2010 08 27 small world

Susan Donnelly Ultramarathon Trail Runner. Motivational Speaker. http://www.susanruns100s.com

Small World Date : August 27, 2010

Part of the Mont Blanc massive in the sunset this week.

It really is.

We’ve been in Chamonix, Switzerland, all week sleeping and resting for the start of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, which starts in about 6 hours. Race stats show that 2707 runners are registered and most of the them are now here. Despite the crowd that’s been growing in this small-ish town, we’ve run into several old and new friends.

First was Julien Pansiot, who we met at Hardmoors 110 in England back in 2008. He and his teammate Leo Brooke-Little were on their way to the start of the Petite Trotte a Leon, the 148.8-mile version of these races, that started three days ago and should finish with us (much tougher course and unsupported). He’s French, living in London, and we haven’t seen him in

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two years but recognized him immediately, despite the beard. They tried the PTL last year with a third team member and now that two-person teams are allowed, they’re trying it on their own.

Best of luck guys – it’s thundering off and on at the moment, which may stop before our race starts this evening, but they’re already out there somewhere in the mountains.

Julien (l) and Leo (r).

The next day, I was passing a couple of runners on the sidewalk and the woman did a doubletake. I thought she was looking at my pack since she was also wearing a Nathan pack and we’re the only two people I’ve seen with them, so I said, “Nice pack,” and she replied, “I read your blog.” You’re kidding? No, she wasn’t. While I was at a loss for words, they introduced themselves as Felix Alejandro Rojas Alvas and Maydelene Ceballos from Venezuela. She’s been reading my blog to practice English (which really up’s pressure for me to write correctly!).

I tried to imagine the expense and work it took for them to get here and couldn’t but I’m glad they made it. They were delightful to talk to and I have my fingers crossed that they’ll finish in good shape and good spirits.

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With Felix and Maydelene.

Then fellow Americans Doug Blackford and his family, who we know from Oak Mountain 50k.

He looks around at the mountain peaks and says it’s intimidating (it is) but he’s trained and has quite a crew with him (wife, daughter, brother and sister-in-law), which is a great morale booster. This is his first time at the race – hang in there and “bon chance!”

Then the final treat of the week was meeting Lisa Stranc Bliss, who we kind of know from everywhere, on a quiet side street where all of us were walking just to get away from the crowds for a while. It was a breath of fresh air to see her and talk with her for awhile. She’s here crewing boyfriend Tim Englund and I hope they both have a wonderful weekend.

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With Lisa, escaping the crowds.

Besides these people I know, there are so many people with so many dreams of success and accompanying happiness (it’s like the Boston Marathon that way). The weather is changing and race organizers sent a mass e-mail this morning that reads (in 6 different languages): “Attention, weather conditions planned during the race: rain, wind and cold. Provide the necessary equipment.” It’s an extra twist in everyone’s race.

Despite our differences, we’re all pretty much the same and our dreams all pretty much boil down to something that makes us happy. I hope the race unfolds that way as much as possible for everyone. Bon chance!

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