Here I am running on the Plan d’Aiguille a few days ago, as some of the final training for the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges race that I am in on Sunday. This will be the first ultra-marathon (over 30 miles) that I have attempted, and this one has 3300m of ascent in it, just to make things a bit more interesting! The winners are expected to take about 7 hours and I’m aiming for just completing it before the cut off at 13 hours. The last day of the summer season is on Saturday, so the cumulative effects of four months work will have taken their toll, but enough excuses, this should be a great way to finish off the season. The race starts at 5am in Vallorcine, then threads its way to the Swiss border at Barberine, before returning to Vallorcine. Here it is a long ascent to the Berard hut and the Col du Salenton, before a descent to the Chalets de Villy. Then its up to the Refuge Moede Anterne, then down to Pont d’Arleve, and the huge reascent to Brevent, before losing it all again (and more) on the descent to Servoz, followed by the last hills on the climb to Vaudagne and the finish in Les Houches. I feel tired thinking about it! Will let you know how it goes. Off to eat some more pasta…