It was my second time at the PfalzTrail im Leiningerland in Carlsberg, Germany.
The first time was in 2018, a few weeks after the CCC at UTMB (UTMB-CCC 2018: ten weeks training | EmigranTrailer).
PfalzTrail is a race on a hilly course, but very fast. Here some info about this race.
Race review: my goals and status
I told my friends that today I would only try to have fun and above all to have a controlled, quiet race, given the fatigue accumulated in the last few weeks between work, races and travel. And then the right ankle is always twice as big as the other (it’s not that if one doesn’t write about it, the problem isn’t there ;-)).
But the main goal today was to do a few kilometers with Carlo (Carlo Nenast, a German in Germany | EmigranTrailer), in his first official Trail Running race. Apart from being a friend and work colleague, he is a very strong road runner, and he can easily be in Trail-Running as well.
How did it go? Let’s go in order.
- I enjoyed myself? Yes definitely.
- Did I have a controlled and quiet race? Not at all! We started at a very high pace (1 minute per km faster than I wanted) and therefore around the 20th km I paid a little for the consequences with a small crisis, overcome only after a decisive slowdown.
- Ankle? It is always swollen!
- Did I do a few kilometers with Carlo? Well … yes. I would say 23 is a few kilometers. The point is that I told him several times to “let go” that I did not have to push more and he could certainly make the podium. Then, luckily, he gave the gas in the last 12 and almost completed a fantastic comeback, finishing fourth overall. I took it easy, closing 15 ° and with a smile.
The trail
The route was almost similar to the one done in 2018. The start and the finish line at the sports field instead of from the twon center.
The first few kilometers were downhill, with a mix of trail and forest road. Short climb between kilometer 5 and 6 and then again downhill to kilometer 11.
Here began the longest climb of the race (150 m+ in about 2 km), then followed by a gradual descent, a short steep climb and than the transition to the second refreshment point.
A few hundred meters between the vineyards, a little village and the uphill towards the woods (ca. km 20).
Here I had a strong crisis and although the next 5 kilometers were very easy (flat and downhill) I had hard time running and had to slow down.
On the next section (mainly uphill) I managed to regain some energy. Then, steep descent of a kilometer at km 29.
The last 5 km were again gradually uphill in order to reach the finish line at the sports field.
Race information
Official website: engelhorn sports PfalzTrail | Start
Official distance: 36 km
Official Cumulative Gain +: 780 m
Official Cumulative Loss -: 780 m
Official max altitude: 376 m
Start Date: 19/09/2021
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Start Point: Sportplatz (Bergstraße 38, 67316 Carlsberg, Germany)
Cost: 40 € (1,1 €/km)
Air Temperature (average): 19°C
Weather conditions: sunny
Dominant Ground: trails, forest roads
Ground Status: mainly dry
Technical Difficulties: none
Refreshment Points: 3 (ca. km 8, ca. km 16, ca. km 28)
Race results
Official results: engelhorn sports PfalzTrail | 2021
Official starters: 200
Official finishers: 200
Official personal time: 3h00’40”
Official personal absolute position: 15
Official personal male position: 13
Official personal AGE Position (M1-H): 5
Official personal finisher certificate: engelhorn sports PfalzTrail | 2021
Official personal finisher video clip: Baer-Service | Baer-Service – Wir haben die Zeit fest im Griff
Personal ratio absolute position/starters: 7,5 %
Personal Gps move (by Suunto 9): https://www.suunto.com/move/andreadefilippo70/61472b5019e6cf5bd7289537 (note that I never wear a Hearth Rate Monitor. The recorded bpm is on the wrist. Thus it’s not correct. Ditto for VO2 and calories)
Personal Registration Team: Team NO LIMITS – EMIGRANTRAILER
Race equipment
Shoes Type: Saucony Peregrine 11 (Size: UK 8.5 / EU 43 / USA 9.5; Color: Future Blue)
Shoes usage at the start: 376 km; ca. 17675 D+ / ca. 17613 D-
Anklet: F&V (only used for the right ankle, still not ok)
Socks: Thyo Special Trail (Size: 41-43; Color: Black/Blue)
Calf Sleeves: not used
Shorts: Raidlight Trail Raider Short (Size: M; Color: Dark Blue)
Race Belt: Suunto / Salomon (Color: Black)
Undershirt: not used
T-Shirt: Team NO LIMITS
Arm Sleeves: not used
Gloves: not used
Wristband: not used
GPS Clock: Suunto 9 (Color: Black)
Backpack: Ultimate Direction 10,8L (Size: M; Color: Blue)
Headwear: Kalenji Cap
Glasses: not used
Trail Running Poles: not used
Headlamp: not used
Wind/Rain Jacket: not used
First Aid Help: not used / not required (only mobile phone, face mask, passport and money with me)
Race nutrition plan
Given the short distance and the plan to run fast without stopping at the refreshment point, I brought with me just few little things:
- 0,8 L of water and electrolyte sports drink
- 1 Gel by Overstim’s (used at km 19)
- 1 Bar by Overstim’s (used at km 23): 22g Bio Bar
Additional information
If you want more information or technical details related to this event, please do not hesitate to contact me or comment below.
Other information about races, results and equipments at the following link: Trail & Running | EmigranTrailer.
Enjoy Trail Running!
Andrea De Filippo
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