Comparing the UTMB and the GRP

So many people have asked me about how they compare that I gave it a bit of thought.  First I should say that I loved both and appreciate the difference in races in all sorts of ways. Their different terrain, scenery, people, atmosphere, scale and quirks are what make them all fun.
The GRP is much bigger, more commercial and set in a bigger town.  It attracts more runners and bigger sponsors. The Chamonix party atmosphere that takes over the whole town for a week or so was not the same. The lack of coloured wrist bands meant you were not sure who was running, or what race, and who were just tourists out running in the days before. There was no 'village' of stalls and promotional stands instead just 2 or 3 including New Balance and Overstim in the field next to the marque. This also affects the prizes and prize giving. At the GRP there was one prize giving for all the next morning. With fewer numbers and sponsors the categories were 10 years not 5, with 3 on the podium not 5, lower value prizes and more local prizes like a side of Bigore dark pork! There also seemed to be a slight touch of chauvanism with the mens prizes being greater than the womens. Still we don't race for the prizes more the glory, or not. One thing that was nicer at the UTMB was a better T shirt and the finishers gillet.

Bumping into friends at the UTMB was far from certain whereas at the GRP it was easy and so very sociable. The buffet after the prize giving was great too- lots of food and lots of variety. Plus in a tiny village almost all beer from just 2 bars about 20m apart.

The main difference for me is the GRP having a 5am start and so only 1 night of running not 2. The small village and low key nature made the GRP a very friendly event. It was slightly harder to get info as they do not publish glossy brochures etc but their web site was good enough. The UTMB is more international and the GRP more French. They had a spread of nationalities but not to the same extent. French was the common language for most, except the Spannish who seemed to prefer English. The other way there was less info was the lack of scrolling screens at major CPs and so supporters were less sure (and for some the SMS system failed) and as a runner I could not see competitors so easily.

The scenery in both is stunning. The UTMB probably goes through higher mountains with glaciers nearby etc but somehow at the GRP I felt I was more in the wilds and  not just looking at it in the distance. The terrain at the GRP was a little rougher with a few more technical paths. For many, mine included, it seemed tougher on the feet.
I would cheerfully do either again and would recommend both to any friends wanting a foreign ultra.

The Grand Raid de Pyrenees

I never sleep that well before a race, especially if the start is very early. A hot van did not help but I slept more than I had hoped and was up at 4am for porridge.

 By 4.30 I was itching to go and we walked up to the village square which was already filling up with runners and supporters.

Once my timing chip was bleeped I searched out toilets and friends. I soon founnd Tony and Albert.

The 30 minutes flew by and despite the dark a torch barely seemed necessary amongst all the other runners. With a couple of km on lanes to spread us out I was anxious of setting off too fast. I saw Tony up ahead but let him go. I waved at Bob as we crossed the bridge and then at Heather and Naimh as we neared Vignec. Support would be a bonus later in the race. On the zig zags out into the hills I passed Forest and Tracy and people settled into a happy plod in the dawn light. La Cabanne seemed to come much more quickly today and we were soon out of the chalets and onto the pistes. The first 14km has a climb of 1509m; a great way to start the morning. I was glad that I knew what to expect here as the climb to the small road tunnel and then up to the Col de Portet is particularly steep.

 The sun was just appearing over the ridges as I crested the col. Running down to Merlans, a ski restaurant I met Tim who said he was struggling.

I dashed in to the toilet (dodgy tummy already?), grabbed a bit of food and set off into the unknown.

 The path from here was a joy as it hugged the hillside round and up into the Bastan valley full of lakes.

This is where I had hoped to see down to from our second walk. The climb over the Col de Bastanet passed quickly and I was settling into a steady pace with just slight concerns about an iffy tummy.

 The section from the Col de Bastanet could be my favourite. My notes warned me that it would be technical but the rock was dry and grippy, the boulders fairly solidly set and I loved it. I could not believe how many men I overtook even on the downhills.

We passed two mountain huts and it was good to have the support of all the walkers. The spray as we crossed the small bridge after the barrage of Lac Greziolles was very welcome.

It was only early morning but already hot and clearly going to get hotter.

 On the track heading to La Mongie I passed a jaded Albert; he hates the heat and was already struggling.

Climbing over the avalanche sheds to the ski resort I spotted Tony and we ran into the CP together.

 I headed for the toilet again but at least my tummy still felt like eating. After last year at the UTMB this was one of my biggest worries.

 I tried banana, salami, chocolate, oranges and then grabbed some energy bars for later, determined to eat well and early. Tony decided to wait for Albert and I was slightly disappointed not to run together at all. Leaving the village it was a shock to go downhill for a km or so as we were heading for the Pic du Midi. Ah well.

 One more urgent toilet break and now all seemed well. I felt strong and despite the growing heat stormed up to the Col de Sencours even having overtaken a few people on the way. I never used my maps or description info but did use the spreadsheet with distances, climbs and times on it.

The reception we got here was fantastic. The marshalls and the tourists were great and their cheering and kind words really helped. The out and back up the Pic du Midi was a bugger in the heat but it was good to cheer other runners as we passed each other.

 It was now well over 30C and even I had dug my cap out and been soaking it in any streams I came to. Up to the Col is almost 500m and then the Pic another almost 500m. It was great to see Heather and Niamh at the top and I really enjoyed my run down- the path apart from the very top is big enough to drive a 4x4 up and so there is plenty of space for those going up and down, both runners and tourists.

 Back at the Col I filled up my water after warnings that the next section was long dry. I also grabbed a load more food. In addition to theirs I was also eating home made flapjack with chia seed and using the odd torq gel. I was eating lots and happy to do so.

Soon after the Col our route diverged from the one Bob would follow later. The scenery was stunning and the paths wonderful.

 My main memory of this section was running round two sides of Lac Bleu and just wishing we could stop for a cooling swim. This was followed by another 1000m climb up to Hourquette d' Ouscouaou. I was now roasting but bouyed up by the supporters telling me I was third lady.

 I tired a bit over the section to Hautacam and should have eaten more. The heat was making it hard to swallow dry food. Rice pud, custard even yogurt would have been good.I love the sun but it was a relief to enter the CP and find shade and food.  I spent more time here than I had intended but wanted to make sure I did eat and that just was not a speedy process.

Some runners were stretched out on beds- perhaps the heat as it seemed a bit early for a kip to me. The next sections of over 20km were mostly downhill. I set off with two guys in the hope that together we would run more. It was a struggle after the stop and my feet were starting to complain big style. I had convinced myself that once I could see Pierrefitte town then the CP would only be minutes away. Ha ha. the drop to the valley floor was huge plus we then did a huge loop south to skirt the town and even climbed slightly before finding our way to the CP. This was perhaps my low point. The marshalls were great and my drop bag appeared. A friendly guy waiting for his friend got me soup and I was emotional and close to tears. I needed food but was struggling with solids. I was so pleased I had put the milkshake in my drop bag. I slid down a treat and was followed by two bowls of soup and some bread and flap jack. In the midst of this I inspected my feet. Oh dear. They were a white spongey wrinkled mess, and sore. I tried to tape them a bit but with damp feet really it just wasted 10 minutes. Dry socks was the best I could do. meanwhile the 4th lady had appeared. I shot off without my water and luckily only got 100m up the road before I realised. I now knew I was being chased. If it was down and down into the CP it was now up and up on the way out.

 The scenery was different though with wide grassy tracks up through woods and bracken covered slopes. Towards the tops it seemed more like cattle country and there was even mud. By the tented CP at the top of Pouy Droumide  it was dark enough to need our torches. Eating here the 4th lady appeared and we got chatting. Marcia was american chinese and lives in Hong Kong so we had things in common. I left before her but on the way up the Col de Contente she passed me and was going strong. Oh well, keep at it you never know. This climb was a real pig and the tapes ignored the zig zag paths instead taking us straight up. The organisers had kindly not only flagged the route but in several places had used a long ball of string in case of really low cloud. It took a lot out of me and I was slower than I had hoped descending into Cauterets. From here on my memory is more hazy (thank god, the report will get shorter I hear you say). I might even have muddled the slopes up out of here with the ones from Pierrefitte. I do remember the ski pistes leading into Aulian and the heavy rock music blasting out as the scouts manning the CP were having a great party. A kind medic saw me struggling to eat and gave me something to settle my stomach. I made myself stop and eat and was lucky to leave with two friendly guys. We ran almost all the way to Luz together until they got ahead on the slippery sections of a small path. In Luz we were joined by runners on the 120km route. I should have realised the implications of this. The food station was busy and crowded but worse the infirmery had a queue. I managed to eat and then having collected my drop bag checked my feet. Not great. The soles felt on fire, my heel bones were sore and the only tape doing much good was the bit I put on my toes the night before. I decided I had to go and get them sorted before I set off in dry socks. Marcia wanted me to leave with her but I just wasn't ready. I regret this now but..... it is easy to think of if only.  Twenty minutes later with my feet nicely taped and protected I set off into the sunshine. I was sad to have dropped to 4th but knew in my heart that without getting my feet sorted I might not even finish. The climb to Tournaboup stretched forever with cruel descents and mini climbs all the way. As I crossed the car park I was overjoyed to see Charmain and she was so positive and really bouyed me up.I couldn't eat much despite her efforts to tempt me and decided the best bet now was just to get on with it. My next few km were slow but it was the best I could do. Once up at Aygues Cluses I perked up a bit even though the climb to the main col was still to come. At some point after the col of Hourquette Nere the cloud increased and it started to rain. I ignored this until it got heavy and then paniced that it might not stop before I was soaked. I stopped to get my cag on. So then of course the rain stopped.

The woods towards Lac de l'Oule were getting muddy but not too bad yet. As I headed towards Merland the rain started again but heavier. I worried about being cold going over the col and got my cag out again. How I would later rue these wasted minutes. Before Merlans I had taken it off again.

Suddenly I realised the end was near. I ran on towards Merlans, was slightly irritated at having to go inside and back out again to get bleeped and then set off up the Col de Portet at a good pace. We had not recceed the return loop but I knew roughly where we were. The initial descent on steep stony piste was torture for my feet but as we dropped to Espiaube and the gradient reduced this improved. The little path through the woods was great and the interesting twists and turns took my mind off my sore feet but then the rough track from Granges de Lias was torture again. I could not wait to get on more level ground. I ran into Vignec but really struggled to make myself run the very slightly downhill section of  smooth tarmac from there to Vielle Aure. Two short walk sections were needed. At the edge of the village I almost cried when I saw the way they were diverting us to the town square and adding about 300m. The crowds helped for the final run in and the red carpet and big blow up gantry made us feel like heroes. I was welcomed in to the square and up onto the commentary truck.  Forest and Dibgy were sat and the cafe with a beer and came straight across to congratulate me. I was too tired to care but did not get a photo at this point.Yes, I was disappointed to have lost 3rd lady even if it was only by 2 mins, in fact that made even more annoying. There were no rolling screens at CPs like in the UTMB so I had no easy way of knowing how far ahead Marcia had been.

 But I was overjoyed to have finally finished, to have beaten all my expectations of time and to be first vet (40 or 50) as the only other vet was second lady.

 I cooled my feet in the fountain and having recovered a little headed for the van to collect my shower stuff. Getting organised seemed to be a mamouth task but I was eventually ready for the navette to the showers and it was worth it. I arrived back at the van and collapsed into bed.

I had then hoped to go up to the square for beer, pizza and to cheer Tony in. Sadly the weather had other ideas. I lay in bed listening to the rain which at first was not too bad but then got torrential with thunder and lightning mixed in. I guessed Tony would forgive me for not being there and that he would not want to hang around anyway. I hoped Bob and Michelle were safe from the storm- perhaps being held at Merlans? The next thing I knew it was the early hours of the morning and Bob was back. His race had been stopped for those at his pace above Tournaboup. They were turned back from the col and then bussed home. He was understandably very disappointed and initially rather confused as where he was there was little rain at that point.  He got the T shirt but had been denied Pic du Midi and then denied finishing despite being ahead of his schedule. Checking the results to find he would have probably have been 2nd V70 just rubbed salt into the wound. The prize giving in the morning was follwed by beer and then the buffet. Albert had pulled out due to the heat, Forest and Tracy stopped with heat and trashed feet. Tony was pleased with his time and so was Michelle. Digby had a storming run to finish 10th! I would go back and have compared the GRP and UTMB but I will save that for later.

Pre GRP holiday

We drove off directly from the Long Tour of Bradwell; just as well there were showers available at the end. Dover via Somerset for a few days to see mum was a bit long winded but worth seeing her and we did manage one recovery run on the Quantocks.

 We broke the drive through France with a stop at Rocamador which has special memories of a great summer when the boys were still quite small.

A very warm evening walk and our first 'real' ice cream was a great start to this leg of the holiday. Our morning run through the valley and past ruined mills was a fortunate route choice as a huge storm swept through ripping leaves from trees, uprooting some and leaving the floor littered with branches. We arrived back at the van soaked but at ;east it wasn't cold.

Our first job on arrival in the Pyrenees was to suss out all the tiny villages and get familiar with the lie of the land. We soon understood where the start was, and registration and more importantly where we could park the van for several days.

The weather turned cloudy, cool and damp. Not what we had driven a 1000 miles for! It didn't stop us getting out each day though. Bob was very worried about his first cut-off time so we recceed the route from the start and up to the Col de Portet. Well, that was the plan.

 All was well through the lanes and up through Vignec to Les Granges de Lias and even La Cabanne. But by then the low cloud and damp air was making nav more tricky. I ignored a descending path and before long we were at the very top of the ski area and well off route. We retraced our steps but it had not done Bob's confidence in making the time limit much good. The Col de Portet was not a place to linger that day but we had a great run back down the grassy ridge north of our route. The highlight was two enormous eagles emerging from the cloud about 5 metres in front of me in the hope of grabbing a lamb?
We moved the van to Aulon where we had spotted a number of routes.

 Despite the low cloud and drizzle we had a great walk up to the Col de Bastan and then back by a different route. No distant views but clear enough to see the more local scenery and certainly enough to get miles and climb in our legs.

The next day was sunny-hurrah! We walked up Mnt Arbizon which although not quite 3000m was a great peak with fantastic views across the plain to the north and the mountains in all other directions.

 The Pic du Midi Bigore looked an awfully long way (we would be going there in the race). On the way back we explored the village above our van halt and enjoyed a cold beer before filling up our water from the village fountain.

Low cloud moved in again overnight so we went for a run along forest tracks to the huge spur overlooking Vielle Aure and then headed up the grassy ridge before dropping back to the van.

 I probably have the distances for all these somewhere but have not yet downloaded my garmin.
The circus had come to town and taken up most of the designated campervan space. Then the first camp site we tried said they were full. It all worked to our advantage as we moved to within 300m of the start and parked for free for the next 5 days! Minutes from the start, which would be important at 4.30am; close to the village toilets, next to a huge river for washing....  ideal.

Wednesday was the last day I wanted to do much exercise. It was dry, warm and sunny. we took the telecabine up to Pla d'Ardet and then walked up the pistes and beyond to the small summits beyond. Looking down from above we could see just how far wrong we were on our recee and just how much extra we had climbed.

 The views were intermittent but the mountains towards the Spanish border looked fantastic and we had the company of eagles again. Back at the van the lane was filling up and so was the parking field.

Thursday was registration day and it was not long before we had bumped into Tony and Albert plus Digby, Greg, Tim Laney, Forest and Tracy and more.

The weather was now warm and sunny, at last. Charmain and Steve bagged a spot next to our van- they were off to Steve's start for the 120km but would be back. My sack was packed, my drop bags were handed in and I was ready.

 The forecast was for a hot dry sunny Friday and then the same for saturday until the evening when thunderstorms were due. Race briefing took for ever and it is always disconcerting when the english translation is about 10% of the length!

The biggest worry seemed the thunderstorms on Sat night which would hopefully not affact me but would certainly be there for Bob.

The Long Tour of Bradwell

This race now seems a rather distant memory. It was warm and sunny which we hoped was good preparation for the summer.having slept in the van we were there bright and early to erect display boards and flags.

I had persuaded Bob to do the full tour as prep for his GRP but I felt under no pressure as Nicky and Mary are much faster than me. I just needed to complete to keep the Grand Slam alive. I started more conservatively than often and enjoyed the first few miles.

 I lost time on the slippery rocks in Cave Dale but made it up again climbing out of Castleton. David and Andy were still  around me.

As we headed up onto the moor everyone was starting to feel the heat. I love the CP on Druids Stone and managed to navigate David and I too it quite well.

David then shot off back down to the Edale valley faster than me but I was ahead of Andy (for a short while). Determined to eat and drink today I had my head down and missed the turn after the railway bridge. Luckily I only went about a km and on flat tarmac before I realised my error and retraced my steps.

I was furious to find I had been overtaken by about 10 people, including Andy, and so stomped up Lose Hill like someone possessed. The next section passed quickly and I was soon running down the old rail track and over the bridge at Bamford Mill.

The clough and 'escalator' were closed to us again but perhaps the new route is better as it keeps us off the tarmac for longer. My tired legs struggled to run along Stanage Edge despite an audience of climbers, walkers and tourists. I arrived at top Burbage fairly washed out. A dodgy stomach all morning had worried me as UU warned Preston of nasty bugs in our water. Please no, I need to be fit this month. Peter was sat at the CP even an even worse state and we ran/jogged together down the big valley track. I recovered a bit in the woods and pulled ahead before catching Andy, again, in the fields en route to the Hathersage CP. The section to Abney seemed to take an age but at least there was some shade in the woods. My time was leaking away badly and by the top of the lane I knew it would be a PW. A few tapes left from a fell race confused me and wasted a little more time. I finished in a disappointing 7hrs 18 (a PW by about 50 mins) but then found that almost everyone except Nigel A had also suffered.

 To only be half an hour or so behind Nicky was perhaps not so bad and I did manage 1st FV50 (until next year when Nicky moves up an age I think). A long recovery sat in the field eating, drinking, prize giving, distributing RF neckwear rewards and chatting rounded off the day nicely. I was at our committee meeting when Bob finished so missed this sadly. He too had ended up with a longer day than anticipated.