Two year’s ago, Miguel Heras took second at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. This year he’s back and ready to go. In the following interview, Miguel talks about whether he’s recovered from his early season injuries, how his racing went once he was healthy, and how he hopes to be patient early in UTMB.
To find out who else is race UTMB this year, check out our men’s and women’s previews.
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Miguel Heras Pre-2015 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc Interview Transcript
Pre-2015 Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc: Miguel Heras
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Miguel Heras before the 2015 Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB). How are you, Miguel?
Miguel Heras: Fine, you? Strong?
iRunFar: I’m very well. I’m strong. I’m recovering from Hardrock. Do you feel strong right now?
Heras: For the most part. I have good feelings. I have good training the last month. I feel good.
iRunFar: Early in the season you had some injuries that stopped you from running Transvulcania. Are those injuries gone?
Heras: Yes, I think so. I don’t have injuries. I have a little pain, but I think I can do UTMB.
iRunFar: You think you can make it around?
Heras: I want to go to the finish line.
iRunFar: You have started this race more times than you have finished. A few times you have had to stop and abandon the race.
Heras: Two years ago I made it. Every day is so difficult. There are good runners. It’s difficult to win the race, but I want to cross the finish line.
iRunFar: That’s very important to you.
Heras: It’s very important. If I cross the finish line, I know I will be in the top-10 probably. Difficulty is to arrive.
iRunFar: Early in the race, the first half of the race, there are so many strong runners and they go very fast. How do you control yourself?
Heras: The race is not important to start in the beginning so fast. I am so calm. The important is to run faster than the other runners at the end.
iRunFar: A few years ago you had a race where you got to run 90 miles with Kilian Jornet from Spain. Two years ago… there are always good Spaniards in the race. This year you have you, Tofol Castanyer, Luis Alberto Hernando. Is it nice to be running with people you can talk to some during the race?
Heras: Yes, there are a lot of Spanish runners. The OCC was won by a Spanish guy.
iRunFar: Marc Pinsach.
Heras: TDS, won the Spanish guy, Pau Bartolo. I hope UTMB, the winner will be a Spanish guy.
iRunFar: Maybe all the podium?
Heras: All the podium?
iRunFar: Last year was two.
Heras: Maybe. This is a race that is a long race. So many things happen.
iRunFar: If you were racing for the win late in the race, who do you think may be with you?
Heras: I know Luis Alberto is in good position. I’ve been racing him all year. This race is a new distance for him. 100 miles is so long. But Luis Alberto is good inside. I think he’s so intelligent. Tofol Castanyer is a good runner, too. I hope both will be in first or second place.
iRunFar: You think experience is very important. Is it more important at 100 miles than at 80k?
Heras: Yes, experience is so important because the mind is very important in this distance because it’s so long. It’s more important to keep calm during all the race. 100 miles is a long ways. The mind is the most important in the second part of the race.
iRunFar: You think if Luis Alberto and Sage Canaday early in the race start running away, you can let that…?
Heras: Maybe. I don’t know. During the race, I will think about my feelings and about my legs and about my ankle, my knees, all of the parts are important. I have to listen to my body. I can’t think about the others. I have to think of me.
iRunFar: There are many variables. You did not start some races early in the year, but you’ve run some races in Spain this summer. How did they go?
Heras: Yes, two races. The championships in Spain in June—I did the race with a few kilometers but not more in training. I could win the race. Twenty days ago, I did Desafio Somiedo in the north of Spain. I felt good. The last three weeks I was training in my home quickly. I hope tomorrow I will be in good feelings for the distance.
iRunFar: Maybe you will be more fresh because you have not raced so many times.
Heras: Maybe. I don’t know. My body will tell me tomorrow.
iRunFar: Buena suerte.
Heras: Thank you so much.
