The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) 2030 dream is officially underway, and I’m starting in the flat, sweltering streets of Dubai. On April 14, 2025, I ditched cigarettes and laced up my running shoes, diving headfirst into a five-year plan to conquer one of the world’s toughest ultra races. Week 1 was about rediscovering my legs, battling heat, and laying the groundwork for 170km of alpine glory. Here’s how my 52km week unfolded, with wins, challenges, and a few lessons from Dubai’s urban “trails.”
Training Breakdown: 52km in the Desert
I logged 52km across five runs, focusing on Zone 2 (130-132 bpm) to rebuild my aerobic base. Dubai’s pancake-flat terrain and 35°C mornings meant early starts along beaches and roads. Here’s the week’s breakdown:
- Monday (April 14): 8.01km easy run, 7:31 min/km, 131 bpm. First official run of the program. Legs felt stiff, but hitting Zone 2 was a solid start.
- Wednesday (April 16): 5.79km fartlek, 6:55 min/km, 142 bpm. Missed the 7km target, but the speed bursts woke up my fast-twitch muscles.
- Thursday (April 17): 12.20km easy, 7:49 min/km, 131 bpm. Longest midweek run, testing endurance in humid conditions.
- Friday (April 18): 9km easy, 7:30 min/km, 132 bpm. Found a groove, keeping pacing consistent.
- Saturday (April 19): 17km long run, 7:51 min/km, 131 bpm. Biggest run of the week, mimicking ultra-style fatigue after Thursday’s effort.
- Sunday (April 20): Rest day. HRV tanked to 24ms, so I skipped a planned 16km to recover.
My VO2 Max hit 42.3 mL/kg/min, up 4.7% since April 1—a sign my fitness is coming back. Elevation gain? A laughable 65m. Dubai’s not exactly Chamonix.
Challenges and Wins
Challenges: Flat terrain is a trail runner’s kryptonite—no hills, no technical descents, just endless pavement. The heat drained me, and quitting smoking on April 14 brought mild fatigue and cravings. Low HRV (24ms) by Sunday signaled I pushed hard for week 1.
Wins: Knocking out 52km in tough conditions felt like a victory. The 17km long run, paired with Thursday’s 12.2km, built confidence in back-to-back efforts. Staying in Zone 2 was disciplined, and one week smoke-free is a milestone worth celebrating.
Health and Lifestyle
I’m leaning on routine to fuel this comeback. Sleep averaged 7-8 hours, though Sunday’s 6:20hr dip wasn’t ideal. Hydration’s critical in Dubai - 2-3L daily keeps me going. Recovery feels strong, but I’m watching HRV to avoid burnout.
Looking Ahead
Week 2 involves travel to South Africa and back on two red-eye flights. I’m planning a few runs, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on recovery. Those flights usually mean under 4 hours of sleep, so I’m prioritizing rest to avoid hitting a wall.
Join the Journey
Training in Dubai’s urban sprawl is teaching me adaptability - a skill I’ll need for UTMB’s grueling climbs. Got tips for making flat-city running work or staying motivated in week 1? Drop a comment below! Follow my progress on Strava or Instagram (@trailrunnerZA).
For the full story on my UTMB quest, read my intro post. Want ultra-running inspiration? I’m diving into Training For The Uphill Athlete - take a look for practical tips from a pro.
Happy trails,
Kyle
