In winning the 2014 Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji, Núria Picas finished her second 100-mile race and won at the distance for the first time. In the following interview, Núria compares this race to her experience at UTMB last year, talks about the most difficult part of UTMF, and tells us what’s coming up next in her race season.
[Editor’s Note: Have a look at our results article for the race’s full story.]
[Click here if you can’t see the video above.]
Núria Picas, 2014 Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji Champion, Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Núria Picas after her win at the 2014 Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji. How was Fuji, Núria?
Núria Picas: Sí,how was Fuji? Fuji was a beautiful experience because to run around Mount Fuji was incredible. It’s a nice mountain. So it was long for me because 100 miles—more than 100 miles—is too much, but now I’m happy, just a little tired, but good.
iRunFar: How was the experience in your second 100-mile race? How was the difference between this and Mont Blanc [UTMB]?
Picas: I did one hour less, so it’s nice. But it was hard as well like Mont Blanc—maybe different. The night was different. For me it was better this night than the other in Mont Blanc. I don’t know what reason. It was quite similar.
iRunFar: I think I know the answer to this, but what was the most difficult part of the race?
Picas: The most difficult part was maybe from Aid 8 to 9. It was a high section with 2000 meters up and it was really hard to be there. So then I met Joe Grant and for me it was a good thing because we could go together and it was better.
iRunFar: It was a better experience. You know Joe from being a Buff teammate.
Picas: Yeah, Joe, for me, it’s a pleasure to run with him and to be on the same team.
iRunFar: Now that you’ve run two 100-mile races, is it something you want to do more of?
Picas: Maybe, I would like to go to the Diagonale des Fous, but it’s stronger than both of these races. So I prefer to run 100k, not 100 miles, for sure.
iRunFar: What races do you have coming up?
Picas: Transvulcania in 15 days, but I don’t know if I’ll be recovered to run there. Maybe I’m thinking to go to Australia [The North Face 100k Australia] in three weeks because I’d like to run the [Skyrunning] World Championships. So I don’t know exactly what I’m doing.
iRunFar: So you think that the race in Australia is too close to the Mont Blanc 80k?
Picas: No, not Mont Blanc. It’s close to Fuji, no? Yeah, it’s only three weeks and it’s another continent. Long travel. But I have to think about this. Yeah, I don’t know.
iRunFar: Apparently you’re thinking about Diagonale des Fous as well? So even the day after 100 miles…
Picas: Some people say to me, “Okay, go to Diagonale, it’s a very good race.” People say, “Oh, it’s a strong race.” But the country, people, it’s interesting to learn.
iRunFar: Congratulations on a great race.
Picas: Thank you.
iRunFar: We’ll see you at Transvulcania. Whether or not you race will you come to La Palma anyway?
Picas: Three weeks. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I’ll be there because we’ll see what happens.
iRunFar: Maybe we’ll have to share some beers now and at La Palma.
Picas: Whooooo! Yeah! Perfect.
iRunFar: Japanese beer. Good, yes?
Picas: Good recovery.
iRunFar: Then you need more. Recover fast.
Picas: Yeah? Come.
