Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you…
This time the bear was the OCC that chewed me up and spit me out. But it was an unforgettable race with magnificent mountain vistas, a top-notch organization, encouraging spectators, and a festive atmosphere from start to finish, a finish that I never got to experience unfortunately.
Here is the link to the organizer’s page where you can find the route and profile: http://tracedetrail.fr/fr/trace/trace/20003
The course is 55 km, starting at Orsieres in Switzerland and winding it’s way thru the mountains to finish in Chamonix. The total vertical is around 3,500 m (11,483 feet).
The day started with a 3:45 AM wake up to catch the bus in Les Houches for the 1.5 h bus ride to Orsieres. There, I met my wingman, Thomas. The race started at 8:15 under a cloudless ski that promised a warm sunny day. The first few kilometers were lined with school children encouraging the runners. We passed thru several quaint Swiss villages to the sound of cowbells being rung by the locals lining the streets. We stopped do dip our hats into the village fountains to keep cool.
Then things got serious with the climb to Champex. At the aid station, Thomas and I somehow got separated among the frenzy of runners refilling their water containers. I eventually caught up to Thomas about 5 kms later and we attacked the long climb (about 700m) to La Giète. Most of the trail up was in the shade with only occasional stretches where there were no trees. Near the top it was open and we were fully exposed to the sun. The altitude tops out at around 2000m where the temperature was about 22°C (72°F). I kept up a steady pace on the climb and made a good descent into the aid station at Trient. In the valley it was much warmer, about 30° (86°F) in the sun. The air was dry, humidity low, so the warm weather did not seem oppressive. The heat was nothing compared to runs that I did in North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas this summer.
On the climb and descent, Thomas and I got separated again, with me in front this time. My time at the Trient aid station was 4:34 for the 24 km, which works out to a speed of just over 6km/hr.
Try to find me going thru the aid stations in the videos at this address http://utmb.livetrail.net/coureur.php , enter GRIFFITH and search.
Next was the 800m climb to Catogne. This climb was very difficult for me and I had to stop every 50 meters or so to keep my heart rate under control. I was climbing at about 2km/hr. My legs were still OK with no cramping. I was taking a salt pill every hour and hydrating sufficiently to avoid the cramps.
I made another good descent into Vallorcine aid station where I took a good 20 minute break. Starting out again, I thought that the break would revitalize me but on the gradual 5km climb to the Col de Montets I again had to stop every 50 meters to rest. At that point near the Col, I was still facing two significant climbs that I’m familiar with and had already struggled on during the Mont-Blanc Marathon. At 40km and 8:37 into the race, I sat down by the side of the trail, waited about 20 minutes thinking about what to do. Attempt the last 15 km at a 3km/hr pace? Wait for Thomas to come along and try to stay with him? Considering my heart rate getting into the red zone and my shortness of breath every 50m, I finally decided to call Gaby and have her come pick me up.
Here is a link to photos showing the magnificent scenary. https://goo.gl/photos/ypTzm9vNq2Gwknc29