UTMB Nice Training: last long run

This weekend’s session is the longest single-day run of this training programme, clocking up 9 hours 10 minutes and 2,310 metres of elevation gain.

For this session, I’m doing a round trip along the GR1, setting off from Dumbéa Park.

I’m feeling the fatigue build up, but I’m starting the day feeling less tired than last weekend. So I set off in ‘hiking/trail running’ mode. The aim is to maintain activity for a long period, not to cover as many kilometres as possible.

After following the River Dumbéa for 5 km, I begin the first climb towards Mont Poudéhoume.
When the path is clear, the contrast between the red earth of the track and the green of the vegetation is magnificent.

I know this stretch well – a lovely zigzagging climb that really works the thighs 🙂
And here I am at my first stop, Mont Poudéhoume. The low-hanging clouds will prevent me from admiring the view of the surrounding mountains. Perhaps I’ll get a better view further on.

I make my way back down, delving deeper into the vegetation, which heightens the feeling of dampness. Fortunately, the temperature is mild – for a ‘Zoreil’ (a French person from mainland France) 😉
What I love about venturing deep into the undergrowth is the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves, and the birdsong as the birds warn their fellow creatures that an intruder is entering their territory. That, at any rate, is how I interpret their calls 😀 .

Next comes a lovely climb towards the Soleil mine, my second destination. The sky is, at this point, completely clear. I make my way along at a leisurely pace and climb without difficulty, thanks to my walking poles.

And it’s the same old story with the vegetation. A tropical atmosphere guaranteed 🙂

And here’s the Soleil mine shelter. No more sunshine in sight, but if I fancy a BBQ, there’s everything I need. Well, apart from the rib of beef and the beer, that is 🙂

It’s quite a view from the Soleil mine. All around me there’s nothing but forest; the vegetation is dense. I’m all alone in the world.

I glance at my watch; I’ve been hiking up the GR1 for five hours now. It’s time to turn back, even though I’d like to carry on. But here, the path is technical, and I’m making very slow progress.

On the way back, I cross lots of little streams.

The weather isn’t getting any better 🙂

As I make my way through the driving rain, I can see in the distance, along the coast, a clear, dry sky…

Once I’d arrived, I walked in the river to stretch my legs. I ended up getting there earlier than I’d thought. I could have pushed myself a bit further, then. Never mind, I’ll save that for next time.

The pace was slow for this session, but it picked up towards the end, helped by a very fast stretch of track towards the finish.