After applying and securing a registration spot for La Noche Roja, a backyard ultra, I opted to make my debut in this format, instead of participating once again in the Jaén Track Marathon, which involved more complicated logistics.
La Noche Roja was being organized for the first time in the town of Boñar, in the province of León, which has a direct connection to the capital city of León via a narrow-gauge railway (FEVE).
A 6.7-kilometer course have been prepared for us, as any backyard must have, with 170 meters of positive elevation gain. The start is on Saturday, July 4th at noon, with a 24-hour limit. I set off with the goal not so much of finishing the full 24 hours of racing, but at least making it into the night hours. To achieve this, I rely on a variety of supplies and plenty of clothes for several changes throughout the race. From the municipal sports center, available for runners and companions with various tables and chairs, I claim a small spot to keep my things within reach, and start getting ready for the race.
With high temperatures, I face the first lap in my regular running shoes, having planned to save the others for later hours. I quickly realise they are not going to be enough. If we cover the 170 meters of ascent over 4 kilometers, we come back down in just 1 kilometer of technically difficult terrain, making it clear that during the night hours, it will become a real challenge.
I reach the finish line in about 48 minutes, leaving 12 minutes available to stretch my legs and switch to my trail shoes. Without much rest, I complete laps 2 and 3 a bit slower than the first, in 49 and 50 minutes respectively, with temperatures on the rise, as noticed when reaching the thermometer at the entrance of the town.
Calmly, I start lap 4, which in the end would mark the beginning of the end of my participation in the backyard. It takes me nearly 57 minutes. With just over 3 minutes of margin, I only have time to replenish liquids at top speed while the countdown warnings begin to sound. With no time for anything else, I head back to the start and kick off a fifth lap. This will ultimately be my last, as it takes me 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete, meaning I finish out of time, with no option to start a sixth lap.
In this manner, I bring an early end to my debut in a backyard ultra event, in which I at least thought I would be capable of completing the marathon distance. To do so, I would have needed to complete 7 laps.
Frustrated, and also tired, I take a breather and start thinking about options to gp home earlier. The initial intention was to catch the train to León the following morning—a futile plan given the circumstances. I manage to move my return to León forward, and from there take a bus back home, where, although late, I still manage to sleep in my own bed.
My applause goes out to the runners who managed to finish the 24 hours on such a demanding course, proving that where one reaches their own limits, others are just getting started.
