RUNNING 15KM OF UTMB | I don't know how they do it!
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- čas přidán 30. 08. 2022
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Last week I had the unbelievable privilege of being able to visit Chamonix for UTMB week. After racing MCC last year, I already had an impression of what the week was like but WOW this year was special!
In this vlog I headed out with Francois, a mountain guide and ultra runner himself, to explore the final 15km of the UTMB course. Would you like to give the race a go?
Route: Hike from Montroc to start at Montets
Montets - Tete aux vents - La Flegere - Chamonix
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I'm not going to write a training-schedule here. But this is how I prepared:
I worked in shifts, so I had 5 working-days and 3 days of weekend.
I ran 18,5 kms every day, which approx. was 3/5 of road and 2/5 of trail.
I live in the Netherlands, so there was hardly any up- or downhill.
In the second day of my weekends, I went to the Ardennes, Belgian hills and did approx. 40 kms of trail, carrying isotonic drink, powder to make drinks, bit of money to buy water and a train-ticket, dried apricots and digestive biscuits. I've done this for a year, and in summer I made an altitude stage in Cervinia, Italian Walliser Alps. Cervinia is situated on an altitude of 2000 mtrs. First week there, I ran over trails to colle superiore delle Cime Bianche/Bar gran sometta every day. That was 1000 altimetres a day.
Second week, I ran to the rifugio Teodule on 3325m, also every day. This was the most difficult part of my plan, and after all, actually much harder than the Ultra trail itself.
In the weekend, I crossed the colle sup. dlle cime bianche to the Val d' Ayas en returned to Cervinia over colle di Nanaz. Took me about 10 hours.
In training, I didn't use sticks, and although almost everyone used them, I didn't, and I also didn't miss them. Downhilling, you just have to be a bit careful with your knees.
Last week before the race, I spent with my mother in Chamonix, at a 1000-1200 mtrs., and gave the body some time to recover. I only did 2 short, easy trainings there.
For breakfast, I ate sweet waffles with coffee, and yoghurt with berries.
For Lunch 3 sandwiches with salami and cheese.
1/2 a litre of sprite/7up
For dinner, pasta with tuna.
I took 15 mgs of iron, and folic acid every day. And I took a kind of recovery supplement from Born which they do not sell anymore, during 30 days untill the race.
It takes 2-3 weeks for your new red bloodcells to become mature, so a shorter stage won't bring you much.
During the race, I had energy gel, isotonic powder, biscuits and dried apricots. I had a small rucksack with two side-pockets for one bottle of 1/2 litre each. I tried a camelback at home, but the 'sloshing' of the water, on the rhythm of my pace, irritated me.
Sleepyness was my only problem. At Champex, 120 kms, I should have laid down for a an hour or so, which I didn't.
So I had to lay down in the 1st aid-station of Vallorcine and slept for 4 hours before continuing, and finishing the last 17 kms.
It was one of the most impressive things I've done in my life. Training for it was a kind of process. The second week in Cervinia, I became slower with 7 minutes per day and wondered why. I was worried about it, of course, maybe my condition/shape would be insufficient. I found out that I only needed more energy and started to drink the 1/2 litre of lemonade/sprite/7up-like drink.
I chose Cervinia, because on the south side of the Alps, there is not much snow and I would be able to go untill 3000. I tried to run in snow on my way to Cabane d'Orny once, but this was too strenuous and no good training. Also, I found out that the race would have 8000 altimetres, and if I would be able to do that in one week, at an altitude higher than the race, I would certainly be in good shape. Col du Croix de Bonhomme, Arete Mont Favre, Mont Saxe Grand Col Ferret and Col de la Seigne are not higher than 2500.
So good luck everyone, live like a monk, don't drink any alcohol and train your arse off.
"Limits like fears are often just an illusion"
Running this place and Dolomites are on my bucket list.
Oooh I'd love to go to the dolomites! Also love that quote
@@FloraBeverley Michael Jordan said that, I tend to believe the guy :D
See you in Italy on the top of Dolomites. Run fasta, eat pasta :))
Great video. I loved the live UTMB coverage last week and it's great getting a second dose with all the CZcamsrs uploading this week. A trip out there is 100% on my bucket list.
What a beautiful landscape to run through! When I started running in 2019 and was training for my first 5k, it was reading race blogs of UTMB and Spartathlon that introduced me to the ultra community and got me inspired to take my running that direction! Thank you for including the section on the glacier withdrawal - such an important topic to raise awareness of, and I know you are eco-conscious (one of the reasons I follow you).
Ah that's awesome! Yeah it actually really saddened me... we had another hike with a guide and he shared even more info which made me even sadder. But good to know about.
Congratulations Flora, well done!!!. Here is my like. I love UTMB. A nice week for everyone.
Thank you so much Flora for sharing in all your beauty and passion.
Run on and fly my friend 💚👌🏼✨
Amazing! I hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc a couple years ago in 9 days, I can't imagine people who run it in one go!! Definitely inspiring 😊
That's epic! 9 days is still pretty fast... I bet it was incredible (and a lot more fun than doing it in 1 go 😅)
Fantastic video! Really enjoyed seeing the last part of the UTMB course!
It must be lovely to live in such a beautiful location to run the trails and not have to stop and take like hundreds of pictures because you've seen it so many times. So jealous!
But nice job on the venture. It always sucks how quickly all the training can disappear but it's fun to gain it back when running mountains!
Love the video
How absolutely gorgeous!! Being able to run through the last kilometers of UTMB must have felt incredible. Watching the live stream, I could recognize bits of it, but didn't realize that metal bridge at the end was such a silly punishment- I figured it went over a ditch! It was great seeing you in the live stream too, it's my second year of sleeplessly watching. The downhill tips from Francois were helpful. I'm definitely going to try to get out there one year.
It was stunning and such a privilege! Super useful to understand the elements of it when watching them on the live stream too (also hi!). And no Hahaha the bridge was just for torture only 😂
Thanks for this wonderful video !! 🤩
Well done Flora! Fantastic terrain and really rocky
😊 I love Chamonix valley but I live in paris, I’m preparing for my first MCC this year. I hope to see you at
Absolutely Stunning!!! And so much fun by the looks…I watched the live stream of the elites bombing that downhill into Chamonix-after 165 ish km, insane!!! They made it look too easy🤣 Kudos to all the UTMB runners & to you too Flora!!
It was great fun! Haha oh yes they were very impressive, I can't imagine how sore their legs must have been! 🥵
The scenery is so beautiful the entire way! This is definitely motivation for me to get in shape so I can do something like this someday!
It is soooooo stunning!
Watching your running vlogs brings me joy and inspires me 😊 looks so beautiful there 😍
That honestly makes me to happy to hear!! Thank you 😊 🥰
Congrats. I took a break from running to focus on Muay Thai but watching your videos is making me want to lace up my runners and go 😄😄😄
Haha that's what we like to hear! Though muay Thai sounds brill too 😀
Yeah the professionals make it look sooooo easy!! And François sure has that professional style!!! Watching the UTMB was massively inspirational, I've been showing more grit and tolerance for suffering since then, doing harder workouts!😁 You're in good company loving running downhill, Marianne Hogan (2nd place UTMB 2022) said the same thing!!
They sure do! And yes francois was great. That's great to hear, well done you!
@@FloraBeverley And you too?? I bet it's motivated you big time as well, actually being there!!!
@@bev9708 yes it definitely has! 😍
Awesome video!!!! Looks like you may have found the next career change-UTMB (and other) Trail Running Guide!
Thanks for doing this video! I couldn't explain to my crew why it took so long to do this section at 1am in the morning, I haven't any races lined up too but looking forward to just running
My goodness I can't imagine trying it at 1am after 155km of running 🥵 I'm surprised you had to explain! The route is explanation in itself 😅 hopefully they saw this and saw how tough it was!
Awesome video!
Amazing wow
What beautiful scenery Flora. I'd love to visit out there. We have a lot of that type of trail / mountain scenery here in the western United States. I don't do much trail running, but I do a lot of power hiking. Definitely takes some getting used to in terms of training, strength and getting used to altitude. Thanks for the beautiful video.
It's stunning! Yes I hear the US is incredible for trails, very jealous! Though in the grand scheme of it, the alps are not far from us in the US!
@@FloraBeverley Yup, I live near Salt Lake City, Utah, so I can get those kinds of trail / mountains within 30 - 60 minute drive. Love your content!
Espectacular
Hi! I'm new to trail running (all running, actually,) and your chat about downhill technique was very helpful.
So happy to hear it! 🤗
Espero que algún día tengas la gran experiencia de venir a practicar trail running a nuestra Patagonia Argentina. Abrazos y hasta pronto!
Amazing video Beverly. I laughed when Francois was showing you how to run and you said "oh god" .top job Beverly!
Nice run! Got some ptsd watching that as I had my lowest low from the 2nd half of col des montets all the way through tete aux vents to flagere during CCC last week 😆 before getting the most miraculous 2nd wind on the descent to the finish. You'll be ready for OCC / CCC in no time! Just got to figure out the new pesky running stone system... 😅
Omg haha yeah that's the interesting thing about running it never ALWAYS gets worse (or better)!
I really like your idea to run part of UTMB, I already have deep respect for the runners running it, but it is a different level if you run part of the track on your own (similar like trying to running Eliod's marathon world record pace 😅) Great video!
Haha yes, it really shows you what they're up against!
Deuter backpack = The most comfortable and most durable backpack !! Recommended .
Leki trekking poles - the best poles period !
Cool vid
Thanks Flora, simply lovely tour of the mountain. Although I feel you were a little unkind to your own level of fitness and achievements as you have done so much in running! In fact you have been an inspiration and I recently completed my first 50K. Thank you!
Is UTMB in your future....?
So happy to hear you've done your first 50k! Well done 👏
I'm pretty unfit at the moment compared to the last year, but it was really fun to get out regardless!
Loved the zig zag noise.i really enjoyed this video. Dont know why it popped up in my feed. But im subscribing.
Welcome to the channel! 🤗
@@FloraBeverley thankyou!
ALLL MIINEEE 🥰😘😘😘
For a second I thought your guide was going to be ultra/mountain running legend François D'Haene
Hahaha that did also cross my mind XD
you know you are going to do this race soon stop pretending otherwise! you'll crush it!
Hahah usually I'd say it was an inevitability, but this race is a serious one! I'd like to do CCC and OCC though :)
Wow, a tour guide? Would be so amazing to travel to the area and do some thing like that, with people that actually know the route. If you have links or other info as to how people can connect with guides that would be super.
Yes definitely! There's a whole school of mountain guides in Chamonix, I can't remember the name but that's where all the mountain guides train. Worth researching as it was super interesting!
Francois says you can email him on fecormier@wanadoo.fr
I trail run in speedgoats and i am always saying that I barely have to tighten the laces...they just fit/stay on my foot so well!
Yeah they're well fitted! Just need to figure out how to get a better heel lock without squishing my foot 🙈 but overall they're great!
Currently recovering from Covid so this is perfect how beautiful 😍 hoping to be back out soon.
I recognise the path from Montroc, it was used on the 23km Mont Blanc half marathon back in June, it killed me, I was OOT at Flagere so withdrew, twisting my left ankle twice didn’t help.
Ah no poor you! Sounds like a beautiful route though, if a little brutal!
Looks lush there. You using an Osmo? The handheld footage is so steady given that terrain.
It's a go pro hero9! Lots of practise 🙈 thank you!
@@FloraBeverley Then I'm not sure what's more impressive, the well-framed, steady shots or the trail running! 🏃
I wanna go!
Go!!
@@FloraBeverley its now on my list of places to go run. Perhaps the summer of 23 or 2024? I have not ventured into tail racing yet but i am very intrigued to say the least. Keep up the excellent reporting, very informative indeed ;)
Nice movie! Super to see this part of UTMB! Any chance to have François's details sent to me in PM? I would love to have a run in Cham. with him one of these days....Thanks in advance!
Yes - he said to email him if you'd like a guide! fecormier@wanadoo.fr
Hi, Flora! Is there a way to contact that tour guide Francois, for a tour? I am interested in checking out that stretch that you guys covered and would be great if I did it with that guide. Great video my friend!
I have emailed Francois to ask! Will get back to you
Francois says you can email him on fecormier@wanadoo.fr
I am French, it is your video
Super beautiful ❤
it's so high and far...elevation hell....hahahha
It was tough, but nothing on what the real racers have to do! It's incredible.
The guide reminds me of Dean Karnazes.
Haha no bad thing for a mountain guide!
@@FloraBeverley Definitely not. Looked like a fantastic trip. 👌
Love this vid. But the part where he teaches u how to go down hill…. Didn’t u tell him u run trail and are well experienced? You are an awesome trail runner
You can never stop learning! 🤗 and it was useful to show viewers too as francois is much more experienced than me!
@@FloraBeverley very well said
Can you give details, as to what trains you used to get there
I got London- Paris- Geneva and then a transfer to chamonix, but there are different trains you can get directly into Chamonix too. Not cheap, but if you book far enough in advance it's reasonable (and you can work the whole way unlike planes!)
Well done on the run and some awesome views out there.
Where did you stay ?
Beautiful run👍 could you share how to contact your wonderful tour guide?
I have emailed to ask and will get back to you!
Francois says you can email him on fecormier@wanadoo.fr
@@FloraBeverley thank you so much for the info. These races are beyond my wildest dream.
I did it twice, easy... 🙂
How excited are you..... go on.... count how many times you said UTMB ??
Beats saying Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc every time! It was epic
@@FloraBeverley always wondered what UTMB stood for 👍
what kind of sunglasses are you running with?
These are the sungod ultras :)
@@FloraBeverley thank you
How many points have you got at the moment? You'll be on that start line one year 💪
They've changed the system to stones rather than points, so I have no idea actually!
@@FloraBeverley Oh yes, I remember now. They keep changing it, the most complicated entry process ever!
Heart rate possibly higher than you'd expect due to altitude?
Could be, I also think I was pretty ill that day and before heading out to Chamonix, which wouldn't have helped! A shock to the system all round 😆
Bonjour j ai rien compris tu parles trop vite sans sous- titre FR ?
8 :36, c'est ton mari le bonhomme, si si si
Claire de France
Top tier female
Well.... regarding the "wonderful views" from yout apartment....: I think that both the architect who had the wonderful idea of building this beautiful concrete structure in front of the apartment where you are staying, substituting 80% of the mountain views by a nightmare view and the responsible official in the town hall of Chamonix who gave his consent "for it" should be stoned to death...
Haha yes this did cross my mind. But to be fair, there is a huge housing crisis in Chamonix, especially wrt affordable housing.
you need to do something about the music you use. its really offputting
Don't watch it then
Or, find me some better music that's copyright free.
Amazing wow