Jungle Marathon - Media: Running Magazine Français

Artículo que me mandó Gerard Verdenet, un buen tipo, muy experimentado en estas carreras; desgraciadamente tuvo que abandonar (por segunda vez) en esta Jungle Marathon.



























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Jungle Marathon - Media: webs

Foros en los que entro: Foro ElAtleta.com y Foro CarrerasPopulares.com

En la web de la carrera.

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Jungle Marathon - My Jungle

Hi, my friends.

I came back, alive, from the Jungle.
And, for sure, i prefer that environment than work. If anyone wants to donate few millions of euros (dollars also accepted) you'll make me really happy.

Let's see what i remember.

Obviously, running is an excuse for travelling and knowing new places and people. That's why we were three weeks in Brazil, not only ten days. I enjoyed a lot the country, people, places, gastronomy, arquitecture, girls!, food, the quantity of food... maybe it has been my best travel -to date- in my life. Everything was perfect, no problems. We were in Rio de Janeiro (including an 'agressive tour' for the favelas), Brasilia, Manaus, Santarém and Alter do Chao. Brazil is enormous, every part has its own esence; i chose different faces, as tourist capital (Rio), administrative (and modern arquitecture capital) Brasilia, most important city of Amazonia (Manaus), and more rural and friendly places (Santarém and Alter). In three weeks i think that is difficult to see more.
And finally... the jungle.

The jungle. Impressive.
First, a very boring boat travel of eleven hours, sunrise to sunset. We were not in the Amazon river; we were in the Tapajós, "only" 1500km long and finishing in the Amazon in the town of Santarém (750km to Atlantic ocean), where it can be seen the Encontro das Aguas the famous encounter of the rivers with different colors (the most famous is in Manaus).

Once established in the Base Camp (a little town called Itapuarama), after survival briefings (nausea, nightmares), 'last meals', and first crash from the hammock (it broke), we started the first stage, with surprise: 400m from start point we had to cross a river of 30m. That's why some of us made the mistake of start with shoes off running for the beach, swim, and put shoes on dry (the whole race was wet, every moment). I lost around 4', and four days later i found a thorn in my foot (was really hurting me and i thought it was a tendon) and had to push a lot firsts km to pass people and recover that minutes.

I don't know what happened to me but i killed myself; maybe humidity, big effort, not adapted to environment, i don't really know; also helped the up and down course (using hands!). But was incredible hard. The toughest 16km of my life, for sure. It took me 4h20', and suffering A LOT. I lost a lot of time with firsts guys of the ranking, and that night i didn't sleep well cause i was a little afraid of suffering, think i made 16km out of 200km. Mentally it was hard to think that way.

Second day was much the same, problems in my legs (cramps, hundreds), incredible tough course and killing myself again. In the middle of the stage i had to rethink what i was doing, just suffer and suffer, not enjoying nothing.
I was absoutely sure that i couldn't finish the race with that state of mind. The only solution was forget ranking, calm, and think only in 'today'. The clue was the long stage (86km), and i had big doubts about the possibility of being able to make that stage. I know myself and if with 16+21km i was exhausted, i never would be able to run 45km (jungle) and 41km more.

Third round was 27km, bit better because ups and down were softer, but all the time in jungle, in which is "impossible" to run. That's why some of us thought it was a mistake of the organisers let us thought this was an athletic competition. The name must be Jungle Challenge or Jungle Adventure, but not Marathon, it doesn't seem to be nothing similar to marathon or athletic.
Also we started to see some problems with organisation. We never saw the ranking; sometimes i am not sure if we would be able to be rescued in dangerous moments; the camps were... there were no camps, we hang our hammock and just that. It is incredible difficult to make this competition, but there were some important mistakes, and were focused in other things.

The terrain is 100% jungle (the last 2km of the fourth stage were the first we saw the sun and were able to run), narrow (you cannot pass anyone if he/she doesn't let you), so shadow, roots and trees to hit and jump(thousands; i count 202 hurts in my right leg... the second day), many rivers to cross (any distance from 2m to 250m), swamps (awful), etc.

Yes, you read 250m, because the start of the fouth stage (21km) was a crossing of a river (¡¡¡¡250meters!!!!); remember we were in an athletic race, we were tired, and had to carry a backpack. I didn't enjoy, also think it was dangerous, but now, it was very interesting how we were absolutely focused on the border. And after that, six or seven hours in the jungle. This was my best stage till date, with two english guys pushing me hard and at the end i could run and catch some tough guys, as Axel Dill, and was something really good for my motivation. In the start of the fourth, Fernando decided that was enough for him; i think he made the best decision he was bit injuried and low motivated (most important).

I was ready for the big one. The long stage. Well, i wasn't ready, but i had to do it.
Before the start four guys talked each other to make a tough group, including Axel, Chris (english), Ray (a canadian, Ray, as nice as tough) and a thin spaniard, at least for the jungle section. Prevoius night the race director decided to start one hour before planned... that meant to start at 0445h (wake up at 0330h), and another 'interesting' river crossing (120-150m) during the night...
After that, and three kms later of running fast... most of us were lost, turn 180º, lost time and energy; not the best way to start a 86km run.

The canadian was absolutely crazy pushing and pushing all the time; he killed me, but the group was strong, we were in good position; on the other hand, i suffered a lot, one of my biggest efforts of my life. I also got injuried (a tendon in my foot, something i know; it happens me always when i walk 3 or more days; i'm a runner, not hikker), and i was the weakest in walking. But after nine "horrible" (one of my bests remembers now) hours we were out the jungle for last time. I started some hours ago to suffer because of pain, and the best thing i could do when jungle was out (for our lifes!!!) was to run. A full marathon in front of us, and surprise (again), wide track, but made of beach sand, and beach itself. Incredible tough. I passed some other guys, i was bit empty, and with a swedish strong guy, some hours later and dehydratated, we finally found organisation pick-ups that gave us water... and told us we were lost.

We were as tired as the doctor told us to use the cars to come back the closest checkpoint; took 2h (in the cars) to make 6km (muddy terrain), took other lost, and later some other destroyed guys. We were not allowed to continue 'til next morning, lost all our chances in ranking, and (as told me), we were goona be penalised with seven hours.

The difference between 17-18h and 35-40h is dramatic; i could really advance a lot that day, i was strong, focused and motivated. I pushed a lot in the jungle, i continue in the sand 4h hours alone; we were confused by locals, a tape cutted by local kids behind a tree we didn't see; exhausted... the next morning was really hard to make 20km to finish that stage, really low motivated, and with big amounts of pain. I just wanted to finish; and also the last stage (25km through a long beach, very very hard, 500m water croosing 'til chest) was gonna be a suplice cause i was injured.

But, i had some "luck", i could run from start line to the finish line, some moments were very painful, but most of the time i could run. Pushed my self, passing people (even the overall winners), really motivated, i run formyself, remembering me that i could still enjoy this sport, and that i didn't forget to run. I think i finished that stage in fifth, and most important, i finished (bit strong) this very very tough race (for me, as least).

I'm a little confused about if i must/have/shall recomendate this race. Organisation mistakes (i hope) will be solves next year. Don't forget that you'll not run, and that it is more an adventure than other thing. And also that there are some risks (nobody was attack by animal, this was not any problem; well, we all were attacked by agressive bees in long stage, but just a 'little' pain -a lot first ten minutes-, a little fear, and know yourself if you become panic). Don't forget to swim in your trainings if you decide to "run" next year's Jungle Marathon. For sure, if you want to face a tough challenge, this is your race, but for me, sometimes, was a bit too much. At least, ten times tougher tha Himalayan-100, very very different, incredible place, absolutely demanding... as someone said, a race that make differences between men and child.

I think it's enough for today.
See you guys.
Keep in touch.
Sergio
···13inho

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Addenda - Jungle Marathon 2004

¿Y qué puede contar uno de una carrera que aún recuerdo con 'miedo'?

Los recuerdos que me vienen de primeras son las de sufrimiento. Esto no está bien, porque hubo mucho más y bueno, pero sin duda me dejó marcado, porque me resultó extraordinariamente duro.

Como muestra, en la primera etapa tardé más de cuatro horas para quince kilómetros, y o iba buscando florecillas y mariposas, o eso no es normal. En efecto, no era normal aquello. Infierno.

Cometí dos errores que me endurecieron la prueba. El primero, no llevar pastillas de sales, algo obligatorio, y que resolví en los controles previos de material con una excusa y haciéndole un poco el lío a quien lo revisaba todo, sacando dos veces las mismas pastillas que eran para otra cosa... pero tenía que salir del atolladero. Gravísimo error, porque desde la mitad de la primera etapa sufrí numerosos y dolorosos calambres y tirones, que, aparte de hacerme ver las estrellas, me impidieron rendir y me bloquearon también en lo psicológico.

Este error me arrastró durante tres días, hasta que mi cuerpo, presionado por los problemas, supo sacarle la sal a los alimentos para contrarrestar las carencias. Leí en un libro hace tiempo que las sales minerales no son necesarias, que el cuerpo las coge de los alimentos si las necesita. Eso está bien, y lo comparto, pero sólo cuando hacemos una evolución progresiva, como viajar a pie, o vivimos una transición natural de una estación a otra. Pero cuando, de repente, un día queremos correr 200km o cuando viajamos en avión a otro hemisferio, el cuerpo está absolutamente perdido. Y así me pasó, tres días dando tumbos por la selva amazónica, en algunos de los más duros momentos de mi vida deportiva, y quieras que no, aunque no es que lleve lo más duro del universo, uno empieza a tener un bagaje. Sufrí muchísimo por esta causa.

La otra razón fue porque me esperaba una carrera de atletismo. Ya critiqué en su día que la denominación Jungle Marathon no era la más adecuada y que daba lugar a errores, como los que yo cometí. Ciertamente si hubiese sabido que era tanto de andar-reptar-sobrevivir, no sé si hubiera ido, porque soy atleta, y aunque cada vez me guste "menos" eso de correr y me atraiga más la aventura, fui confundido. Porque le pega mucho más Jungle Adventure o Jungle Challenge, pero no eso de Marathon. Al llevarla mal enfocada, de nuevo, tuve que readaptarme a lo que había, y lleva su tiempo. Al acabar la primera etapa, completamente fundido, no me podía creer lo que había vivido, en sólo 15km ¡de 200! estaba absolutamente vacío. Rápidamente recapacité y fui a acabar, algo que me costó sufrimientos indecibles. Pero se pudo hacer, y no soy yo ningún extraterrestre... con lo que si te apetece, ánimo, pero no te engañes, prepárate a conciencia, y por mucho que entrenes no sabrás lo que es sufrir hasta que llegues allí.

A unos buenos amiguetes que fueron les dije la verdad: vais a escupir sangre. Y creo que me dan la razón aún. Dura hasta decir basta, increíblemente apasionante, y que encuentra tus límites en lo físico y el piscológico. Es una aventura, piensa en llegar y en sobrevivir, no falles en nada y tendrás posibilidades de cruzar la meta.

Otro tema importante es la organización. Reciben críticas, yo las hice en su día, y creo que fallaron y siguen fallando. Algunas cosas son menores, o yo no las considero importantes, otras son comprensibles, y algunas son irremediables. Desgraciadamente el mayor problema de la carrera es la seguridad, porque es -te lo digo yo ya- imposible hacer una prueba ciento por ciento segura en ese entorno, si no talas todo el recorrido y/o no vas con 300 personas de organización. Como ni lo uno ni lo otro va a ocurrir, el tema está peliagudo. Nunca ha ocurrido nada, eso es cierto, y sí que ha habido problemas de gente que se pierde (...yo), mordeduras de escorpiones y demás, pero todo se ha resuelto satisfactoriamente. Pero no significa que no pueda ocurrir. Esto no es desierto, es la cuenca del Amazonas, es infinitamente más difícil en todo, en ver a los corredores, en asistirlos, en sacarlos, en todo, es otro mundo, olvídate de todo si has ido a Sables, esto es una aventura. Parece que desanimo y que quiero meter miedo. Pues sí. Si respondes sí a las miles de preguntas que te debes hacer sobre seguridad, aventura y compromiso, es que estás preparado para ir, si no, hay muchas carreras por el mundo que seguro te llenan. No es un juego, sé responsable y coherente con tus decisiones.

Si has llegado hasta aquí ahora toca la parte buena. El recuerdo también es excelente, de dureza, de desafío, de encontrarte rodeado de auténticos supervivientes, de gente centrada y muy motivada; el lugar increíble, brutal y de una belleza dolorosa; ese sentimiento único de saber que estás haciendo algo especial en tu vida, y que muy posiblemente jamás se te presente -ni lo busques- en la vida; esa sensación de sentirte único.

Cada vez pienso más en volver algún día...
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XII Rocnik Non Stop Behu

Una de las cosas buenas de llevarte bien con la gente es que a veces te surgen viajes imprevistos... y a buen precio. A mediados del 2004 un amigo checo que conocí en la Himalayan Stage Race me invitó a su casa para correr alguna prueba que se celebrase por allí, y yo hice lo mismo. Él se vino a correr el Maratón Alpino Madrileño, le acompañé unos kilómetros y pasó el fin de semana en casa. Un par de semanas después me fui yo a Praga -impresionante ciudad- y, ya que estábamos por allí, corrí una prueba en la vecina Eslovaquia, unos 49km por vírgenes montañas. También me vino bien para preparar la Jungle Marathon, mostrándome alguna de mis debilidades que tuve que reforzar en los siguientes meses.

Sin duda, el principal problema para si alguien quiere correr allí es llegar. Difícilmente te harás entender, dado que hablan muy "raro" y donde el inglés es bastante desconocido. Por eso, o te alquilas un coche o no te será fácil llegar en transporte público. En mi caso me llevaron en coche y llevaba traductor, con lo que fue todo increíblemente fácil.

La carrera en sí discurre por una zona montañosa, bastante intocada, bonita y boscosa. Un buen número de kilómetro circulas por una "calzada romana", un empedrado a 2000m, quizá cerca de quince kilómetros. Desconozco el porqué de esta calzada a esta altitud (supongo que sería una antigua ruta y se empedró para facilitar el paso de carruajes y personas evitando barrizales), pero resultó curioso, desde luego. Más tarde es más montañera, senderos, bosque, etc. Atento a las marcas porque si te pierdes no tienes ni la más remota idea de cómo llegar a meta, yo iba completamente a la aventura, no sabía ni dónde me movía, y la orientación la pierdes relativamente rápido cuando no has visto ni un mapa de la zona. La prueba sale cerca de Bánska Bystrica (te llevan en autobús a la salida desde el pueblo) y acaba en la estación de esquí de Donovaly.

No se me dio bien, como casi siempre en montaña, por los tobillos. Un buen esguince me volvió a mermar mis posibilidades, me desanimó y debilitó, en lo físico y en lo psicológico. Siempre me persigue (¿y me perseguirá?) lo mismo. A partir de ahí, tuve que ir con mucho cuidado, sin excesos, y algo desanimado.Finalmente fui undécimo, creo que sexto en mi categoría. 5h23' en 49km, moderadamente rápida, 148 pulsaciones por minuto de media.

Muy buen recibimiento, acogida calurosa al "marciano" (por supuesto que era el primer español, y quedarán años antes de que vaya alguno más, supongo), y hasta me dieron un pequeño premio no sé en base a qué... Buen recuerdo, buena gente y recomendable. Creo que siempre hay buen ambiente en la montaña, seas del país que seas, es un buen nexo de unión.
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