Third Time Lucky - UTMB 2007 by Mandy Calvert
Distance - 168km
My physio had said that she could get me to the start, but then it was down to me. I was regretting not going for a relaxing break in the Chamonix sunshine. So what was I doing waiting on the start line of the biggest 100 mile race in the world, listening to interminable French speeches waiting for the off, with a dodgy knee, twinges in my hamstring and not enough miles in my legs? Anyway at least this year I was not down a side street waiting for the start, I was only about 700 people from the front!
The start of the UTMB is relatively gentle along the river Arve to Les Houches for 8km weaving about to avoid wayward “batons” and tree roots. I met Chris Rhodes in Les Houches and then tackled the first big climb up to le Charme, only 800m. I was surprised to see the high altitude pigs near the top, but I am sure they are organic! The Alpenglow across Mont Blanc was stunning, even beats the Peaks on a good day. The light was fading and I realised that the change of course this year made for 1000m of descent into St Gervais. I got passed by what seemed like everyone in the fading light, but at least the knee could take the gentle pace. What a welcome in St Gervais. It seemed as if the whole town was there, it may have been the low point in altitude but the town gave us a high-class welcome.
Up and up to Les Contamines and another great welcome. It was dark now, but amazingly warm, with hardly a breath of wind. I love the climb up to le Balme to be welcomed by the fairy lights and bonfire, before tackling the steep climb to Col dela Bonhomme. We were very lucky with the weather as the snowfield was still nice and solid. Then the first real test of descent. I hated it. All the time I had gained on schedule was lost as I minced my way down ande suffered quite a knock in confidence. However, the soup and party at les Chapieux was a boost, but I was surprised to see Spyke there waiting for the bus back due to a knee injury. I was looking forward to the climb up Col de la Seigne as I had usually clawed back a few places. But tonight it was not to be, my progress was disappointing and then there was another tricky descent. My confidence was ebbing along with my enthusiasm. At the next aid station, I grabbed some oranges and banana. I did wonder who did eat all those lemons!
Dawn was beginning to break and after starting my ultrarun shuffle along the lake, I realised that I was going very slowly and so early in the race. Another big climb and again I seemed to have lost my climbing legs. It was at this point that I decided that I would chuck it in at Courmayeur; after all I had nothing to prove, as I had completed the course twice. So I plodded on convincing myself that I had been foolish to start given all the training that I had missed. So my low point in standings arrived just above Courmayeur when I made a slow descent to the aid station. Martin was there to meet me and my first words were “I’m packing in” He was a bit surprised but fed me some pasta and I had got changed into some fresh running kit so there was a chance I could be persuaded to carry on. Chris arrived soon after and he was having a great time and persuaded me to carry on. Well I thought it was a beautiful day and there was no better place to be, so I set off up the big climb to Refuge Bertone. And yes I was climbing a bit better, a quick swig of coke and water and along to Refuge Bonatti… and yes I was overtaking a few people. Martin then jogged with me to Arnuva along the stunningly beautiful Val Ferret. As we descended we met a one armed man carrying a huge basket of myrtilles that he had collected. He offered us a handful and they were delicious. And I thought this was tough!
It was just up and over the Grand Col Ferret and then into Switzerland. I was going better again. On the descent a couple of the more agile women skipped past me, but I was not the slowest. I met Diane from the US North Face Team who I had met when we were in the US. She was looking for the next aid station and I gave her some jelly babies to keep her going, which I hope helped!
It is then a long descent all the way to La Fouly some of it quite gentle along the road. Running on the flat is just so hard and again the other ladies went skipping past me. Bread and cheese at the aid station was just the job. But then going down the ramp to the road was a real effort. I decided that I needed to ease my legs gently back into moving any faster than a stumble. However as the gradient steepened, I passed a few people and even managed a half decent descent to Praz de Fort. Martin was waiting there with Chris who unfortunately had scratched because of his bad knees, I was sad to see Chris as I was hoping to run the night leg with him. Martin gave me a peach and it tasted the best in the world. I then met an interesting Frenchman who was on his fourth attempt, even dafter than me? I came to the conclusion that Frenchmen must be the biggest flatterers in the world or completely blind…..as he asked whether I was a student!! However I soon managed to lose him on the climb to Champex.
Only 42km to go, so must be doable! The pasta and tarte aux myrtilles wer delicious and fortified with clean socks, blister plasters and a good meal I was off to tackle Bovine just before darkness fell. As I was hobbling along the precursor to the climb I exchanged “Bonjours” with another guy and we fell into step together, not talking much as my French was not up to it. He then said something in a Geordie accent and we established that English was our common tongue. It was great to have some company! We climbed strongly up to Bovine, no cow bells could be heard and then after a quick drink, began the long descent to Trient; my bete-noir from 2006. However this year it was dry and I almost broke into a jog! A couple of the women went skipping past but I stumbled past a few guys too. No slide down thhe mud to Trient this year, but the usual party was in full swing. Martin was enjoying his raclette and I took succour from weetabix, not so good with water but great when I found the powdered milk!
The biggest climb in the race comes next. However Kevin and I powered our way up and caught and overtook a big crocodile of runners, what a good feeling. I was climbing at the same rate as I had yesterday evening! Eventually we reached the top and again thanks to the dry and mild weather we were able to jog down to Vallorcine, better than 2006 when | spent most of the time on my backside sliding in the mud. I woke Martin out of his slumber at the aid station and after a quick gel and coffee we were off again. It was a long way to go but I knew I would do it and may even make the 36-hour schedule that had looked so doubtful at Courmayeur. Argentiere was achieved and I was determined to make it back to Chamonix in less than 2 hours… it is only 10km! Martin hinted that Pascal was only 10 mins ahead and amazingly enough I passed her in the woods. I was pretty sure she would come back on me as she was much better on the flat. However we strode purposefully towards Chamonix and I was hardly hallucinating at all this year!
Hooray when we reached the river Arve and only a couple of km to go. We went a splendid route across the new market place in Chamonix, sadly deserted at 5:30 on Sunday morning and ofcourse past the new North Face Shop also closed! But then the big arch was in sight and we managed a slightly faster jog to the finish. A big hug from Martin and a time of 35 hours 25 minutes.
I am still in the Never Again phase, but this is a fantastic event and something all budding ultrarunners should do once. The icing on the cake for me this year was to finish in the top 10 and third FV40…only by 3 minutes but well it will never happen again!
Editors note: Well done Mandy on a superb result both personally and for all the Britts.
See more about this race from the girls of Team "Run Like a Girl" and David Waides account "my hardest race"
