Alex on Trails

Marie and I had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Our trip to Turkey promised an adventure in Cappadocia, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where we would both run a trail race. For Marie, it was her longest race to date—38k with 1100m of elevation gain. I was excited to tackle a challenging 64k with 2000m of elevation gain, eager to experience landscapes reminiscent of the Moroccan desert. This trip also meant a rare opportunity to spend five days without the kids, followed by a few extra days in Istanbul to relax, indulge in delicious food, and catch up on sleep. We woke up at 5am to head to the start line, ready for a 7am kickoff. The sunrise was breathtaking, with hot air balloons drifting overhead, revealing the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia. The variety and intensity of the scenery were astonishing, filled with vibrant colors and unique formations reminiscent of the American Western parks, but concentrated within a 30km range. It was, without a do...

What better way to reflect and unwind after a summer in Chamonix than a beautiful weekend spent in September with my closest friends? We were incredibly lucky with the weather and decided to tackle the ascent of Mt Buet, standing at 3100m, also known as Mont Blanc des Dames. The views were breathtaking. From the majestic Mont Blanc chain to the striking Aiguilles Rouges and the imposing Fiz Mountains, which I had only glimpsed during my trail run at the end of July, the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. The memories we created on this climb are unforgettable. Enjoy the pictures and share in the experience!

My good old friend Ben and I had been discussing the idea of conquering Mont Ventoux, either on foot or by bike, for quite some time. Just a few days before our trip, I discovered a fantastic trail starting from Bedoin, where we were staying. In less than 24 hours, we managed to accomplish it all: • Left Paris on Friday at 6pm • Met in Avignon for a catch-up dinner (Ben driving from Geneva) • Woke up early at 7am to climb Mont Ventoux • Enjoyed a late lunch in Bedoin • Caught the train back to Paris at 4pm, just in time to celebrate my wife’s birthday with a lovely dinner Now that’s optimization! I’d happily do this every weekend.

This was my biggest objective of the year, a race that filled me with both excitement and fear. The Ultra Trail de Fiz spans about 70 kilometers with 5,000 meters of elevation gain, equivalent to a 100-kilometer flat race. I had no idea how long it would take to complete or even if I could finish it. Luckily, I wasn’t alone in this endeavor. I managed to sign up with a few great friends. Karim flew all the way from NYC to run this race with me, using it as training for his upcoming 100-mile (160k) race in September. Pierre, with whom I shared a tent at the Marathon des Sables (MDS) and became close friends after running the 86k long stage together in the desert, also joined, along with another friend. So, the four of us took on this challenge together. Conditions couldn’t have been worse. A storm and relentless rain led to the cancellation of another race on Saturday, but ours on Sunday was still on. We woke up early at 3am with little sleep, heading to the start line by 5am. The day ...