Scott's Blog

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) has been a longterm project of mine, while at the same time being an event that has eluded me. Each time I think I have a handle on the majestic and brutal course it slips through my finger tips, or more like my feet. Since 2007 when I first experienced the energy of the UTMB and the awe inspiring Alps, I knew this would be one of my favorite events. I also decided I had to figure out how to master it. Thus, unknown to me it would be a five year quest and unfortunately in the end, an unsuccessful one. While winning or a personal best performance often defines success, what is learned along the trails and the richness of experiences is the most rewarding.

2007 UTMB Start

2007
Less than six weeks following a win and course record at the Hardrock Hundred I found myself on the start line of UTMB. I was also six weeks status post a sprained ankle. I hadn’t run a step for two weeks after Hardrock and the ankle would still become swollen following just a couple long runs that I was able to sneak in over the last month before UTMB. I was hoping my conditioning from Hardrock would carry over.

Hal Koerner and Karl Meltzer were the top US runners that would be joining in on the action. Kim and Topher Gaylord were a big help in providing information before the race and they gave us a tour on a 10 mile section of the course. The magnitude of the Alps was staggering. Even though I had just spent a month training in the San Juan range of Colorado before Hardrock, the peaks surrounding Mt Blanc sung a tune that bellowed a harsh ruggedness, while at the same time echoing sheer beauty. This was mountain trail running at it’s finest.

An electrifying energy went through my body while standing on the start line with over two thousand other competitors and thousands of spectators. It was unlike any start line I had been on. I was sold on the race before the gun went off. That energy continued throughout the course as we made our way through towns, villages and even remote sections where hundreds to thousands of screaming spectators shook racers with their “Allez, Allez!” cries. The UTMB was the Tour de France of 100 mile mountain ultramarathons.

While there was a lot of chatter during and after the race that we Americanos were complaining of rule breaking, I chalked it up as differences in European trail racing and interpretation of rules. The main reason I dropped at Courmayeur halfway into the race was due to my ankle. The time needed to recover from running a 100 miles of the Hardrock course on a freshly sprained ankle was very evident 50 miles in.

Ascending the Grand col Ferret, 2008 UTMB

2008
This season started off well for me. I had PR’d in a bunch of shorter races earlier in the year and I specifically didn’t do another 100 miler before UTMB. I knew I was going to follow it up with Spartathlon and spend much of the summer in Europe.

Since I’d only seen 50 miles of it the year prior, I decided it would be key to see the rest of the course. Within a couple days of landing in Europe and a month before UTMB, I set out to run the entire 105 mile course over three days with Topher Gaylord, Sebastian Chagnieau and some Italian friends. Then I figured I should learn it from the French. So within 12 hours of finishing the three day tour, I set off to run it in four days with Team Lafuma including Julien Chorier, Karine Herry and Antoine Guillon. I ran over 200 miles with 60,000’ of elevation gain and 60,000’ of descent in one week. It was the most mileage and vertical I had ever run in a seven day period. On the last day, I developed patella femoral pain which sidelined me for the next ten days. I did everything to rehab it and recover, but on race day after spending a lot of time in second and third place behind Kilian Jornet and Julien, the same knee began to let me know that it wasn’t liking the descent down into La Fouly. By mile 75 at Champex Lac the knee pain was aggravated to the point that I couldn’t run down hill, so I dropped in order to avoid further damage to my knee. I had definitely learned the course, but I had also learned where my training limits were. Running around Mt Blanc twice in one week was a bit much.

Putting down some fuel on the descent into La Fouly, SWITZ, UTMB 2008

2009
I started running well, feeling like it was going to be my year. While running in the top ten over the Col de la Seigne I got lost in the fog with several other top runners including Vincent Delebarre and Julien Chorier. Once back on course I decided to make up lost ground and moved into the top three. I later paid for this strong push around mile 60, following the Arnuva aid station. I started developing stomach discomfort and nausea. Evidently I had not drank enough during the surge and I could hardly eat anything for over 20 miles. I spent a lot of time walking and trying to get my stomach back under control. Despite my stomach problems I had made up my mind that I was going to finish no matter what. It took me over 26 hours and I ended up in 18th place. When the announcer handed me the microphone after I crossed the finish line, the first thing I said was “I am proud to be in the UTMB finisher family.”

A proud UTMB finisher, 2009

2010
After training in Boulder, Colorado for two months I felt like I was in the best shape I had ever been for UTMB and was ready to finally make things happen. However, mother nature had other plans unleashing a two day storm that wreaked havoc on the race course including landslides that washed out access roads to aid stations. I had never been in a race before that was cancelled mid race. At 30K the race was discontinued. The race directors made a very difficult decision to ensure the safety of all runners. The cancellation left many people heartbroken and would change the race organization’s operating plan for future events.

2010 UTMB start around the first bend

Course UTMB Arretee Definitivement Aux Les Contamines

2010 UTMB Disappointment

2011
Again this year I came prepared, having moved to Boulder in the fall and saving my racing energy for UTMB. In many ways it seemed like the weather might repeat it’s 2010 performance and thus the race was delayed five hours to 11:30pm. As we toed the line, a steady rain fell, but a bright light in the gloomy weather was getting a hug and kiss from my friend Jacqueline Schweizer. Earlier this year, Jacqueline lost her husband Werner to cancer. Werner was a UTMB and an ultramarathon legend having run all the editions of the UTMB, including one while fighting cancer at 70 years of age. He also set the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run 60 year old age division record twice.

Werner and his never give up spirit

A late and wet start for 2011

Just 10K into the race a severe pain in my left quad appeared. Soon after, both legs felt very fatigued as if I had run 120K on them. I’m not sure what caused it, maybe it was the cold wet weather. It was very strange. I decided to ignore it and continued running although it became evident I wasn’t able to keep a consistent pace, especially on down hills. I dropped out at Courmayeur because things had gotten progressively worse. Thus concludes my third DNF.

Trying to get my legs back at Courmayeur, 2011

So the big question is, why have I gotten shut down at UTMB for the last half decade? I don’t know, there are a lot of US race courses that are just as hard, if not harder. I think it is partly coincidence and partly the fact that the UTMB course doesn’t allow for errors. If something goes wrong, the severity of the course only exacerbates the problems. I think I have trained adequately for the terrain of UTMB and the specifics of the course. There could be other factors such as the late start time, weather, travel, but I don’t think those are reasons that I have not done well. It’s a mystery to me, I’m not sure I know the answer. Ultramarathoning is not about luck, I just haven’t been able to pull everything together the last weekend in August.

A few Americano dropouts cheering on finishers

A happy Hal Koerner gets his first UTMB finish

People always ask me why I keep going back? Michel and Catherine Poletti had a vision and through their untiring efforts have created an event that has become the premiere 100 mile mountain race of the world. From the race organization to the high level of competition that arrives every year, the Polettis have made the UTMB a must do event for anyone serious about trail ultramarathons.

A smiling Catherine Poletti before UTMB 2010

RD Michel Poletti post 2010 race festivities

A big part of what makes this a special event for me is the people involved and the friends I’ve made along the flanks of Mt Blanc. One of the highlights of UTMB is getting to see my good friend Giacomo who runs the Col Checrouit aid station at his high mountain refugio La Maison Vieille. Many years I have enjoyed a delicious Italian vegan meal while stopping by on a training run. If you are ever on the course during training or trekking it is a must stop. Giacomo’s delicious food and booming laughter will fuel you for the miles that lie ahead.

Two of my favorite personalities unfortunately are no longer cruising the UTMB course. Giorgio Simonetti and Werner Schweizer have taken to unknown trails and I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know these mountain souls. Giorgio was one of the founders of the Courmayeur Trailers club and a pioneer of the TMB trail. Both men embodied the spirit of the mountains and had a zeal for living life to the fullest into their golden years. Thank you Werner and Giorgio for inspiring me to climb higher and run longer. Allez, allez, my friends, your spirits live on!

Giorgio at the startline of Marathon Des Sables

Werner crushing it in the Alps

Giorgio larger than life in his memorial poster

Will I come back? As much as I love the race I feel that I might need a break from this quest. Thank you to all who followed me and offered your encouragement over the years. It is so wonderful to have your support.

Always one to mix things up, I’m trading the trails for the track and honing the skill of overcoming the highs and lows, not of mountain passes but of my own mind. The below photo will give an indication of what’s up next for me. The 2011 season isn’t done yet!

Next up: Soochow 24-Hour Invitational in December.