I hadn’t planned on swimming in my wetsuit, but the water temperature had dropped a few degrees since the last time I had swam in the lake. I was starting in the dark, in a thick cold mist, so given the enormity of what lay ahead I decided that it was better to suit up in my Zone3 Vanquish Wetsuit. 

I started strong, didn’t take long to find my rhythm alongside Donna and Eddy on their paddle boards. I swam for an hour before taking on any nutrition, sticking to my normal routine of 1 hour and then 30 minute feeds of  high5 energy and protein powder. It didn’t take long for the sun to start coming up, something that I didn’t have in last year’s challenge! It was absolutely majestic watching it rise above the mountains. The water was still and extremely tranquil. I seem to have a knack for picking good weather windows! 

I kept myself amused for quite a while, playing where’s Olly as Olly Bowman kept popping up all over the place with his camera and drone.

After about 5 hours much to the relief of Donna and Eddy, Karl and Katie appeared on the boat, taking on the support baton. I started to tire around the 7 hour mark, it had been a long time since I’d been in a wetsuit for that length of time and it definitely takes a toll on your shoulders. At this point I started to have a slight sense of humour failure and was being a bit grumpy with the support team, accusing them of not keeping the boat straight, where’s bigbayevents when I need them!? 

Moving into the 8th hour I thought it was never going to end. I was finding the fresh water swim much tougher than I thought. Stroke by stroke I continued and finished in 9 hours 29 mins, equivalent to 10 x sub 1 hour ironman swims.

When it got tough I reminded myself why I was doing it. If I can face the pain of endometriosis, I can push through this. 

The goal is to break the back of the Tour Du Mont Blanc road bike ride. 330km may be less than my usual distances, but with 9000m+ of climbing you are basically riding up Everest from sea level and back down it on the way.  It’s tough, trust me!

The day started once again in the dark, wrapped up warm in my kandsent bike clothes. Good chats with Rachel ensured the first few hours passed quickly and before we knew it the sun was up.

Surrounded by stunning views I made my way up the first significant climb; Col Du Grand Saint Bernard. It doesn’t matter how many times you ride this, the sheer distance (45km from Martigny) and the steepness really bites! I was eating and hydrating well, but still felt like I was going to fall off my bike in the final couple of kilometres.

I had a short stop at the top of the of the Col to refuel and change over clothes.

After my short pitstop I set off down (in my opinion) one of the most amazing descents in the Alps. Not today though, the wind was howling and I was gripping on tight to stay on my bike! I made it into Aosta where I met Bet and Sophie who were all set to entertain me for the rest of the day.

Next was the long never ending slog up to Pre St Didier, the nemesis of many a rider! Today was no different, fighting a head wind all the way, I was definitely regretting my ‘no drafting’ rules. Yep, the girls with their nice fresh legs got to sit behind me and coast the whole way. 

I was still feeling pretty strong with just one climb and long descent left for the day. We got our heads down and just got on with it. We arrived in Bourg St Maurice just after 8pm, an hour ahead of schedule, giving us extra time to stretch, eat and rest. Something I was very grateful for, because I knew what lay ahead for the 3rd day.

3 countries in one day, no meltdowns and no border closures! So far, so good!

The day I entered into hell! I started the day sleep deprived in the dark and cold and finished the day sleep deprived in the dark and cold and as an added bonus I was also very sick 🤮

Feeling extremely tired from lack of sleep, I got on the bike and we set off on the final stage of the ride.  

Once again I had awesome support, with everyone doing an amazing job at keeping my spirits high and helping the time pass.  As we approached Beaufort the demons were definitely starting to creep in!  It was definitely the coldest and bumpiest stage so far.  I was extremely grateful for my warm layers provided by Wiggle and my Specialized roubaix bike making the potholes a little more bearable. 

As we approached the last Col we were faced with a road diversion that meant we had to climb another 100 metres – on any other day this would be insignificant, but right now it felt like the worst thing on earth.  How could anyone do this to me? haha. 

I made it up the last climb, we had a very quick stop to add some layers for the descent and then set off on the last drag to the end.  Much to my disappointment we had to cycle straight past Mcdonalds in Megeve.  There was simply no time for Chicken nuggets today, the schedule was far too tight.  Besides I would have much nicer cuisine awaiting me at the end, carefully prepared by our good friend Meredith.

Finally after what felt like an eternity I finished the bike stage.  Now to prepare for the hardest challenge of my life, the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc.

What lay ahead of me next, was extremely daunting – 170km on foot, with more ascent than if I were to climb Everest! The original plan A challenge was a lot more swim focussed, so I knew I was starting the UTMB without having spent enough time in the mountains. Tired and under-prepared, could I really complete what is said to be one of the hardest trail runs in the world? The truth is I really didn’t know, but I did know i’d give it a damn good go!
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After a short stop to change over clothes into my running gear, kindly provided by DHB and On Running, I set off on the first stage. Surprisingly I felt quite strong and Maria and I made good time up the first climb. As the sun started to set, the wheels gradually began to fall off. I’m not sure if it was the motion sickness from the head torch in the dark or the dehydration from the day before, but I was all of a sudden feeling very sick. I couldn’t keep any food down and was finding it difficult to drink, I didn’t quite know if I wanted to pass out or vomit. Turns out it was the latter! I was extremely relived when we finally made it down the final tricky descent into Les Contamines, but unfortunately the sickness didn’t pass, meaning another rest period with no sleep – neither for me or Karl. There was just one question on my mind, how the heck was I going to make it through the next stage!?

The day of many doubts, lots of steep climbs and huge descents.

Once again it started in the dark with stage 2, I was exceptionally sleep deprived and totally depleted of energy. Having spent the last 6 hours vomitting, I really wasn’t sure if my body would be able to push through. I was definitely in need of a miracle.

I was super grateful to have my good friend @barnardsadventures on the 1st stage of the day. We have shared many rough adventures with each other, so if anyone could pull me through it was going to be her! We stomped our way up the first climb. I was still feeling quite sick but as the sun started to rise and the sheer beauty of the mountains shone, I started to feel a slight rejuvenation of energy. We had planned to stop at the refuge at the top to buy a coke and see if it would settle my stomach, but they didn’t have any – say whhhaaatt? In hindsight it was a blessing in disguise, the refuge manager instead cooked me up some ginger concoction, which literally seemed to bring me back from the dead! From that point on I didn’t feel sick again, a lot of other aches and pains, but not sick!! I was back in the game.

We made our way quite quickly down the descent to the end of the 2nd stage where I was joined by my miracle worker Kristy Shelley, Carrie and Alison.  

Having a change of support on each stage helped massively, it forced me to re-focus, much like you do (don’t deny it) when you pick up the pace running down a street where somebody you know might see you! 

After a short rest and massage, we set off  the 3rd stage. Surprisingly I was feeling quite strong again and really enjoyed about 95% of it.  The views were simply breathtaking.  The final descent was a killer though, I genuinely thought it was never going to end. But it did and to my amazement there were chicken nuggets awaiting me at the end! What more could I want?

Lessons learned today:
1. You’re body really is remarkable
2. Lows can definitely turn into highs, so never give up!
3. When your body is craving rubbish, listen to it and give it rubbish
4. I pull some flipping strange faces!

The day I re-confirmed that us humans are capable of amazing things – with a helping hand from chicken nuggets, kinesiology tape and extraordinary friends!

Today was going to be tough, real tough! The alarm went off at 3am, I was already awake – still finding it tough to switch off the body and get sleep. This was the final day, but I knew I couldn’t get carried away, I still had a long way to go – 93km with a lot of steep climbs and descents still ahead. The prospect of having to do the final stage in the dark filled me with nothing but dread.

Paul joined me for stage 4.  The start was a bit of killer, but Paul was awesome, setting the pace and Km by km we ticked them down.   

Coming down off the Grand Col Ferret was one one of the most amazing places I have ever seen.  I have promised myself I will definitely go back and run this section on fresh legs! It was incredible, I enjoyed it as much as I could, but the pain was real, very real.

We made it into La Fouly,  I managed to find some legs for a sprint finish – only because I very nearly beat Karl to the end.  He pipped me at the post by about 2 seconds.  I had it tough on my feet, but the boys (Karl and Olly) would say they had it tougher having to drive around the full perimeter of Mt Blanc twice and I’m not sure I would disagree!  At least I was able to go over the mountains. 

Once again I had the most amazing support team to pull me through penultimate stage.  I was joined in La Fouly by Steph other wise known as @mountwinmama and Bet later in Bovine.  They were both incredible, even managing to make me laugh!

The trail out of La Fouly was great, my type of running, undulating and not too technical, so we were able to pick up some time.  The climb out of Champex to Bovine was the total opposite, quite possibly the worst part of the trail.  It was steep and lined with scree, making foot placement hard, especially because I was so tired. 

Time passed quite quickly, mostly because Steph and I were chatting rubbish the whole way.  Before we knew it, we were making our way down into Trient.  I could smell home, but I knew I still had a long gruelling last stage ahead.

And just like that, it was here – the much dreaded final stage.  I had been thinking about this stage for the last 24 hours, it was going to be hell, I had even seriously contemplated taking a longer rest in Trient so I could at least do some of it in the daylight – but I was given a good kick up the bum by the boys and quite firmly told that they hadn’t supported me for 4 and 3/4 days for me to simply push out my schedule! So there it was, I had no choice, it had to happen! 

I was joined by Emily, Morgan and once again Bet. Truly awesome given the start was at 11pm and we would be doing this stage through the night! Something I will never forget.

This leg was going to be extremely tight on time. Although I hadn’t publicised it, I had a personal target of completing the full challenge in 5 days. The schedule was planned to the minute, so far so good, but there was absolutely no contingency in this stage. No time for stops, Emily took the lead and we stomped up the climbs and descended as quick as my legs would allow.

Much to my suprise at 3am we were greeted at the top of the Col De Montets by friends to cheer me on.  Not only had they got out of bed in the middle of the night, they had brought chicken nuggets! Oh they know me so well.  I demolished the nuggets and we set off on the final climb. 

Unfortunately the route we were supposed to take was closed, so we had to take a slightly steeper alternative route, which involved climbing ladders and scrambling – something that scares me at the best of times, but I had no choice, if I was getting to the end it needed to be done.  

Powered by chicken nuggets, we descended as quickly as we could.  Clock watching all the time, there was no room for error.

My Last thoughts:
1. Our bodies are far more capable than we think
2. Chicken nuggets really do revive me from the dead
3. I have the most amazing family and friends ever, FACT!
4. Never give up on your goals, your plan might have to change, but never your goal!