4am alarm and I am not feeling bright eyed.

Early mornings have never been my forte, especially when they are enforced.

We’ve been told to get to the bus stop at 5am, after that a 1 hour drive or so to Orsiere.

The route is windy and I have a lot of my mind I focus on processing what I am about to do.

Masses of people stream out of the buses at Orsiere, looking wide eyed, all nervous anticipation and kitted in lycra from a whole host of brand names.

We are all here for the same thing though.  It’s a new race –  the OCC.  Orsiere,Champex and Chamonix.

During the week of the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc it is the smallest of the 5 races on offer.  With a distance of 52.4km and 3300metres ascent it is still not without it’s challenges.

At 8am we are lining up for the race in the gorgeous chocolate box Swiss town ofOrsiere.  I start to take stock, place myself at the back, take a moment and then the music plays.

It is then that the emotions come over me like a wave and I let them.

They are routed in a desire to do and to be part of something that challenges me.

There is a sadness which I do not ignore, I know it well.

The loss of my parents is always there, will never go away and it is this too that drives me, that makes me want to push myself and make them proud even if they can’t be here to watch me.

I want to run in their memory, take them on my journey in my heart and head.  So I let these mixed emotions wash over me, and prepare me.

Then smile through tears and think of how lucky I am to be here.

There are many people throughout my lilfe that have been part of my journey, I am thankful for each and everyone of them. I truley believe people come into your life for a reason and they leave it for a reason too.  Just as much as these people standing at the start they are part of my journey.

The bells have been sounded, the cow bells do not stop however, the first 2 miles there is a constant clanging as 1200 people steadily climb up the first ascent to Champex Lac.

This section is extremely busy and to be honest a tad frustrating.  It’s now I wish I had started further at the front.  The first section of 7.6kms with 580metre ascent takes me about 1hour 28 minutes.

I eat a nakd bar and down a coke and get out of the aid stop quickly.

Fortunately you can make up the time on the next section as the route is flattish for 5km or so, though the numbers of people is still quite alot I am able to pick a few people off on the ascent up to La Giete.

Ascents I really enjoy, not that I run them, just stick to a strong hiking pace.  I know that the downhills have a tendency to wreck havoc with me on these sort of descents.

UK hills they are not, running up is hardly an option, running down is a challenge in itself and an art form.  Something that I am yet to master. But then this is also what it’s about, a way to learn.

Making sure you are aware of your strengths and playing to them is key I think to how well you cope mentally.  Focus on how bad you’re at something is just destructive.

From the first peak at Giete to Trient it’s a downhill 5km with about 600metres descent, knarly roots and smooth shiney thus slippery rock.

I never letting my mind think this is tricky, the aim is to pick the route focus a little ahead and do not waver, stay as strong as I can.

Trient is a welcome site, full of supporters from all over the world.  The queue for water is long, and takes around 10 minutes, which is an inconvenience but well that’s life sometimes, things slow you down and you deal with it.

It is at this point that I have some food, ½ banana, mini soreen malt loaf and coke as well as a sandwich I made, camembert. It’s so yummy and gives me the kick I need.

I chat briefly with a women crewing for a young girl called Rebecca, nice to hear English and I meet Rebecca and wish her luck.

After 25 minutes or so at Trient I am out and up the next climb 5.5kms with 820metres which is tough going, and you see a number of people sadly walking back down to Trient perhaps daunted by the prospect of another fierce climb.

The heat is quite intense today, but to be honest we are lucky as the weather 2 days ago was atroucious and the Friday night of the UTMB is even worse.

So the shade of the next part is a blessing for us.  Once we get above the tree line, the heat is still on, but our breaths are more taken away by the views which are sublime and awe inspiring.

I take the time to look, be inspired and of course take some photos.  It is moments like these that need to savoured.

There is no illusion held with me that I will win or even be close to being near the front.  These kind of events are for me about the journey, an experience.

At this point I see Rebecca again and we chivvy each other along till the next check point at Catagone the highest point at 2009 metres.

She is stronger than she thinks and I sincerely hope that she didn’t mind me giving her a gentle tap and telling her that she can run as she starts to walk.

Having someone with you, all be it briefly, is often a great boost, so thank you Rebecca if you read this.  You were awesome.

The route down to Vallorcine with 5km and 940metres descent is another rutted, root laden downhill section. My quads are starting to complain and the tiredness sets in.

So once at Vallorcine I make sure I take on some more food, ½ bag of crisps, orange, coke and a mini soreen malt loaf.

The food is so important, sometimes just from the mental side.  The bag of crisps is just the boost I needed in all respects.

After a while the tiredness ebbs a bit, I force myself to eat another mini malt loaf as we wind our way around to Col des Montets no water just a check point where they scan you in and up to Flegere. 10km or so with over 900 metres.

Dipping my head in a few waterfalls along the way helps to ease the heat. Though I am sure I look like a drowned rat it is such a lovely feeling having ice cold water cover your head.

This section is actually quite tough as the route is really rutted with roots and a lot of rocky sections with big boulders to pass and squeeze around, in these routes there is no time to think about pain as is it is taken up by negotiating the route. Which in a way is a relief.

Onwards we climb, and numbers have definetely thinned out, though I still pass people on the way up I am aware that my pace has slowed quite a bit, I have not really been breathless but the muscles are starting to tighten almost everywhere. In other words it hurts now.

There is a light relief of a flattish section, a traverse across before another climb to Flegere.

This climb, which is not pleasant, is a rocky scree moraine field that I am sure looks lovely covered in snow but in summer daylight looks like a tired runners nightmare.

Again it is here that I focus on the fact I am stronger at climbing up, the poles have been such a bonus and though it’s my first time using them in a race and I sure some peoples calfs were a bit annoyed with me they were fab during the entire event.

Another 20 minutes or so at Flegere the final check point.  I take on some coke, eat a few more crisps. Make sure I have enough water. I start to get a bit cold so put on gloves, my hands have a tendancy to suffer from the cold.

The descent starts with a yuk 1km or so on what would be a ski route, basically a wide track that is loose and stoney and very much downhill.  My legs are screaming at me now.

Once we are in the trees and the route is more technical I can focus on that but a long descent it is, switch backs cutting into the forest where you can always see what is ahead.  A lot of people pass me.

As my legs start to protest. I try not to listen but it is really quite painful now.

There’s a great short section which goes past Chalet De La Floria Buvet a short traveres across the mountain side where you can strectch the legs a bit as it’s not too steep.

This is momentary and the descent continues.  From Flegere to Chamonix it is 8km with about 870metres of downhill.  The aim is to just get down.

Once you pass into Chamonix onto road, the sound of people cheering ‘Alez, go, go, super’ is such a boost.  Along the whole way I have tried to say Merci, thankyou or simply smile.

Here you cannot help but smile the encouragement is infectious and you want to do your best.  I join up with a guy from Paris, Francois,  for this last section and we push each other to the end, winding our way through the erupting cheers of supporters.

All sweat, fatigue and happiness that we are finishing.

I spot a few runners who I know from the UK, Mark and Glenn, grab one of their hands and I think I convey a message of complete elation as I don’t think words make any sense at that point.

The finish I am stunned.  I turn to look at the French guy who I ran the last 1km or so and give him a congratulatory hug.

At this point I also see Rebecca come in. Again words are pretty meaningless but I think we both appreciate the enormity of what we accomplished.

We get guided out to applause and I sit for what seems like forever, as my brother wanders what the hell to do with me.

Though to be honest all I want is a bath and new legs.

Mark and Glenn have also come to offer congrats, which I appreciate, they can’t stay for a beer as tomorrow is race day for them, the UTMB.

Bigger and harder and something at this moment I am re-considering as more of long term goal.  The mountains are not to be looked at lightlely.

This race I have learned alot, that passion for running drives me, as does grief.

There is a desire to do well, but I am thankful just simply to be part of it. I always need to remember this if the wheels come off and the A game has gone out the window.

I need to work on my descents, and get even stronger on the ups.

Make sure I always have something that comforts me food wise.

And that support is invaluable but at the end of the day it is what’s in you that counts the most.

The only person that can push you to do your best is you.

 

Overall

The race is an amazing and perfect way to test yourself on the last part of the UTMB.

Well organised from start to finish.

Busy near the start so be prepared for queues or start near the front.

Use poles, they are invaluable even for tricky descents but learn how to use them properly.

Loads of supporters on route, cow bells and klaxons.

Wave at the helicopters and the photographers – (you might make it on the live TV).

We got a t-shirt at the registration and another at the finish-no medals.

In comparison to UK check points it’s actually a bit limited, cheese, sausage, banana, orange, chocolate, tea coffee, water and coke. No electrolytes or gels that I could find though maybe they did in the bigger races.

By no means is this poor for a 53km I just think the UK ultras I’ve been part of are very well supported.  So in this instance as I was glad to have my stuff.

I ate

2 nakd bars

2 mini soreen malt loafs (I wish I had more)

½ pack of salted crisps

1 camembert sandwich.

½ banana

¼ orange

I drank

4 electrolyte GU bru tablets making about 1.5 litres overall

4 litres of water (ish)

5 cups of coke

2 cups of tea

 

With 52.5kms 3332 metres ascent.

I finish in 11 hours 29 minutes and 16 seconds.

91% finished the race.

I was 761 out of 1109 runners who finished..

And was 154 out of 274 females.

There were I think at my count 52 UK runners.

Here’s the link if you are interested for the race results.

http://utmb.livetrail.net/classement.php?course=occ