The Born Again Runner: Chapter 17: Tapering with Altitude

Post Spitfire was feeling a little sore..especially around my right knee.

So how do you maintain fitness when you're feeling a bit broken..

Slowly and steadily is the mantra people oft repeat to me..So guess what! I listen and take it slow.

First 4ish miles at a slow pace (with my dog in tow) then off to Chamonix, Skiing for a few days.

Chamonix Trip: Fitness Log

Day 1: Spent travelling so knocked out a 6 miler in the mountain air...again nice and slow.

Day 2: Full day's skiing and felt the need for a quick one at the end of the day (hard to motivate yourself I assure you when there is the lure of the hot tub and champagne)...took the river trail into the town centre and back along the slippery, snowy path.. it was breathtaking but I was cream crackered.

What a Backdrop!

Day 3: Jeez...nearly broke 100 KPH skiing (and obviously my neck!)..then topped the day off with a 4.5m run along the riverbank.. Once again - pooped. Knee still smarting a little - skiing helping? Perhaps not. Need to get my MRI sorted once I am back.

Nearly 100 kph

Day 4: Whiteout so a little skiing but mostly rest...All I need to do today is hit my Nike fuel points goal but have decided to give myself a day off. Highly likely we will either do a little or no skiing tomorrow... Will need to get a quick run in tomorrow at some point as am sub-20 miles this week. Honestly....does it really matter now I am into the taper and have been besting myself on the slopes all week? Tapering sucks.

Day 5: Final morning and another whiteout. The valley had received a generous dumping overnight which meant zero skiing as visibility was seriously bad. So what to do....beast myself with an 11 miler. I'd like to pat myself on the back and say it was hardcore altitude training. It did feel harder but I was still hitting sub 8 minute miles, conscious of not killing my knee. To think that a week ago I was running the Surrey Spitfire! Now for the journey home and big hugs with all my kids and my doggie.

Here's to staying injury free for the next fortnight.

And here are a couple of great photos of the sun and snow....