Sitting down ....

Trust no thought arrived at sitting down .....
SHEEHAN, Running and Being

It's true. Or at least that's the way it feels to me? My head works when I'm running or when I'm walking. Lose that time and I lose my thinking time. So it was when I was injured with the stress fracture and unable to run. I just don't seem to get the same 'thinking time' when I'm sitting. So .. just at the moment I'm relishing the freedom of this summer - running and walking and climbing in the mountains. Time on my feet to let the mind wander. It won't make me wiser, but I think I'm happier. Footloose and fancy free. Well or as near it gets when you are living in the 'world'. But I'm lucky. I've been meeting wonderful people. They are true friends and their generosity to me means so much.

A time for everything - a time to give, and a time to receive. I'm doing a lot of the latter at the moment. I just hope in some way I'm also doing some of former. But the time will come. And I hope I have the generosity of spirit that so many have shown me.

At the moment - I'm homeless at 'home' in my beloved Zermatt. Having just walked around the route of the Ultra Trail Tour du Mont Blanc over three days last weekend (in preparation for the race on 29th/30th/31st) - now I go to the other extreme - I compete in the Matterhornlauf on Sunday. A 12km 'sprint' and nearly 1000m ascent. Well ... life is full of contrasts?

Another day of training ....

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all that they can.
CARLYLE

Two weeks after the 78km Swiss Alpine Davos, and one week after the Gondo Event with its double marathon …. Friday I climbed the Nadelhorn (4327m) between the Saas and Mattertal valleys in the Valais of Switzerland. Then I sat on a bench waiting for the bus, and wondered if it was too late to go to run Sierre-Zinal afterall. I had been invited to this race - but the timing of the invitation came when I was still suffering from my stress fracture and unsure about how the summer plans could work out. With first a 78km race and then an 84 km race in the previous two weeks, and a 4000m mountain just 2 days before (let alone all the other running and walking) - perhaps this would be a step too far? Was it too much to expect my legs to forget the miles in them and be fresh and fast enough for a race of this stature?

Sierre-Zinal is one of the most respected mountain races internationally with a well-established reputation. Highly regarded by both the athletics community and the local population, it is a race that draws elite international runners, and huge crowds of supporters. This was the 35th anniversary of this race of the Five Four Thousand Meter Peaks, a true classic mountain race - which was created as an expression of the real delight of running in the mountains. At a distance of 31km (leading from the town of Sierre in the broad basin of the Rhone Valley to Zinal) - it is ‘short’ for me - but it is a tough race with 2000m ascent and nearly 1000m of descent, demanding high levels of endurance and technical mountain running ability.

I took a deep breath as I was sitting on that bench in Saas Fee - and made the telephone call. Not only was it still possible to race on the Sunday - but they would be delighted for me to be there …. It was meant to be. I just wasn’t so sure my legs thought so too.

A hot day, but a stunning course - running towards the Matterhorn yet again - this time from another perspective. As I gained height from the floor of the Rhone Valley the mountains opened out before me drawing me on until the final descent into Zinal. A beautiful race. Stretching the envelope of endurance - I took 3rd position. Sometimes when you try to do more than you think you can, you find the more is possible?!

http://www.sierre-zinal.com/

Back in the Wallis, Switzerland

Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far they can go.
T.S. ELIOT

Just one short week after the Swiss Alpine Davos - too soon for a tough event such as the Gondo Event? A double marathon - 42.2 km on Saturday, from Gondo to Ried-Brig, with 2000m elevation to climb and then to descend, followed by 42.2km on Sunday, from Ried-Brig back to Gondo, with another 1900m elevation (climb and descent). Too soon perhaps still to run my best - but I was so tempted by this …. Having walked in this area alone a few years ago, I knew just how special it would be. And good training towards The North Face Ultra Trail Tour du Mont Blanc at the end of August?

The Gondo Event is a unique race with a unique atmosphere. It is relatively small - with this year about 110 participants, but the race has a very special quality and a close relationship is formed amongst the runners and the supporters.

We were blessed with stunningly beautiful days. I was happy to be there, to be running, and to be part of a race over a historic pass and in such beautiful mountains. Following my 2nd place at the Swiss Alpine Marathon only one week ago, this was a good race for me. My cumulative result for the two marathons together was 8 hours 19mins - just 14 minutes behind the 1st man - and I was 4th overall. I was 1st woman - 1 hr 14 mins ahead of the next.

The race is in memory of a giant mud avalanche on October 14th 2000, when part of the village of Gondo was buried and 13 in habitants lost their lives. It is a two day stage race over a distance of 84.4km and 3900m ascent and descent. The first stage follows the impressive Gondo Gorge to Simplon Dorf, via the Simplot Pass (2005m), across the Bistinenpass (2417m) as the high point, down into the valley of Nanztal, across the foot of the Glishorn, crossing the Saltina Gorge and river to Ried-Brig. In memory to the first Gondo Event when the bridge across the Saltina river was washed away, the creek is crossed still through the water rather than using the bridge (2km before the finish). The second stage starts at Ried-Brig and follows the heritage path Stockalperweg along the Ganter valley, crosses the Simplon Pass (2005m), and thence downhill via Simplon Dorf to Gabi. From there a second, strenuous climb up to Furgga marks the second summit of the stage, followed by a 10 km downhill stretch through the Zwischbergental and back to Gondo.

http://www.gondoevent.ch