interview Marathon maketh the man
Globally acclaimed trail runner Xavier Thevenard is the only runner to have won the Tour du Mont Blanc’s trail racing ‘Triple Crown’ – the CCC, the TDS and the UTMB — on his very first try. SGB finds out how....
How did you get into trail running? Running in the mountains has always been a part of my life – I can’t stay inside for a long time. I was trained by the hard school of cross-country skiing, I was a member of the Junior French Team and running was a part of the training. In 2010, I won the CCC at the age of 22, with no assistance or specific preparation – just for fun! This victory showed me that I had a future in the global world of trail-running.
What does a day in your life look like? I wake up very early, around 5am, and I always begin my day by running for two hours before breakfast. In the morning and the afternoon, I work as a sports coach for cross-country skiing, kayaking, mountain-biking or climbing depending on the season. After work, my second training session is more technical. I always make time for recovery – a little nap, massage and stretching. I'm used to going to bed early!
What innovations do athletes look for in their running accessories? The races are becoming faster and faster, so runners are looking for lightness, comfort, ergonomics and hydrophobic qualities. I find these in Camelbak products in particular. In trail running, there is no difference between competitions and training, so I use the same products for daily training.
How do you prepare for a race like the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc? Throughout the winter I do a lot of cross country skiing and ski touring, with a competition almost every weekend (distances ranging from 15km to 190km). When spring arrives, I take out my running shoes I string together kilometres and training hours to get back in the game, readjusting my muscles and joints to running. I usually include one threshold training session and one MAS (Maximal Aerobic Speed) session each week. The rest of the time I train in basic endurance. I diversify my training with mountain biking,
cycling and line kayaking for core training. I’m constantly adapting my training to choose a workout that is logical and effective day-to-day. As the the race approaches, I use Heart Rate Variation tests to find out what type of training will get me to D-day in the best shape possible. Ten days before the UTMB I reduce my training in order to reach the best physical and mental freshness.
What are the benefits of the products you are using in your current racing activity? A good hydration system is essential; it allows you to keep moving. Camelbak has a product adapted to each race length. For short races (under two hours) there is the Arc Belt; two to four hours the Delanay Belt; from four to six the Circuit Vest, and six hours plus the Marathoner Vest.
Kimberly Rogers, international marketing manager for CamelBak:
What differentiates CamelBak products from similar products in the marketplace? CamelBak products are exceptionally well tested and durable, but should something break, it will be replaced thanks to their ‘Got Your Bak’ Lifetime Guarantee. The reservoir is leak-proof and has a very easy open/close cap, so refilling at stations is super quick. The centre baffling and low-profile design prevent sloshing water and weight shift when running, and the PureFlow tube and high flow Big Bite Valve make hydrating on the run easy.
What new technologies do CamelBak products use? The Run vests have 3-D mesh for light, comfortable breathability and a direct cooling system on the Runner's back to help regulate temperature.
What is the Camelbak brand ethos, or mission statement? ‘To forever change the way people hydrate.’ Ultimately, CamelBak's mission is to completely eliminate the use of disposable bottles.
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SGB-SPORTS.COM
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