MEETING PAU CAPELL

UTAT: When did you start running and why did you go for rail running?

PAU: I started running 8 years ago when my knee hurt. I broke my ligaments and after recovering from a surgical operation I started to run. Why trail running? Well, when you want to discover yourself, you can do it in the nature.

UTAT: What is a typical week fro preparing an ultra trail and how do you recover after an ultra trail?

PAU: I am an athlete and I train everyday. more or less three to five hours a day and then I am a coach; so I prepare training plans for my athletes. The recovery is very important, so I am strict with my nutrition and also I do some massages to improve every day.

UTAT: It will be your 5th participation on Transgrancanaria where you won the last three editions. What does this race represent for you?

PAU: It was the first race I ran years ago, so we have a special connection. I like the island, the people, so for me it’s the best option to start the season.

UTAT: Once again you will be present on the UTMB, and after your victory and your solitary race last year, do you feel a particular pressure ?

PAU: No. the pressure is for those who have never won the race, for me it’s a pleasure to run it and be the last winner of it.

UTAT: A little bit more than a month after UTMB, UTAT will be your last race of your season. The local topography on UTAT and High Atlas from Morroco is very particular. Average altitude is 2400 meters, 6 mountain passes at more than 3000 meters, a mountain pass at 3685 meters, the half autonomy, the very important thermal amplitude, the technicality of the relief, etc… Will you approach UTAT like any others trail?

PAU: UTAT will be my last race of the season, so I want to enjoy and close the year in the Atlas. I have never been there, so it will be a mix of feelings: culture, mountain, people and food. It will be a good experience, I am sure.

UTAT : Authenticity of UTAT made UTAT a specific particular race! You will go through a mountain quite different from those we are familiar with in Europe, cross villages from an other age, discover other culture, enter a timeless dimension during your race but also during your visit on the ephemeral UTAT village in Oukaïmenden. What is your vision of that ?

PAU: I don’t know. I prefer to come and discover this fabulous landscape. The best thing of this kind of races is arrive and think: yes, this is what I found!

UTAT: How comes you felt like running UTAT ?