A Marathon Tale of Knee Pain and Rain (avoided)
The Maratona dles Dolomites begins tomorrow, Sunday 7th July 2024. I’m walking back from Colfosco to Corvara after strategically moving our car so we can get away quickly after the race. I’m currently feeling pretty pleased with myself as I know it means we won’t have to wait until after 1700 for the roads to re-open and we’ll miss the rush to get out of town.
The weather is good, and I am fresh after a great week riding with the guests of Brevet.cc. We’ve climbed the Campolongo (many times!), the Valparola, the Pordoi, the Sella, the Gardena, and the Falzarego. Everyone is excited about the event tomorrow and I let my mind wander as I take in the beauty of the trees and mountains all around.
One of the many times passing by the Passo Campolongo
The path I’m on isn’t steep, but the gravel is loose, and maybe I’m not paying attention as I should. Suddenly I’ve slipped, and I feel a sharp pain behind my knee (the same knee I hurt earlier in the year snowboarding – but that’s another tale). I hope it is just a tweak, and continue to walk (carefully now), back down to Corvara.
That evening I take some ibuprofen and rub on some anti-inflammatory gel before bed.
When I wake up at 0400 for breakfast the knee isn’t feeling great, but it isn’t awful either. It doesn’t hurt on the way down to eat, so I’m optimistic about being able to ride. What isn’t great however is the weather. It’s been raining in the night, and the forecast is for more heavy rain around midday.
Plenty of coffee and food later we’re all dressed ready to ride down to the start with the guests.
The morning is actually pretty beautiful and not too cold. We position ourselves near the front of the pen and settle in to wait. After many speeches from dignitaries (including Miguel Indurain) we’re off around 0645.
I’m feeling pretty good and ride strongly up the Campolongo – cheered on by Raphael and my wife and daughter halfway up the climb. I keep my rain jacket on as we descend into the mist in Arraba at the foot of the Pordoi.
Monument to Fausto Coppo at the summit of the Passo Pordoi
Again, I feel good here and keep pushing on, and catch my good friend and fellow Brevet guide Anna 1km from the top. We ride the last stretch together and after the summit I descend quickly (but safely) to the foot of the Passo Sella.
This is where my luck runs out and the knee reminds me that it isn’t 100%. The Sella is the steepest of the climbs in the Sella Ronda loop and the extra effort brings the pain. I ease off and settle into the climb avoiding too much pain.
The weather improves on the Sella and the views at the top never fail to disappoint.
Now I’m thinking whether I can make it through the medium loop or to bail out after the Sella Ronda loop. This keeps my mind occupied on the fast descent of the Sella and the start of the Gardena – where my knee makes my mind up for me. The pain gets worse and I realise I’m going to have to make it just the short course this year.
Happier times earlier in the week on the Falzarego
I dial it back on the final part of the Gardena, sitting in with a good group riding steady. But once at the top I realise I’m close to going under 3 hours for the short course. The descent of the Gardena can be very dangerous with some steep and bumpy sections, so I take it easy(ish) at the top and then really go for it on the descent to Calfosco and through to the finish line.
The pleasure descending closed roads is a rare one, and I really enjoy it and hit the Corvara town sign with 90 seconds to go before the 3-hour mark. I cross the line with the clock showing 2:59:35.
I’m a little disappointed not to have done the medium or even the long distance – but this disappointment is tempered when the heavens open about an hour after I arrive, and the rain continues for the entire afternoon.
A massive well done to all the Brevet.cc guests who completed the ride in 2024 – particularly those who endured the rain and never stopped smiling.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Maratona in 2025. Brevet.cc and Borne Cycling are coming together to run a really special week for you.