At 2030hrs we're supposed to run up a mountain and down again, for a total distance of 12 kilometres. At 2000hrs, I'm not only yawning but my eyelids are closing, weighed down by the early morning rise (0200hrs), the physically draining 220km drive in rain, wind and road-level clouds, and the mental knockout of finding that my reserved accommodation had no place for me and the few other hotels in the small town of Caltravuturo were likewise fully booked. My food has so far has consisted of 6 fig rolls (they worked well enough during Lifecycle) and a small portion of spaghetti. Do a little warm-up jog, I tell myself, to keep this creeping sleep at bay.

2015hrs is briefing time. Before setting off, we must confirm that we have a torch, spare batteries and a whistle. If you think this is being overcautious, wait for the next bit. The race has been shortened by about 2k, eliminating the mountain top proper. Apparently the wind is so strong that there is the risk of an athlete being blown off the narrow paths. My skewed day seems to be working its voodoo on the race too.

Obligatory equipment

This is a trail race but the focus is on hills, so I'll let the elevation and grade chart do the talking about the toughness of the climbs. With grades of 20 - 25%, running is not an option. The trick is to fast walk these massacring inclines. In any case, the heart is deceived into thinking that it pumping away for an all out sprint, as my heart rate recordings prove.

The route was fantastically marked by red reflective squares and triangles every few metres, ideal to get picked out by torchlight and making it virtually impossible to take a wrong path. Even if one did, these were also marked but with white reflectors; a pretty nifty idea, isn't it? Despite all good intentions, within the first kilometre (on cobbles and tarmac) leading to the mountain trail, the police car heading the runners took a wrong turn, taking the leading and secondary group way off course. The former ended up doing some 4k extra, thus falsifying the first day's result. To their credit, apart from a few disappointed faces, the "cheated" runners laughed it away. Really, no swearing, no threats, no prima donna theatrics - just good natured banter.

Elevation - Grade - Distance

The surface we ran on consisted of tarmac, steps, cobbles, mud and gravel. Most of it was in pitch black surroundings so imagine my surprise when I started hearing band music in the distance, even though no town lights could be seen for miles around. As I sloshed my way through the damp vegetation, I came upon a dilapidated farmhouse. Going in through the remains of a gate leading to the yard, there was a brass band on some steps, playing away in torch & candle light while helpers dished out fruit segments and water. Magical, even if I could only enjoy it for as long as it took to grab a banana piece, peel it and dispose of the skin in a container (not doing so carries the risk of disqualification).

Briefing

By the time the informal prize-giving for that day's winners (not everyone had signed on for both races) was done with, the pasta party in the Alter Ego Club (seemingly unprepared for the large attendance) was over, and I had hitched a lift back to the hotel, showered and slid under the quilt, it was half-past midnight. That's almost 23 hours since having woken up back in Malta; that's only 6 hours before having to wake up for a breakfast to fortify me for Sunday's 22k. Ominously, those who had run it before claimed that it was both tougher and more technically-difficult. I was on a high now so all I could think was - bring it on!

Finish

Related posts:

• Ecotrail della Luna - Caltavuturo: the adventure starts tonight!
• Starting from the end
• Did I say adventure?
• Day 1 - the night race
• Ecotrail della Luna - video
• Day 2 - when even experienced trail runners walk
• Overreaching.....on a Piaggio Fly 125
• Ecotrail della Luna - podium photo
• Ecotrail della Luna - the results