Running across the Pyrenees

In August 2015, Sophie, who many of you will have met as the smiling helpful wonderfully funny girl who works with us at all of our events, ran the GR11 route across the Pyrenees!

Here are some parts of her blog which can be found here

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'On the afternoon of Thursday 13th August we completed the GR11 route across the Pyrenèes, from Cap de Higuer to Cap de Cruz…22 days and 45 minutes! Having been separated from each other for 4 days, due to ill health, luckily on Tuesday we found each other again – without mobile phones as one had been damaged by water. What an adventure, plenty of stories to tell whilst quaffing Rioja…'

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'I promised I would write up about the kit we took with us – how it fared, what worked, didn’t etc… Sorry the delay! I forgot how daily life gets in the way. Running in the mountains was so much more relaxing :)…. So here is a starter for 10… And I will try and write more soon

1 x Runbreeze shorts – lightweight, dry quickly, perfect kit – apparently they no longer sell them :(

1 x Runderwear Women’s brief – dry quickly, comfortable, don’t rub. However for the type of trip I was doing I would actually have take 2 pairs of runderwear boxers – see below!!! I am thinking maybe a women’s boxer needs to be the next addition to their fabulous selection of pants.

1 x Runderwear Men’s boxers – these were the best piece of kit I took with me! I know they are mens. But they were ridiculously comfortable and even though I often didn’t wash them for 3 or 4 days running – I think they might be self-cleaning, if that is at all possible – they didn’t chafe nor feel like they were dirty. And when I did wash them – they were dry within 20 minutes [either on me, or hanging off my bag!]. They didn’t shift about during running, and they didn’t feel horrible after 10 – 12 hours of running day in day out in a mixture of conditions – some very hot days, and some very wet days.

2 x Runderwear Women’s crop tops – very comfortable, and no rubbing at all [I was carrying a rucksack weighing between 8-11kg and I didn’t get pain from straps or anything]. Would highly recommend – probably not for anyone over C-cup though as it is more a crop top than a supportive bra. I wore it during the daytime and at nighttime – and if I got wet during the day, it was usually dry within an hour when I wore it to sleep in

1 x Nike Pegasus 32 trainers – amazing! Like a glove, and very comfortable. Ordered my next pair already. Only downside is the grip. I know they are designed for running in the mountains! But they are far and away better and more comfortable than any trail / off-road shoe I have ever used… If only there was a way of getting better grip but the same level of softness, padding etc… [hint hint Nike….]

1 x Kathmandu silk sleeping bag liner – so silky and soft and light. Made up for the lack of change of clothes!!'