“Everything Changed when I First Ran on the Mountains” – the Story of Spain Ultra Cup Winner

We interviewed the famous Spanish ultra-trail runner Pau Capell. In 2015 he won the Spain Ultra Cup, the Transgrancanaria Advanced and the Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana. He has also participated in international competitions, for example reaching 6^th place in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, a mountain ultramarathon regarded as one of the most difficult races in Europe.

He also organizes the Ultra Trail Barcelona, a trail running event in Barcelona attracting around 2000 participants every year. In addition, Pau is known for his blog and Facebook page. He tells us about his athletic background, career, plans and goals for next year – and gives some valuable beginner tips.

Hi Pau, and congratulations for winning the Spain Ultra Cup 2015! How was the circuit?

It was a very exciting and high quality circuit with excellent organization. Every runner was treated individually according to their own level. The Spain Ultra Cup culminated in Sierra Nevada, where I could proclaim myself the winner. What a great memory!

It has been 3 years since you started your running career. Why and how did you start running?

I had a serious injury when playing futsal in my twenties and after a long rehabilitation I decided to start trail running.  Years later I was running and trained for triathlons, but winning contests was not my goal. Everything changed when I first ran on the mountains, it suited me better.

What is your story like as an athlete?

The first year I started running ultra-trails I won the Catalonian Championship. This year I was able to win the Spanish Championship in Spain Ultra Trail. I have won all the championship runs in 2014 and 2015, except the first race where I finished 3^rd, which was a great result considering that I ran with runners like Joan Salamaña and Iván Ortiz. That’s where I was able to learn a lot about ultra-trails in one day.

What kind of advice would you give beginning athletes?

My advice is that we all run because we love it, and when you notice that it is no longer your passion, it is time to stop. The only difference between the first and the last runner is the final time, everything else is the same. We all train hard, there is no big secret. The only secret is the passion for running, which gives you the enthusiasm to train every day.  

What motivates you to train every day?

Training gives me my own space, my freedom. When I train my mind is where it wants to be, without limits, only my body and mind enjoying the run. The idea of becoming better also motivates me, but it takes a lot of discipline and passion to achieve one's goals.

Do you already have plans and goals for next year? Any events you will participate in?

Yes, I will make the final decisions with my coach Laia Diez and everything is actually planned already. I want to participate in the Ultra World Tour and complete the season with the TDS Montblanc, but I know that the level will be extremely high and it will be impossible to repeat this season.

As an international athlete, what do you consider as unique in competing abroad?

It is a pleasure to compete in different countries because you can learn and feel trails that are completely different to the ones I am used to in Catalonia. To compete is the perfect excuse to travel.

You participated in the UTMB, the dream of many runners, and you reached the 6^th position. Do you believe that it has been the hardest competition you've taken part in?

It is one of the hardest competitions I have participated in and the highest level. In my case I did the CCC ending up 6^th, but in my mind I still dream of running the queen run of the ultra-trails. The trail is unique and the view is simply spectacular, you would want to take a break just to enjoy the scenery!

You’re also organizing a running event called Ultra Trail Barcelona. Why did you establish the event and how has it changed during the years?

At the beginning it was created by a group of friends and it continued that way for 4 years. For the 5^th edition I was able to be a part of the organization and a company called Xalenx Sports, which specializes in the organization of running events. It has become a benchmark with many services targeted directly the runners.

Which are the best and the most challenging situations in organizing a running event?

The best way to organize an event is to think what you would like to have as a runner in a race. This is of course much easier to do when you actually are a runner yourself. The most challenging thing is to keep all the details in order. It’s hard to even imagine the amount of things that need to be taken care of and the details that need to be controlled when organizing an event. That is the most challenging part.

How do you see the selection of races in Spain?

We have a great selection because we are lucky to have big mountains that allow the organization different types of races with different profiles. We have a good variety of events we can participate in throughout the year.

You have a popular blog and a Facebook page. When it comes to famous athletes, how do you see the importance of social media nowadays?

In the end we all communicate through internet and I think it is the best way to share experiences. We are all the same, some are faster than others but we all train to enjoy and that is what we need to transmit: the passion for trail running without limits.

Read more and sign up for Ultra Trail Barcelona!