On the way to Cortina: Lavaredo Ultratrail 120k

Lars Ferbitz
Feb 21
7 min read

The first big goal for 2026 is set: My first participation in the Lavaredo Ultratrail 120k. Join me on my journey in this blog post.

Lavaredo 120k

A trail run through the UNESCO World Heritage of the Dolomites . What could be better? I have read a lot about it, heard enthusiastic feedback from the trail running community, watched videos... Now I want to experience it for myself. I know Cortina d'Ampezzo; I've been to South Tyrol before... a long time ago as a student. But certainly not for running. It was about climbing steep routes, about alpine adventures on multi-pitch climbs... but please, no long approaches! Other runners in the mountains seemed rather strange. Why run away from such beautiful walls? Why run uphill at all? My interests have changed over time: I love long distances, lots of elevation gain in breathtaking surroundings, running on challenging trails through the night, into the sunrise...

But there is still much to be done before then.

Training status (December 2025)

My fitness level is more like that of a Christmas cookie. Lying comfortably in a tin, surrounded by warm scents, but going out in this cold weather...?? Just the thought of it makes everything hurt.

The only solution is a plan and the motivation to implement it:

Strength training, flexibility, stability (I do not want to face the same injuries as last season)
Slow, continuous runs
Interval training (it's a nice feeling to be faster for a change)
Training in and with a group (motivation comes naturally this way)

But please don't take it too seriously, the focus is on fun.

Intervall training trail-maniacs Oberwallis

December 20, 2025

New Year's resolutions

The great thing about training plans is that you can delete them if needed. Nobody will complain, the world won't end.

This allows you to enjoy the beautiful trails in Valais in good company.

January 6, 2026

Medical certificate

A medical certificate may be required for an ultra-trail race abroad. That's fine. However, the requirements for Lavaredo 2026 are exceptional: Medical check-up, resting and exercise ECG, spirometry...

The run seems really intense. I'm curious to see how it goes. At least I passed all the tests. The adventure can continue.

January 18, 2026

Motivation

Where does the motivational slump in January come from?

At the beginning of the year, goals are still ambitious. You imagine yourself crossing the finish line of your first ultra-trail, you've reached your target weight, you've finally managed to stick to your training plan, and you're getting faster and faster on the track...

Then reality sets in. You've never been this slow, the only change is the excruciating pain in your knee (the training load was increased far too quickly), and your target weight has never seemed so far away. With that, the initial euphoria vanishes – why all the effort and exertion?

The list of excuses for giving up is long (too cold, too wet, too tired, too much work...). What's needed here is a clearly structured plan and clear rules. It's not a big deal to postpone a training session once in a while, but not twice in a row. If I don't have enough time for the planned training, or if the conditions are too bad for the planned trail (finally fresh snow, but only ice on the paths), I'll adjust the training; I won't cancel it.

But most importantly: Don't be too hard on yourself. Don't feel like jogging today? No problem, a beautiful ski tour can be so motivating, a tour on the ice, a cross-country ski track, a cool running partner... There are so many possibilities. The main thing is not to lose the joy of running.

February 8, 2026

Change of plan

Ski holidays are wonderful. There has never been so much snow. A powder paradise. But not without its dangers. The avalanche situation is precarious, but danger lurks even in hidden places: Concealed beneath an innocent fluff of snow crystals: The ice! It is well known that ice is slippery, both in ski boots and running shoes. But are you really lucky if you fall twice, landing on the exact same spot on your thigh? With the agility of a tortoise, your initial training quickly turns into a workout to maintain your current fitness level until you realize that being able to run again would be a goal in itself. You find your new sport: "walking run". It takes a practiced eye to still be able to discern the nuances of jogging. The slower pace allows you to rediscover and absorb the beauty of the landscape. There is time to say "hello" to the surprised badger and to capture the less agile parts of the scenery in photographs. A dream world, which the Valais region offers in abundance.

February 27, 2026

Time for a break

If you are too immobile to place your foot onto the first hold while bouldering, if you keep waking up in the night because of constant pain in the leg... then it's definitely time for a break... and this on a perfect sunny day for running, with a full moon at night... The situation is comparable to eating nothing but green salad and nibbling on muesli without milk... But it doesn't help... It's time for a break, and it's time for yoga.

February 28, 2026

Yoga

Yoga is definitely not my favorite sport; I'll never be able to do most of the poses. However, I've finally found a yoga sequence that significantly improves hip mobility and allows me to walk pain-free afterwards. It's a mix of downward-facing dog, child's pose, and variations of pigeon pose. This will be my regular morning and evening routine for the next days, with some foam rolling exercises in addition.

March 2, 2026

Trigger point

Now it's time for a trigger point massage. The trigger point is the one you press and you are causing significant discomfort. Just close your eyes and bear it, but it helps... Until another option is comes into play: The "trigger wood".

March 8, 2026

Strength training

In addition to exercises to improve hip mobility, the focus is on targeted strength training... and significant improvements are finally becoming apparent. Along with the Copenhagen plank, the routine includes exercises using mini-bands of varying resistance levels to strengthen the hip abductors ("clamshell"), hip flexors ("hip flexion"), and hip adductors ("standing adduction"). Running is once again possible with little to no pain, distances are increasing, and the enjoyment of running is returning.

01.05.2026

Initial stress tests

The first longer runs serve to test both physical and mental fitness. The body is put to the test through three strenuous runs—covering 35 km with 1,600 m of elevation gain, 20 km with 1,700 m, and 22 km with 1,900 m over technical terrain—and it holds up. Continuous running is possible, and recovery is rapid. The stage is now set for Lavaredo.

04.06.2026 - 14.06.2026

Die Würfel sind gefallen

I still remember exactly the moment I started running again for the first time.

No set pace. No watch I took seriously. A training plan that had long since lost its relevance.

Just a cautious step… and the quiet hope that it would work out.

The months leading up to it?

In Cortina d'Ampezzo

Arrived in Cortina d'Ampezzo after an eight-hour drive. The usual hustle and bustle, traffic chaos, queuing for race bibs—everyone looks so fit...

It all kicks off at 11:00 PM tonight; the course needs to be broken down into manageable segments, the main pasta meal planned, the drop bag packed, and the running pack readied. There is a lot to do, and the start is fast approaching.

26.06.2026

Conclusion

It has been a week now. A week since I stood at the starting line with mixed feelings. Without much pressure, without a specific target time, without expectations. Or perhaps with just one small one: I didn’t want to simply run through the night only to drop out afterwards.

My goal was the Tre Cime (Three Peaks). I wanted to experience that magical moment at sunrise. Everything else would reveal itself along the way.

And so, I set off. Step by step. Kilometer by kilometer.

Things didn’t always go smoothly. Especially at the beginning, I had to fight to find my rhythm and remain patient. But eventually, it happened — that moment when body and mind work in unison. I was able to run. Run for a long time. Run for a very long time.

What remains are countless photos and videos. Memories of a landscape that is hard to put into words. Of impressive mountain scenery, perfect trails, and a unique atmosphere. The weather was kind to us, the mood along the course was fantastic—and I got to experience it all to the fullest.

And yes, in the end, I made it.

After 24 hours and 23 minutes, I crossed the finish line. I placed 554th out of 1,201 finishers.

I didn’t win the race. I wasn’t particularly fast, either.

But other things won out: the will never to give up. The many hours of training. The careful preparation. Years of experience.. and support of my physio from Physio Sports Rehab (www.physiosportsrehab.ch) keeping me on track.

That is why I feel one thing above all: Gratitude.

Gratitude for standing at the start healthy. Gratitude for every single kilometer. Gratitude for all the people who supported me along the way.

And infinite gratitude for reaching the finish line.

The finish line of the Lavaredo 120K.

The finish line of a dream that, for a long time, seemed completely unrealistic. At the finish line of what might be my greatest athletic challenge of 2026.

A finish line on the course.

And, at the same time, the beginning of something new.