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
