Recovery after Running an “Everesting” Mountain Ultramarathon

Abstract

Blood markers of muscle microdamage and systemic inflammation do not adequately explain the reduced performance observed over a prolonged recovery after running a mountain ultramarathon. This case study aimed to determine whether the reduced performance after the Everesting mountain ultramarathon can be further assessed by considering cardiorespiratory and metabolic alterations determined via repeated incremental and continuous running tests. A single runner (age: 24 years, BM: 70 kg, BMI: 22, Vo2peak: 74 mL∙min−1∙kg−1) was observed over a preparatory period of two months with a one-month recovery period. The Everesting consisted of nine ascents and descents of 9349 vertical metres completed in 18:22 (h:min). During the first phase of the recovery, enhanced peak creatine kinase (800%) and C-reactive protein (44%) levels explained the decreased performance. In contrast, decreased performance during the second, longer phase was associated with a decreased lactate threshold and Vo2 (21% and 17%, respectively), as well as an increased energetic cost of running (15%) and higher endogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates (87%), lactate concentrations (170%) and respiratory muscle fatigue sensations that remained elevated for up to one month. These alterations may represent characteristics that can explain the second phase of the recovery process after Everesting.