One year of trail running: a journey of Love and Emotion

This year marks my first full year in trail running—a journey I never imagined I’d embark o some years ago. It all began in 2023 with a three-month crash course in training, guided by my coach, Fer. It led me to Baja California for the Mar a Mar race: 100 kilometers and 4,500 meters of elevation gain over three days, traversing stunning landscapes. This challenge in December 2023, initiated by my friend Franklin, was my first true test.

Before this, I wasn’t much of a runner. Sure, I was active, but I’d never truly pushed myself in any sport. The closest I came to discipline was during COVID, playing golf—a world apart from trail running. I knew I needed help, so I turned to Fer. Why having a coach as a complete amateur? Because I knew almost nothing about trail running and needed someone to guide me. My first question to Fer after one test in trail running: can I do the Mar a Mar in 3 months? Fer believed I could do it, and I trusted him completely. And it worked, he believed I could do it, I believed in him. I probably trained as much as some pros—though my only goal was to finish, not podium. My family and wife were sometimes a bit tired about it, wishing more time with me, but they understood what it meant for me.

First day of the race was tough, ending slowly with Francois, my friend who was injured and still made it all. Second day, known to be the hardest, was the indeed the hardest, and muscles were so tied during the almost 15k downhill and finishing. I was so very tired, so much that I did not know how my body would react the last day, which as supposed to be the easy peace, with 33k and only 500m elevation gain.

And I flew the last day, I was feeling great, able to speed up in some parts, enjoying a strong pace in the middle of the cactus and desertic landscapes. Until finishing on the 2k very sandy beach leading to the finishing line. A guy, older than me, surprised me on the final k, and we sprinted… More than competition between us, it was a moment we shared together to give our best, to have our last beautiful feeling of this race. Once stepping up on that beach, I must admit I cried, thinking about my girls, my wife, my 2 friends running it with me. I remembered those tough trainings, and it all made sense. I was overwhelmed by love and emotion. I am not racing to win or make a chrono, but just because I love being outside running in nature, the joy of setting and achieving a personal goal, the emotion when receiving love and support from my family and friends. This was truly beautiful and a highlight in my life.

Lessons and Growth in 2024

In 2024, encouraged by this experience, I committed to more races in 2024, continuing to train and push my limits. I have never been in a better shape in my life (still does not mean I am quick though), at almost 50 (in 2025). In 2024, I was active more than 2/3 of life days, whether it is running, trail running, biking… covering 28.00kms, with 58.230m elevation gain. Nothing compared to the best ones, by my personal most. Would not say best, asking myself what is for myself “my best”. Will come back to that later on.

Started the year with a half marathon, which felt as a training. Impressive how your mind can change. I always thought I would never race a half marathon, that it was boring and long to race on concrete. And here it comes, was funny and quick compared to the long time we spend in the woods.

My first big race was “Cerro Rojo” in April in Puebla state in Mexico, race with around 37k and 1.900 positive elevation. First race with more than 34k in one day for me, but just one day. I was therefore quite confident, most likely too confident. Had a strong start in the first 20k, meaning a bad start, since there was still a lot of ground to cover. The relief, heat and humidity make this race a much stronger one that it seems. And starting km 20, I had cramps. I paid the price with cramps, and learned valuable lessons: pacing, hydration, and the power of mental resilienceI. I finished empty, but supported by my wife who made this suprising trip with me, the coach and our team friends. Tough experience, but beautiful. As we say sometime, no pain no gain. I was still very gratefull with that new adventure. And in trail running, we can say no race is similar to other.

After Cerro Rojo, I wanted to get back on track before the big race of the year, MCC at UTMB. I participated in a nice race in Tequila, getting a big of confidence again. Then UTMB in Chamonix, the one. I went for MCC, the small one with 40k and 2.300 elevation gain. Small compared to CCC, OCC and the 250k race of course, but another milestone for me. And UMTB in Chamonix in some ways, has always been a dream. This trail week is magical, more than 10.000 trail runners from all over the world. Some of my friends at Protrail were competing in different races. We were with Ricardo, one of my inspirations, the first one to go on the Monday of that amazing week. We started in Switzerland to cross over to Chamonix. Big uphill and then big downhill. I had trained very well, but one week before the race, was feeling very tired with tense muscles. My coach told me to slow down, lower the training load more than scheduled, and in Chamonix, I was feeling great again. Good pace in the uphill, downhill ok considering that it costs me when being long. No injury, no cramps (so relieved), and at different aid station, I had the support of so much family: Gaby and the girls, my brother Guillaume and his wife I see once a year, my cousin Anthony and his son, and my mom who came to the finish line as well. Again, I was overwhelmed by love and emotion. They all know I will never win, even in age categories, but they were here for me, and I was there to finish and do my best to honor their love and support. Remembering the finish line I crossed with my two beautiful daughters, Pia & Mila, tears are coming to my eyes. As a dad, it was also about showing my girls that hard work and determination can turn the impossible into reality. I made them proud, and I love them so much. And of course, after disappointing Cerro Rojo, this race was such a joy, great to feel good all the way. Some would say, if you feel good, maybe you did not give it all. Most likely yes, but I wanted to enjoy that one, and I still gave a lot! And being able to speed up in the last 2k was magical, crossing Chamonix with crowd loving that sport, with the support, will always be a unique moment. The next day, we had a small run with my wife along the river, recovery run. And two days after, even though I could still not sleep well because of adrenaline, my body recovered very well. It was time for my friends at Protrail to live their own unique experience.

After UTMB, I felt I had achieved what I wanted in some ways. Next race was UTMB Kodiak, in Big Bear, a new challenge with a 50k and 1.300 positive elevation. First for me and first race trail for Gaby with 23k. Team spirit was fantastic, we were close to 30 from our Protrail squad in Big Bear, enjoying prerace run, the village… Did not know how my body would react though. The positive elevation was not tough, meaning that would a race for runners…  I knew I could endure positive elevation with UTMB, Mar a Mar… but running long had always scared me. You may not understand why I say that, but there is a high difference between trail running a 50k and running a marathon. In a marathon, you are looking for constant pace, in trail running you go up and down, your cardio is changing, you have time to breath and enjoy I would say, even if it hearts as well.

We arrived early at the starting life, that was cold and sunny (Californian climate in altitude). Gaby was very stressed by her first race; I was feeling ok but a bit scared by what was coming. Great first 30k, and then was coming a 6k uphill, and that one was tough. Had to walk a lot, losing a lot of time… Recovered and finished good thanks to Xavi, a friend from our team who was feeling great and I kept up with him and he passed me. We crossed the finish line together, grateful. I then saw Gaby who finished way before and suffered it, having eaten a gel with caffeine one hour before and her stomach did not like it, added to her stress. Was still proud of her. She is strong and in the next race she had great feelings, and I am sure it will be more enjoyable each time knowing more herself.

Big Bear UTMB was as well a great friendship experience. Getting to know each other in authentic conditions, in races where there are no lies and superficiality, is one the many benefits of trail running. We are all just simple humans, loving something, doing it together. For most of us the chrono is not what matters, we just try to give the best of ourselves, we learn about ourselves and try to improve.

At one moment during the year, I lost that sense of just enjoying, giving the best of myself and not caring about the result. And it was not great at all. I created useless expectations toward myself. At the end, it is all about believing in the training process, have a race strategy, and giving the best on race day. No more. Creating expectations of a chrono is I believe damaging, there are more chance of being disappointed that any other thing. It is all about coming back to what we love most, trail running in mother earth, sharing experiences with friends and beloved.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Now is coming 2025, my program is not yet defined. But end of May, for my 50s birthday, we will be traveling with the whole family and friends to Yellowstone, each family in an RV, and everyday there will be a sporting challenge, either trail running, running, biking or hiking. This time, no specific race, but every day our own challenge we have designed. Yes, it will be challenging, yes it will be beautiful, yes every day we will seat next to the fire at night and share our stories. A few days of deep connection with nature and getting to know better our beloved. Can’t wait for it! Then we will go back to traditional racing, again discovering new places and experiencing new adventures.

Love and emotion will remain at the heart of everything I do. Trail running reminds me of how lucky I am of being healthy and alive, It always makes me think of my dad who could never run the mountains but is such an example.

Enjoy, enjoy your 2025, life is a team sport and celebration!