One more french challenge

stats of the week: run 23 km, cycled 140 km, hiked 12 km, gym 1.5 h

Focus is shifted to running now to prepare for the hilly half marathon next Sunday at Gigondas. A race that I ran last year, too, so I know what to come. This time I will wear a rucsac to carry fluid like most participants did last year. It will be hot again and last year I had serious problems after the finish to keep my circular flow working. Better to be cautious this time ...

The famous event at Gigondas lasts for two days. On Saturday I will accompany C for a 5 K, Sunday follows my race. There is also a very tough marathon with more than 2,000 meters  of ascent where you can get qualifying points for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc.

Smiling on Mont Ventoux

stats of the week: run 15 km, cycled 234 km, hiked 12 km 

My Gran Fondo Mt Ventoux was a happy day. Conditions were better than last two years with moderate temperatures and no wind. As expected I was again slower than before but by just 5 minutes and I was able to finish smiling without any circular flow problems at the top.

Of  the total 1734 finishers on the "shorter" route of 100 km more than 400 ended up behind me - and nearly all of them older than me. There were just 27 riders in my age group and even another 11 men older than 75. The winner of my age group was almost 2 hours faster than me! With 6h19min I was placed 14th of the 27 oldies.

Facing the giant of the Provence

stats of the week: run 18 km, cycled 232 km, gym 3 h

Tomorrow is Gran Fondo day. Last week we tested the route up the giant and I was happy to get to the top in style. But tomorrow will be different as there are 75 km and 1600 meters of ascent to be done before the ascent to Mt Ventoux starts. 

Last year I tried to beat my time of the year before and I failed. I am quite sure I would fail this year again. So my plan is to take it easy and be safe. May even be I will have to push my bike for the final 500 meters which are the steepest. We'll see how things develop. It will be my 5th Gran Fondo up the Giant and probably my last one. So the main intention is to enjoy it.