A Taperless Chamonix

Life in Chamonix without a race next weekend

This is my fourth August in Chamonix, France during the UTMB festivities. The primary difference between now and 2021, 2022, and 2024 is that my trip won’t culminate with a race around Mont Blanc. After 3 attempts at CCC, I’m here for a different purpose this time. Actually, multiple different purposes.

First, I’m excited to be part of the launch of the All Conditions Racing Department, which is essentially what was formerly known as the Nike Trail team. With a big Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear) launch party and lots of product/brand meetings, many of my days here involve meetings giving feedback and brainstorming. Usually I’m not a big fan of meetings, but when you sit down and the questions are things like “what challenges do you face as an athlete that we can support you with?” then I’m much more interested. We’ve had some creative ideas come out of these sessions and lots of cool stuff coming that I’m excited to put to the test out in the wild. I feel honored to also get the chance to support and crew one of my teammates, Anthony Costales, at CCC on Friday, as well as cheer on all the other teammates and friends I’ll have out here competing in UTMB races.

Next, I’m here to climb Mont Blanc. When I first laid eyes on Madame Blanc back in 2021 I got all hot and bothered to go climbing. I didn’t give myself enough time to responsibly fit that in before my race, so I swore if I ever came back I’d give it a shot. In 2022, I had my second opportunity (or so I thought). Rockfall and low snow levels made the route extremely dangerous that year and it was essentially shut down, so I postponed yet again. In 2024, I came out with all my gear, weeks before the race, determined to summit. Morgan and I pulled off a fantastic morning together, reaching the summit just after sunrise, and it was absolutely perfect. But I want more. Originally, I thought an FKT attempt could be the move, but with questionable reports about route conditions and a desire avoid any serious training interruptions I’ve changed my mind about that. I still plan to climb Mont Blanc at least once in the next few days. It’s a special mountain and standing on its peak makes the UTMB races around it feel even more personally meaningful.

I’m also here to train and prepare for the World Championships race in Spain next month. I’m surrounded by great steep terrain and it’s easy to be motivated to put in big days in the mountains here. There are many other amazing runners to train with and plenty of fresh trails to explore. I can double-dip and use this as an opportunity to scout out sections of the UTMB course as well, which I’d love to come back and race next year.

Some of the buddies I've found to run with this week

Last but certainly not least, I’m here to have an adventure with my family. Morgan and Marshall are along for the journey and it has been so fun having the whole gang together in this amazing place. In some ways it’s a challenge to have a baby out here and we were a bit intimidated, and we miss the support of family and friends back home, but we’re also proving to ourselves that we can be independent still have a great time on our own. Marshall gets more interactive and alert each day and has started laughing a lot, so it’s nice to feel like I’m hilarious. Morgan supports me in my training and recovery and has also been able to find time for her own runs, yoga sessions, town walks, morning cafes, and dinners with friends.

Trying to keep Marshall warm and dry on some moody afternoons here.

It’s a huge relief and a really fun time being in Chamonix without the pressure of racing looming over me. I love racing here, but I had begun to feel a bit burned out after years of it, and I think this is exactly the reset I needed to get me excited about racing here again next year. Enjoying the area without any of the usual stress. Piling on the vert with the legs feeling good. Eating plenty of French breads and cheeses. Not a bad life.