So our trip abroad was a bit later than usual even though I did not stay to do the Beacons race in Wales. We suddenly realised all our maps and French info was locked in a house in Leeds whilst our son was away in Scotland! (our bad planning). Getting into France was easy! We opted for the tunnel so that we could stay safe in the van and apart from showing that we were double vaccinated that was it.
As you might expect in August the weather was superb- hot, dry and sunny. We had almost a fortnight of rock climbing and via feratta before heading down to the Pyrenees for one of my favourite races- The Grand Raid de Pyrenees. It wasn't quite as crazy hot as last year and that meant more hours on the crag before we ran out of water. It didn't all go smoothly... after 30 years of climbing together I took my first significant fall. No helmet and because we don't climb crazy hard overhangs lots of rock in the way. I tipped, bashed all my limbs and my head. Then with the blood flowing nicely we realised that the fall had caused the rope to get caught in a tiny crack. Twenty minutes later I had to admit it was stuck. Fortunately there was enough spare rope for me to pull up extra, re-tie and be lowered off. Heaven knows what we would have done with a shorter rope or if I had been unconscious. Having to sort all this kept me focused and so no tears. Bob then went back to the van for a knife to cut the rope. That will teach me to push my standard, be brave and to climb well beyond my last clip. Not ideal preparation for a long ultra but no real harm done either.
The GRP now has a whole range of races and I had been tempted to enter the 220km as when I last did this it was cut short by bad weather. Sanity had prevailed though and as the TOR was to follow shortly after I stuck with the 164km. It is a route I mostly know although they tweak it slightly from year to year and with an early morning start only involves one night out for me. Covid issues meant uploading stuff to Apps but once this was done it was painless.
Doing it wasn't painless so thanks to Mark S for his patience and guidance! We arrived in the village only a day or so before the race this year but as I sat in the square watching the bunting etc go up several people charged across to welcome me back- the benefit of a tiny village and small race set up.
Race day means an early start but I knew it would not be long before the sun was up. I opted to start in short shorts as it was warm even before dawn. The first mile or so is fast and flat through the lanes to Vignec and the climb from here was bound to warm me up.
At this point know there were at least 5 women in front of me but experience told me to bide my time. Chasing now would just wreck me for later. If they could keep it up then good for them. As we left la Cabanne to climb towards the Col de Portet the sunrise was stunning.
Enough for me to wish that I had not buried my phone deep in my sack. New route this year so we did not drop to Merlans but took a lovely path above it and back onto the old route through the Neouville towards Cabane de Bastan.
Then instead of a long drop north we dropped a bit only to turn west and climb on relatively pathless grass to drop into La Monje from above. As usual there were plenty of crowds here and as I stopped to eat and fill up with water I found Albert. He hadn't quite been timed out on the 220km but would have been if he continued up towards Pic du Midi. Shame for him after a tough night. This year I was more prepared for the tough climb out of the ski resort. It is not quite as nice as the old route from the east and there are fewer opportunities to stop in streams but I was up at Col de Sencours before long and realising that I was possibly now in 3rd place. The trudge up Pic du Midi is tough but I had taken some snacks and made good time. I also tried to spot female runners coming down and there were none for ages plus one sat at the top with her husband.
Back at the Col after a nice trot down I took more snacks before the easy run to the lake and the turn off to Lac Bleu. Bits are very runnable but I was cautious over the rocks.
I was now running with another woman and think we were 2nd and 3rd but not 100% sure. Two more cols in the heat and we were on our way to Hautacam and the next good CP.
I love the emptiness of this section but was very jealous of the guy swimming down in Lac d'Aouda.I had collected more water at the cabane in the pastures and soaked my buff in some streams. Mountain Fuel powder in my water seemed to be going down well as were crisps. At Hautacam I was greeted by old friends- a couple the same age as Bob and I always run this CP. It was in a tent this year not the ski room but without the cold rain of last time I was happy to eat, refill and go. Apart from a couple of short boggy sections that never quite dry out this next section is easy and mostly downhill all the way to Pierrefitte and the first Life Base where we see our drop bags. I washed my feet and decided to get them taped as some hot spots were developing. It took time but hoped it would be worth it in the long run and a short rest was needed anyway. I struggled to eat much but loved the rice pudding pots they introduced this year and also had my chocolate milk. The foot taping was nearly a disaster as bending forward to take my socks off triggered my' not a hernia'. I had to hide my discomfort and stretch to ease it. I wasn't going to be pulled from the race by anxious medics. It was still light when I left; always a bonus. A quick chat with the marshal, who recognised me from previous years, at the out and back point and then it was a gradual climb back towards the mountains and cabane de Conques where it suddenly gets steeper. Through another Col and it was down towards Cauterets. At some stage here it got dark. I tried to eat but didn't manage as much as I would have liked and decided a short lie down on the floor was required. No real sleep but I set off again slightly refreshed. The glow worms along the path through the forest were amazing and although it is relentlessly up the path is wide and well graded until you leave the forest. We arrived at the next CP slightly confused as it was 'extra' and it was here I met 2nd F again. This was the only point I got chilly and in the end had to put a layer and my cag on. Sat outside in the dark in the breeze and feeling too sick to eat didn't help. There seemed no point hanging around so I was soon off and on steeper ground, including breaking through avalanche fences on the ridge before the drop to the tiny ski station at Aulian. No Scouts and blaring music this year. Instead a rather limited space and strict marshalls who wanted to serve us. No offer of pancakes this year. Day break always helps and by Luz it was light and I was meeting some 220km runners. This Life Base was so crowded and hot inside that I never even asked for my drop bag- a mistake as I missed my custard. I knew I was tired because when my chip wouldn't register and I was asked to go out/come in/go out/come in I could feel my patience evaporating rapidly. In the end I sat out the back on cool concrete and checked my feet and ate a little. Leaving here I was alone but soon hooked up with some other runners including a french guy who had lived in the states and a Czech. We stayed together most of the way to Tournaboup.
There were no massive climbs but the route does deceive you. There is a big loop up a valley to cross and contour along the other side and then it seems to go for ever before dropping to Barrages only to then climb steeply and over a spur before the final drop to the CP. It was HOT. I made one silly error not spotting a flag but luckily it was only a few hundred metres down a path and then near Barrages we were very anxious as the flags seemed to have us turning back on ourselves. It's nice to have a way-marked course but I never entirely trust that all the flags will be there and they will not have been tampered with. They were in fact perfect, I just didn't want to believe where they were going. my promised ice cream never happened as the snack bars were off route and the restaurant next to the CP only wanted to serve full tables big meals. Disappointed I returned to the CP and tried to eat the warm dry food.
The next section climbs back into the wilds of the Neouville and is beautiful. The tourists in the ski valley are soon left behind and the path gets wilder as it climbs towards but not all the way to Cabanne Coubous. I had many many stops along here- to rest, to pick billberries and to soak my buff. I knew I was wasting time but just could not make myself go faster. Despite being fairly brown after weeks in the sun it was scorching the back of my legs all the way. There were now 80km runners arriving, you could tell by their speed long before you could see the colour of their numbers. At Cabanne d'Aygues I was horrified to find there was just warm soup, biscuits etc. After the climb towards Merlans I was surprised to see a marshal - it was to tell us to be careful in a small boggy section? (clearly he has never been to Lancashire). I hesitated on the run in to Merlans as I felt a bit sick and did not want to decorate their decking. Within seconds a medic was at my side checking I was OK. A small snack and I was on my way back up to the Col de Portet, crowds and enormous sheep. The end is now in sight! Running out onto the big ridge that extends east I was cautious of the narrow paths but sped up as it opened out. The flags had been eaten by cows and the mist was down but I knew my way. Some nice running before the 'fell' like drop through the bracken towards Soulan. I think I am getting slow and cautious on descents but this has no rocks and I love it and bombed past a couple where the husband was getting very frustrated at his wife's slow progress. I actually over took people in the next couple of km and ran faster than I thought I would on the wet greasy paths down to Vignec. I could now smell the finish, was pretty sure I was 2nd F and dared to hope I could beat 39 hours. I flew through Vignec, had a brief pause on the corner at the campsite before another race down the road to the river. here the steps were a real obstacle for me and my tired quads but then there was just the riverside path. In the daylight the few rock trip hazards were easy to spot and so many people were cheering us on. Another slight pause at the tiny climb to the bridge and then I was off.
Bob tried to stop me on the run in but I knew time was tight. I stormed the red carpet and then tried not to collapse.
Yes- 2nd overall and two minutes or so inside the 39 hours. There was lots of cheering on the tannoy ( I am known here now) but some whispers of Is she really 60? At last I had a kiss for Bob. I collected my hoody and went to take shoes and socks off before the ritual leg bath in the village fountain with a beer.
Mark S was horrified at the state of my toes but actually my feet were not bad and no real blisters.
Eventually I braved the walk to the van and then back to the navette for a shower at a nearby campsite. I was a struggle but well worth it. I ate a bit but didn't really want a big meal just a rest. Once my hips had settled down I slept well and so missed Michelle finishing.
Prize Giving was the usual crowds in the village square. Slightly smaller then most years as some of the other shorter races had done their prize giving straight after the races to reduce numbers and help Covid rules. More beer and a trip to the podium.
There was a good haul of prizes as usual- lots of food from local companies, a spa voucher and enough Aux Vieux Campeur vouchers to buy a pair of trail shoes.
The final buffet was reduced to a take away affair but it was good food and wine and we had a picnic in the sun by the van. Thank you GRP- the rice pudding pots were amazing and who could fail to be pleased by a new sponsor being beer! Hope my memories are correct- its a few weeks ago now and since then I have climbed, via ferattaered and done an even longer race.
