It’s nine and a half. I’m away for a-3km-climb (2M), for 250m 850ft of difference in height. A tarred road. There is a shortcut on a path but too steep for me – well… too steep for me now because 15 years ago… Not many cars, a few heifers in the meadows, nobody – people are at home because it’s raining. I took my walking poles to relieve my knees during the climb. I do not climb very fast but a certain impression of ease nevertheless. Probably the rain. I like the rain, I admit it. Finally the end of the paved road – my goal – is fast approaching, with its curtain of trees in front of me. A path continues up the mountain. Will I go there again, one day? It is raining very heavily now. I turn around to start the descent, a pole in each hand, touching the road with my heels tgo save my knees – nevermind my back!

Yesterday morning, the Mistress of Frimousse and Fabien ran about ten kilometers near the Lake, at a moderate pace, because… This morning, departure from Saint-Jorioz, altitude 460 meters, to climb to the Forclaz pass (1150 meters), in 8 kilometers. It’s considered one of the toughest passes here. It’s done!

So on Saturday, while I was running, Steph overtook me. She ran 11 km in about an hour. Meanwhile, the Mistress of Frimousse and Fabien climbed the Marais pass over Faverges, descended on Thônes and then returned to Saint-Jorioz via the Bluffy pass. In the evening we had Elouan, Kerrian and their parents for a raclette. And of course Elouan and Christophe didn’t come in the car but cycled. And they didn’t take the shortest and easiest route!

Yesterday morning Frimousse’s Mistress and Fabien had a fartlek session. This morning I have had my (usual) 4km jog.

Special treat for a special day. A 11K (7M)-jog this morning, Half of it on the bank of the Lake, If I said that my knees are all right I would be telling stories. But I managed to do that. Very very happy. 10 min before finishing I was overtaken by Steph.

Yesterday at the end of the afternoon, jogging by the Lake, near the reeds. The Mistress of Frimousse ran 9 km from the same place but returning by the bike path.

This morning I’ve run 6K (3.7M ) on the road, in the fog.

During Sunday’s orientation race, Arthur and Elouan, who were racing in team of two, came near disaster. Arthur injured himself in col de la Cochette. But he’s tough! They managed to finish on the podium. Elouan has still a sore ankle when he runs. But he realized that with thin socks the pain is nearly away. A solution, maybe! This morning I went jogging starting from home. I decided to avoid going up the path for a while. Going up and down the road seems more comfortable for my knees.

I’m waiting for the return of the Mistress of Frimousse who left this morning, with Fabien, for a bike ride of about 80 km in the Bauges. I am also waiting for news from Elouan who texted me “Race day”, in English. Does it mean “race day” (competition) on foot or by bike? Or does it mean “Running day”? He’ll tell me tonight! (1)

For my part, I had a small jog of 5.5 km starting from our house

Right now the Mistress of Frimousse texts me they have almost returned to their starting point.

(1) Orienteering competition Orient’aix

Why a blog in two languages, or even in three languages? The main reason is Claire’s blog swisscatblog.ch. It’s a blog in French, English, Italian and German. You don’t know that blog? Visit it and give Claire your opinion. I don’t speak a word of German and my Italian is not even basic but…

Frimousse Blog in French in English

Running in French in English in Italian

In the morning the Mistress of Frimousse cycled to Col de Tamié with Fabien. In the afternoon Stéph, Sylvia and Nina took part in COLOR’ANNECY while Christophe climbed Col de la Biche, Grand Colombier and came back via Chambotte. After a day of school work Elouan cycled 30 km around his home to change his mind.

I was introduced to running by a friend who was a high school sports teacher. I was also able to benefit from the advice of another friend who is a qualified track and field coach. But it must be recognized that running – I mean running out of stadium – does not require learning special gestures, just putting one foot in front of the other and doing it again! This is certainly not possible with tennis, fencing, yoga, and all sports obviously requiring a partner/an opponent. When you run, you are alone with yourself, free to choose your speed, your course, your time. There is no need for permanent advices and advisers!