Mégevette

Organised with Bertrand to go running early again this morning. We planned a 7:30am start and Laurence decided to begin the run with us as we were going to try out a new route from Onnion to Amoulin before heading up the other side of the valley to Mégevette. I didn't sleep well last night, worrying about work, and when I went down to the lobby to meet Bertrand this morning, I wasn't in best shape.

I needn't have worried as Bertrand was waiting for us, extremely upset and embarassed as he'd only realised late last night that he couldn't come as other obligations at the centre this morning took priority. Alain, our running partner from yesterday, had decided to accompany us and so the three of us set off together down the hill.

The weather was distinctly better than yesterday and we were spared the rain although we haven't yet quite reached the bright sunshine and blue sky phase. Hopefully, this will arrive soon! It was still fairly cool and very pleasant for running. We set off into Onnion before turning left up the valley along a track alongside the river. This track took us up to Amoulin and then we turned right up the east side of the valley. We ran the first kilometre in 5:23 and Laurence had a little moan about this being her marathon speed but she carried on with us nevertheless. At Amoulin we crossed the bridge and attacked a steep uphill for a kilometre before turning left at the top towards Mégevette. We left Laurence at this point as she was intending to run 10km and the planned circuit was a couple of kilometres longer. Alain and I ran together along the road to Mégevette and then continued up the valley to Chauméty before turning back along the main road.

Alain was beginning to tire here but the perspect of running 6 kilometres downhill back to Onnion cheered him up and we sped up down the long straight back into Mégevette. About half way down this straight, he complained of a tightening in his thigh and told me to push on while he eased off the pace. I let fly at this point and enjoyed the gentle slope down and used this to speed up to 15km/h, running these last few kilometres at 4:00 / km pace.

13.6km all up in 1:05 or an average of 4:50 per km. Very pleasant run where I didn't notice the time pass as I chatted to Alain most of the way around. A couple of days rest now as we're heading up into the mountains this afternoon to spend a night in a refuge before climbing Bellegarde tomorrow.

Mégevette from the east side of the valley. Our path up the valley is hidden at the foot of the photo.

Our destination this afternoon and bed for the evening.