Andorra Ultra Trail Mitic: a race of wonders

Andorra a tiny country lost inbetween France and Spain. The shopping lover would describe it as a shopping paradise for cheap cigarettes and alchohol. But for the nature lover it is simply A paradise. Full of mountains, waterfalls and quietness where time stops to let you enjoy the moment.

Andorra Ultra Trail: 4 races across the mountains of Andorra where elevation gain; technical terrain; beautiful views, ups and downs  are on the menu. therefore you would conclude a paradisiac race?

While La Celestrial with its 83km and 5000m of ascent and the Marato with its 42.5km and 3000m sounded too "flat" therefore too "fast" for my little feet. La Ronda del Cims with its 170 km and 13000m of elevation gain not only sounded way too long but also looked just too much, La Mitic sounded like a nice long hike with its 9700m of positive elevation for 112km. 

Turns out, my description of the race was spot on, it was a" long up and down- let me see if you can go up again...and down" hike (not run) with superbe views (with the full moon and all that!) and technical like you never knew it was possible type of technical! But oh so lovely for the eyes and fulfilling for the heart as you meet awesome humain being in each of the runner you cross (even the grumpy one) and the most wonderful volunteers you ever and will never again encounter ( I am now certain the organisation has handpicked each of the 300 volunteers and medical team for their caring, generous and did I say caring? nature).  During the race, the how long do you think you'll take question becomes obsolete and is replaced by how much did you get to see? it's is a race of wonders and I'm glad I got to experience every single step it took to complete it. 

Have I convinced you yet to sign up for next year? If not, I'm sure below will!

In paradise

It's 5 am, yes the race starts at 10 pm and yes I woke up at 5am. Not a good race strategy but one where I can make sure Mick has a good breakfast before heading towards the start of La Ronda del Cims, so why not?

It's 7 am, Mick has started la Ronda while I'm heading back to the motorhome hoping to get some rest....but who am I kidding?! with the noises from outside, the sun poking through the windows and me wondering how Mick is doing, I'm back out to get some Wifi... Mick is doing great so I'm back in the motorhome...think about Mick...so go back out for wifi...this I will do for the next 12 hours, until I'm so tired that I wonder how I will make it to the start of La Mitic or even finish these 112km with 9700m of elevation route!

Andorra Ultra Trail

It's 9:30 pm, in the starting zone, very nervous I'm distracted by the facebook updates from Mick's tracker and millions of  thoughts . Some runners are quite chatty; others are as quiet as myself. It's weird to be by myself at the start line, but 10 pm comes along with the music and firework and we...Go

From the ascent to Clo del Cavalls with daylight

For the night section the organizers had prepared a nice little menu: 

6 km road/trail to Llorts to warm up and say goodbye to artificial lighting
6.5 km 1200m of ascent to Clot del Cavalls to stay warm in attitude
5 km 600m of descent to the first aid Station: Pla d'Estany to ensure your knees are not jealous and your ankles stay flexible
3km 880m of ascent to Peak of Comapedrosa to have fun in the big rocks and get scared with their shadows and a full moon - droit dans la pente = straight up the climb
3.5 km 600m of descent of the 2nd aid Station: Refuge de Comapedrosa to pee your pants with the glacier lake and snow trails where you can kiss goodbye to finish if you take a wrong step and fall in the lake!

6 km 300m of ascent and 400m of descent to Coll de la Botella to show off the ski slopes of Arinsal and high grass and another 4km of Andorran "flat" and 1.5 km with 400 to Bony la Pica- just because!

The "please don't fall and slide" part of La Comapedrosa descent (it's scarier at night thou)

Ascending towards la Comapedrosa during our reece

 If you are "fast" you could still be doing the next section long before the sunrise but I was glad to arrive at Bony la Pica with the first sign of daylight because the famous descent to la Margineda was already so challenging with fresh legs, I couldn't see myself doing this part "by night" (well done to the superstars who've done it thou!

I "ate" the first 20 km, played "night guide" to whoever was listening and had fun sliding on the snow trail of la Comapedrosa because we had reece the first 40km of the route. The slowly but safe "running tactic" did enable me to not be out of breath while still plodding along other runners. I was having so much fun and was happy to be early from our previsions...that I've lost focus so  700m before arriving at the Refuge de la Comapedrosa aid station; I hear a snap, I feel my whole body crumble and Sebastien (a runner who ran with me til now) says "Shit Dude that looked bad, are you alright? ( in French). 

Yup you guessed right; my "flying" up and down suddenly came to a halt from a snappy right ankle incident. Sebastien puts me back on my feet and ask if I need a helicopter, I'm laughing while fighting tears, load of emotions are turmoiling but one sticks out: frustration! I didn't even get to the half marathon point! Arrrrhhhh, leaving me there Sebastien carries on to the refuge, I'm limping to the refuge watching other runners passing by and unable to stop thinking about how good I felt 10 minutes earlier. 

Arriving at the refuge, of course everyone looks at me with pity in their eyes, they "know" that it's over for me, barely looking at them and with a soup in my hand ( I did come for the soup :P) I go see the Red Cross volunteer asking him if he can do something for this little snappy ankle. Taking off sock I hear some weird sounds coming out of his mouth; I don't understand Catalan but it doesn't sound good. He tells me in French it looks bad, very bad, I should stop as there is some more steep ups and downs coming our way. I tell him I can't stop, I haven't done a marathon (is that even a sane reason?!) he chuckles and say I'm crazy so I sweet talk to him into wrapping the ankle for me to get to Coll de la Botella and catch a ride with a car ( the helicopter wasn't planning on coming here anytime soon)

Portilla del Sanfons before the descent to Col de la Botella

So with a wrapped up ankle, another bowl of soup and 45 precious minutes "wasted" (I was only supposed to stay 10min) I'm heading towards the Col with my head down, heavy heart and pissed off. Kicking rocks with my good foot and slicing grass with my walking poles, I can't stand myself and nothing seems to taking me out of this. But an older runner pats me in the back and enjoy the moment as soon we will be reaching the road and road is bad for the knees. For no reason this makes me smile; seems like true mountain runner loathe the road, I join him in the final descent and encourage him to keep going; he says to not wait for him that he is a grandad with back problems; I say I'm a youngster with a sprained ankle so together we are a winning team; laughing at my joke he makes me forget that I'm soon to the place where I'm supposed to give up...

Arriving at the Col I see ALL of the runners who had passed me during my little accident, they all looked messed up, they are surprised to see me there; and even more surprised to see me carry on; because with my other bowl of soup I want to see the sunrise at Bony la Pica; I want to forget that my ankle is stupid and remember that I had a great first 20km ( it had NEVER happened before) and that I could get some more great kilometers.

Bony la Pica Ridge

With a mixture of running and walking limping and swearing Bony La Pica shows its ridge and I'm happy! The view is amazing; just below the volunteers have put a small welcoming fire and well I'm "almost" a la Margineda. So taking my bad ankle and determination; I start the challenging descent to la Margineda, half way I meet one of the volunteer we had met during a reece; he gives me this massive hug; I can't give up after that right?! he tells me I have 2 hours to Margineda; I laugh and tell him not with this one; looking at the "egg" he make this face which tells me how crazy this situation must be looking: True I do have 70km left to do! but if I go one step at the time, maybe...just maybe the finish line could come along. He tells me to be careful and to use the chains...really? Unless you want to go down on your butt he says, you should use the chains and just be careful, no point of turning the other ankle or worse make the egg bigger...alala ok! With his warm encouragements I carry on first to Aixas an one house "village" then up to Coll Jovell to carry down to Margineda School; the first bag dropping area. It's very early in the morning and the lighting is very soft on the tree lines and making the mountain cliffs looking less mean!

The Chains

The descent is a mixture of straight down a grassy cliff, then straight down "let's sky" in the loose rocks part (wish I had taken a pic of that!) to a "relaxing" single track to la Margineda school. I arrive there at 7h30am. So 10hours for 42km, not bad considering that with Mick we had planned for 11h45 to get there; ah that means maybe I could go on a little? check out the part we didn't reece to Claror? It takes 45min to debate with the doctor and Thomas ( a runner I've been going up and down with on and off depending on his mood) about the ankle. I'm not too impressed that since the "incident" it's been 90 minutes of talking about something that hurts just thinking about it. I could have used these 90 minutes to climb up and see some cliffs instead of standing in a building...so with that I take my bag, take some salty biscuits and chocolate ( yup together they are a hit in my mouth hehe) and walk away from the blabla.Thomas takes his stuff and run after me convinced that he shouldn't leave some "crazy little one" go alone to tackle the next BIG bit: the ascent to Col du Bou Mort 8.5 km with 1600 m of ascent!!!!!!!! I'm glad to be with someone! The trail starts with some road bits to join a forest path, under the trees the small breeze washes the frustration but replace it with sleepiness. Oops! I think i'm starting to feel the effects of yesterday and the demanding course...but I can't stop; not now; don't want to give Thomas any reason to say "I told you so"  (he did say he wanted to slap me; so checky!)...looking at him he is also not looking too good but he doesn't say anything about it, so I don't either and we slowly carry go...up and up and up; arriving at Cortals de Manyat; he tells me he is taking a break; I tell him I'll carry on because he will catch me. what I don't tell him is that I desesperately want to sleep...

Are we there yet? Prat Primer Refuge

One foot after the other; I catch another runner and he likes to chat going uphill; I smile out of all of the places; this guy can't stop talking which helps me forget to zzzzzzzzzzzzz he stopped talking and backtracked while my eyes are closing themselves...micro nap? My feet are not lifting high enough and I'm stumbling, not good for the ankle but zzzzzzz I need to stop zzzzzzzzzzzzz the trail looks so soft and comfy; I could take a little nap...but I see huge ants, red and scary eeewww I got bitten once and don't want that same experience again so I look for a rock but there are none, I'm in the only place when there is no rock to lay on!!! Till I reach the refuge Prat Primer not an aid station but a control point; I ask if I can sleep; they say yes and put me in this room where another runner is fast asleep. I try to do what he does, but there is a horse with a big bell that keeps knocking at the door....arrrrhhh I can't sleep!!! after 10 minutes I want to strangle the horse (sorry) so instead I take my stuff and carry on. 

Can you see Claror Refuge and the path? 

Just 1km with 250m of ascent left to the Col. While I turn to thanks the volunteers, I see...a girl!!! the first one after more than 12 hours of race!!! Nice, I welcome her with a big smile but she stays a bit at the refuge, so climb up slowly and then descent slowly to Claror and sit there for another 15 minutes eating and talking away trying to forget that I want to sleep and that the ankle didn't like that part. I wait for the girl; chat a bit, and found out that she is the third lady...which means I'm 2nd!!! wooh ok I get up, thank the volunteers and make my way to the next aid station 12km away because right now I feel...good well for the next 15 min and then the sleepiness comes back and I'm alone; no one to distract me...I want to give up, I want to stop, I reach a control point (Perarfina Refuge)  and ask where I can stop (my feel good moment didn't last long, did it?) they tell me here but I'll need to make my way back down to the valley; how long is that I ask, they say 20km, what?!! the next drop bag is in 20km I said. The lady said yup it would make more sense to get there you can even get a diploma saying "completed" 72km! Ok I said (how sad heh? I'm chassing a bit of paper) so I go up to Collada del Maiana the view is beautiful and there is a runner coming my way, I stop at on a rock (with no ants) take  a brownie and wait for him, at least I could have some company; doesn’t matter if I don't speak his language! But wait! it's Drew!!! a runner from the Centurion Running team UK who's doing la Ronda del Cims, he looks good even thou he's done more than 100km, I ask him if he saw Mick; he tells me no but not to worry too much. We end up doing the crossing of the Madriu Valley together; we are looking for the Illa Refuge this 10 km stretch is long but the refuge finally appears and the volunteers are the best; taking the bag off, filling the water; feeding you, massaging you; giving you some more strength to tackle the next climb la Collada del Pessons 1.5km with 350m of ascent, doesn't sound much but all of these little climbs are straight up the hill; no zig zag (well you can make your own but good luck!) but what an amazing view you get when you are at the top, small lakes spread across, spain to the right and left; France to the right and left, and just mountain tops after mountain tops.

From Collada del Pessons top

I'm so thankful to be there and I can wait ( yes I can) to go down to Bordes d'Envilara. I wish I could just stay there; lift my ankle and just stop the time! But it's getting cold and well...I want to get closer to the lakes. That descent is technical, it has zig zags but with loose rocks and man, it is vertiginous; I take ages to get down; my ankle is throbbing and I have enough, this is sooooo long and even the lakes are not distracting me enough. I think about Mick, thinking by then he must be in the dreaded Pas de la Casa's part...maybe I could find out how's he is doing and if he has finished or dnf I could just...dnf? yeah that's a good plan! So with this "new" motivation I go a bit faster to the lakes,  I reach them and the tourists and then this long stretch of shallow ascent ski slope,arrrh soo long it sucks! Lots of cow poo, and sloppy grass, I'm getting frustrated not to see the end of it, but wait it's descending so.... there is it!!! Bordes d'Envilara, I take off my shoes; and ask to sleep; what am I doing?! The red cross looks at my ankle put ice on it; and just tell me to close my eyes and try not so hard to sleep; I'm so exhausted, that for once I do listen and just close my eyes. But sleep still doesn't come and after 15min I get up and go eat, Thomas is here and I'm happy to see him. He asks me if I'm carry on, red cross dude tells me that I'm still 2^nd one; of course I'm carrying on, I laugh and ask him if it is reasonable with the ankle; with this massive smile he says he has faith and that this 2^nd place is mine. what about Mick? who's Mick...don't worry about him, ask at Val d'Incles, red cross dude is really trying!....hum....Val d'Incles...10km ok I can do that! or....this mental debate go on until RedCross dure stop  listening to me,  fills my water; put the powerade like some drug, shovel food in my hands and takes me to the next...climb 53,7 km with 375m ascent. I soon catch Myriam,  the 2nd lady she is awesome! With my broken Spanish we talk until the serious climb to Pas les Vasques, no words can help, it's hard; straight through the cliff. I'm back at the 2^nd spot but for how long! But here is the top and I'm happy because hehe we have reece the next 20km so in other words, well I'm prepared! So here comes the descent to the Siscaro Lake:

Descent to Siscaro Lake and Refuge

I feel good, the ankle is still hurting but the end is so close that it doesn't matter; I'm just praying at every descent and flat that I don't twist it again! But here is Val d'Incles brings the two next climbs la Cresta de Cabana Sorda and Collada del Meners.

Climbing doesn't hurt so here we go; 800m of ascent to la Cresta; then down to the before last refuge Coms de Jan; I'm happy it is still day time and the rain doesn't bother me (yet) Albert, a funny guy from Andorra has decided to take me to the finish or at least try! So after we pass one of the control point, he takes the lead and start to push, but I don't. I know what's coming and I need my energy for the last 300m! They are steep and Albert is struggling now. I encourage him and we go down to Coms de Jan; here is the last ascent; 500m of ascent on loose rocks and snow and oh rain, wind and the nightfall. 

Not problem, jacket and lamp will do...after an hour; washing up gloves (they are waterproof) are taken from the bag and I try to warm my fingers; it's freezing cold and I lost Albert; he was climbing so fast; here is the top, aaahhhhhh this was the final climb; no time to contemplate thou because the wind is not welcoming and well there is still 16km to descent to Ordino. I go down; pass a few runners, the Nao is dying; I hope to get to the last aid station with it but after being scared 3 times by it flashing; I take out my old shitty black diamond (very grateful to have it thou hehe) mid way to the refuge de Sorteny.

Going Up to Collada del Meners- the last one

Not problem, jacket and lamp will do...after an hour; washing up gloves are taken from the bag and I try to warm my fingers; it's freezing cold and I lost Albert; he was climbing so fast; here is the top, aaahhhhhh this was the final climb; no time to contemplate thou because the wind is not welcoming and well there is still 16km to descent to Ordino. I go down; pass a few runners, the Nao is dying; I hope to get to the last aid station with it but after being scared 3 times by it flashing; I take out my old shitty black diamond (very grateful to have it thou hehe) mid way to the refuge de Sorteny.

Going down to Sorteny Refuge

But even with crappy light, I know where I am and I carry on mixing running and walking as the ground is now so slippery with vicious rocks. Twice the ankle twists. Twice I tell myself to be careful but I want to go to Ordino and find out where Mick is. The small bridge, the path by the river the crossing of small nasty torrents and then here the refuge. I don't want to stop but apparently we don't have 10 but 13km left. Crap will I have enough energy? I don't want to eat (that was stupid!!! I paid for it later on) so I fill my flask with powerade and carry on. I have this crazy idea to finish in 27h30. Mick thought I could finish between 28-30 hours. How cool would it be to finish earlier with a sprained ankle? So there I am going down to El Serrat, swearing at the path as it is slippery and well I have enough of trails at this point haha. I reach the road and another runner; we run together until he slows down. We are almost at Llorts I tell him; 6,5km to the finish. He doesn't listen so I carry on; run Laureda; run; here are some hills; the golf course; and then what is that? I don't know this part and this throw me off! So I stop running and walk, slowly where am I?! Shit I won't make it to 27h30! Ok what about 27h45? Ah here is Borda Asalonga Camping; ok so that's 1,5 km to the finish. So I start running again. A runner passes me, oh well as long as I make it to 27h45!

Here the finish line and...Mick!!! has he finished or did he give up? Awww I'm estatic to see him. He tells me he finished la Ronda in 38h50! How cool is that?!!! I'm more than happy to see him, I'm so impressed with his achievement that I forget my own: I didn't give up I tell him! The nice volunteers give me a beer and tell me where the shower, the masseuse and the food are...I smile and ask them "and the bed?"

There is no one really at the arrival beside hehe Albert... with a cigarette (can't believe he is smoking after this!)!!! we congratulate each other, he finished in 27h30 (should have stick to his butt...)

I''m out of it so many emotions are passing by with extreme speed that I can't speak or realise where I am! I'm feel overwhelmed with gratitude; thinking about the organisation who created this crazy event to share their love and pride of their mountains. I think about the awesome volunteers who made us feel like VIP's all the way to the finish line, to all the runners I've met who helped me sooo much along the way to not DNF and believe in me even thou I was a stranger...I think of Mick's training and dedication who brought us to the finish line and I think about the other runners still on the course: hat off to them for trying to get there no matter the time, the tiredness the sore feets; I think about what we have accomplished and what's still to come, and for now nothing else matter: we've done it!

Trail du colorado Race Report

After our nice little diagonale des fous adventure it was time to concentrate of our next one: a race in my island!

Trail du Colorado is a 38km race with 1800m of elevation in the high plateau of Saint Denis the capital.

The start is given at 7 am at the bottom of a hill!!! Not some small rolling British hill... But straight up from the first step you take! It goes around the place back to...that first hill!!! Such a nice way to wake up in the morning!

Mick at the start working hard!

After that first hill, it is then me between fast runners talking away effortlesy going up and up like this is the warm up and the ones who want to be fast because they don't want to be behind slower people when we get to le sentier des Lataniers... Why? Because when you get to the start of the "sentier" you can't overtake people, no it's impossible unless you want to crash down the nice canyon or tangle your feets in twisted high grass or slide between roots and slippery rocks you no no safest option is to wait the road in Dos d'ane ( the village you go through and aid station!

The sentier des Lataniers

Mick in on of the killer climb

So there I am, sandwiched and struggling to keep my breathing in check! I've started too fast but I had no choice i needed to position myself to not struggle later in this "sentier" long of 11km! So after passing a few people, I arrived at the bugger and put my head down. Soon I am again sandwiched between a queue people. This is not good, this section is the least enjoyable and I have no intention to stay there longer than necessary...I hear myself apologise and actually pass one...two...three people...darn! What's up with that! I can hear them moaning at me! And I hear myself apologising and praying that I can keep up with my own tempo. Don't want to see them sucking my wind and make comments of being too slow! But it is a nice weather, the view of the ocean it's beautiful and  we reeced that section! So I accelerate when I know I can rest up further up and soon join another queue..hum...6 people...that's a big queue to pass... And the canyon is steep...slowing down and joining the queue I try to be patient but they are slowing down and I don't want to slow down...so I apologise and as soon as I find a opening I pass...1,2,3,4,5,6 who are actually happy to see me go and number 4 is actually following me. It's a nice girl from France who's in the relay, she hates this part as well but is happy because soon she will be finished! We run together to the next queue...should I dare?! I see the guy we've met during one of our Reece...i don't know if I should... These men don't look like they won't mind if I pass them... But I can't control myself and zooop I apologise and pass them! Ouf I hope this is the last file because these passes are very challenging and I get scared!!

Me and the nice man

But I soon reach dos d'ane and catch a nice man who despise road as much as I do so we distract ourselves with tales about our life.  I'm so happy to see them my mum runs beside us until the aid station. I asked them about Mick. He is 20 min in front. I won't be able to catch  to him, the climb from dos d'ane to piton fougeres via Roche Vert Bouteille is technical, long... It's hot and he is super fast! But little me inside still wants to try so I don't stay too long, I kiss them and tell them see you on this other side and start the climb! It's on the edge of a cliff. From one side you have view on dos d'ane and you have view of le cirque de Mafate on the other side! It's just beautiful and breathtaking! I reach the top and I know there is a bit of downhill but another 2 killers climbs before the next aid station.

The view of Mafate from the trail

Going up slowly, and trying to enjoy the scenery , many hurried men want to pass and I find myself behind "politely" pushed around. I don't mind thou I know I'll take half of them at the top of the climb ( not because I'm that good (I wish) but you should have hear them breathing while passing me!!!)

Reaching the top of a climb

So no surprise there as soon as we start the downhill I caught back most of them and happily carried on to the aid station not staying too long. I wanted to go home and eat a massive lunch hehe! I carry on till the sentier des goyaviers ( call this way due as your cross from both side of the trails trees of goyaviers a small red fruit full of vitamin C so sweet and tasty!

Goyaviers

There, there is a man sucking of the goyaviers ! That's a bit odd as we are less then 5 km to the finish line! So I stop and ask him if he is ok. He ran out of water so I give him mine to sip and the left over coca cola I had. I tell him he can follow me and we can sip water together. He agrees and go in front. Until another downhill, I make him sip again and start the downhill. At the bottom I turn back and look for him … He's disappeared! I wait a bit more but still no one! So I carry on until I hear footsteps behind me I turn but it's someone else I ask him about the guy he says he saw him with another guy. He is probably siping his water...reassured I follow this new guy and find out he is been running for the last 10 km with a twisted ankle!!! I asked him why carry on? He replies "la diagonale des fous" this guy is preparing for this crazy 170km race I swore to NEVER do. He is running on his twisted ankle to tackle the pain he will feel during that race! Crazy awesome dude! But he sees his friend and decide to slow down to finish with him so I carry on, it's going to be downhill really soon again just after that little vicious climb, some other crazy dude start shouting at me and at another girl, I can see she has enough I wonder if she is part of the relay, I smile at her and tell her to keep going we are soon finished we can finish together. She looks at me with her big brown eyes and I know she just want to walk and has no fight in her so wih a tap on her shoulder I carry on with the crazy shouting dude who doesn't want to be passed by a girl! Mad people I tell you! I see the finish line down that first initial hill and I know I'm home! Finally after 5h37 min I reach the end of the race! I look for Michael, we sit on the grass, watch the price ceremony waiting for my parents who thought we were going to take longer so were nicely sitting at home hehe! At least we got to get some superstarsr Maud Gobert and Marco de Gasperi who finished sooo long before us hehe!

The medal 

Following the steps of the Grand Raid Reunion Island

Reunion Island: our second destination after Mauritius, my home.

A day after the Royal Raid, we headed to Reunion Island for 3 weeks. With  mountains right at our doorstep and beautiful weather it is the ideal training ground for the Andorra Ultra Trail!
We had planned on crossing the island following the traces of the famous Grand Raid, la diagonale des fous the following saturday.  At first we thought we would do it in 4 days, then decided nah 3 days would do the trick...as planning the daily route using open runner was making us run an average of 40 km/day for 8 hours on the trail! How wrong were we! First of all, it doesn't matter which application you use to calculate your route, none of them can calculate all of the twisting and turning of a mountain trail, therefore 40km on a map turned out to be 50 to 55 km in reality....Second, an average of 2500m of elevation a day seems to be reasonable on paper...but it doesn't take into account the difficulty of the terrain...therefore if you thought you could do 40km with 2000 of elevation in 7 hours, in reality we took much more time depending on how much rocks, roots, river crossing and HEAT we got on that day….




The first day day should have been the hardest, we went from St Philippe to Bourg Murat following the trails of the Grand Raid 2011. The first kilometres went from sea level up to La Fournaise at 2000m. It was HARD with the heat, humidity, stairs and everything in between, I understood why so many runners drop out at the end of this ascent. BUT it was beautiful and worth the struggle.






We ended up doing 40km in 8h30 with 2675m of elevation climbing from the ocean front of st Philip to the enclos of the volcano, ran through la plaine des sables like we were on Mars,

Plaine des Sables

struggle in knee high mud English countryside style and had some incredible views of infinite wild.

On the second day we should have done bourg Murat to Roche plate taking a small lunch break in Cilaos before caring on into mafate. But by the end of the first day we came to the realisation that solo we couldn't do it, the running bag couldn't carry all the water, the food and clothing for 3 days and anyway running up and down the trails of reunion island with a 15kg load was definitely not going to work out...therefore we were relieved when my parents suggested to be our crew and meeting us along the way bringing us fresh food, water and clothes in Cilaos.





So it's with a much lighter bag and a good night of sleep that we hike to the shelter of the Piton des Neiges instead of going to the top, but managed to get a superb view of plateaus and Cilaos caldera. Met my parents for fresh clothes and food and climb the infamous col du taibit before going down inside Mafate caldera. The one place in the island only reachable on foot! We managed to cover 35km but it took us 10h27 with 2753 of elevation... Yes less kilometres but more time! From the pictures I think you understand why :)

Piton des Neiges

It is with relieved we arrived at Roche plate in our small and simple cabin for the night . After a well deserve shower and beer it was time to pounder on the route planned for the final day. we had already gathered that attempting to do the route we had planed on openrunner  for our final day was way too ambitious and that we were going to hurt ourselves more than anything. So looking at the map we picked another route and told my parents to pick us up in maido instead of dos d'ane. At the end of the discussion we came up with still our 2000m of elevation to go down to see a canyon, go up to see the heart of mafate go around waterfalls and ponds but with fewer kilometres and last big climb.

Nether less to say, it didn't stick to the plan. We did see the canyon, the heart and the pound but we also got to do the longest mentally toughest climb of the whole adventure! What should have been 1000m actually turn out to be 1600m which for some might be nothing but when your watch is telling you you've done all the elevation of the day but looking around you see that the top is not there yet...you wonder what's the point of having a map an app or a gps!!! But we did have a lot of fun and saw amazing wild nature! Day 3 turned out to be 27km 2670m of elevation...I was glad to look down at what we had achieved and wonder how on earth people manage to finish this diagonale des fous!

Royal Raid 80 Mauritius

Our first race of our 3 months running holiday. On paper, it looked ideal, running across a national park, discovering that Mauritius is not as flat as advertised.

We had 4 days prior to the race to get used to running under the hot sun and humid temperatures, not very easy after the British winter! What a nice surprise thou, our hotel (hotel Tamarin) is literally at the start of another race Dodo Trail and la Tourelle du Tamarin, a nice little peek with 600m of ascent from the beach overlooking the west of Mauritius.

Tamarin

So even without planning, we ended up having a nice little training route every morning and also discover some of the best trails of Mauritius in the Black River National Park.

The night before the race was awful, I just can't sleep!!! Very frustrating when you know you are about to run for a loooonnnng time early morning. Luckily at the start, we had some local dancers motivating runners with their dance and music.

Warm welcome!

The race starts by crossing sugar can fields to join the national park, it's early morning, sunrise is at 7 am and my headlamp is SHIT!!! But at least Michael was running with me and a few runners with their super strong headlamps illuminating like a street lamp were all around us.

My energy level was low until sunrise. This realisation scared me a little as if you are running ultras starting at night...and you are super slow for the first 8 hours...I wouldn't make the cut off ...I'll have to find a way to tackle this for the Mitic!!!

The sunrise is beautiful across the Yemen National park, the ascents and descents are easy on the legs and the eyes: taking in the surroundings. But I'm struggling to follow Mick which puts me in a terrible mood...after 21km Mick think that I may be putting too much pressure on myself and decide to let me be by running faster, disappearing in the savanna. I don't tell him then, but I'm grateful, running someone else tempo is hard work! I carry on solo and enjoy the scenery so much so I twist my ankle quite badly...but I don't want to stop, I want to reach the trail we've done together 2 days ago where the view and ascent is even better!

The checkpoint with food is not too far, so I wobble till there thinking I'll find comfort foods...how wrong! So used to the UK food feast, I expected to see cake, chips, chocolate, gels or something...but instead we are rewarded with bananas, oranges and sultanas...a bowl of salt and one of sugar...not quite what I was looking for, but heho at least I won't be running on a heavy stomach! Putting some sugar in my bladder, I carry on till the next checkpoint. Note to myself: do check beforehand that what you think is sugar IS sugar and not salt...this is going to be a long day...

Black River Ridge

 Reaching the road leading to the parking of the Black River National Park, there we have a nice ascent to the Machabee View Point, I am happy; this is the part Mick and I had reece a few days before, from there we are half way. The ascent is beautiful; the weather as well as there is a bit of refreshing rain under the hot temperature.

Reaching Jet Ranch where hot food is available, the welcome from strangers is warmer than the soup I gulp, not wasting too much time I carry on to the next fun part, Parakeet Trail! A 5km climb with 600m of ascent. Ankle is bothering and I feel I have a rock in the sock, but so worried to not make the cut-off time I just carry on.

Start of the Parakeet trail

At the top of the climb, I decide to take off my shoe to get the rocks out...nothing is coming out of the sock or shoe, but I can feel something in the damn shoe, I must be going mad! A bit frustrated to still get oranges and bananas when  all I want is solid food, I get up and run down to Bel Ombre; there is not much left to run another 12km apparently. It's funny thou, I get 4 different versions of how much kilometres there is left or descent from the runners I pass. haha.

Reaching the final sugar can field, I'm happy, I am ahead of the 12hours time we thought we would take. Thinking of Mick waiting for me, I run even a bit faster on the road leading to the Tamassa Hotel our final stop. For sure Mauritius has some very nice places to run, one week is not enough, 1 race either, we promised to come back and see more! Who's coming? 

PS: the rock in the shoe turned out to be a blister the size of 20 roupies, a nice souvenir from Mauritius ;)

Learning to let go in 90 days

Today is the start of our 3 months break, a break where we will be running around islands and mountain ranges and live without plans and expectations.
For someone dubbed as a control freak, not knowing what we are going to do from tomorrow is already a challenge, now imagine 3 months!

9 months ago, Mick decided he go contracting, 9 month ago he also decided to do the Andorra Ultra Trail, 170 kilometers of Andorra mountains trails, and he thought, how cool it would be if he could train for it while visiting family and places. And so this "little" trek around places started to take shape, we first decided to take 6 months, but then compromised to 3 as I really couldn't see myself not working for this long!!! so we would go to Reunion Island first to see my family and train on the volcanic trails to then go to Andorra with our uncle's campervan to train on the race route. Quite simple 2 mountain running destinations for a race preparation, and 9 months to plan. what more to ask for?

But when you let work gets in the way you ended up choosing between planning a 3 month break and leave work a mess or planning work and leave the "break" a "mess".Mess means: not knowing what we could miss out on!

So for the past 9 months, I've been living the work routine while thinking on how to prevent work shit hitting the fan. And for the last 3 months, I've been writing down every single thing that can possibly happen at work and how to solve it. Poor boss and team! I don't have only a plan A & B, I went through plan C, D and E and every other tangent that can happen. I've written at least 7loooong emails, 15 reminders, 5 delayed emails, 50 calendar reminders. And I have half of my staff on Facebook....Get the gist? Even now, work is at the back of my mind, trying to think what I've forgotten to say to my boss and the team. Thinking of it now, I feel bad for them! All this, and nothing about the break! Nothing but plane schedules and races sign up.

Parc National des Gorges de Rivière Noire

As 6 hours away from taking off, our first stop is not Reunion Island but Mauritius, we thought why not start the training with trekking the island and finish off with the 80km Royal Raid on Sunday,! Race is planned, but not the trekking bit, it's a challenge to plan a running adventure when all you have online is other people traces on a Google map (sorry Google) so we are going blind!  We know we will run, but exactly where is a mystery, I guess we will run wherever trails our feet follow...

Our 3 days trek Reunion Island- Open Runner

Second stop, Reunion island, where will do the Trail du Colorado and the famous 3 days trek across the island from South to North following the traces of La diagonale des fous with a Swirly twist. That one, I've at least planned the route thank tyou OpenRunner. But  who knows if we are really going to do 125 km in 3 days or 200 km haha as tracing in is about random! Thinking now about it,...it's freaking me out!

A lot of fun!

After 3ish weeks at home, we'll take the plane back to London, leave stuff and get ready for St Jean de Maurienne trails and for Mick's sister wedding. We will then take the motorhome to Andorra to train on the 170 km race route.



 After the race, we will slowly go back to Mick's mum depending on how's Mick feeling ( he is the driver hehe) and run around whatever trails we find.
Just writing it makes me want to at least check out where and what we could do. Mick says we have plenty of time to plan...if he only knew how much time I need to actually feel like it's planning haha!


So here, we are, suitcases packed, waiting for the 91 days adventure to start. I can't wait, I want to see if I can let go, I want to see if I can finally live day to day without what's the society dictated us to worry about. I'm not an open stress person, I keep a lot inside, and it's not healthy, so for 91 days, I really would like to learn to let go and just live life on a daily basis with no regret and planning on what to do next, just be contempt of what I've lived on that day. So here we come Mauritius!
 

South Downs Way 50: 10 lessons

 To do this entry, I had to re-read my previous post about the SDW50 preparation and remind myself why I wanted to run it in the first place.

I had to remember how I felt prior to the race and what made me step onto the start line. I had to remember that it was because I wanted to feel that sparkle of hope to finish something  and that fear of failure could only be conquered by getting to the finish line. Ah! If I only knew what I had got myself into...I wonder if I would have signed up for it.

1 week prior to the race, Mick and I had decided to run it together and do it in less than 12 hours so that we could get the 9 pm bus back to the start. The night before, I thought it would be cool if we could actually catch the 6 pm bus to be home early avoid the rain and do a sub 8hours

Lesson number 1: never changed your expectation the night before...

South Downs Way 50 starts in a college field in Worthing. We had decided to not sleep over as it was only 1h30 drive from Brixton. With egg/bacon muffin, broccoli and banana for breakfast, I was ready to tackle anything and so happy to be running it with Mick. I couldn't wait to look for Benjamin and Jacqui at the start line and chat a bit before tackling these downs. After a smooth registration (abide the space blanket panic episode) I started searching for them and gave up. There was more than 300 people plus family to look at, and I'm short and starting to get scared so never mind.


James does the briefing, we count down the seconds and there we start.When Mick signed up for the race, he said he wanted to do it with me at my pace because he didn't want to burn himself before the London Marathon and this was a training run..but 2 days prior to the race, I decided that it would be cool if actually I could follow him, and the night before telling him he could pace me for a sub 8 hours.

Lesson Number 2: never follow someone pace as the start, you don't know how too fast/slow they are going to go and you'll end up burning yourself.

Within 10 min from the start my breathing was all over the place and my legs were burning trying to keep up with Michael. Those darn downs are shallow and you end up running shallow uphill because walking seems to slow, but running is too fast. Not a great start!

After loads of effort (too much) I decide maybe I need a kick by eating something. We are now down the hill to a flatty section, I'm hot but it's 11 degrees...I walk hoping to get my breathing back to normal while chewing a starbar.

Lesson number 3: when hyperventilating and trying to cool down don't eat something sticky...or not sugary enough...you look like a camel and waste energy!

I look up and see Mick waiting for me...great that's exactly what I didn't want to be...a burden, so I force myself to run these shallow hills to comply with the fact that I am the one who want to "race".

We arrive at a part of the Stinging Stinger race route and I'm glad so see
something familiar and remembering how I felt last year. It gives a boost and I "fly down" to the first checkpoint, we are mile 11.6 The volunteers are so welcoming and caring, it gives another boost to tackle the next hill. I only take 2 glasses of coke as my stomach has become a fussy eater. Mick is so quick going up hill and I feel so low in energy. He explains that I burnt myself out and that I need to eat something with "fast" energy release. Looking at what I've got, I can't find anything "quick" enough until I remember the Cliff shots! Of course!!!

Lesson Number 4: always take cliff shots!

They do the tricks and here I am my old self for 20 mins until we attack another shallow hill which means...running! I can feel the Brat starting to wake up. I tell Mick and tries to reassure me. He knows I had taken Ibuprofen in case of the Brat and suggest that maybe I should take it. I say no I want to run without taking any pills this time but after a while...I take one...because I'm slowing down and Mick is looking at his watch....man wish I could keep up.

We reach checkpoint 2. 16.6 miles. I am glad to see Emily and her team of volunteers. They take so good care of all of us and it's with a happy egg scotch stuffed face that we tackle the next hill. What a relief this one can be walked and I can get a rest from that this non-stop running. I'm still too slow, Mick keeps waiting for me so I'm having a hard time to handle this. It's my fault...why do I always have these unrealistic expectations before a race?!
Views are amazing and distract me from these dark thoughts and the funny pain I'm starting to feel on my back! I check on the Brat, Ibu is still in effect, so what's up with the back? I whine about it to Mick, poor sod! I bet you he regrets running with me now ! He reassures me, says it must be some nerve issue that's why Ibu is not working and tries to make me feel better by suggesting to take another one maybe it would do the trick! Nah proud-me doesn't want to admit I'm slow and want to be punished. I've dealt with pain before, piece of cake!

Lesson number 5: don't brag on pain handling ! You never know what comes next!

We go up and down the downs, something smells and it's not me (too early), just up there there is BACON ! Massive pigs on both sides of the trail! Never seen them this big! Not very attractive looking animals but a good distraction to the creeping back bugger! We are now going down, I tense up, this thing is not leaving and we not even half way yet, a long shallow hill awaits in the far horizon maybe I could walk it and relieve whatever is stuck up! Where is that sparkle? Looking around runners are focused to the task at hand and don't talk or smile as a matter of fact ! Weird I think I'm at the wrong end of the ruining group! At least starts-legging lady is here and makes me smile with her apparel! We go down again, path is tricky, you can't put your feet flat it's all V like with chalk and grass!  A flat bit...Why is Mick looking at me weird?! Ah ya I'm crying! It's ok I say, nothing I haven't felt before! He worries and says it's not normal to cry and I look hurt. He asks if I'm enjoying this. I slow down ... Well well this is tricky! I know how to deal with the pain and drama I go through during each ultra  but never thought I would have to one day explain it to my other half ...he looks quite horrified and pained to see me like this. I don't know how to reassure him. Man! This is not how I planned this !
Lesson 6: don't try to explain how you feel during an ultra, it just makes it worst!
I get frustrated to run while trying to explain my reasons for carry on and dealing with my body issues and handling the fact that if we carry on at this pace we will never catch the 6pm bus. Ah ya! Why did I suggest this again?!
I run a bit faster even thou we are in a shallow hill.
Lesson number 7: train to run shallow hills, it makes life easier

I gave up trying running up as my heart rate is going bonkers again and this back thing is now on my shoulders and neck...I need another shot!I look for Mick but he is far and has stopped waiting on top not looking too happy and worried for me...

Lesson number 8: don't beat yourself up because you can't follow someone. Run your race at the pace you can handle and not worry about the people around you.


I'm having so many bad patches that I stop counting and let the pain take over. Nothing is working to make things better and I have a really hard time coming to terms with : failing to run at the pace ( which is the familiar training pace so normally easy to handle ), knowing we are going to miss the bus because of me and not being able to control the tears and face or manage the creeping not so bearable pain.

We finally arrive at checkpoint 3, 26.6 miles! Sue asks how I'm doing, I have a big grin on my messed up face, I've ok I say,...but am I ? Mick suggests that maybe I should stop. No I want to carry on I say, I take a wonderful chocolate homemade cookie, 2 wraps some coke with the GU tablet and walk out of the checkpoint. Mick tries to reason me and tell me we need to carry on faster if we want to catch the bus. It's downing on me, I can't make it not like that not with that extra pressure I put with this stupid bus! Not with the thought that I have to manage this new pain without looking pained to not make Mick bad!  It was supposed to be OUR run! It's such a struggle in this bubble that I'm walking. Should I carry on? Stop? Admit I can't handle this?
I look at Mick and know. There is too much in my head to process. My pride got me where I am now, I can carry on even thou I'm hurt but am I doing any good?
We have our 3 month break coming up . What if I carry on and injure myself even more and make that can't run anymore? Is finishing really worth it at that point?
I always wondered how people DNF and how it feels. What I feel inside is horrible and creepy but the fact that little voice is not saying anything is even more creepy ! That voice is the one that keeps me going because I want to prove it wrong! But if she is not saying anything, what does that mean?
I hear myself say to Mick I'm stopping that he needs to carry on if he wants to make it to the 6 pm bus and I'll wait for him at the finish line. He says it's the wise thing to do . Wise heh? Wise doesn't feel good! I say maybe I could carry on at least to the next checkpoint he says that's my pride talking. I say I don't want to give up I never give up he says maybe that's why I'm injured like I am,I say I can handle the pain but can't handle his pained looks he says he can't help it. I'll probably have that same face if it was the other way around. He asks if I can truly carry on and go faster I shake no with my head, I said I can carry on but not as fast he says that I won't catch the 6 pm bus...why did I talk about this stupid 6 pm bus! I know he wants to catch it I know I'm going too slow. I also know that he won't admit not to hurt me so I stop and tell him to continue without me! I look at him disappearing in the distance and don't know what to do with myself. Am I really stopping? Maybe I could just carry on? I text him asking him if he would be mad if I carry on?
I sit on the side walk of the bridge and ponder. But reflecting is too much so I decide to run away from it all towards the next checkpoint! But my body's responses doesn't follow my mind! It says no so loudly that the only way I am able to make a step is my walking back! I'm doing what I thought was the walk of shame to CP3 but all of the runners I cross give me a smile a word a look of understanding. Some guy looks at me with a big grin...it's Benjamin!!! I'm so happy to see him and put a brave face on ! No one needs to take one burden and feel bad about it! They've got another 40 km to go! When I get to the CP, Sue doesn't believe me and make me sit on the chair saying that I'll change my mind in 10 min! If she only knew that my mind wants to carry on but not my body. I can't put words together so I just sit there and let that horrible feeling sink in.
Lesson 9: don't beat yourself up with a DNF. There is a reason for everything occurring . You just get to find it out down the life line.
Sue comes back to get some dude beside me a ride to the finish. I hear myself ask if I can come with them. She looks at me and say yes, she is disappointed and I can't blame her.
I am too.

After a car ride where Becky and Sue help with not thinking about the DNF too much and my pained back is giving me some we arrived at the finish line. It's sad looking with not many people until Nici and the other volunteers get busy with the finish line prep and the drop bag drama! It keeps the pain and feelings away as I help with the preparation. At first they tell me not too, I'm injured and shouldn't put more strain on my body, but Natasha big grin and funny comments are the best remedy for a strained mind. I need to keep myself busy to not think too much about what I've done and make my body understand that this is not over! That there is no rest after failure! I need to give back to the ultra running family that got me there in the first place. After sorting out the drop bags, I end up give the t-shirts to the finishers and seeing their happy face, smile and emotions bring back that sparkle! And seeing Mick at the finish line 30 min before the 6pm bus is the cherry of top! just made the DNF a bit sweeter to digest!
Ultra running is massive, you don't need to know who the people are, what they do, what they've endured to get there because at the end of the day, we are all here to make a journey, with a start and a finish. The route is not what makes a race organisation popular but the volunteers that give back that sparkle to tired runners. So many thank you are plastered on the centurion race community page from both aisles of the trail that makes you want to give back 10 folds.
So there my final lesson:

Lesson 10: nothing beats the sparkle ! Not even a DNF!

When I posted my DNF on Facebook, I didn't want people to feel sorry for me because beside a kick in the pride, at some point you get over it.
It didn't take me long as "Lion crown" Glynn comment was "there is no kind words that will make you feel better, some people will and some people wont know how your feeling now, the feeling also doesn't go. I have felt your sadness too. Some day everyone's luck runs out :) great running to date"
That comment made me realise that yes I've been lucky to get this far with so many injuries , that the people who know how I feel are part of the sparkle that ultra running community brings, and the ones who don't still show the care needed to mend the heart. And that actually the sadness goes away when you know that you lost a fight not the battle :) because there is much more lessons to learn just some miles always ! And some more hills to conquer!