Training Log Archive: SarahD

Day 5 Rifugio Elisabetta to Nant Borrant
Expected this to be a bit shorter today so decided to take it steady and have an easier day. Not sure where I got that idea from. A bit less climb but ~1900m of descent was not easy and I was starting to feel the effects of the last few days.
As usual it was a nice peaceful start (going the opposite way to every one else) up to the Col de Seigne and the French border (2516m). More marmot and a lot of nice flowers too. Then met everyone as I dropped towards Ville des Glacier at 1800m. There I opted for the high level variant over the Col des Fours, a tough climb to 2665m. Made a brief detour from the col to take in the high point of the week at Tete Nord des Fours (2756m). All quite enjoyable to here with changing views and plenty of interest. Several bald-headed vultures circling above looking for weakened hikers. From there it was a steep 1300m descent to the Refuge at Nant Borrant which seemed to go on forever. Nothing special hurting (shin fine today) but just a tedious grind. I'd rather go up any day. Out for a good deal longer than I anticipated.

TMB Day 4 Rifugio Bonatelli to Rifugio Elisabetta. Crap night not sleeping by the paper wall behind the loos... Heard every of the 50 people in the hostel visit them at some stage:-(
Feeling bleary eyed but planned to run to Courmayeur with the morning section continuing along the valley side before dropping to The town. Felt OK jogging once I got going and blister seemed OK. However, by the time I was approaching the descent I could feel tendons in my right shin tightening up. The descent to Courmayeur was brutal, but managed to keep something of a jog going.

After a supply stop in Courmayeur I set off again. The bad news was that the climb up the other side was just as bad. Shin was quit sore and I felt quite tired. The path climbed quite high onto the valley side again giving good views over to the MB massif but it didn't change very rapidly! High point at 2450m before eventually dropping down into the Val Veny where I stopped to ice my shin in the lake before the last climb to the Rifugio. Tendons definitely eased after I stopped and felt better for a bit of massage. Hot again after a slightly overcast start.

TMB day 3 Relais d'Arpette to Rifugio Bonatti. Another tough day but very different to yesterday. Much more ground to cover but was expecting the going to be better and hoped I might be able run more. First section down to Champex and then the valley below was tougher and steeper than expected but felt OK jogging at an easy pace. Then there was a climb up the valley to Ferret, which was also tougher than expected but some nice stretches through woodland above the river. The track up to Grand Col de Ferret was really good so I made better time here and was still able to run quite a bit. Highlight of the day was reaching the Grand Col (2550m) where the most amazing view of the MB massif appeared right in front. Time for a proper chill-out and refuel. Good path down into Italy but my feet were starting to get sore with a blister under the left sole. Happy to leave the valley bottom road for a sharp climb of 250m+ then contour into Rifugio Bonatti - what a spot looking across to the mountains and glaciers.
All good apart from blistered foot - will see how I can sort that for tomorrow. Brief excitement later of a rescue helicopter coming in to take out someone with septicaemia.

TMB day 2 Tre Le Champ to Champex. Totally epic day. Off just after 7:30 with clear blue skies beckoning. Again made good time on the first climb and on the top of Aiguuillette des Posettes. (2200m) by 9:00. Brilliant 360 views from here. Some nice running on the next section to Col de Balme. First sighting of dozens of very fat marmots. Stopped briefly at the refuge at CdrB and put my poles down... Then had to come back for them 5' later :-( Deviated from the main TMB route here with the plan of doing the high level variant through Fenetre d'Arpette. The next bit of path contoured initially and then seemed to go up and down on ever rougher ground before reaching the refuge at Les Grands. Had a bit of a panic as I was taking longer than expected and suddenly a glacier appeared in front of me... Quick check of the map and I was fine, but a steep 500m descent down into the valley followed, before reaching the path up the other side. Coke and fuel stop at Chalet de Glacier before starting the 1000m ascent to the Fd'A. Felt good for most of the climb until about the last 200m when I just died. Probably a combination of tiredness and altitude. Still had made good time to the col (2670m) which was just as impressive as had been billed. Descent down the other side was almost as equally grim and again I took my time to make sure I didn't slip. Feeling pretty footsore by the time I got down to the better tracks, but soon at Relais Arpette for the night. Lasted barely 1' in the stream which was a real melt-water ice bath.

TMB day 1 Les Houches to Tre Le Champ. Off at 7:45 and straight up the slopes of Le Brevet from the start. Felt good to get going but tried not to race off too fast / some sensible pacing required. Trekking poles out from the start and firm friends within no time. Bit of cloud obscuring much of MB but good temp for walking. Reached the first refuge at Bel Lachat well before I expected too. Onto the start of the ridge here and able to do a bit of jogging on smoother sections. Top of the high point of the day (2500m) on Le Brevent by 10:15. Then followed a bit of faffing where I misread the paths, but dropped OK towards Planpraz before more faffing around the ski building site. Nice path contouring to Le Flegere where I was able to jog quite a bit more. Coke and lunch before the next climb back up to Tete aux Vents. Then came the bit I was dreading - a massively steep descent with ladder sections down towards Tre Le Champ. I took my time and it wasn't as bad as I feared although impressive all the same.
Down at the refuge for 2:30 with plenty of time for an ice bath in the stream, more refuelling and chill out before dinner. Good day. No particular aches or pains to speak of.

Travelling
Short leg stretch from accom down into les Houches and back for some supplies

C • Hope you get the weather.. 1

Getting nervous...