It is hard to know where to start writing this…. What an epic adventure and journey the UTMB has been and not just the race itself, but the journey of actually just getting to the start line.

I have dreamed of completing the UTMB route since first going out there in 2010 and if you had asked then if I could have done it, I would have just laughed, I remember being in complete ore of all the people completing this magic journey. Even last year after my second year of running the CCC (the sister to the UTMB) I still didn’t truly believe I could ever run the UTMB and yet there I was on Friday 29th August ready for our 17:30hrs depart with 2,300 other runners lining the start of the 2014 UTMB hoping to make dream become reality. Awaiting the start of a journey that would take us on 104 miles (168km), through three different countries, climbing 30, 000ft (9600m) which equates to more than the height gain of climbing Everest and for a lot of us the anticipation of two nights out on the trails- it was a daunting prospect.

My goal for the UTMB was quite simple… to make it to the start line without injury and to finish my first 100miler (+4 miles) smiling  The race itself is not something to be taken lightly and is one of the toughest 100mile mountain Ultras in the world, attracting athletes from all over the globe, looking to compete in this iconic race and make history. Although I knew that my race would take me double the time of the elites, to complete the UTMB course in itself is a huge accomplishment and is something I have spent much of my year training for and working towards. The last few months building up to the race, all that has consumed my mind has been the UTMB and although I have tried to distract myself it has been hard to focus my thoughts on anything else. The race itself is now in its 12th year of running and predominantly the field has consisted of French competitors, followed by Spain and Italy but each year this field is becoming more international. To date there have been few British women that have completed the UTMB course, this year the percentage of overall female competitors was 13% compared to 87% men, this is the highest percentage of females ever to enter the race.

Jez and I flew out to Chamonix on Wednesday. I was super nervous arriving into Chamonix, as I had been for about the last month! I had been plagued with a back pain the month leading into the race, for which I had been having sports massage- apparently it was super stiff and I am also lopsided on one side! This pain/ stiffness was playing on my mind a lot and tended to be aggravated when sat for long periods of time (lucky I would not be doing much sitting during the race then!). I am sure it was to do with my anxiety but the pain had been really heightened and I spent a lot of time focusing on it and worrying that it was going to jeopardise my opportunity to finish the race, I was taking pain killers, wearing heat patches and doing Pilates stretches obsessively to try and ease the pain. The UTMB exposes you in every respect, and if you have a weakness it will definitely catch up with you along the way if you let it….

My mum and dad were both coming out to crew/ support me during the course this year, as they have for my previous two CCC races. However the day before we were flying out my nan fell very poorly, which meant that my mum had to stay behind in the UK to look after her. It was sad that my nan was poorly and it was sad that my mum would not be with us on the journey as it is something that we have spent a lot of time talking about and both my parents are an amazing support to me, and we knew what this first 100 mile meant…. but this is life and mum told me that she would be thinking of me and whenever I felt at a low point during the race to tap my shoulder and she would be there giving me extra strength and that helped a great deal  my dad therefore would be crewing for me solo, but would have jez and my mother- in- law there on the second night, all being well!

Jez and I having just got our kit checked and picked up our race numbers

We registered on the Thursday morning and I spent much of Thursday preparing kit and generally staying off my feet and having quiet time. Friday was always going to be a difficult day as you spend the whole day waiting for the race. I probably ended up getting up at 08:30hrs and spent most of the day on the floor of our apartment Pilates stretching! Dad popped over midday and took my race bag, with all the essentials needed for the race, he would next see me and be able to support me in Courmayeur, which is about 73km into the race. He would then be able to see me at La Fouly (but not assist) and then at Champex- Lac (122km), Trient (139km) and Vallorcine (149km) all aid stations where you can assist.

kit ready to go…

Race day had been generally sunny but as we went to the start line there was a big grey cloud looming over the mountains and at about 17:20hrs (10mins before the start) the heavens opened and all the runners were there putting on their waterproofs. The start was a sea of colours as 2,300 runners lined the start area and the organisers briefed and got the crowds going, there was music and the countdown and we were off…. Through the crowded streets of Chamonix, I had just run round the first corner and felt one of my water bottles fly out the pocket of my bag, so I had to turn back against the sea of runners and grab it off the floor- not an ideal start but losing a bottle of liquid would be detrimental to the race, so I had to get it back- at least I learnt the lesson early on to put it properly secure into my pack.

not long into the race, embracing the pouring rain!

Running past the bonfire at notre dam before the start of the of the first big climb…

I felt very apprehensive at the enormity that was in front of me but was looking forward to getting out onto the mountains and being in the solitude and for the real journey to begin. I also made sure that I broke the race down into chunks (short- term goals through the race), getting to a certain checkpoint for example, this enabled me to remain focused on the ‘here and now’ moment, opposed to becoming overwhelmed by the overall goal of the race and its enormity. The rain was very heavy to start with and lasted for the first 4-5 hours, you had to wear waterproofs but it was also very muggy and warm which made it quite uncomfortable as you were sweating inside the mac. At about 34km in, they have a big bonfire at the foot of the first big climb and people cheering with their cow bells, it was a great lift to get you ready for the climb and the night ahead, the rain also began to ease off at this point, for which I was very relieved.

I had decided that I would wear thicker socks for the race as they would give me a bit more cushioning and support, this was a bad idea… (never do something different in a race that you haven’t practiced before right?!). The socks were actually too thick which meant that my feet were up against the foot of my trainer and I lost both my big toenails on the first descent- not clever. I thought that I was going to have to wait until I saw my dad in Courmayeur to change socks, but then remembered that I had some thin knee length socks in my bag (as part of my essential kit), so when I got to the next checkpoint I changed my socks- but the damage had been done and I had two very black toenails. I was annoyed at myself for making such a silly mistake, I was also determined that two toenails were not going to stop me finishing this race and succumbed to painkillers (perhaps not ideal) and became very good at scrunching my toes up on the descents to ease the pain a little!

Feeling relieved that I would be seeing Dad soon at the first big checkpoint & i could have some porridge, a tea and change into dry clothes after a long first night….

Heading toward Courmayeur, about 73km into the race, after a night out on the trails

I tried to be as efficient as possible in the checkpoints, so not to waste too much time early on in the race, and I knew that later this time would be very valuable as I would probably need a bit more time at aid stations to fuel up and rejuvenate. I found the first night pretty long and in some respects quite lonely although there were always people around me. I think knowing that this time tomorrow I would still be on the mountains somewhere, was also quite a daunting prospect. The sun rose just as I was summiting the last climb before Courmayeur where I knew my dad would be waiting for me and it seemed to give me a new lease of life. It was also a nice feeling to know that I had done the longest stretch on my own now for the whole race and I would be seeing familiar faces along the route more often form here on in, which believe me helps a great deal. I got into Courmayeur somewhere around 8am and had porridge and a cup of tea and changed out of my soggy kit from the nights rain and into some fresh running gear, which felt nice. I didn’t dare take my shoes and socks off; they were staying on until the end, as I thought taking them off would only make things worse.

I felt really good climbing out of Courmayeur having refuelled and changed and a few words with dad. I must have looked ok as when I got to the top of the next climb a guy told me that I looked like I hadn’t even run and ‘as fresh as a daisy’, I wish I felt that way! My descending is something I feel quite strong on, but unfortunately because of my ‘error’ early on I was finding the descents slower than the climbs. For me though, this didn’t matter as my goal was to finish however long this journey would be and I was determined to cross that finish line.

I have a lot of respect for the UTMB and the course and I knew that it was going to be tough, but I also knew that however tough it got, however in pain I might feel, how tired I might get that this would only be short term. I knew that the feeling of completing the UTMB and getting to the finish line would be far greater than any immediate discomfort. I also knew how much I had trained and spent time focusing on the race, how much I had talked about the race and the people that were supporting me through the race both out in Chamonix and back home. I knew that at the end of the race I had a week’s holiday in the sun, where I could rest and reflect, and I also know myself well and knew that if I did not finish this race I would never forgive myself and I would definitely beat myself up about it for months to come. This was an opportunity I had been given and I felt so privileged to be there and be a part of this amazing event. Obviously if I had a major injury then I would have had to have stopped, but otherwise I was going to finish no matter what. Focusing on these motives through the race I think really helped me have a successful journey, as I never once let the thoughts of ‘I can’t go on’, ‘I need to pull out’ enter my mind, that wasn’t an option.

Determined to get the job done!

out on the mountain, day 2, looking a little tired…

I got to Champex Lac (122km) where I was able to see my dad again and refuel on porridge with a squeeze of golden syrup (I found this to be amazing running fuel). This was the first time where I felt really quite sick and I knew that it was about to get dark again, as I was heading into my second night out on the mountains. I felt quite apprehensive about this and how I would cope with another night, I have also heard a lot of people talk about delusions they experience during the second night or finding themselves falling asleep on the trail, not something you want to be doing when you’re on the edge of a mountain. I got my head torch out, put on a warmer layer and headed out, ready to embrace the Bovine climb- which is basically just big boulders to clamber up. On my way out of the aid station I bumped into Kirsty Read who is a Run247 contributor and we follow each other on twitter but have never met in person, anyway we ended up running the rest of the route together and this was really great. Kirsty and I spoke about our goals, thoughts and ambitions of the race- and had very similar thoughts about it, we were both just as determined as each other to finish! It was great to have company through the second night and to have someone to chat too and take my mind off the fact that we were ascending once more.

I knew that Jez was going to be in Trient, and this would be the first time I would have seen him since starting the race- he had already finished, showered, had dinner and was now back out supporting me, it definitely gave me a boost descending into Trient knowing that he would be there.
We left Trient and I was starting to feel really tired, with two more climbs to go, it must have been about 3am by now on the second night. The climb seemed quite long, but the descent even longer down into Vallorcine (the last big checkpoint) and I did start to see all sorts of animals in the woods- every piece of bark resembled a new animal which just seemed to be silently staring back at me. Finally I heard the sound of the Vallorcine aid station and saw the lights coming from the town, it was a great feeling!

I think that when you get to Vallorcine you know that whatever happens then you are going to make it…. 19km to go, one more climb, however that sure doesn’t make the last climb any easier up to Tete aux Vents, it is steep and boundary and with little legs you almost have to lift them up to reach the next step, it also has about 2 false summits- your there and then you realise you’re not actually there. I remember at one point looking up and seeing all the head torches, having already felt that we had been climbing for ages- I said to Kirsty ‘we’ve got ages to go yet…’ and then Kirsty pointed out that I was looking at the stars! When you reach the summit you then have about 5km of boulder rocks to negotiate along the top before reaching La Flegere, the final aid station before you descend the last 8km down into Chamonix. This mountain seemed to go on forever and I wandered if we were ever going to get off, the light came up just as we were summiting, but unfortunately it was all fog and mist so you could not see much.

You can see Chamonix town below for some time on the final descent and it feels a long time before the distance between you and the town gets closer, but finally we made it down to the road and had the run through Chamonix centre to the finish line. It was amazing getting back down into the noise and hype of Chamonix and you really felt like a winner, everyone lining the streets cheering for you, in recognition of the journey you have been on and seeing the tiredness in your face. Kirsty and I crossed the finish line and Jez was there to give me that long awaited hug, along with Kirsty’s husband Pete.

still managing a smile at the end, this was before i almost fainted!

A relief to see mr jez at the end and have a hug!

It was an amazing experience crossing the finish line and completing the UTMB and something I feel so happy to have achieved. I felt so exhausted at the end that it was almost too much to really appreciate and take that moment in and I really wish I was able to capture the moment in a bottle and make it last forever.

Feeling super happy to have made the journey around the mountain :-)

Kirsty and I on our way to the UTMB finish line!

I walked through and collected my finisher gilet, of which I am very proud of. The sun was out at this point, I was talking to my dad and everything went blurred and sounds muffled, and I suddenly said ‘I’m going to faint’, the next thing my dad had me down on the floor and legs in the air in the centre of the town- nothing like making a scene! I was escorted to the medical tent where I had to lie down for some time, my blood pressure had dropped right down- not surprising I guess running 40+ hours and then suddenly stopping, I think my body was in a bit of shock.

The final few 100 yards to the finish line, a very special moment…

Jez had the delight of taking my shoes and socks off, rather an unpleasant sight of blisters and lost toenails not to mention an awful smell! It has taken a good week for my feet to recover and I am now 5 toenails short, but apart from that it is amazing how quickly your body recovers.
The UTMB was my biggest challenge to- date and I feel so happy to have achieved the journey, it has definitely been one of my life’s greatest experiences. I would like to thank my Dad for being there as my support crew, knowing exactly what to do and when to do it and knowing exactly what to say. Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way  I can now say that I have completed my first 100miler on a pretty brutal course and I have the amazing memories of it that will last forever 

my amazing dad who supported me all the way through the race, I think he was happy to see me finish :-)

making my way back to shower at the end, with the aid of my sticks!