Road to Tor des Geants - Part 3 (Weeks of 7/18, 7/25, 8/1)

I was fortunate to have three weeks in Chamonix with my family. We had a wonderful time and a memorable family trip, and it also allowed for perfect TDG training right out the front door.

My primary goal for these weeks was to stack up loads of steep vertical. I also wanted to get to higher altitude and more remote, rugged trails that would be closer to the terrain at Tor des Geants vs. lower altitude and less technical UTMB trails. Finally, I wanted to prioritize nutrition and recovery to not come out of the other side feeling overtrained.

Week of 7/18

This was a perfect week to ease into training in the Alps. For the first part of the week, I gallivanted around in the early mornings while the family was adjusting to jet-lag.

But before I inevitably wrecked myself, we had a long trip to the Loire Valley to see friends for a few days. We had an amazing time catching up with them, eating delicious food, and drinking good wine. I took a day off and had a nice easy, flat run.

I got back and was charged up and ready for adventure! I had been eyeing a route up to Tete Rousse, over 10,000 feet and the highest point on the climb to Mont Blanc that you can to get without a climbing partner, crampons, a rope, etc.

The week went incredibly well, but I did wonder how I’d hold up to two more weeks to come.

  • Monday: 2,300 feet in 5.8 miles (easy jetlag recovery)

  • Tuesday: 4,400 feet in 12 miles (Montenvers and Grand Balcon Nord) with 6x3min uphill hard pushes

  • Wednesday: 3,400 feet in 5.8 miles on Chamonix’s VK route

  • Thursday: rest day with 20 minutes of bodyweight strength

  • Friday: 7.3 flat miles - great shake out while with our friends in the Loire Valley before heading back to Chamonix and the steep

  • Saturday: 8,000 feet in 22 miles, featuring a 7,000 foot straight climb (and descent) to Tete Rousse from Les Houches. I spent lots of time between 7,000 and 10,000 feet on gnarly, technical trail - perfect for TDG training!

  • Sunday: 6,200 feet in 18.4 miles (Chamonix / Argentiere / Flegere loop - felt great after the big one yesterday)

  • Total: 24,600 feet of vert / 73 miles / 20 min strength

Week of 7/25

This was a BIG week of training, my biggest before Tor and the most I have ever done. My body seemed to accept that this was now just life. I wasn’t really tired, energy was good, and I was having a hell of a lot of fun!

The highlight was Saturday’s Grande Boucle, a big loop with 31 miles and 12,700 feet of climbing. I had long wanted to summit Buet, the highest peak in the Aiguilles Rouge, the mountain range across from Mont Blanc. It tops 10,000 and is a good distance from Chamonix, but I managed to string it all together on an epic alpine route.

  • Monday: rest day with easy family hike (1.6 miles and 500 feet) + 25 minutes strength

  • Tuesday: 3,200 feet in 10.5 miles with 4x30 steep hill strides. Afternoon family hike.

  • Wednesday: 5,600 feet in 14.5 miles (La Jonction), getting up to 8,000+ feet with lots of technical trail / scree. 10,8,6,4,2 minute uphill pushes. Afternoon family hike.

  • Thursday: 3,800 feet in 9.7 miles (Bellachat) with afternoon family hike

  • Friday: 6 mile easy run lower in the valley with 1,050 feet + 20 minutes strength

  • Saturday: BIG LOOP. 12,700 feet in 31.2 miles, summiting Mt Buet! Lots of high alpine and less traveled trails.

  • Sunday: 4,400 feet in 15.2 miles (Chamonix / Argentiere loop) with afternoon family hike. Felt great after the previous day’s massive run.

  • Total: 32,700 feet of vert / 98 miles / 45 min strength

Week of 8/2

I had 5 more days in Chamonix before we flew home. Monday was a rest day, and then I managed 20,000 feet in four days before heading home.

Tuesday featured an amazing birthday run adventure. On Thursday my legs felt pretty shot, and I figured I had maxed out and wouldn’t have any gas on Friday. But somehow Friday felt great, and I got in one more big one.

It was a perfect 3 weeks of training with 87,000 feet of vert in total.

  • Monday: rest day with easy family hike and 20 min strength

  • Tuesday: 5,400 feet in 14.4 miles (Lac Cornu & Lac Noirs), getting up to 8,300 feet. Afternoon family hike.

  • Wednesday: 3,900 feet in 8.5 miles (Plan d l’Aiguille)

  • Thursday: 3,000 feet in 10 miles + family hike and 15 minutes strength

  • Friday: 6,000 feet in 17.4 miles - Les Houches & Mont Lachat

  • Saturday: rest day and fly home

  • Sunday: 2,800 feet in 11.5 miles + 25 min strength

  • Total: 23,500 feet / 72 miles / 1 hour strength

Will WeidmanTor des GeantsComment