A Swiss Ending ...

Our third and final day in the Alps started before sunrise. Shortly after 4:00 a.m., we stirred from the mountain hut and headed out to retrace part of the route we had descended the afternoon before in order to try the LED Lenser head torches and also practice our night running technique. I had already tried my SE07R on Ben Lomond a couple of weeks before and continue to be impressed with the light output and comfort of it.

The team headed for breakfast - photo courtesy of Reuben Tabner

Another coffee stop is highlighted - photo courtesy of Reuben Tabner

As first light started to glow over the mountains and valley we returned to the hut for breakfast before a stunning run down to the village of La Fouly where we stopped to refuel. It was also clear that given the logistics to make sure I was back in the UK in time for my daughter’s birthday, I was going to have to leave the team at Champex and therefore fall short of our final destination of Forclaz. The next section of the run followed a trail just above the river Dranse de Ferret leading down to the seriously pretty village of Praz de Fort – picture every typical Swiss image you can think of and chances are you are dreaming up Praz de Fort, complete with chalets and alpine meadows.

During the run, the chat was all around future ideas of what we could do as a team – not formal events but some special trail time organised by the team itself. Once things are firmed up a bit, we will share them on the Trail Team Facebook page and there will be plenty opportunity for participation alongside other like-minded folks from the UK trail running community.

We only had one last climb up to Champex de Lac and I wanted to go slow not because it was too steep or I was tired (although both had a degree of truth) but because I didn’t want to leave the team. Thankfully, we stopped to take some photos with top adventure photographer Reuben Tabner whose images you will see here on occasion and on Facebook. Jumping over rocks and roots whilst trying to keep the running “light and fluffy” diverted thoughts for a wee while. As the gradient eased, the town came into view and we took the long way round the lake until we reached the bakery. To celebrate, I enjoyed a beer or two instead of my usual coffee.

The Trail Team heading into the distance ..until the next gathering !

The rest of the team had their own flights to catch later that evening so the stop wasn’t a long one. All that was left was the hugs and some shared words before my new pals continued towards Forclaz. Sometimes, stopping is actually more painful than continuing but sometimes, stopping for the right reasons is the right thing to do.

Julia from Freestak kindly drove myself and Reuben to catch a train back to Geneva and the flight back to Scotland. There was some chat on the drive but rattling around in my head was how exactly I ended up on the team. It is a question I’ve been asked a fair bit and wish I could come up with a better answer other then I applied to join it and the rest just kind of happened! It reminded me of a talk by Alastair Humphreys where he shared his process for expeditions: decide, then do.

If anyone has thought on any level that trail running is something that would be fun, just try it, because you never know where it might lead. In particular, if an opportunity like the Trail Team comes along, don’t hesitate. Throw your name in the hat and even if you don’t get selected, I reckon you will find folks who share your passion for living, running and generally being outdoors.

#brawtimes #trailteam2014 - photo courtesy of Reuben Tabner