In taking second at the 2014 The North Face Transgrancanaria, Julien Chorier surprised himself. In this interview, Julien talks about why his second place was a pleasant surprise, what part of the race he struggled with the most, and which race is his goal for this year.
For more on the race, you can read our 2014 TNF Transgrancanaria results article.
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Julien Chorier Post-2014 TNF Transgrancanaria Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Julien Chorier after his great second-place finish here at Transgrancanaria. There was a little bit of drama today, yes?
Julien Chorier: Yes, drama?
iRunFar: For a little while you were the champion.
Chorier: Yes, I prefer finishing second to being a champion because yesterday Ryan [Sandes] won the race.
iRunFar: But you yesterday still had a very good race.
Chorier: Yes.
iRunFar: It was tough. It was a struggle. It was not easy all day. When were the hardest parts for you?
Chorier: For me, just before Garañón. The two climbs before Garañón were very difficult. I walked very slowly.
iRunFar: Was that the end of the climbing for you?
Chorier: Yes.
iRunFar: Was that because your legs were tired or was it energy or were you sleepy?
Chorier: Not sleepy, but very tired in my legs and all over tired. Very strange because after, all is okay and I run easy.
iRunFar: You caught competitors and moved up in the race toward the end. Was that part of your plan?
Chorier: No, I was very surprised because I think I finish slowly and maybe fifth, sixth, seventh place. When I saw Sébastien [Chaigneau], I said, “Sébastien? What?” After, some guy said, “Timothy Olson is just two, three minutes ahead.” “Okay. I can run. I run.” And I see Timothy and I finish very well.
iRunFar: Congratulations on that. What important races do you have coming up?
Chorier: The next very important race for me is Hardrock.
iRunFar: You have won that before, but this year the competition is much stronger.
Chorier: Yes, it’s very nice to see Timothy and Seb and Kilian [Jornet] and all the others.
iRunFar: It is as competitive as any 100-mile race this year. Exciting?
Chorier: Yes, very exciting for me. It’s why I come back to the race because there are a lot of very good runners. It will be a good test and I’m very excited to be a part.
iRunFar: It’s beautiful, yes?
Chorier: So beautiful for me. It’s through the mountains—all of the mountains, high mountains, nothing—it’s very nice.
iRunFar: There are not people all along the course. It’s you, the other runners… maybe.
Chorier: Sometimes.
iRunFar: And then the mountains.
Chorier: Yes.
iRunFar: Do you have any races between now and Hardrock?
Chorier: I have two races: Madeira Island [Ultra Trail]…
iRunFar: How long?
Chorier: It’s 110k. And MaXi-Race at Lac d’Annecy.
iRunFar: Have you run MaXi-Race before?
Chorier: One time three years ago, I think.
iRunFar: Those are not your focus. Preparation?
Chorier: Yes, it’s my preparation.
iRunFar: Congratulations this week or today and yesterday. I’ll see you at Hardrock.
Chorier: See you at Hardrock.
