The Road to Mont Blanc: Part 9

13 July 2025

Tour du Mont Blanc done! And I can firmly say it’s the best thing I’ve done in my life so far.

It’s been all of my favourite things rolled into one: pushing my body, being outdoors, travelling on just my own two feet, exploring new places, eating delicious food, out-of-this-world scenery and a proper adventure!

We’re now back where we started in Chamonix, having run 14 miles from Les Contamines. I can’t quite tell if this buzzy feeling is elation or my battered muscles. While 14 miles doesn’t sound much (that’s what I’d thought, too), I struggled on today’s big climb up to Col Du Tricot.

A few miles into the final leg from Les Contamines, I saw this tiny winding path in the distance, which just went on and on, and up and up and up… Other than getting airlifted, I figured I didn’t have many options. My strategy was to hike, hike, hike, stop until I could breathe again, then repeat. I made it, but it did result in (for the first time on the whole trip) being overtaken by other runners: four of them. So a bashing to the self-esteem as well as the legs!

That’s what makes it an adventure, though, the struggles, the highs and lows. It was supposed to be a challenge, after all. Was I fit enough? Yes, I think I was. It was only on the final day that my energy nosedived. Could I have been more ready? Also, yes. My hip flexors have been very unhappy since day one, and my quads soon followed suit a couple of days in.

If I could go back, in an ideal world, I’d have spent a lot more time in the Peaks and Lakes doing lots of long ascents and descents. But that’s life, and there just wasn’t the time, and I’ve had an absolute blast!

Already my thoughts have turned to what's next. It’s most definitely going to be another ultra…and I think Coast to Coast next summer, too, with Tim and Arlo, camping. Something I’ve always wanted to do. Can’t wait!