Courmayeur to Chamonix

The year 2020 has been one of change, upheaval, uncertainty, and improbability. It’s been difficult to make sense of what the future holds. Lockdown level 5 in South Africa was a particularly difficult time, but knowing that it was only temporary facilitated some forced rest, downtime, and recovery from niggles.

At least for an ultra runner there can always be something to train for or look forward to. Even with most races cancelled, there are still adventures to be had, and motivation for training can be found in alternative pursuits.

For me, this initially took the form of the Bob Graham Round. My girlfriend, Katy Barker, and I travelled on a charter relief flight to the UK and headed to the Lake District in England to self-isolate. It was here that training could once again begin in earnest. An eight-week training block, followed by a successful completion of the