Day 6 Short but fairly sweet

With this day only 53k wasn't really sure how to handle it, made stranger by the fact we had a k walk to the start for the real start and photos at the Chateau I once remember as the old finish line, at least gave me a chance to hear some new tales from Don Winkley.
Then we were off, lovely foggy morning with 3 beautiful bridges crossing the Loire, France's longest river. Then some climbs, many vineyards either side of the road and very pretty.
Once the fog burnt off it was getting warm and probably left it a little late to get my gloves, buff and sleeves off at 39k had suffered a little between aid stations to be honest, needed more fluid. Was now on the chase could see 5 runners in front but a group of 4 ran strong and i couldn't pick up, with a mile to go realised two were crew pacing their runners so I dug that bit deeper as we climbed into the town and round the bend ended up tenth in 5:44, took alot out that final sprint but all good, two smallest toes on left foot a little messy but I'm used to that as foot being smaller they really dont go into toe box, early finish means more time to rest though

Day 5 gives me confidence

good nights sleep and then one of those awkward distances 71k, we started with the news our race leader had dropped out with a cold (I think) so down to 44 now.
Lovely morning and through off the gloves and buff at 30k, funny enough ran the perfect pace with Hiroko from 10 to 50k, I'd work the downhills and she'd pass me as I walked the ups, got quite warm but my true mongrel came out as I passed a couple of runners, lovely day beautiful scenery, 6th place in 7:46?, getting somewhere but only think the next day or it comes back and bites you

Day 4 more like it

Next day was 67 to Chateaubriant always a nice day and with a public holiday thankfully quieter roads, first 10k on the rail trail/bike path that I'd really grown to dislike for 19k the day before but running in a group made it better.
Nice start but still disheartening when the later start group pass before 30k. Was getting the feel for it by the end and passed quite a few including one of my heroes "Queen pf the Stage Race" Hiroko Okiyama in the last mile, in the end just wanted to be the rain again 11th in 7:46? Creeping up

Day 3 ups and downs

strange day, 75k on day 3 is always intimidating but it usually suits me (was second this stage in 2006). The cold had definitely improved and went out a better pace, all was good for 45k but I forget the mood swings you get (or at least I do) on this sort of race was
was not a happy vamper until 60k when started chasing down the girl in front. Also wanted to neat the rain with dark clouds ahead. Ended up9:06 a faster pace than ptevious days, overall good bar that dark patch

Day 2 64k

Was feeling match better after a great nights sleep and felt more with it, prepared for cold this time wearing gloves buff, and arm sleeves first 40k actually did a bit of racing but still coughed and spluttering at times. Another day with a mixture of sun and rain and cool. Ran just behind group off 3 for last ten k and again stupidly went up a gear near the end. 7:45? And just in the top 20 I think more content but hard to know what tomorrows long day brings. Now rime for rest.

Day 1 68k

I admit day 1 is never my favourite, late start as we have stuff with the mayor and bit of a reception however I understand we need it but I'd be so happier if we just went out and ran. Had no idea how advanced my cold was but definitely full of phlegm, just hoped I'd get rid of it the further I ran. No highlights bar for finally stupidly sprinting with 6k to go, trying to get rid of the two who had been in front of me for a long times, did that successfully but definitely regretted in the last K, ended up 7:49 just outside top 30 it would do

I think now, i've worked out how i will blog from France

Can't believe just how hard google has made it to blog since they have taken over Blogger, seriously hope to do a day by day race blog next month !