🎯 Objective
To complete the UTMB OCC with strategic pacing, technical terrain management, and emotional resilience—navigating over 3,000 m of elevation gain across the Swiss Alps.
🏃 Athlete Profile – Alexandra Oliver
- Race: UTMB OCC
- Location: Orsières to Chamonix, Switzerland
- Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
- Distance: 55.54 km
- Moving Time: 12:20:55
- Elapsed Time: 12:33:39
- Average Pace: 13:34/km
- Elevation Gain: 3,250 m
- Calories Burned: 2,151 kcal
- Conditions: Partly cloudy, 47°F, 74% humidity
- Device: Garmin fēnix 6S Pro
- Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 6 (BLUE)
- Top Climbs:
- Col de Champex (1,498 m)
- Porte à l’Ô / Col de Portalo (2,049 m)
- Col de la Forclaz (1,527 m)
- Col de Balme (2,191 m)
- Col des Posettes (1,997 m)
📊 Pacing Breakdown – Alexandra Oliver
KM 1–10 (Settling In) Average Pace: ~8:30/km Notes: Early climbs (KM 5–6: 11:42/km, 16:47/km) tested pacing discipline. Alexandra adjusted quickly, showing strong aerobic control and terrain awareness.
KM 11–21 (Technical Descent & Recovery) Average Pace: ~9:30/km Notes: Descents from Col de Champex and Forclaz required careful footwork. KM 11–12 (6:25/km, 8:47/km) showed recovery and rhythm.
KM 22–32 (Mid-Race Grind) Average Pace: ~13:00/km Notes: KM 27–30 included steep climbs (up to 207 m gain), with pacing between 15:07/km and 23:48/km. Alexandra leaned into mental cues and fueling strategies.
KM 33–42 (Descent & Reset) Average Pace: ~10:30/km Notes: KM 34–35 (8:33/km, 8:12/km) reflected a strong reset. Despite fatigue, Alexandra maintained form and cadence through technical descents.
KM 43–55 (Final Push) Average Pace: ~12:30/km Notes: Final climbs (KM 44–48) were steep and slow (up to 22:34/km), but Alexandra held effort and closed with consistent pacing in KM 53–55 (11:41/km, 11:44/km, 10:29/km).
❤️ Heart Rate & Effort
Estimated HR Zone: Aerobic endurance with high-intensity spikes Insight: Average cadence of 134 spm reflects technical terrain and elevation impact. Alexandra showed strong effort regulation and mental resilience.
💡 Key Insights
- Technical Mastery: Alexandra navigated steep climbs and descents with strategic pacing and terrain awareness.
- Emotional Resilience: Her reflection highlights the emotional lift from seeing Abi, Ruth, and Neil en route—fueling her final push.
- Effort Regulation: Despite extreme elevation, Alexandra avoided major pacing crashes and finished strong.
- Gear & Conditions: Altra Lone Peak 6s and cool alpine weather supported steady movement and comfort.
🧩 Coaching Applications
- Alexandra’s splits teach technical terrain pacing and mental resets
- Reinforces the value of emotional support and race-day mindset
- Models how ultra efforts benefit from strategic gear and fueling
- Celebrates alpine achievements
- Encourages athletes to reflect on what “most challenging” means—and how they overcame it