Grand Raid de Pyrenees

 Possibly my most favourite race each year.... low key, reasonable price, amazing CP staff, great scenery, good weather (usually/mostly) and it is like going home to family and friends now. We park the van along the lane by the river with a number of others, the little village where the event starts is quaint and the people there now greet me as a friend. 

Up the valley is St Lary, a small ski resort with more accommodation, cafes, bars and the big lifts up the mountain. We arrived a few days before the race and so had time to shop, settle in and go for a wander up the valley and watch the huge articulated lorry that becomes the stage arrive.

Registration was back to normal after Covid although they had tried to persuade people to arrive in blocks by surname to reduce the crush. It was smooth and efficient with a waiver not a kit check and a nice bag of goodies as usual. I met up with Albert, Michelle, Mark and also Martin Schofield who had travelled through the tunnel from Spain. Julian would appear later too and I had met Jordan on one of my walks. Albert, Julian, Martin and I were doing the 160km; no 220km this year. We know the route pretty well although there were some significant changes due to a landslide. Despite being so familiar with it I got my Life Base CPs muddled in my head. It wasn't serious as I had spare socks, shoes, clothes and food in both bags. 

I slept quite well pre race despite late finishers from one of the shorter races making their way back to cars late at night and then others like me getting up or arriving very early in the morning. Having spent much of the previous day faffing there was little to do now except dress, eat and pick up my sack. Bob stayed out of my way until it was time to walk up to the village square.  

Here we had to part as they had a complicated road block system allowing only runners through and asking us to make a rather circuitous route to arrive at the rear of the start pen. No worries- I didn't want to be at the front! The start is always fast and flat with the danger of you being pulled along at a faster than sensible pace anyway.  I stood with Martin in the pen and waited for the emotional music to start and the count down to begin. I spotted Bob on the roundabout as we ran by and then Michelle and Mark. I had no idea whether the others were in front or behind me. It was early enough in the race not to care and there was a good chance I would see them later as the field thinned out.

Although it was dark I didn't need my head torch much at all as the first bits on tarmac had some street lights and then this is followed by quite a wide track. Once into the trees near La Cabanne it was helpful though. Heading through the edge of the ski resort and towards our first significant Col (Col de Portets) I always get anxious that others are moving faster etc.  I tried to ignore them and to focus on the sun rise over my right shoulder - not as impressive as other years- and  just to keep plodding upwards.  By the time we reached our first CP at Merlans it was properly light. I dashed inside to use the loo.  Almost 16km done and it looked like being a nice day if cooler than usual.

From here to La Monjie the route has changed from year to year.  It starts on a pleasant rising traverse across alpine meadows but soon switches to rocky terrain past refuge Campana and the chain of glacial lakes. 

Some is runnable but there is also some boulder hopping and the rocks were greasy this morning. I hate getting old as I am now so slow over wet rocks - eyes not so good, reactions slower, muscles less elastic, reactions slower, fear of trying to mend an injury and this morning shoes that had good grip but not on the rock. 

Florence a friend from TOR came dancing past and hoards of men seemed to pass me. Still, there is a long way to go yet and two small tumbles persuaded me to stay slow. The last drop to La Monjie was eroded and slightly scary in one small section and just a very steep wet boggy hillside in others. At least my shoes were good on this.  I stopped at the CP for food and also to top up my water/MF. There are already lots of supporters here cheering us in and wishing us well as we head off to the enormous climb up Pic du Midi Bigorre. 

Can't even see the top but we are going up there later

We were reverting to the original route here which I  think I prefer although I had forgotten about the four small stream crossings and the annoyance of wet feet. The path contours and climbs with one small valley head giving you false hope that you are close. It was getting warmer and we were getting used to the people around us and chatting. Eventually the Col de Sencours appeared along with even more spectators. The out and back from here up the peak is quite good in that you can start to sense where you are in the field. I try to spot any women coming down as I head up and it takes my mind off the climb.  I actually overtake some people and that is always good for motivation.  

A very short stop at the top and a water top up before I sped back down to the out-going side of Cole de Sencours and the chance for good savoury food- soup and also puree (mash basically).  As I ran down the stony track I spotted Martin and Julian on their way up- I had expected they would both catch me up by now if they were not already ahead. Then shortly after this I met Albert on his way up. I told him the others were not far ahead but he didn't seem very happy. 

No time to stop though as I dropped past Lac d'Oncet and then picked up the smaller path heading for Col de la Bonida and Col d'Aoube. There were still quite a few people around and some were moving faster than me especially on any rocky downhill sections. 

Somewhere before Lac Bleu the weather clagged right in and you woud not have known there was a huge and beautiful lake down to the left at all. Shame to miss the scenery here as it is beautiful. I plodded on to the Col de Bareilles and then eventually up again to Hourquette d'Ouscouacu. 

From here I knew it was easier running and not too far to Hautacam. Along here I did start making better time and actually overtook people. I was looking forward to meeting friends who marshall at the next CP and hoped post-Covid that it would be back indoors. Sadly it was outside in a draughty tent and after my burst of speed I was feeling sick. Nice to say bye to the friends though- their last year on the CP as they are getting older. Having thrown up all my eating efforts there seemed little point hanging around in the chill so I began the descent to Pierrefitte. The weather and temperature improved hugely and by the time I reached the CP I was too hot to sit inside. A kind marshall brought me a chair and my drop bag so that I could sit outside. Lots of runners have family support here and I am always jealous of the chilled fruit, yogurts etc.  The 'showers' were cold hose pipes so I washed my legs and feet but ignored the rest! A medic used a magic potion to dry out my slightly macerated feet and then taped them for me. Then I sat for a while trying to eat and drink- custard and chocolate milk went down OK but not much else.  Off we go.

As with many foreign races the route is fully taped. This is good for those who cannot do a reccee but does mean you often have little idea where you are going or where you have been. I didn't bother printing new maps as experience has taught me I never use them. I know that the route here was changed this year due to landslides. Part of the route was on a cycle way with an interesting tunnel and then a fairly wide easy track leading almost to Cauterets. To make up for this we were then sent on a dreadful loop on lanes and then up through woods. I had been looking forward to a stop in the town and some food. For me it was a low point and I felt sleepy. My pace slowed and I tried to find somewhere to lie down for a short spell.  The bench I found was too close to the trail and passing runners kept prodding me to see if I was OK!  The CP when I eventually arrived was in the Casino as usual. I used my coffee bag and had a great drink plus some food and even managed a short sleep. The next section of route had also changed and it was brutal. I am glad it was dark and I could not see the full extent of what we went up and also down. Seriously steep, pathless in places, steep black ski run in others and the tiny ski station of Aulian took forever to arrive. There were a few others around but nobody was moving fast. Luckily by the time we had been fed at the CP it was getting light. I stopped for a couple of pancakes but struggled to eat; time to get moving again. A mixture of switchback road and short cut paths drop you quite quickly towards Sazos. The paths I thought would be slippery were better than I remembered and I felt I was moving better again. The dawn always lifts me, plus you have done almost 100 of the 160km now.  My memories of the CP at Luz were dreadful- a packed over heated room and sitting outside the back fire doors with most runners being sick. Today was much better- space, cooler and calm. I collected my drop bag, changed my socks and head torch and settled down to eat. Not much but every bit helps, I could not play the rest of the route in my head and divided it up into nice manageable chunks. 

Back to Luz and the hills we crossed in the dark

The path up into the woods is steep but it was warm and sunny. I enjoyed myself and started overtaking some people.  There is a hug loop contouring up a valley to cross a stream and then contouring back on the other side. 

A few guys pulled ahead here but not by far and I felt I was running faster now to keep them in sight. Last year we had an annoying section after this on big paths in woods that seemed to take us the wrong direction. This year I got a lovely surprise as we appeared in the tourist area above Bareges and I knew it was not far to Tournaboup. We were back in 'supporter' land too and that encouraged me. It was hot but not as intense as last year. I ate quite well at this CP and power walked back up towards the hills. Overtaking two women in my race here spurred me on as did finding out that at least one and maybe two of the leaders had dropped out. Since Covid the RO have had reduced podiums with the first 5 M/F and then just age category winners. I was keen to make the podium and not just as a category winner as I knew there was little competition there. 

By now I could feel the sun scorching the back of my legs and we were all taking opportunity to soak buffs etc in streams. I stopped more than I should have but perhaps made better time in between. At the small CP at Cabanne d'Aygues I was desperate for shade (not like me) and took my food to the shadow of the tent. 

I left refreshed and then filled my bottle at the source as I left. The Hourquette Nere arrived much sooner than I dared hope and suddenly I could smell the finish.

Over 20km to go though. I ran well down from the col and only slowed on the nasty eroded path dropping towards Cabane de la Lude area. 

My favourite bits back in the Neouville NP

The climb up and across to Merlans was not so bad and I arrived feeling less sick than last year. 

A professional photographer was doing a portrait project- it seemed rude not to stop even though I was keen to keep going. 

The Col de Portet was heaving but I shot straight through. The path from here is getting more and more eroded. I did one huge flying trip and how I stayed on my feet I do not know. 

I could see runners ahead from the 80km and 120km routes and tried to pick them off.  It meant my quads were a bit shot for the drop to Soulan but never mind. More supporters cheered us here. The first part of the descent is easy but then after the stream it gets rocky and very slippery. I had thought of sticking to the lane but huge signs and a marshall made me stick to the prescribed route and I emerged in Vignec unscathed. I was slower than I hoped but saw that I could slip under 38hrs if I made an effort. Down the road to the bridge, down the steps and onto the riverside path, past all the holiday makers and you can here the finish. Checking my watch showed I had at least 6 minutes leeway now so I slowed to regain my breath before the final bridge and the red carpet through Vielle Aure village. Bob was there but the wandering band chose that moment to walk past and block his photo. 

He met me on the finish line. I collected my finishers hoody and established that the food on offer was just CP left overs. Next stop a chair, shoes and socks off and into the fountain as usual. Bliss. I had beaten last year's time by over an hour and I think with the changes near Aulian that it is a tougher course.

Happy with that. Also 5th F, with 4th only 13 mins ahead. My friend Florence was 3rd F in under 36 hrs but the winning F was just over 32hrs and first man an amazing 26 hrs 30.  Eventually we wandered back to the van and I caught the shuttle to the campsite for a much needed shower. 

Sunday started with an eggy breakfast before the prize giving and then the fantastic buffet on the rugby field.  The prize haul was enormous as they combined my 5th and 1stFV60 prizes. 

Lots of food but also vouchers for shoes, sun glasses and more vouchers.

So much good food and unlimited beer from the local brewery. It was great to sit and chill with Martin and Julian as well as Bob. I also spotted an interesting race T shirt..... dare I?