Anne-Lise Collet – Swiss Peaks 170k ultra-trail race report

Watch the video interview

Listen to the podcast

Read the interview

Presentation

Today, I’m hosting Anne-Lise Collet, an experienced ultra-trailer who this year completed the Swiss Peaks 170, which I’ve asked her to tell us all about. Welcome, Anne-Lise ! Can you please introduce yourself?

Yes, no problem. I’m Anne-Lise, 49 years old. Professionally, I’m a micronutritionist and naturopath, and I’m currently training for a BTS in dietetics. I’m eternally dissatisfied and always need to learn new things. Basically, I’m an engineer, so it’s nothing to do with what I’m doing today: it’s a professional reconversion, mainly motivated by my sporting activities.

As far as sport is concerned, what I like is endurance. I’ve never been very competitive or very fast, but I love long distances and roaming. I think we’ll have a chance to talk about that in more detail in this podcast.

Trail debut and progression

So, how did this passion for trail running come about? Have you always been a runner, ever since you were young, or did you start out with other sports before taking up running and trail running?

I’ve always done a bit of running, but my favourite sport was road running. I started trail running about ten years ago. I live in Alsace, where there are a lot of small road races with few gradients. I used to do 5 or 10 km in the Rosheim and Obernai area.

It was my husband who made me want to try trail running. He was already a runner, and one day he said to me: “Come on, we’re going to do a race in Chamonix.” It was the Cross du Mont-Blanc, a 23-kilometer race. At the time, I wondered whether I’d manage to finish it, as there was quite a bit of climbing. But I loved the experience, and it made me want to continue.

You got off to a great start with a race straight to Chamonix!

Yes, definitely. Back then, it was already popular, but not as much as it is today.

When did you decide to take on longer races? You started off with a 23 km run, but how did you move on to longer distances?

I progressed very slowly. I also adopted this approach thanks to my naturopathic training, which taught me the importance of respecting the body. This year, I did my first 170 km, a 100 mile, after ten years of practice.

I see a lot of people who, after two or three years of trail running, take on an ultra. For me, it’s too early. I started with 30, 40, then 50 km races, and waited until I felt comfortable before increasing the distances. Gradually, I moved up to 70-80 km, then to 100 km races, which have become my preferred distance.

But very long distances scared me for a long time, especially after a major injury three years ago: a stress fracture of the neck of the femur. That injury was a major wake-up call for my body, forcing me to question myself. It took me some time to regain my self-confidence, but this year I felt ready to take on a 100-mile race.

Introducing the Swiss Peaks trail race

What you say about progressiveness really speaks to me, because with the growing popularity of ultra-trail, a lot of people want to burn out the stages, which often leads to injury. It’s great to see that you’ve been able to listen to your body and bounce back after your injury. Can you introduce us to the Swiss Peaks? For those who don’t know, where does this race take place and what are the different distances?

Of course you can. The Swiss Peaks runs through the Valais, a mountainous region in Switzerland. If you look at a map, the Valais lies to the east of Lake Geneva, along the Rhone valley. The race consists of crossing these mountains to reach the shores of Lake Geneva.

There are several formats: the 170 kilometers, which I did, but also a 100 kilometers, a 70 kilometers, and even incredible distances like a 380 kilometers or a 680 kilometers. To give you an idea, on the 680-kilometer race, runners start with 300 kilometers without timing before joining the 380-kilometer start. It’s simply insane.

Then there are the more classic distances. There’s a 100 km, there’s a 70 and, I think, a marathon. So there really is something for everyone. And finally, it’s a race Ireally recommend for its incredible, rather intimate atmosphere, with incredible volunteers and refreshments with traditional Valais dishes like mushroom croutes and raclette.

How did you find out about the Swiss Peaks, and what attracted you to the race?

I’d already heard about it, notably for its intimate atmosphere and its refreshments featuring local gastronomy. I really liked the “home-made” aspect. What’s more, my husband and I are used to choosing races together, even if we don’t always do the same distances. He really wanted to do an ultra-long one, like the 380 km.

In this case, there aren’t many options. We had considered other races, such as the Tor des Géants, but it didn’t fit in with our schedule. Plus, the registration process for the Tor, with its draw, is a bit tedious. In the end, the Swiss Peaks was just what we were looking for.

Objectives and preparation

And what were your objectives for this race? Did you set yourself a time goal or just a finishing goal?

My main objective was really to finish, and to finish with a smile on my face. It was my first experience over such a long distance. I had no idea how I was going to react to two nights out, as I’d never spent that many in a race. I’d already done a race with one night out, but two was a first.

I also wanted to avoid injury and arrive in good condition, without being completely exhausted. Obviously, it was very hard, and we’ll certainly talk about it, but finishing in good shape was my priority.

That’s a great goal in itself. How did you prepare, both physically and mentally?

Physically, I already have a good base thanks to my years of practice over long distances. My body is used to this type of effort. Secondly, I’ ve been coached for a few years by Jeff Bombenger, a coach based in the Haut-Rhin region of France. He knows my goals well, so he adapts my training plans to my professional constraints and my current form.

What I like about his approach is that he insists on listening to oneself. If I’m tired, I’d rather skip a session or change it than risk overworking myself.

My training isn’ t just based on running. In winter, I go cross-country skiing when there’s snow. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much snow last year. I also do a bit of cycling, but that’s more of a complement than a main sport for me. Then there’s hiking, Nordic cross-country skiing and, when I get the chance, swimming. I love swimming, it’s very complementary to running, but I don’t take enough time to do it.

To complete the picture, I do a lot of stretching. There are several schools of thought on the subject. Some advocate no stretching at all, but I don’t agree. For me, stretching is essential. They help prevent injury and relieve aches and pains. I also do yoga, which is very beneficial. Of course, you can’t be too supple either, because in the end, you still need a certain resistance and elasticity, so to speak, to have an efficient stride. But of course, we’re not asking you to be overly lax, we agree. It’s really just a matter of doing a bit of stretching.

I also do muscle strengthening. I didn’t like it at first, but I’ve learned to enjoy it, and it’s become indispensable. Over such long distances, you need strong muscles, tendons and ligaments. This prevents injury and helps you cope with physical stress.

How do you fit all this into your schedule?

I organize a lot by feel. For example, in winter, as soon as there’s snow, I go skiing. I’m lucky enough to have a cross-country ski resort 25 minutes from home, and since I work from home, I can be very reactive.

I also pay attention to how tired I am. If I’m exhausted, I allow myself not to follow the training plan. That said, sometimes I have to push myself a little, especially for the sessions I don’t like as much, such as split training.

When you start racing, it’s often true that if you’ve got a plan, you’re borderline stressed if you don’t stick to it. You tell yourself you’ve got to do it. As a result, you don’t dare miss a session. You, on the other hand, can really go with your gut feeling. And I get the impression that that’s what people who do well without injuring themselves often do in the end, don’t they?

My stress fracture was a great help on my path to wisdom. As I’ve gotten older, and I’m approaching 50, I’ve gained some perspective and experience. You come to understand what to avoid and what not to do, and above all, you become aware of the importance of your body. The older you get, the less easily you can recover, so it’s vital to keep an eye on these signals. I sincerely believe that this is one of the keys.

To stay motivated and energized, it’s essential to listen to yourself. However, you have to find the right balance between listening to yourself too much, which could lead to sitting on the sofa watching Netflix, and the risk of overdoing it. It’s a question of experience and personal path, which makes a nice transition to mental preparation.

Last year, I took part in the Trail du Haut Gifre, my first ultra after my stress fracture. At the time, I had a lot of doubts about my body and my abilities. So I decided to call in a sophrologist, who helped me a lot. I’ve kept her advice and the sessions we did together in my head, and this year I’ve incorporated them into my preparation.

I’m a naturally nervous, anxious and stressed person. A little thing can easily upset me. But over time, I’ve learned to use several techniques to channel all that. During the race, visualization and meditation helped me enormously in difficult moments.

You’re a micronutritionist and in the process of obtaining a BTS in dietetics, so you have a good grasp of the subject of nutrition. Speaking of your race preparation, how did you set up your nutritional plan? With your experience, do you now know how to manage nutrition during your races? Or are you still experimenting and testing new things, even during the race? How did you structure your nutritional strategy this time?

Yes, so now I’ve really gained experience. I know myself very well, and I know that I’m not very prone to hypoglycemia, so I manage my diet pretty well in general.

However, I need to clarify my background a little. At the time, I had started training as a naturopath because, although my nutrition was fine from an external point of view, it was a different story when it came to my sporting activities. I was messing around, really. For example, I ate fruit and vegetables, which was perfect, but that was pretty much it. And pasta, of course. But I was sorely lacking in protein, which led me to injure myself regularly. With my studies and the knowledge I’ve acquired, I’ve evolved a lot in the way I eat. Today, I eat a fairly balanced diet on a daily basis. I no longer need to focus specifically on nutrition before a race or competition. That’s all sorted out now. As far as preparation is concerned, I’ve reached a kind of routine that works for me.

During the race, I also know what suits me. For example, I’m not at all “sweet”. If I have to eat something sweet, like compote, I really have to force myself. Yes, even a compote is difficult for me. On the other hand, I much prefer salty foods. But there are times when I really have to eat quickly, and that’s when I have no choice. Sometimes it’s a bit tricky, but on the whole, I know myself well, and I know what works for me. What works for me also works well for many other people.

So I don ‘t need much extra preparation. But it’s something I often advise others to do: when setting up a new nutritional plan or testing new things, it’s absolutely essential to test them in training and never wait until race day. If you test something for the first time during a race, it’s a recipe for disaster. Another point I’d like to stress is that physical training is essential, but don’t forget that the digestive system needs training too. You have to get it used to eating on the run…. Even raclette!

Anne-Lise’s recommendation: eat raclette!

Haha, I’m going to be hated… although, yes, “eating raclette” might appeal to some. But in reality, I don’t eat cooked raclette during the races, because I can’t digest it. I do, however, enjoy raw raclette.

Indeed, taking sandwiches with you on long rides, lasting several hours, and training yourself to eat small bites regularly, is really essential to learn how to digest properly during exercise. This is something that, in my opinion, is not always well known.

Personally, I only heard about it a few years ago. It doesn’t seem to be widespread advice, especially among runners who don’t tackle extreme distances. Yet even for someone like me, who doesn’t run the same distances as you, I realize that it’s a super-useful strategy. Sometimes we think we don’t need to concentrate on nutrition if the training sessions aren’t very long. However, it’s precisely at these times that you need to learn to integrate nutrition so that the body gradually gets used to it.

That’s it, that’s it. And I’d say in the absolute, even if you really have problems, you can say OK, over two hours, a two-hour outing, in my outing, I’m still going to eat. After the first half-hour, boom, I’m eating. So I don’t do it. But for someone with problems, I’d really recommend it.

That’s really useful advice. And we’ll stay with your preparation, just with this question. Concerning your recovery, do you have any particular methods for recovering between each training session, so as to be able to accumulate a certain load?

There’s one essential point not to be overlooked: sleep. Getting enough sleep, adapted to your own needs, is crucial. We’re all different, and it’s important to get to know each other. Personally, I have a rather atypical sleep rhythm: I get up very early and go to bed relatively early. To be in shape, I need an average of 7 hours’ sleep a night. The most important thing is not to lie to yourself. If, in the evening, you fall asleep on the sofa, it’s a clear sign that it’s time to go to bed, rather than struggling to finish a film or series. Sleep plays a key role in the body’s recovery mechanisms. Sufficient quality sleep is essential to optimize this recovery.

The second point is to listen to your body. You have to recognize the signs it sends you. If you feel a little pain here or there, don’t insist. It’s better to ease off or take up another sport temporarily. This is also part of a good recovery strategy.

Finally, diet also plays a role. Of course, this is very personal. Some people will eat anything, never injure themselves and perform very well. These are the exceptions. But generally speaking, paying attention to what you eat can be a real asset, especially if you have a tendency to develop inflammation or pathologies such as tendonitis or bursitis. In such cases, looking to the diet can help prevent or improve these little worries.

Race report

Let’s get on with the race. Can you tell us how it went?

Yes, I can. So, to begin with, you need to know that there was a change of route due to particularly appalling weather conditions. The weather was totally typical of this year’s: it rained like crazy, and I’m weighing my words carefully. For the first 20 hours, it rained practically non-stop. Initially, the start was to have been at an altitude of 2,000 metres, with a rapid ascent to almost 3,000 metres, followed by a plateau at this altitude. However, the organization decided to change the route, as visibility conditions at 3000 metres were too uncertain.

Why do I say all this? Because this change had an impact on the rest of my race. The start was at 2000 metres, but this time on a very wide, rolling and rather flat downhill track, which turned out to be quite treacherous. On this type of course, it’s crucial not to start too fast. However, like many runners, I was trapped. Even when I told myself that I was setting off “calmly”, I ended up going at a faster pace than I would have liked.

It wasn’t long before I started to feel pain in my quadriceps, probably due to the descent. It wasn’t alarming, but I knew I had to slow down and be careful, especially as the terrain was extremely slippery due to the rain.

One thing that was really precious to me at the start of the race was my daughter’s assistance. She accompanied me to practically every feed station, and with the pouring rain, her help was essential. In particular, she helped me change my socks – I kept the same shoes, but put on clean socks and cream to prevent blisters. I think this routine really helped preserve my feet. I’d like to thank her a thousand times over for her support.

Precious!

Yes, definitely. Thestart of the race was really complicated. With the rain and fog, you could hardly see anything, which didn’t help your enjoyment. But for my part, I quickly put myself in my bubble. It’s an ability I’ve developed that helps me a lot in this type of situation. In this case, it was made all the easier by the fact that, given the conditions, I literally had all my hatches closed: there was no way of doing anything other than staying focused on myself and taking things one step at a time.

The first night, however, was particularly trying. We had to cross a technical pass, the fenêtre d’Arpette. The ascent is over large boulders, and the descent is just as demanding, with scree on either side. This kind of terrain is what you come for, of course, but this time conditions were really difficult : everything was slippery, we were moving at night, and the fog added to the misery. With the headlamp on, visibility was almost nil. It was hard to make out the road signs. Several times, I frightened myself, wondering what I was doing there. Fortunately, we were a small group, and we managed to support each other.

So it was in this state that I finally arrived at the first base camp. These living quarters are key places on the race: you’ll find a bag with your personal belongings, transported by the organization, so you can change. You can also eat a hot meal or even sleep a little if you wish, as beds are provided.

Arriving at the base camp was a key moment. It’s the place where you can settle down, change completely, shower if you need to, or get treated. In my case, despite my regular sock changes, my feet were always soaking wet, and I had blisters. So I had my feet treated. I also took the time to change all my clothes, and it felt really good to leave clean and dry.

And my daughter had come with the car, so I was able to sleep for half an hour in the comfort of the vehicle. It was early morning on the second day, and that micro-nap gave me incredible energy. Just 30 minutes, but you feel as if you’ve slept through the night! It’s amazing how quickly the brain can recover with so little.

So the second day got off to a better start. I was in good shape, thanks to my 30-minute “super night”. What’s more, the weather was finally improving. The fog was slowly lifting, and we were beginning to see a bit of the countryside. That’s why we come, too, for moments like these. Even if it was cold, just being able to admire the mountains gives you a mental boost.

But during the day, I started to feel a sharp pain in my left knee. Afterwards, a physio explained to me that it was linked to my quadriceps, which were pulling hard on the kneecap due to muscle fatigue. This knee pain quickly became very present, and frankly, it was a real challenge. The first 100 km went well, but the last 70 were extremely difficult.

It’s very long when you have to hold on for 70 kilometers!

Listen, for me, the decision was clear, I wanted to finish. After seeing the physio who told me: “Look, it’s fine, it’s just muscular, you can go. Stop and massage if you need to, but there’s no risk of hurting yourself”, I decided to carry on. When he massaged me on the spot, the pain was gone… but it soon returned, of course. At that point, I knew I could handle it. I was still well ahead of the time barrier, so I said to myself, “Okay, I’ll walk, and I’ll get there eventually.”

When I left the last base camp, that was my state of mind. But honestly, it was very hard. Even walking, the second night was a real struggle. I was at the end of my rope. Several times, I thought about giving up: “What am I doing here? Is it really worth it?” But each time, I reasoned with myself. I thought back to all the preparation sessions, to everything I’d done to get to this point. I did breathing exercises, micro-meditations, and kept telling myself: “Every step brings you closer to the finish.”

And then came the sunrise over Lake Geneva, the second early morning… an incredible moment. I still get chills just talking about it. I felt a wave of emotions so strong I could have cried.

At the last feed station, my husband Benoît and my daughter were waiting for me. Benoît had arrived during the night to be there. They gave me such a boost right then and there! My husband massaged my thighs, and something incredible happened. I was able to run the whole last stretch. Yes, run, after all that! I’d run 12 kilometers, pain-free. It was amazing. The brain is really incredible. It can play tricks on you, but it can also enable you to go beyond what you thought possible. That’s when I was all pumped up.

It’s amazing the effect it can have!

And then, the end… magical, really. The sunrise on Lake Geneva was like a dream. You feel transported. That moment when you cross the finish line, you almost feel like an international star, even if it’s just for you.

To put it in perspective: I finished, I think, 60th or 70th out of just over 80 finishers. But what’s impressive is that over 60% of the runners dropped out, mainly because of the appalling weather conditions.

Where do you think the problem in your quadriceps came from? Was it related to the fact that you went off a bit too fast, or are there other explanations that the physio would have mentioned?

I suppose so. Was my physical preparation sufficient? Honestly, I think so. On the other hand, I think the problem lay mainly in the fact that I set off a little too quickly. And then, with the conditions we had, we were constantly on our toes, always tense, because the terrain was so slippery. I think this constant tension really put a strain on my kneecap. By the way, I recovered very quickly afterwards, with almost no pain. So it was clearly muscular in origin.

Sleep management

How did you manage your sleep during the race? You said you slept half an hour on the first night. Were you able to sleep again on the second night?

On the second night, I stopped off at the first feed station at around 1am, hoping to get some sleep. However, the cots had not yet been set up. So I was asked to wait a little while they set them up, which kept me waiting for half an hour. The atmosphere was nice, but they had turned up the hard rock music, which didn’t really help me sleep. I tried to rest, but couldn’t get to sleep.

Tired, I decided to hang on until the next feed station. There were no beds available, just a small corner outside where it was too cold to consider settling down. Finally, I settled into an armchair and was given a blanket which I put over my head to insulate myself a little. I slept there for fifteen minutes, and it really refreshed me. To sum up, over the two nights, I slept a total of half an hour plus a quarter of an hour.

Impressive! The hard rock thing is a bit surprising.

Yes, it’s supposed to restore energy, but it’s true that you have to be careful with people who need to sleep.

That’s for sure. When you really need sleep, it’s essential to be able to grab that little 15 minutes.

Exactly. And it’s also a question of safety, because if you’re not careful, you risk making the wrong decisions. At some point, you really have to know when to stop and rest.

Nutrition and hydration management

You spoke a little about food earlier. You have a preference for salty foods, but what’s your strategy during the race? Do you have a precise rhythm, like eating every half-hour or every hour? Do you eat hot meals at refreshment posts, like raclette, or do you have other habits? How do you organize yourself?

I don’t really plan my food strategy in advance, because I know myself well now and I don’t have any major problems in that area. In general, I take some snacks with me, but I don’t always eat what I had planned or what I have with me. In fact, I often prefer what I find at the feed stations, although of course it depends on the race. There are some where the quality of the supplies leaves something to be desired, and that’s why I’m happy to have my own reserves.

Otherwise, I listen to myself a lot, I don’t have a strict strategy, but at every feed station, I make sure to take soup, broth, that sort of thing, because that’s hard to carry. And as soon as there’s a hot dish on offer, I don’t hesitate. It also depends on the weather conditions: with cold temperatures, as was the case here, I don’t hesitate to consume a lot of calories, especially with the difficult conditions. If the weather had been warmer, my strategy would surely have been different. But here, I needed calories to keep me going, given the cold.

For the refreshments, I also choose a few small bags to take with me, and do my shopping on the spot. For example, I take bread, cheese, dried meat and, if possible, a little rice. In short, simple but effective things to keep me going.

Exactly. And you don’t find it hard to eat these salty foods, it goes down pretty well with you, no problem?

Yes, it goes down well. What’s really more difficult is the sweet stuff. For me, it’s even more complicated because I don’t like it at all. But even for those who like sweet things, it’s difficult to eat something sweet for the whole race. Of course, there are always exceptions, but they’re rare!

So, from time to time, yes, you do insert a little sweetness. For example, I can eat certain bars, but what I’m really careful about is my water intake. I make sure I’m well hydrated throughout the race. Incidentally, there’s a really great thing about racing in Switzerland, and that’s Rivella.

It’s a great way to eat without really thinking about it, and personally, it’s much better for me than Coke. I take Coke if I’m really at the end of my rope, but I don’t like the taste at all, so I don’t drink it easily. Rivella, on the other hand, I really enjoy. It’s often the drink I rely on for my sweet tooth, allowing me to continue eating salty food on the side, with real food, not the stuff in packets or artificial.

How interesting! I’d never have thought of it, I’ve never done a race in Switzerland. But yes, it doesn’t taste at all like Coke.

I checked the labels, and it’s just as sweet as Coke. However, I find Rivella much easier to drink, as you don’t taste the sugar as much.

When it comes to hydration, do you use water or sports drink in your flasks? How do you manage this?

In general, I don’t really use a sports drink, as I manage to eat well otherwise. I think I’d planned to have a sports drink in my bags, but in the end I didn’t use it. On paper, it’s true that these drinks can be effective, especially over long distances. But I think it’s better to rely on a balanced diet and water, rather than on sugary drinks which, unless you find the one that really suits you, can become nauseating. If you stick to the recommended doses, these drinks are often very sweet and I can’t drink them. For those who can, it’s a good option, but personally, I prefer to avoid it.

Emotions at the finish

It’s interesting to see that we can manage in other ways. A lot of people are sick of these drinks, and it seems that there are different ways of managing hydration. It’s always good to point this out. And at the finish, what emotions did you feel? ?

It was incredible. I’d gritted my teeth so much during the race that I had a huge emotional release. What I loved was that I was really present at that moment, fully aware of my arrival. I’d recognized the course in advance, so I knew exactly what to expect, which allowed me to really enjoy every moment when I got there.

And for the last two kilometers, I was accompanied by my daughter along Lake Geneva, which amplified the emotion. I had already visualized this moment, but it was even more intense.

Then there’s the after-effect: adrenalin drops, fatigue sets in, creating a rather strange mix. And then there’s the water retention that makes it difficult to sleep. The first few hours after the finish are not easy, but crossing the finish line was just magic!

Recovery

And in the days that followed, did you find it hard to walk? How did you feel?

Oh no, not at all. It’s really not like after a marathon. Sure, you feel some muscle tension, but it’s quite moderate. For me, the main problem was foot pain, mainly from blisters. Muscle-wise, I was doing pretty well.

My problem is that my digestive system is quite sensitive. I had a really hard time eating, I wasn’t hungry, I was a bit nauseous. It’s just a matter of time for my body to eliminate all the toxins. I know it’s a reaction that happens to me almost every time, so I do little detoxes with plants to speed up recovery. But at first, it’s difficult to ingest anything. So, for recovery, it’s not ideal, I force myself a bit.

Anne-Lise’s next adventures

Do you already have any ideas for your next sporting adventures? Are you thinking of doing a trail race again, perhaps a similar distance, longer, even if you’re already on a very long one, or something shorter? Did you really enjoy this distance, or do you prefer shorter races?

I really enjoyed it, I must say. I’m really delighted to have managed to finish this distance. I’m not hiding the fact that I’m wondering about it, because I know I’m comfortable on distances of 80 to 100 km, which suits me fine. What I love is spending the night in the mountains, so the two nights I spent out there were really perfect, I loved it. So, my heart’s in the right place.

There’s a race I’ve been dreaming about: l’Echappée Belle, you know? It’s a traverse of the Massif de Belledonne, south of Grenoble. I’ve already done the first part in a relay, the second part I did solo (around 90 km), and I accompanied my husband when he did the whole thing. But now I’d really like to do it myself.

It’s a race that really makes me dream. It’s not 100 miles, it’s 154 km, but the terrain is very technical, so you hardly run at all. And I’m thinking that should suit me. For the moment, I haven’t decided yet. We’re waiting for snow, so I’ll wait a bit before making up my mind.

You’ll have to come and tell us if you do it! It’s true that l’Échappée Belle sounds incredible. Personally, I don’t fancy it at all! It’s beautiful, but I imagine it must be so difficult. When I’m hiking, I like it, I think it’s beautiful, but when I’m running, I think it must be really complicated. But it’s true that it’s splendid.

It’s actually quite similar, because there are a lot of places where you can’t run. The elites can, but it’s a very different experience!

Tips for female runners

It’s a special terrain, that’s for sure. But it’s magnificent. It must be quite an experience to run there! And finally, what advice would you give to a woman who wants to take on this kind of race?

So… I think my advice applies to both men and women. The most important thing is to be progressive. Don’t try to rush things, and take it one step at a time. The body needs to adapt to longer distances. So really, don’t skip stages and go from a 50 to a 100 miles too quickly. It takes years, so that’s really what I advise as a priority.

I think that ‘s part of the beauty of the exercise too, to progress little by little, to see that you’re evolving, and not to want to do everything at once. When you burn out the stages, even if you reach your goal, it’s not necessarily satisfying if you do it in slightly difficult conditions. It’s much nicer to take things one step at a time and enjoy yourself.

Thank you so much, Anne-Lise, for sharing. It was really interesting to have your feedback on the Swiss Peaks, with lots of good advice and great feedback. I hope you’ll come and tell us about your next trail, so we can see what adventure you choose!