UTMB week is like no other. Known as the World Series final, it holds a special place in the hearts of many ultra-trail runners. With many races over the course of the week, it brings out the best in athletes from all distances looking to achieve glory. When looking at the female start list across multiple races, there are four Spaniards who share their thoughts on what it means to race around Chamonix, how they got here, and their hopes for this legendary week moving forward.

Present and Future

Within this article, COROS had the unique pleasure of interviewing athletes like Aroa Sio and Maite Maiora, who are running UTMB, along with Virginia Perez running MCC, and Sara Alonso who will be running ETC. When bringing together such an established group of athletes, we wanted to dig deeper and see how each of them has prepared for this iconic week, along with some training insights from each athlete.

What UTMB Means to the Athletes

Getting to UTMB is never easy. It requires consistent training, a strong confidence in your abilities, and the desire to push your limits against the best in the world. Maite noted, " UTMB is a great sporting event, it's extremely demanding and tough." Virginia chimed in as well and noted that "UTMB is the center of trail running, it's the best."  Athlete Sara Alonso also had a unique perspective as she prepared for ETC. "UTMB is the biggest trail event in the world. Anyone in Chamonix is just as passionate about the sport as you are, and it's a week that everyone has the same ambition and love for the mountains as you do."  Knowing their love for the event, along with their respect for the community, let's dig a bit deeper and see how each of these athletes has prepared for UTMB 2023.

Training for UTMB

Aroa's Base Fitness shows a spike in fitness leading into UTMB.

Whether racing ETC, MCC, or one of the final events (OCC, CCC, UTMB), each athlete wants to put their best foot forward as they get to the start line. For Aroa, this means adding far more volume a few months out to race day. "Training for UTMB is not the same as training for a 90km event. You need to build your kilometers in the weeks leading into race day, and then also have time to recover." While Maite shared similar thoughts on the UTMB course, she also noted, "This is not like any other race, it's not a training day, it's your peak event. You need to show up ready." For both Virginia and Sara racing shorter events, they are treating it more as a chance to push their bodies to prepare for future years. In Sara's case specifically, she is coming off an injury and wants to use this event as a chance to prepare for future years and running in the longer events.

COROS Metrics Used in Training

As each athlete has had a strong focus on training leading into UTMB, they each focus on different COROS metrics to guide them on their journey. With COROS watches collecting many different data fields throughout each run, let's see which metric each athlete utilizes to maximize performance.

Aroa Sio: Pace/Effort Pace

Athletes can analyze pace and effort pace (grade/HR adjusted) following workouts.

Maite Maiora: Heart Rate/Elevation

Athletes can select up to 4 metrics at a time to analyze within the COROS Training Hub.

Virginia Perez: Training Load

Weekly Training Load allows athletes to monitor stress on their bodies against the recommended amount.

Sara Alonso: Pace/HR/Training Load/Sleep

Sleep is tracked on watch/app.

Key Focus at UTMB

With the training done and the confidence for each athlete building, every athlete has dialed in their focus on what will make UTMB 2023 a success for them. While many things are likely to unfold on course, and athletes will have to be flexible in their strategies, each has a clear vision of what they would like to achieve. For Aroa, her major focus is to "finish the race in the time I have in mind, but most importantly, finish knowing I have given it my all." For Maite, the focus is more on breaking down the course and enjoying it where possible. "I can't focus on how long or tough the course is as a whole, I need to break it down bit by bit and try to enjoy the views along the route!"

With racing MCC, Virginia is going in knowing that times continue to trend faster over the years, but that it is also important to stick to your own gameplan. "There is a higher and higher level and more and more professionalism in this race. Every year, it runs faster and faster. Although I think that, as in any race, it's best to follow your own plan." Also racing a shorter race overall, but looking for a strong result. Sara is just returning from injury, so she will rely on her heart rate to dial in her performance. "I don't want to start too quickly. I need to control my pulse and sensations at all times. Also, I need to focus at the right moments regarding the elevation profile."

Building Confidence for Race Day

When racing, it is important that athletes train and think through their strategy and execution. That, however, is never maximized unless an athlete truly believes in their plan and ability to see it through. For each of these athletes, they have built confidence leading up to race day, and this is how they have done so.

Aroa

"Confidence is built by believing in yourself, having faith in what you are capable of doing, and thinking positively. Training with my COROS watch all year, I know that my training load is in a strong place and my body can handle the demands of race day."

Maite

"I have confidence that my heart rate and knowing the course profile will help guide me in my efforts. Having both on my watch, I can dial in my effort and know what is coming in the kilometers ahead."

Virginia

"Knowing how much you need to train and going through those days builds confidence. Also, ensure you are well-rested and come to Chamonix eager to reach your goals. Lastly, knowing that my training load is strong provides that last boost in confidence."

Sara

"I use interval training often. As I go through these sessions and my running fitness changes, it gives me the confidence that I'm getting stronger and that my training is working."

Lasting Impact

When talking with each of the athletes, they all felt strongly about leaving a positive impact through their running. When you feel like you have something larger than yourself to work for, it provides the extra boost needed to keep pushing. As we wrapped up the interview, this was the lasting message each wanted to share with the running community.

Aroa

"Don't forget why you do it. I run because I enjoy doing it because it makes me feel free, strong, happy... these are the reasons why I run."

Maite

"Those results have no meaning if there is no one to share and enjoy them. That the most important thing is the road to success."

Virginia

"It is worth the effort and the hours of dedication to what we dream of. In sport but also any facet of life."

Sara

"That you can get over an injury. And that you have to be patient."

Overall

As these athletes race UTMB week 2023 and continue on their professional careers, we thank them for taking the time to discuss what UTMB means to them, the training they did before race day, key metrics they focus on, and how they hope to leave a lasting impact within the running community. As you head out for your next event, aim to replicate a few of their strategies within your own routines. By having a well-rounded approach to racing, you are likely to not only enjoy the process but also get more out of it in both your results and life overall.