Verdon Trail Race
The longest day with the most climbing lay ahead and many competitors were still dehydrated from the previous day. The start was delayed until 5:30am due to problems with the bread not arriving on time and some competitors not taking their tents down on time!
Even at this time it was around 22C and was getting hotter by the moment.
From the "off" we climbed steadily to the highest point on the course, Mouree de Chanier, at 1930m followed by steep scrambles down rock faces to one of the several water stations, there were doctors at hand to check the runners and the helicopter swept the course searching for casualties. The heat was taking its toll on the runners and we were not even at half way! Long descents were followed by steep climbs and rough paths, perhaps the saving grace was the scent of lavender drifting on the hot still air as we passed through isolated farms.
Eventually the Sainte Croix lake came in to view, a major psychological lift as the end couldn't be too far away!
Clearly these race organisers subscribe to some sadistic cult, they took us to the top the gorge again before a precipitous drop down to the river and the last aid station and then just 8k uphill to the finish. This last section took me nearly two hours and has to be my most humbling racing experience, each step was one less but each step became harder and harder. Rest, walk, rest, walk, try to drink. I just felt sick, I wanted to curl up and sleep, one step more, one step less. I played mind games to keep going, occasionally another runner came by, dark shadows where their eyes should have been, each person on the limit, each offering brief encouragement but even talking wasted energy at this point.
I got to the finish, feet sticking to the melting road, I cannot explain the relief and elation I felt in that brief moment in time.
A shower was heaven, the massage provided helped regain some strength and mobility, liquid and food became a priority. Quite a lot of people dropped out today I'm sure it was really 48 miles. Sleep came easily that night.
