race Mont Blanc and get that in the bank, recover to the best of your ability, and use everything left in the tank on Superior and see what happens. You might surprise yourself. But no matter what you decide, make the choice based on your own goals and aspirations. You’ll know what to do.

Now I have a question – poles at UTMB or not? Is it possible to run it without them? I’ve never run with them and am resisting the idea but am willing to consider it. Advice?

I live in the UK so at least the Mont Blanc race is reasonably accessible if I wanted to do it another time…it is such a good race though!

I’ll think about whether I’d be happy racing one of the races and participating in the other.

And a Superior Sawtooth question for you–have you used poles at all for it?

See you out there in September!

Alicia

Yes, I’m running the full 166km Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, then my favorite, Superior Sawtooth 100 mile. I ran back-to-back 100s this spring for the fun, the challenge, and to see how the recovery would go (with focus on it, it went fine), so I’m mentally comfortable running these tougher two courses with a weekend in between.

Though it depends some on previous experience, I’d say you could do both if you take care of yourself in between (sleep, hydrate, stretch, move often through each day instead of sitting at a computer, etc…). Remember that Sawtooth has an extremely generous 38-hour cutoff, and a smart run-walk will get you there. That said, you may also want to look at your race goals. You probably don’t want to “race” both. “Participate” in at least one, if not both of the two. It takes a ton of physical and mental effort to race well at two that close.

The real answer obviously depends on your unique circumstances but I’d gently suggest going for both while your life circumstances and desire are even slightly aligned. For one, there’s never a “perfect” time to tackle a new challenge. You have to seize an open opportunity and do it. For another, you never know what can change tomorrow and (here’s my litmus test) think about whether you’d look back at the end of your life and regret never having tried one or the other or both. Worst case, you DNF in one or both. I don’t like DNFs but I’ve learned more from them than my finishes, so they’re incredibly valuable and never a lost experience. Short answer, if it was me and I had the time and finances, I’d do it.

Good luck on your decision – let me know if you need any info about Superior Sawtooth, I’m a biased fan of it!

Susan

I was looking for race reports on the Sawtooth 100 and found your blog. First, thanks for the great race report on the West Highland Way; that’s at the top of my to do list!

Second, I just saw on your comment above that you’re running the Mont Blanc ultra trail. Are you also still running the Sawtooth race? I’m registered for the short version of Mont Blanc (the CCC) but after I decided to do the Sawtooth, I figured I would have to forego Mont Blanc since the races are so close together. Do you think it’ll be okay doing both? Would you do both if you didn’t have as much ultra running experience as you do?

Thanks,
Alicia

Entry fee was 95 pounds, about $143. We also had a crew to support.

Rob and I split the hotels, which for me totalled roughly $550 . Good B&Bs, which are plentiful, would cost half that. We chose to stay in hotels because we were getting in late from runs and sleeping late (so missing a “B”).

We usually picked up ready-made sandwiches and post-run munchies at the local gas stations or grocery stores (better than it sounds) on the way out to the trailhead. The only meals out were dinners (no problem finding good food, contrary to popularly-held myth).