Adventure Interview: Trail Running with Pablo Ulloa

Pablo Cesar Ulloa is 28 years old, studied administration, is a marathon runner, and founder of RAW Peru, and one of his passions is Trail Running. Pablo currently not only participates in national-level trail competitions, but he is also a Blogger for El Comercio with articles about this sport and fitness. Today, we visited him to talk more and have him tell us a bit about himself and his life related to off-road racing. If you like running or are thinking of trying a new sport, don't miss this Adventure interview.

Photo: Desafío Huarochirí

Trail Running with Pablo Ulloa

1. Hello Pablo, tell us What is Trail Running and what are its characteristics?

Trail Running is a discipline that goes beyond running, its main characteristic is that you run completely off-road, outside of a paved surface, it is common to run in the mountains or in almost any type of terrain, whether in the mountains, on sand, in the jungle, in the desert with all kinds of natural obstacles. It differs from Cross country in the distances covered, which are shorter, not exceeding 10 to 12km. In the case of Trail Running, there is practically no limit other than the human body's endurance. There is even Ultra Trail Running that starts from 50km and can go up to 120km or 160km or more.

2. And How did you start in this sport?

It was in a very curious way, almost unintentionally, in the company where I worked they raffled spots for a race and a friend, who is currently my partner, invited me to run so without knowing much about it, I went. That event was the challenge in Huarochirí 3 years ago, this was one of the first mountain events in Peru. I tried it once and fell in love, I fell in love with the mountain, I fell in love with the hill, I fell in love with running off-road; I was already running but there is a special connection with the mountain and with everything around you.

Photo: Amazon Race Forest

3. What have been your best sports experiences?

Trail Running races in Peru have been the most demanding I have experienced, the ones that stand out the most are those in which you struggle a lot to reach the finish line, where you suffer the most like the Amazon Raceforest in Tarapoto, which I found to be a spectacular race, which has nothing to envy to an international competition, imagine being tired and wanting to stop but you can't because ants climb on you or you hear something in the vegetation: it's a unique experience. There is also the Endurance Challenge which is characterized by being a very tough route, fortunately the organization guarantees a well-marked race with hydration points for runners and assistance if you need help. I would also mention the Ultra Trail Cordillera Blanca, which was part of the mountaineering festival in Huaraz, where you run with the snowy peaks in the background at around 3500 meters above sea level and which is also very challenging where the connection with nature is very special.

4. How is the development of this sport in Peru?

The sport is growing, it all started with relatively small groups some years ago with some "crazy people running on the boardwalk" and another group running in the mountains. Events like SkyRace began to attract more people, it grew pulling in more followers, now it has become fashionable and there is much more access and information for any athlete, there is even the Trail Running Club of Peru Runners. The main mountain brands organize their own groups and races practically all over Peru.

Photo: Endurance Challenge

5. How is the level of national Trail Runners?

Our Trail Runners are outstanding globally, for example, we have Remigio Huamán who is an international elite runner standing on the podium in global races, there is also Emerson Trujillo, Manuel Figueroa, Stalin Carrasco among many other Peruvian runners who train and compete abroad. As a running culture, we are improving and we have the advantage that in the highlands there are places that are cradles of long-distance runners, which little by little are receiving more support, allowing more of these sports stars to emerge.

6. What is needed to start in this sport?

In this specific sport, although it may seem very simple, in the case of Trail Running, good "tires" are necessary, good trail shoes that provide security and grip, to avoid falls and slips, since the terrain is rugged and dangerous. You must prepare according to the conditions and distances, there are elements that are necessary such as camelbaks (special hydration backpacks for runners) or hydration belts, but above all, you must know your body very well. Also, learn certain techniques that must be taken into account to be able to go to the mountain with more experience and tranquility.

Photo: Trail Running Kit in Colombia

7. What routes would you recommend to start practicing?

Actually, I think it depends on what you have at hand. Here in Lima, you can take advantage of the slopes on the Costa Verde, if you want trails you can go to El Morro de Chorrillos, sand on the beaches. Outside of Lima, there are all kinds of terrains, hills, plateaus, hills, both to the north and south there are significant amounts of terrain to run on.

8. What important competitions are there in Peru?

In Peru, there are many trail running competitions but in terms of distance, the ones that cover the longest distances are the Desert Challenge that covers 100 km from Huacachina to Paracas Bay, there is also the Endurance Challenge, which is one of my favorite competitions, with distances of up to 50 and 80 km along a quite rugged route and also races held in provinces like the Ultra Trail Cordillera Blanca or the Amazon Race Forest which is incredible or for example the challenge of Huarochirí which changes venue every year, they are very beautiful and well-organized races. Sometimes we look to travel and run in X place in the world when here we have incredible routes and landscapes with a lot of mystique, there is plenty to choose from.

Photo: Pablo with his two pets.

9. What do you think about when you run?

When I run, I am one of those who does not wear headphones, I don't listen to music and I love to feel that connection with the mountain, to hear everything and my favorite moment is when I am alone, tired, and only hear nature and my steps. An advantage of running is that you think a lot, you think too much in races of 4 to 5 hours, you think about the professional side, family, partner, friends, your little dogs; like that time when they helped me reach the finish line. Sometimes you reach deeper things, there are always things that serve as motivation but in difficult moments of the race is when these things come to you the most. There is no rule, but for runners, it is a special moment.

10. And What do you do when you are NOT running?

As a mountain runner, overall preparation is very important, I am a fan of functional training in all its varieties, it is a very useful way of training; Also, the gym is very important to work on targeted areas that improve the muscles most used in each sport, in general, it is a very good complement.

Photo: www.rawperu.com

11. You are the founder of RAW Peru, What is Raw and what is its purpose?

Raw Peru is a non-profit page whose sole objective is to inform the running audience and those who are not yet runners, about this sport and other sections that provide a positive contribution to the audience that follows us in order to lead a healthier lifestyle. We cover topics on mountain sports, health, nutrition, and even meditation topics, as far as possible, we try to improve the quality of life of those who follow us.

12. What advice would you give to those who want to start in this sport?

Really, TRY IT, try it at least once. You start running and you fall in love, it's a sport that pulls you in and when you practice it more often you see the contributions it has in your daily life, you feel healthier, more vital, it frees your mind, relieves pressure, stress... so try it, you won't stop doing it; then little by little you get to know the techniques and secrets of this sport.