Life is an ultramarathon

You'll be able to follow us live by two means.

1. Google Earth
Our GPS position will be updated automatically every 15 minutes via a mobile phone. Check the embedded GoogleEarth version if you are using Windows/Mac and willing to install the plugin, or the standalone GoogleEarth version if you are using an alternative OS. Again, we're The Chameleons, team 39.

2. Twitter
A last minute idea from "the last supper" yesterday. I might send updates from my mobile during the race on http://twitter.com/chameleons39. Don't take it for granted, though. I might not be able to get connection, or simply can't be bothered. But I though it would be nice to update you on our highs and lows as well as the weather and the awesome scenery.

We might only be a mere 60 teams in the middle of a huge mountain range, we won't feel too lonely...

Ultra connected race.

That's it, tomorrow the Chameleons are making their way to Chamonix...

We all feel a bit anxious. Not only because it's going to be the longest race we've ever attempted in terms of distance (245km), ascent (21,950m), and time (114hours max), but also because our preparation hasn't been optimal to say the least. The ascent (and descent) is particularly worrying me. Most of my winter and spring has been spent writing up my PhD thesis, which left me with little time for training and a lot of sleeping debt (Leo will argue there isn't such a thing ). On top of that, my Achilles tendon wasn't very nice with me the last couple of months. I'm also a bit concerned by tricky off-path navigation during the night.

But let's keep positive, I've been hiking in the Alps. After 3 days of "conditioning", I walked about 80km (+4000m, -5000m) over two days with a relatively heavy hiking backpack over slightly technical terrain. I managed pretty fast ascents and I'm still able to push downhill. So that's not all that bad.

We'll take it easy, as a nice mountain journey, enjoy the views, try to stick to the time limit and make it back all together to Chamonix...

You should be able to follow us on the UTMB website later on. They'll provide a link to a really cool GoogleEarth live team tracking. Every 15 minutes, mobile phone coverage permitting, a GPS position update will be sent automatically. We're The Chameleons, bib number 39. You can already check out the route here. This might go without saying, but this will give you the latest position sent by the team GPS, not my actual current position. I might not carry the GPS myself. Got what I mean?

Ultra ascent challenge

EDIT: I just noticed that 39 is 3 times 13. So if I was superstitious I would say that's one good luck for each of us

I've been interviewed (in French) by Mathieu at Wanarun about ultrarunning and my feelings before the PTL.

Ultra blog