Picas celebrates at Ultra Pirineu |
After winning the Ultra Pirineu for the last four editions (previously Cavalls del Vent) the COMPRESSPORT® athlete once again returned in 2015 to do battle over the trails and mountains of the Cadi Moixero National Park. Nuria Picas is without doubt the queen of Catalonia. Any winning streak while racing adds pressure, it was no different in 2015 for the Catalan athlete. Back in 2012 when Picas first won this race, she took a great victory over Anna Frost and the new rising star, Emelie Forsberg. 110 kilometres and 6,768m of positive gain make the Ultra Pirineu a challenging race, especially so late in the season. From the off, Picas ran a calculated race running behind the front of the race and obviously playing a waiting game. Experience counts! Pulling into an aid station midway, Picas’s twin boys waited to greet her and cheer her on. On seeing that she was not in the lead, one started to cry. It was a sobering moment captured on video. Picas stopped, consoled him and then went on to run in what almost became a celebration of her running and maybe more importantly at this time, her independence as a Catalan. As Forsberg and Rai pulled away, Picas slowed, knowing that her 3rd position was safe. At the finish, one would have maybe expected Picas to look a little forlorn and lost after dominating the race for the previous four years. On the contrary, it was a celebration! Accompanied by children and waving Catalan flags, Picas stood proud and celebrated. It was not just about winning. |