Back in the running game: The joy of ski mountainering and a lesson learnt from not signing up for Trans Gran Canaria

Chasing snow

After the shameful DNF of 3x3000 back in early November where I picked up a nasty ankle sprain, I didn't want to be running anymore...at all or do any sort of exercises. Silly I know but after all of the training and good times we had during our 3 months break, I couldn't bear the thought that all of it was now down the drain thanks to a sprain. What was the point? The season was over, we were back in gloomy England with its little hills and rain sucking the daylight out of you. Nothing to get me out of this dark clouds, not even sorting out our 3 weeks break in the Alps in Mick's hometown.

Mid December, we landed in Geneva for the 3 weeks break barely prepared and drove to St Jean de Maurienne by looking out the car windows and staring at the snowy mountains tops. So ever slowly staring out and picturing our little self in these massive mountains was dissipating some of these dark clouds in my head. Feet getting itchy, I eagerly fell asleep hoping that these mountains could heal me. We were lucky, Smartwool had sent us some winter gear to test during our ski mountaineering break, so the following day, like a kid at Christmas here I was putting on the PHD support bra, baselayer, tights and socks from #Smartwool and pestering Mick to go out in the mountains. But there was not much snow, so we ended up walking up to a snowy top and then painfully going down again.

Dark clouds looming on my horizon, Mick said to not get too flustered yet, my ankle was going to get better with the ski mountaineering, we just need to find some snow. 

So on the second day we do just that, snow hunting. Apparently there is some in Val Frejus. With the same #Smartwool clothing of the day before, we set off to the bottom of the slop. There is barely any snow...We have to walk quite a bit with our ski on our back to get to something decent in order to justify putting the skis on but wow it's worth the wait and the 1h hike.The shoes were as light as running shoes, I was not too warm nor too cold and when we put the skis on, I felt at peace. To get the hand of moving up with the skins on is not too hard but to get the “technique” is another story.

Mick who had been skiing since 3 years old had also read ski mountaineering books, watched videos and researched on how to do things before our arrival so now he was going up like a pro while teaching me the basics :)With every upward steps and trickling sweat, my old happy self dared making an appearance. Mick looked at me and smiled no words were needed. He did tell me how this break was going to be good for our bodies and I wasn't believing it before. But with the ankle nicely tucked in the ski boots not moving sideways or doing funny things and amazing views, there was no sign of my usual dark clouds and I was felling good. For the next 3 days ( until Christmas) all we done was ski mountaineering.Still with the same Smartwhool apparel ( keeping us warm while keeping the moist away) we went up and discovered some trails we had gone during the summer but without the waou white effect and went deeper into the Maurienne valley to reach some peaks and lakes which were magnificent. 

Just writing these lines puts me back into the elation of the moment when we reach the view of Lac du Mont Cenis.

White Velvet

And so we couldn't wait for Christmas Day and its feast to pass to go back deeper in the mountains where I felt whole. For another 6 days we went up and down, climbed Mont Emy more than a few times as the snow was getting rarer everywhere else (apparently Italy got most of it) and slowly got back into some kind of shape. My anger against my powerless body was diminishing with each outing, I was starting to think that maybe I could go back running.

After these 3 weeks ski mountaineering, it was time to return to England, the lack of mountains with enough stress at work and continuous rainy days did the trick for the dark clouds to come back. I did try to run and shake it off but not only had the Brat come back but a shin splint was installed comfortably up my left leg! so no way I was going to sign up to run 125km with this mind and body state! It's so weird how our mind can play vicious games...I should have just sign up and hell with the body/mind state!

But Mick (who has none of my silly issues) signed up for the TGC 125km race and planned to stay 1 week prior to the race to train in the Gran Canaria's mountains.

Trans Gran Canaria 125 Km

Of course, being his beloved wife, I organised our stay (even thou I did wonder how good would it be for him if I cannot run around but can pester him with my dark clouds) and set up camp in Tejeda, Gran Canaria.

 

View from our rental in Tejeda

  It's such a beautiful village tucked in the mountains, quiet and sunny. We ate oranges and lemons on a daily basis and there was this almond cake to die for! 

Roque Nublo and La Palma in the horizon

To get me to come out and run longer, Mick lured me into doing long outing for a piece of cake. 

View from Cruz de Tejeda

Haha it worked fine :) No brat, no shin splint, not once I've twisted the ankle and no dark clouds. 
 After one week in Tejeda, I felt so much better that I was now regretting not signing up. So much so that watching Mick getting ready for the race was heart breaking. So I started making plans on driving Mick to the start, taking my running #smartwool apparel (same gear as the mountainering one, it actually keeps you cool in the warmer weather) and run the first 20 km with everyone else. But Mick tells the organisation won't be too impress...so when he went to register , I asked the organisation if I could run it anyway, surely some people won't start on the day, I could start for them no? But no, for some insurance reason, I can't run the race.

Fine! Lesson learnt! Next time, just sign up for the race and take the cancellation fee. Who knows what might come along and undo all of the dark matter in you?

As for now, I've signed up for SDW 50, Ultratrail Barcelona, Lakes District Extreme 100, Ultra Trail des Belledones and Grand Raid de la Reunion with no cancellation fee ;) Life's too short right?

Don't miss out on Mick's TGC 125 km 2015 race report, I'm sure it will make you want to come along next year ;)