Golden Trail Series: Ruth Croft hopes to maintain mental focus for Nepal final as long season and travelling takes its toll
- The OCC winner is in Nepal for the 42km GTS finale, but as the season wears on she knows she has to stay mentally sharp to compete with the best
New Zealand runner Ruth Croft hopes to be mentally switched on for the 42km Golden Trail Series (GTS) final on Friday in Nepal. It is the end of the season and all the races and travel have begun to take their toll.
“When it comes to the end of the season it’s more mental than physical,” she said. “Last year, by the last races I was mentally checked out. I’m more aware of it now. I know it’s not physical so being aware of it will help hopefully.”
The GTS takes place over sevens races, mostly in Europe with one in the US. After six races, the top 10 men and women are invited to the final in Nepal. Croft won the Marathon du Mont Blanc, finished second in the 22km Dolomyths race and fourth in the 31km Sierre-Zinal.
“Even if it’s in a series, I still approach every race the same. Every race is so different, you can’t look at the series as one overall thing. You have to approach each race and treat it how it is,” Croft said. “The goal was to get to the final.”
Croft has had another impressive season, finishing second in the Trail World Championships earlier in the summer and winning the OCC at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc week in August. But she has to base herself in Europe to travel to races and took a trip home for a family wedding just before the OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix).
