José Nuno Ferreira is one of the most eclectic athletes US Elite Sports Agency. Triathlon, ski mountaineering and trail are your passions and who lived in the latter was another great adventure. Athlete of Braga was present in one of the most emblematic world competitions. O Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB) is an evidence trail held in the Alps with a distance of 168km and almost 20km of accumulated gap. The mecca of the trail is a great challenge to the physical capacity of athletes. Preparation, difficulties and feelings will be described in this interview.
When you realized that you wanted to do the UTMB 2013?
JF: After riding a few years to go hiking in Geres, and already training triathlon, I came up the idea of doing the same routes running. In September 2007 I saw a summary of evidence on Eurosport and the great Marc Olmo, um italiano by 53 year old, to win it. From there the data were released. To try to compete for enrollment UTMB had to raise points and ended up doing the Crossing Cavalls del Vent , a route located in the Sierra de Cadi / Moixeró (Catalonia), about 100km and 6000metros (positive gap). In 2008 my application was drawn and in August 2008 was the only Portuguese starting in Chamonix and the third in the history of the competition (which had its first edition in 2004).
How was your preparation and how many months were specifically trained?
JF: The preparation was somewhat troubled because in February this year, dislocated his left shoulder in World Cup Ski-Mountaineering. Had nearly a month recovering, ie, just do muscle building exercises on the left shoulder and the return to training was done very slowly to not have surprises. We were already scarce 4 and a half months of proof.
The injury you had at the World Cup ski mountaineering delayed the preparation, felt it would not be possible to run the best conditions?
JF: I had some difficulties because I started running even with weaknesses in the shoulder and ended up developing a small compensation problem in left leg. During the month of April I got many questions from my participation, because the leg pain came and went, but after making the Ultra Trail of the Roman Geira an average of almost 10km / h, I tried to remain calm and continue with training and physiotherapy.
What an athlete feels the night before, when you lie down and think: "I will do 168km running on Mont Blanc with a cumulative gap of 19 200 meters "?
JF: Was somewhat anxious because it was the third time that would participate this time and did not want to fail. In editing 2008 had given to 120 km e em 2010 the proof was canceled to 30 km due to bad weather conditions. But this time, due to the increasing experience gained by other evidence from 2008 and a more specific preparation, was mentally fit and eager to make a great journey and overcome this psychological barrier of 120km.
What were your expectations for the race?
JF: Had designed to prove in 33 or 34 hours. I managed to make the hourly average forecast up to 30km, but due to some vicissitudes of this kind of evidence I was forced to rethink the pace in order to finish.
What were your best and worst moments of proof?
JF: No doubt the 40 / 45km were decisive. I started having some stomach problems that led me to greatly reduce the race pace and I ended up having to throw up to 60km. From here I walked about 30km tea and bread because I could not eat sugars or salt which influenced quite the caloric intake needed to go faster. Out this situation, walked animicamente always well-disposed, confident and motivated to complete this adventure.
You concluded the race in 43:06:56 414 in place between the senior male, was the idealized result?
JF: In fact the result was not the idealized. After gastric crisis and after spending my psychological barrier of 120km, I joined three Basque athletes. Our pace up to 145km made us believe we could finish the race with 38 a 39 hours. What is certain is that one of the fellow Basques had a strong inflammation of a tendon and patellar after a medical evaluation and a refuge some talk group decided to finish the race together. From the end of the 145km we had to walk almost always a step.
Can you describe the feeling when the goal after nearly cruzaste 2 race days?
JF: It's amazing imaginares you to enter one of the most mythical villages of the Alps, as is Chamonix, full of fans of trail and mountain sports, cheering you into a frenzy like you're the first athlete to cross the line. It is simply superb.
What are the goals of the next sports season?
JF: I have yet to mature next season and I'll have to talk first with my trainer (Urbino Saints). I am a person with various sporting passions and I find myself torn between the Ski-Mountaineering, the Trail and Triathlon. Obviously the fact they were unable to devote myself exclusively to one back "losses" in terms of performances more relevant but I love new challenges.
Enjoyed participating in the European Championship of Ski Mountaineering in- 2014, em to be held for Andorra. Regarding Trail, liked to take a test that has me walking to pursue will some time which is the Ultra Trail Andorra. Regarding triathlon, I try to help my team Tribraga, as much as possible, but fortunately, the evolution of our athletes have been quite large and the weight of my performance in the team is smaller, which leads me to think of devoting myself only to triathlons to mountain biking and triathlons for longer distances.
