2020 The Lockdown year

 

Reflection on a year gone by. Hard to know what to make of it. The world, or how the news portray the world, is pretty downbeat with Covid19 still striking hard in our communities, Brexit around the corner and the divides of peoples opinions on all manner of subjects further apart than ever. For me the world keeps turning so protect that you love, be grateful and stay positive.

Back to 2020 and there was no time to get over the new year blues. We got of to a snorter. A ski trip over to the French Alps with Dave and his boys. A Fun trip just focusing on skiing and not trying to wedge in a climb, a tour... some other activity. We skied, we ate, we laughed and we drank (finding that all important new drink in Genepe a perfect mountain drink to warm the soul).

Back at home there was no time to sit back. The dog wanted walking and i only had a 100 mile race to run at the end of the month!! So i went to my tried and tested run to prepare me and ran Weymouth to Poole, 42milers over 10hrs. I picked a gorgeous day running the sea cliffs although it being winter it was very windy and muddy underfoot. But running the endless sandy beaches at nighttime was a highlight. The lowlight being I just missed the ferry over to Poole, so had a cold wait. Then i just missed the train so another cold wait ensued. 

But I felt ready. Resting the body we ticked off another part of the SWCP in reverse from Plymouth to Par. Great fun and shorts weather taboo. Then back down to Cornwall for a relaxing weeks holiday at Gwithian with a cheeky 100mile race thrown in. The week didn't start well with having to take Lola to the vet as she must of caught a virus and didnt look so good (poor thing had only been hit by a car the month before) and now the vet told us as well as being sick she had a heart murmur!!

The Arc of Attrition runs 100miles along the South West coast line either side of Lands End. It started out bleak with rain and wind but after the first gruelling night we had a beauty to finish. Nice meeting up with old running friends Tony and Darren and meeting new ones in Dave.

February brought nothing but dark misery. Storms battered the country and i caught a nasty cold so it was good to get that month out of the way and fly into March or more appropriately Canada for our Ski Tour trip. This was up there with the best. Our roadtrip found amazing new places in Emerald lake, awesome resorts in Revelstoke and best of all a touring mecca in Rogers Pass with thigh deep powder. We only managed the one day skiing here but it has made such an impression on us that we hope to return many many times over. The only lowlight was in a haze of happiness on coming back to Rogers Pass for another days powder skiing Daves ski binding snapped before we had got far and so with no options just had to call it a day. It did give us some days XC skiing and a day on fat bikes in the snow which were good experiences.

What was to come was an indication of the year to come. We had heard murmurings of a virus spreading across the world and country's taking precautions. At the airport their precaution was only to ask if we had been to China then it was ok to board the plane. On arriving home a couple of days later i was bedridden for a week with a bad virus! I may never know if it was Covid or something else but it was one of the worst illnessess I have ever had and on getting better was introduced to the the new world with Covid amongst us all. I got to work for one day and then we went into Lockdown.

Lockdown was a mix of emotions, it still is. As it has not affected me too much but I know that all around it is affecting people with the worst. So you just do what you can as thats mainly not to become a hindrance to anyone or any service. The weather was good and at the start we all logged into Zoom and with a few drinks kept in touch with far afield friends. Slowly, slowly things opened up, got to play golf, go for longer runs, even managing a 100mile week and then go back to work part time. Then we could stay away overnight so I ran up the Itchen and hooked up with Rob who had biked from his for a cheeky overnight camp in the woods, we may have celebrated our freedom a little too much. Running back the 25miles the next day in the blistering heat was a tough one, thankfully i had the river to endlessly jump into to cool off and wash away any lingering headaches.

July we could travel so i made my way down to Dartmoor and met up with Greg and Tony for a few days remote hiking. Things were easing and the weather remained unabated. I ran long for the first time since the Arc around the Purbecks reinvigorating my running mojo. Then back down to South Devon to tick off another part of the SWCP. In more stunning weather we hiked, waded rivers, swam, camped and drank to more truly wonderful experiences and memories. 

For August we gave ourselves a challenge as there were no races. I needed to get fit as had a race, maybe, in september to get ready for. We (Dave and I) headed to North Wales to give the Paddy Buckley a go. This is a 62mile loop around the mountains we decided to have a go over 2 days. We managed to find a campsite, the whole area was mobbed with people which was a little disconcerting but overall we were away from the crowds.

This was one tough outing over treacherous terrain but with scintillating scenery. Covering 28miles on day1 we had to cut out the last section due to time. Again on D2 we had to cut out the last section on timing. It was just taking an age to get through all the boggy parts. But we managed a 50 mile loop around the welsh mountains and loved it all. Can't wait for another crack.

Not home for long I headed back down to Cornwall for another part of the SWCP. Unfortunately overnight Greg was ill and decided to cut short his trip. After dropping him off we went to Dartmoor for a couple of scorching days around Haytor. To finish of my training i managed another long loop around the Jurassic Coastline on a hot and humid day. But now i felt ready for my big race.

Days before heading out to Switzerland new travel measures were put in place in that you'd have to isolate yourself on arriving back in the UK. After a days deliberation I decided to go, too much invested to just sit at home not doing much. Arriving in Switzerland I hooked up with some Dutch friends whom i'd met at the Tor last year (Paul and Roy). Roy was down in his motorhome to crew Paul on his 300+km race. I'd tag along and help out. We ran, we climbed and we crewed Paul for a few days and then I raced the Swiss Peaks 100 mile race. 

Felt like i got the best of both worlds in doing it this way. 

It was one seriously tough race taking nearly 47hrs and some major hallucinations out on that 2nd night. But what a course and the Valais valley certainly does not disappoint. Being able to relax at the finish on Lake Geneva with friends, also met up with the Czech boys Milan and Jaro, was a welcome world away from rules and regulations back at home. I then went home for 2 weeks of quarantine. Worth it.

Before my base training disappeared we took a quick trip up to wales to try the Welsh 3000s. Dave was eager to try this again and try and get under 10hrs so with daylight at a premium we got ourselves up there and set of in the darkness and typical welsh weather. We hoped, as it was forecast, the weather would ease but it seemed to do the opposite and within a few hours on the Carnedds knew that proceeding was pointless and so in crazy high winds and rain we called it and finished at ogwen and went to the cafe and a dog walk instead. Typical Wales the next day we went to Barmouth beach in the blazing sun!

With no time I switched from running to biking as a few of us (Rob, Steve M, Steve B) had learnt about a new 350km route on our doorstep conceived by CyclingUK, The King Alfreds Way. It was mid october by now but we lucked out with the weather, but thats where my luck ran out and after a few hours managed to snap my bike in half (remnant damage from crashing on a metal post a year ago!!). Rob right away sprung into action and a plan hatched. His wife came and collected me, took me back to theirs and i made his shopping bike ready for the remaining 300km trip...hmmm.. it did work but I also managed to break the derailer, a jockey wheel and the brakes en route. But we got round. Well nearly, we finished up in Reading, 50km short but headed back out 2 weeks later to finish of the entire loop. Superb adventure just on our doorstep.

November and we were all back in lockdown to try and curb this virus. So time was spent walking and running locally. Once out of lockdown winter was upon us and it felt better to stay safe than to go out and about. I did managed to build a new bike for myself with Rob, so look forward to more bike trips when allowed. And also got out with the running club a few times which was good to mix with fellow runners culminating in a superb outing in the forest filth run in the mud and wading rivers. Great fun.

Even looking back I feel that I have achieved a reasonable amount this year but like many feel like it has also not delivered. With the year ending in storms, amassing quagmire of mud, further restrictions on our lifes and a brexit deal no-one quite understands we hope that in the not to distant future we can all get out and pick up on our lives.

Stats - got out over 180 times, ran over 1400 miles. Ran a monthly all time best of over 250miles in May. Smashed a toe, ankle still fukked and was ill twice.

Highlights - knowing good people. Dave cheering me up when i felt shite on the Arc. Epic skiing in Rogers Pass. Beers and river crossings in South Devon. Completing the Swiss Peaks 100miler.

Lowlights - Covid.

Best of 2020 in Pictures

Here's to a belter of a year in 2021

2021 plans - 

Skiing seems unlikely but heres hoping we get to Norway and tour those Lyngen Alps.

Welsh 3000 to finish

Bikepacking trip

Via Ferrata in Italy/Swiss (June)

Xreid 100km in Norway (July)

GR20 in Sept 

Swiss Peaks Trail Race

 Swiss Peaks 100mile Trail Race

Set in the Valais valley. A wonderful week starting with helping crew for Paul doing the 315km race then doing my own 100mile race. 

Majestically steep mountains. Paced this well, ate well (although CPs could of had better solid food).. only pitfuls as usual was the altitude making me weary and the heat sapping me. Had the most amazing constant hallucinations on the second night with faces of mythical creatures jumping out of ever pebble I ran past and the mountains and woods all containing faces. Strangest by far was the desperation to sleep and on the side of a steep mountain forest was Roy's campervan parked waiting for me!!!

Paddy Buckley Attempt

 

Attempted the Paddy Buckley. 

Looking to do it over 2 days but didnt want to suffer too much so missed a couple of sections. But a great mountain adventure managing 50miles over 2 days.

Day1 - Snowdon and the Glyders
Day2 - Moels

Canada Ski Trip

 Canada Skiing

From skiing Banff, Lake Louise and Revelstoke to Ski Touring Emerald Lake and the mighty Rogers Pass.

Arc of Attrition

 Arc Of Attrition 100mile race along the SWCP in Cornwall, UK in winter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-UvIRaCgHU

2019 memories

Started the year 2019 with a mindset of starting hard early and keeping it going. It didn't quite work out that way.

January was filled with runs with Dave and the dogs, a Dartmoor Micro of the Two Moors Way and a cheeky Stonehenge marathon - starting hard remember as February brought me the news I had been waiting for. I was in the Tor Des Geants (200+mile mountain race). With this great news I filled up the month with finishing the Two Moors Way through Exmoor and raced the Punchbowl 30 and New Forest Marathon. The year had started well and it even snowed.




As with life when things are going good you get knocked down it seems. I woke up after the New Forest with a sore ankle and this would lead to 3 slow months of recovering. I didn't panic with the training as I had both plenty of time and was able to walk fine. But boy i hate being injured and I can still feel a twinge in my ankle to this day. WTF did i do!!

To aide in recuperation we went skiing. 

With these bad boys...

After starting the trip with a distinct lack of snow in Champoluc, Italy we headed over to Chamonix where for 4 days we skied powder and tuned into our new skis. We only manged a days ski touring but boy it was a great off piste trip.

Not able to run we finished March with a fabulous trip to Wales and the Traverse of the Rhinogs. What a place, beautiful, remote, mountainous.. it had it all and also wild camped the first night on a deserted island and the 2nd by a lake surrounded by mountain peaks.



Spring came and I did nothing in April. After set backs with the ankle the best thing to do is rest and that is what I did. So it was a case of catching up and going out.

Magical May. I think the sun just shone all month.




A Micro trip down to Dartmoor to the remotest parts. So remote that at the Tor we camped the boys got attacked by a fox - i sleep through it all!

Then it was back into running. The ankle seemed stronger - just dont twist on it.. I ticked of my 50th Marathon and then pushed through an Ultra with Rupe on the Pilgrims Trail the week after.

This was a recce/training run for what was to come. The Local running group had decided to put on it's very on Ultra run later in the year and had asked me to be the Race Director. So over the next few months we planned and figured out all the logistics needed to put on a great running event.

  
Fast approaching was my first race of the year so I needed to up a gear if my body allowed in June. Hills was my main goal. Went back to hike more of Dartmoor, ran the Purbecks and then hiked the Black Mountains in Wales. I felt ready.

  

Olympus Mythical Trail 100km race. I loved Greece, the people, the history, the landscape was all something magical. The race was special, I loved it apart from being 35'. The heat did blow me away and we had just climbed to nearly 3000m with snow still in the mountain gullies. But wonderful people helped me through the day and after the race we traveled through greece and visited a few historic sites - Meteora Monastries, Delphi and most of Athens.



With the Tor around the corner resting was not an option. So I managed a tough long run in the purbecks and finished July with Wales in a day.!!! I took Lola (dog) with me for a solo run in the mountains of North Wales and I drove 5hrs. Ran/hiked.scrambled for 10hrs. Lola then decided enough was enough and in the middle of the mountains took me directly back to the car!! I will never get lost with her in bad weather. So with worsening weather i just drove back home. One long day.


August Micro adventure was a nice couple of days in North Devon and a loop on the Coast and Exmoor. An underestimated place.

The Tor is less than a month away!!






I needed more hills. So pushed it hard over the next 2 weekends with 40miles on the Jurassic Coast then 3 long days in North Wales. Great places and very enjoyable training. And that was it. I had to taper, i had to be ready. All I could do now was fret over what else I could of done as there is nothing more you can do. Just be at the start line now and do your best.


The TOR...

The Magical Mystery Tor. A race that takes you 340KM around the Italian Alps with around 30,000m of elevation. Its quite a remarkable adventure in setting out with so little knowledge of what is to come apart from hardships both physically and mentally. But over 126hrs I persevered, toiled, enjoyed, loved it and then got disappointed when the end was near!!
Great experiences and friendships from a unique race.


Coming back from the trip I literally came down with a bang. Coming off my bike one night and totaled the bike and spent the night in A&E. No serious damage just niggles which persist to this day.
Lesson learnt - wear a helmet even on easy paths to the pub.

To take my mind of the injuries the local running group had organised an Ultra race (50km from Portsmouth to Winchester Cathedral via the Pilgrims Trail) and asked me to be the Race Director. We had a good time with the organisation and preparation and were all too pleased that 45 local runners had signed most to do their first Ultra plus 40 odd volunteers. The day came and the sun shone, the runners shined and the volunteers were superb. Remarkable we had a 100% finish rate - A truly exceptional day for all involved.


With winter coming it was time to slow down a little and let the body rest. So a little golf, a holiday to Exmoor, a fun weekend in Plymouth where the new Micro plan was hatched in that we would do the SW Coast Path again but in reverse.
Not wanting to wait to long we got on with things although they are never straight forward. With The Poole ferry being broken and most of the smaller ferry's taking people across the many rivers and estuaries in Devon  closed down for winter. We had to jump a few sections but did get started and manged the Dawlish to Salcombe section.




My plans of taking it easy took another turn in that a race i had put myself on the waiting list told me that I was in the race and so I now had to prepare myself to run a 100miles at the end of January. So much for doing nothing I now had to get back into running and running a lots of miles.
But who wants to take it easy!!

It was back down to the Purbecks section of the SWCP to prepare for the Arc of Attrition 2020 whenever i could spare the time.




Lola used up another one of her lives up in that walking home one night out of no-where she chased a fox/cat across the road and was hit by a car.

Rushed her to the emergency vets and after a couple of nervous days (blood in her urine). All that was wrong with her was a gashed leg, a few cuts and grazes and a sore hip!!
One lucky dog and i'm grateful as i almost certainly would not know what to do without her x

And that was 2019. Good memories and as much as I hate how time flies by too fast 2020 is shaping up well. Here's to everyone's year.

2019 Stats..

1435 miles run
12 Micro Adventures
11 Marathons or Ultras done
3 trips abroad

Tor des Geants

Tor des Geants 2019 - 338km endurance race in the Italian Aosta Valley

Tor Des Geants 10th Edition 

Magical Mystery Tor taking in the Alta Via 2 then Alta Via 1 routes in the Aosta Valley , Italy encapsulating the Mt Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa and Matterhorn areas.

338km with 30,000m D+/- taking 126hrs58mins
945 Starters (565 finishers and 380DNFs)

The Tor has to be the most rewarding, exciting, fearful, tough, sustained races. For me it was about getting out there and seeing if I was capable of moving this far over the toughest terrain. Not about speed but about endurance seeing if you can keep all your physical and mental faculties in check over a week. Overcoming the lows and riding out those highs to the end.

The landscapes and mountains are what draw me and a big bonus has to be meeting other people. From my weary mind at the pasta party Amy from US and Danny and Martine from Canada and the Americans, Ben from SA, Peter from Denmark, Victor from Kenya, Karen (and Matt and Mark briefly at the start) from UK, KK from USA, Paul from Holland (and his fantastic crew-man Roy) and many others locally and from around the world. Camaraderie at its best.

The volunteers were extra special working hard all week and uplifting us in our times of need. Each Base, CP there was someone to help you, encourage you, console you.. A man specially cooked me potato frites at Olloment when I had had enough (of pasta).. A lady giving me a double expresso at Neil when all hope was lost and this just rejuvenated me. Lots of stories, lots of heart warming amazing volunteers.

Special mention to the 4 medical ladies at Olloment. I was gonna tape my feet again but decided to go to medical and I'm glad I did. At 3am - My treatment was first rate. I was looked after with care, professionalism and smiles. They sent me on my way with my feet in the best possible state (after draining a number of blisters and my huge swollen toe). Grazie ladies.

The locals, the tourists, all cheered and made way, encouraging and willing us on our journey. Each Allez called out brought a smile, a determination, the uplift needed to keep that wrecked body and mind going forward.

Everyone has bought in what the Tor Des Geants means and it certainly feels special when running through the Aosta Valley.

All personal thoughts but might help if anyone doing this in the future - trust me it is well worth doing…..

Acclimatise - main thing for me.. made things hard going all week especially D2 with a 3000m and 3300m mtn climb. So get out earlier and have a restful week in the mountains.

Distance - i never thought of the distance required to go. I went from Life base to life base.. So 50km sections and then I only used my altimeter in between so it was never I have 15km to go to next CP but where was I? At 2300m next CP is 2500 so I have 200m to climb to next CP.. That was all I went with and so distance was never playing on my mind.

Food - my food - i took around a kilo of food from my dropbag at each Lifebase this included and good amount of Tailwind, salt tabs, a few gels x6 (caffeine and normal), a few brekkie bars and a couple of chocolate bars and 2 packs of clif shots. I pretty much had everything except the shot blocs (which have always been my go to pick me up food!!)

Aid Station food was plentiful and good, although could get very similar. With dried meat and cheese and biscuits. The first day or 2 it felt like a scrum to get any food or water/coke and the desire just to move on was high. But with each CP every 3-4 hours you need to stop for something. Finally got into a routine of pasta with oil and cheese, if they had potatoes i’d have these. Last couple of days definitely preferred the vegetarian food to meat option.
Liquids - Coke in the daytime and tea at night. Water and tailwind between CPs.

Sleep - good luck. Think i preferred to have hours of sleep rather than catnaps here and there.
Managed 12-14 hours of interrupted sleep in 7 locations over the 127hrs.
A couple of hours here and there definitely works. Have a plan when getting into a station and do it. I never hallucinated or slept walked. Looking back, timings may have worked out well in that the last 2 life bases we arrived at midnight and after a shower and food had a good 3 hours sleep. Then changing, taping feet and eating again set off in the early hours ready for another day on the trails. These longer sleeps certainly made me up for the next stage. Good mentally being eager to proceed rather than dreading what's to come.

The life bases were all good but if they were busy it felt confusing, rushed. Especially having an overloaded drop bag. Wandering from food hall to showers to beds back to hall was draining. Make sure your drop bag is not overloaded and unless you want to stay 5+hrs I would shower change, eat and move on to sleep elsewhere.

Gear - Took way too much - streamline is key
Pack - Salomon Adv 12 vest 2019 version - loved it, took loads of gear and very comfy.
Shoes - Sportiva Akasha for 4 days and 2 in the middle wore Inov8 Talons.. Both are very good. Grip secure on the steep descents and feet in pretty good condition.. One stubbed big toe and a few heel blisters.
Dry bag in pack- 1x long sleeve top, warm top, waterproof top and bottoms, spare socks and buff.
Wore 2 pairs of socks.. Inner were toe socks and I rubbed my feet with sudocream. I think my main blisters came from poor taping of heels so in future either get medical to tape or do it better.
A good change of Clothes at each life base.
Main things I didn't get out of the drop bag...
3 long sleeves tops, 3 long compression pants, shorts!! Spare gloves, hat and buffs.
These would depend on weather as if it was colder/wetter then I may have used them. But I stayed in my shorts and same calf guards all week.

Drugs - Felt pretty good for most of the route. Probably had an extra 10 caffeine tablets throughout the week just when I needed a pick me up. But maybe not required.
Had around 10 paracetamol for the week. Most towards the end when my feet were ‘burning’ and knees screaming so it just took the edge off for a bit. But there is enough accent to recover on. So just look after and listen to your body.

Training - its all personal and down to your experience. You’ll never feel you’ve done enough so just have a plan and don't overtrain. For me it was long days out, especially in the mountains. In the run up it was just small easy runs during the week. On the weekends I went hiking for 3 days, managed a coastal 40miler and then went to North Wales for 3 long days in the mountains. Then took it easy 3 weeks before race day.

Sunday prize giving - seemed a waste of time. You can't see much, they go on for hours and you are on your feet and then you finally get a cheap cotton finishers t-shirt. Spend the day doing something much more rewarding in the mountains or save a day and go home.

Highs and Lows
Definitely have to manage yourself through the lows as there's always a high just around the corner. I reckon I had 3 low points and only the 1st that made me doubt that I could finish as the distance just felt too big.
1st Low was i expect the altitude with a little too much sun. I had no acclimatization, I had arrived the day before and by the 2nd day had done 6 mtn passes (2500, 2800, 2800, 2800, 3000 and 3300m). The 2 last ones were extremely slow going and the sun with the snow zapped all my energy. When i got into Cogne I had a shower and went straight to bed. But all I did was spend 2hrs shivering with all my clothes and duvet jacket on! This did finally pass and so I decided to stay and get an additional 2hrs sleep/rest in. After this I got up, ate well and had a strong section all the way up and down to Donnas. Never quit on a bad day.
2nd low. Coming into Neil I was mentally exhausted. Just spent 7hrs on the roughest terrain with Karen who felt rough for the most part. Coming into Neil I just needed to switch off - luckily found a spare bed and slept for 2 hrs. The reset worked and I felt pretty good from there on in.
3rd low. Just before the finish - typical.. Paul had been having issues with his legs for a few hours and unsure if it was the slow down or just my muscles starting to give up but my thigh quad muscle above the knee just gave up and was very painful. So just as Paul felt like running again I couldn't!! Iced it at Bertone and just hobbled, ran, skipped our way to the finish.

Highs - We did it. What an adventure, the mountains, the trails, the scenery, the forests, the smells, the people, the sunsets, the sunrises, the nighttime, the wildlife, the inner desire, the emotions, the overcoming. Absolutely loved it.

Race Report

Start Courmayer - 12pm - 50k to LB1
CPs on route were all chaoticly busy. A right scrum to get food and water.

The Tor begins. A run around the old town with cowbells and cheering galore. Slowed with some bottlenecks going up the 1st Col and then it began to rain then snow!! Nice running down to La Thuille. Met Peter from Denmark got on well until lost at one of the CPs.

Beautiful climb upto to a couple of cols - this set route standard was through alpine meadows then over boulder fields to moonscape landscapes up to the Col to drop down and repeat backyards.

LB1 - Valgrisenche (50km/12hrs) - still feeling good but fancied a rest and luckily got a top bunk bed for an hours rest - 30mins sleep. This place was busy and hot.
Had way too much in my drop bag so took an age to sort and re-pack!! Streamline - take less shit and pack bits in smaller tubes/cartons so it does not become a complete mess.
2hrs in LB with 30mins sleep.

Stage 2 - 58km to Cogne LB2
CPs on route - thinning out a little nice to spend a little more time in the bigger ones to eat proper food.

Not much to note overnight but going good and steady.. Steep descent down Col Finestra as it got lighter there was a steep up Col Entrelor. Felt so cold and it took forever for the sun to appear. Another long descent and a 2nd hard long climb up to 3300m just about doable with the snow on the track. Met Victor from Kenya here good chat on the steady descent to Cogne.

LB2 - Cogne (108km/31hrs) - see 1st Low.
Took a busy shower, found a bunk then spent 2hrs trying to sleep - shivering etc - then did finally sleep for 2hrs sleep. But the sleep did the trick and I felt half human. Had some food, chicken and potatoes and set off in the early hours.
5hrs30 (2hrs sleep) in LB. This was a busy, dark noisy sports hall to sleep/rest in. I had nothing in the tank so had no choice but I wouldn't stay again.

Stage 3 - 46km to Donnas LB3
CPs on route - all good from memory. Great support overnight.

Felt tired but chatted with an Italian man for a couple of hours and felt better, locals even had an espresso tent to help us on our nightward journey. Attach yourself to someone if you're feeling low. Not everyone wants company but it’s worth testing the waters with fellow runners.
Took a wrong turn overnight, luckily I was switched on and managed to navigate my way back on course. Felt strong on the whole descent, a never ending 30km descent down to Donnas. As it got light and grey, we criss crossed a bunch of wobbly bridges on our way into Bard and got confused thinking this was the lifebase.. Luckily another runner told me to keep going.
LB3 - Donnas (153km/46hrs) - it only being mid-morning and feeling good I decided to push on (once they finally found my drop bag) without resting (ate and sorted feet out) deciding to sleep when it got dark.
No sleep, just over 1 hour in base. Too quick to notice anything but seemed ok. Chatted to Karen who I'd met at the start line and decided to run the next section together.

Stage 4 - 53km to Gressoney, LB4.

CPs on route were all good but definitely try sleeping at Ref Barma - looked a sweet spot.
Leaving the lowest elevation we worked our way up and down out of the valley. Started to rain and once at Sassa CP the rain got heavy. Luckily there were 2 spaces in a small tent so we slept/rested for 2 hrs. Still raining we trudged our way up to Coda..
HALFWAY - 55hrs 170km.
Got dark on the next section but again looked like a place to visit Balma felt in an amazing location. Just a quick turnaround here.. Next section Karen was nasusus and unsteady on her feet which was very unnerving over the technical terrain.

At the next CP - Lago Chiro. I forced some food down Karen and she immediately threw it back up. So with her having a tough time we managed to get a couple of bunks in the portable cabin. Not much sleep, 1hr, as it had a heater fan inside and the noisy generator was right outside. But we did feel a little refreshed. I felt good for a couple of hours but the final descent into Neil I think I just tipped and when I got to Niel I was mentally spent.. I had little thought for Karen which I regret as there was only one bed available.. When she declined the offer instead of insisting she take it I had it. After the rest in the tepee, some polenta and a lifesaving espresso I set off as the day was breaking..
(Note, after a rest Karen hooked up with friends and pushed on and finished the Tor strongly - superb effort). The long ascent up and the sun rising allowed my body and mind to switch from being wrecked to everything sweetly clicking again. Alle Alle, never quit on a bad day.

Descent into Gressoney was good fun, maybe too much as nearing the bottom I just kept going and going and then realised I was off track and had to bushwhack my way back across and up to the main path over a large boulder field..hard work especially in the midday sun. Back on course I made my way to town.
LB4 - Gressoney (212km/71hrs) - Again it was mid morning and feeling good i just decided to shower, eat and tape feet and change clothes. I fancied a massage but the wait was too long.
2hrs in LB - Good base - Large sports hall, Sleeping room looked quiet and comfy.

Stage 5 - 50km to Valtorneche LB5
CPs on route - good routine by now.. Dry pasta with oil and cheese, some fruit and fill up liquids and go.
Walking up the valley I had a good chat with Paul from Holland. Nothing felt rushed, and the body felt great. On hitting the steep slope i said goodbye to Paul as i wanted to really go slow in the heat of the day.

 He did start off fast but then we kept yoyo-ing up to the Col and on the descent we enjoyed running down and by Champoluc had joined forces and were happy to stick together for the rest of the race. A great pairing as i felt happy to be together chatting but also to have some space and have your own time with your own thoughts in the mountains but had company there if needed. Felt like we understood each other.
A nice climb out of Champoluc valley, i had only skied here in the winter, with a lovely sunset over the Monta Rosa. Up into the darkness and the never ending, confusing mountain paths culminating in a mighty descent to Valtourneche.. My feet, knees ... everything was burning in pain by the bottom.

LB5 - Valtourneche (240km/84hrs) - Relaxed with a beer from Roy (Pauls Crew - excellent to have around, a good laugh and kept us smiling), had some food, then showered and slept for 3hrs. Need to remember that taping feet and eating can take over an hour. More food and go.
5hrs30 in base. 3hrs sleep. Best one for me, lots of room. Timed it right in getting in at midnight and then leaving at dawn.

Stage 6 - 50km to Ollamont, LB5.
CPs on route - all good but feeling longer to get to especially in the heat of the day.
Both Paul and me were on similar timelines so not too much hanging around for the other.
Refreshed and eager to get on with it. Got to a massive reservoir dam as daylight broke and got wonderful views up the valley to the Matterhorn.
Nice high undulating traversing and then a great descent to Magiu refuge. Where treat of treats of an ice cream in the midday sun. The ascent to the next station was hot and tough.. We soaked ourselves in the cold streams all the way up.
Last descent into Oyace was amazing. Looking down the valley was awe inspiring and to look up we could see the Mont Blanc massif for the first time in days. It was a long tough descent. Paul was starting to struggle with his blisters but we were in no rush and stopped to re tape etc and also relax and enjoy what we could. Don’t rush this race.

Got into Oyace late afternoon.. An ice cream and food later it was decision time to either rest or go for the next section. We did the right thing in carrying on. We felt okish and moving okish but we were treated to a beautiful sunset and full moon over the alps at the col.. The descent into Ollomont was one of the worst. Hard steep zig zags for an eternal age and then another neverending traverse on stoney tracks. By the bottom the feet and knees were done. In town we met a jubilant Roy who cheered us up and treated us to a beer.

 
LB6 - Ollamont (288km/106hrs) - I didn't like this base. Everything was in tents and felt cold. The sleeping room was crowded and noisy. Showers were horrible. But managed 2 to 3 hrs sleep and then rather than taping my feet I saw the medical team who looked after me in the best possible way. At 3am 4 lovely ladies took over and cleaned, lanced my blisters and dressed my heels.. My big toe was the size of a plum and I was eager not to have it looked at but they insisted and some painful minutes later they had reduced it and dressed it.. It was a good call from them. Grazie Ladies.

 
5hrs30 in LB - timings worked as in it was night time but I feel next time keep going to the next lovely Mtn Hut for a couple of hours quieter rest.

Stage 7 - 50km to Courmayeur, Finish.
CPs to end - all good with great volunteers. Got real hot hiking up to Malatra. Felt great but had my 3rd low.
The trek up was an easy steady plod then came one memorable moment. The sun rose alighting the entire alps and we gazed for an age as Mt Blanc just illuminated in the morning sun. Precious awe inspiring situation.
A cold descent down to a shack for a fun filled brekkie and then a long runnable section to Rhemy. Here we met Darren doing the Tor des Glaciers (only 450km WTF).

Then our final climb - Malatre - Get here, get it done. And we were doing it in the full heat of the daytime sun. We ducked our heads in every stream, waterbuck, puddle going and even took a 15min solace under a parked van halfway up the mountain.
We were surprised by Roy at the welcoming refuge before Malatre and even better a present once atop of Malatre - a cold beer.

Once this was downed it was pretty much 20k downhill. I enjoyed this section with many emotions of being a Geant, finishing a race thought impossible not that long ago. There was also a sadness this adventure was coming to an end. After 5 days in the mountains to finish suddenly felt wrong but that's racing you have to finish.
Moving along in a happy trance in the afternoon sun, I hit my 3rd low. My calf and then my thigh muscles began to protest, maybe with the thought of ending but right then the finish felt a long way away. At the last refuge I taped up my thigh and calf with ice and bit my teeth and headed out with Paul supporting me. Coming into town it eased enough to allow us to run through town with the massive crowds cheering us on.
A wonderful finish in under 127hrs.

 
A truly amazing mountain adventure. Nothing else has come close.
A few beers at the finish and a quick shower and change we were out that evening - i had honestly thought i’d be out running for another 20hrs!! So a great time all the more reason to celebrate some more. Maybe too much as i got back to my hotel it was shut and so i slept for a while on the bench outside.. I didn't mind, I felt content and could sleep anywhere.

Courmayeur 338km 126hr58m 30,000m D+/-