“I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for a fantastic week, everything about the week far exceeded my expectations and between, you, Phil and Andy you put on an excellent week which was fun, beautiful and interesting with a great mix of relaxation and running. So thanks to you all! I will definitely be recommending the week and participating on other weeks/weekends again in the future!”
“This was meant to be for me”
Yet another fantastic week of running and hills and views and good food….learning new skills and techniques and all taking place in the beautiful village of Les Contamines at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps.
The shape of our week depends on the ambitions and objectives of our runners…as we do our best to tailor our courses specifically for our runners…
Our early morning runs and workouts are always popular – although most of our runners always declare that they might not take part at first….given the start time is 7am….
However we’ve not yet had anyone miss a morning…..
Warm up runs to the quaint La Chapelle at the far end of the valley, plus gym work out sessions in the skate park are some of our routines….always back in time for a big breakfast and a quick change….and then into the main part of the day….
Our first day out is always a surprise for our runners…as the size of the hills is not something they have usually encountered previously or can even comprehend when looking at them….
We usually set off from the village (1000m altitude) and end at the Tre la Tete (1900m altitude) – taking in the delightful Lac Armancette en route – and trying to figure out why the Lac still has tadpoles in it in late August…?!
The view of the whole of the Val Montjoie seen from the Tre la Tete is totally absorbing….or is it because we’re already knackered…?.
Another day will see us running through & along the limestone plateau region of the Aravis Mountains…up to an altitude of about 1800m …the climb to this altitude is un-relenting and our coach & ultra runner Andy Mouncey starts to introduce different ways of managing the hills….of which surprisingly there are quite a few (including crawling up them on your hands and knees…)
Because of the position of the Aravis – from the ridge you can get a total panoramic view of the whole of the Mont Blanc Massif – on the other side of the valley….snow capped peaks (including Mont Blanc) and fabulous peaks & ridge lines…well worth the uphill.
The run is delightful – you’re high up – but not as high as you can go…the limestone radiates the heat…and we all return to the (slightly) cooler valley exhausted and elated..
To top this day out we take a bit of a break – and manage a bit of retail therapy and sleep before driving round to Chamonix for the start of our night run – which is also the first part of the UTMB course….
Starting from the now famous archway (which is already in place proclaiming the 2011 UTMB start line) at about 6.30/7pm we run out of Chamonix towards Les Houches and then start the climb up and over the Col de Voza, dropping down into St Gervais…
By the time we’re starting the climb – its head torches on – and silence descends on the group..At the top of the Col we get a great view of the starry sky…and then start the descent with Joy (our International Mountain Leader) leading the pack we hurtle down into the sleepy village of St Gervais – to be met by the Alpine Oasis crew with dry/warm clothes, fluid, snack and pizza!
Allowing a little extra time for everyone to sleep in and re-charge batteries – the next day we set off at about 11am for a walk/ run up to the Col du Bonne Homme….which is one of the legs of the UTMB…
This is a great day out as the first part takes us along the old Roman Road up past La Balme and the views and sights at each twist & turn are pretty breathtaking…
From La Balme we head up to the Col du Bonehomme at 2483m and then a slight drop down to the refuge at 2443m where we are spending the night…
By this stage the runners are so tired that’s its early to bed – and no-one hears the helicopter which lands directly outside our dormitory the following morning as everyone is so soundly asleep….!
After a quick warm up run to the Tete Nord (2756m) and a few great shots of Mont Blanc the team wiz back down to the valley in record time….
Stu Mills joins us for the evening meal and the runners quiz and question him and Andy Mouncey (both who are doing the UTMB – but have also raced together previously in the Lakeland 100) on their training, their plan for the UTMB, their running strategies etc etc
Our last full day is a mixture of running and walking…but all with a purpose - as our International Mountain Leader (Phil Coates) sets us map reading tasks for the day, gets us to point out where we are on the map and lead us from point a to be…along with more practice running with poles (whilst navigating) …..Our setting for the day is Mont Jolie…but this time we get to ride up to the first stage in the cable car…yippee…..
We’re back down into the valley for early afternoon as we need to sort ourselves out to get round to Chamonix in time for the UTMB….
And what about the UTMB….?
Well – the start time was supposed to be 6.30pm – but because of the bad weather that was forecast to come in – the start was delayed until 11.30pm…which was communicated to the runners by late morning on the Friday….
The bad weather did arrive – and stayed…and the 2300 runners left Chamonix at 11.30pm in full waterproofs…..
We watched the start and then scooted round to Les Contamines to watch them come through the village – which is one of the major feed stations on the route and the last before the big ascent of the Col du Bonne Homme….
We see both Stu and Andy through the village…at about 3 – 3.30am…..the volunteers will be out on the course all night – but we head home for a bit of rest before picking up the race again tomorrow…
Saturday online reports are alarming – high winds up on the mountains, snow & ice on the Bonatti, driving rain and cold most of the night – and the drop out rate increases massively….
Our two runners drop out at Cormayeur….they’ve both had a great race but the elements have conspired against them…
Onwards & upwards…a great race and plenty for us all to chew over in the next few weeks….and here’s to another great Trail & Ultra Trail Running holiday…..
