Life Time Fitness - Leadville Race Series

Thomas Lorblanchet
Runs for: Salomon
Strong suit: All-rounder
Up next: Templiers (southern France)

This was your first hundred-miler. Were there any surprises for you, in terms of how your body responded to the challenge?

Yes, even if though I began trail running many years ago, Leadville was the longest race of my career and especially my first one hundred miles. I was surprised to be able to undertake the entire length. Distance does not frighten me. My biggest uncertainty was how I would react with the altitude. From this point of view, I am very happy to have met this challenge.

You seemed to run at a fairly steady pace. Is this your usual strategy in races? 

I decided very early to take my own pace, to avoid collapsing at the end of the race. I think in most ultra races, and even more so at Leadville, it is very important to do your own race. 

Your hometown isn't very high in altitude. How did you prepare for the altitude at Leadville? 

I actually live in Clermont, which is located in the Massif Central in central France. The highest point is the sandal, which culminates in 6,200 feet and is largely insufficient to acclimatize to the altitude of Leadville. I decided to bring the family for a month before the race. When I arrived, I ran the Speedgoat 50K, in Utah, and then stayed at Breckenridge before arriving in Leadville the week before the race.

How is the recovery coming along? What is your recovery protocol?

Even if the legs are good, I have a lot of minor injuries. I am physiotherapist and I know that the body needs to regenerate after an effort such as this one. And the best remedy for healing is complete rest. So, I will take a week to 10 days of complete rest before resuming gradually by small bike and easy run.

What's next? Cavals Del Vent and Templiers? Please tell us about those events and what your goals are.

I'll probably not go to Cavals. Leadville was my first 100 miles, and I think it is better for me to fully recover and avoid running on a tired body. But I'll be starting the Templiers. It's a race that I know very well (I've won three times). I like the spirit of the race and the organizers (who have raced in Leadville and were also in Leadville for a report on the race). It will be a great pleasure to share this journey with the world's best runners.