Heat, Heights, and Heartbreak: My Grueling Attempt at the Swiss Alps 100K

[@graeme1978]

What a brilliant film and an amazing effort by you. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Inspirational stuff. Well done

[@Frabart05]

The heat was brutal that day, so many people dropped out. Thanks for the great film, brings back memories

[@FilmMyRun]

Yes only 136 finishers from what I can see. Tough event but I'll crack it next year. You coming??! Thanks for watching

[@Frabart05]

@@FilmMyRun I´ll try to get into CCC. If that is not possible, I will start again in Fiesch

[@timeonfeet]

Loved this Stephen, brought back some amazing memories of a special trip. Beautifully crafted video as always, always honest and sharing the highs and lows. Glad you can head back next year too with Victoria!

[@picabo104jp]

What a tough challenge! My sincere thanks for filming under the circumstances. Thanks for the beautiful scenery, music and great stories. Good luck next year Stephen!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much. Sometimes I find it actually helps me to film as it takes my mind off things. Although I guess it's better to do it whilst moving rather than lying down on the trail!!

[@paulhoulden]

Ah mate I got goosies hearing your great uncles story! I first saw the Matterhorn in 2013 and obsessed over it for years until 2020 I went back and made the summit, also a very special mountain to me! Although I think having dreams sometimes are best to stay as dreams, now to watch the rest of the video!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Wow, Paul I've watched a few videos of people climbing it and it just looks horrendous. I just don't have the head for that kind of exposure. I'd would love to climb it but it will never happen unfortunately.

[@paulhoulden]

​@FilmMyRun I've been thinking, I'm sure you'd love to climb it! You could book a night in the hornlihutte and admire being so close, you could even do the first pitch then a little recce type scramble hike of the bottom sections maybe, I took my girlfriend to do exactly that in August this year when the Ultraks Matterhorn was on, which whilst I'm here I'd recommend that too! She's only been running 6 months and the vertnight race was her first actual race!

[@paulhoulden]

Just finished, cracking video once again, and glad you got to Zermatt, magical place! Not a fan of the saying but you will smash it next year

[@FilmMyRun]

@@paulhoulden I might well try and get up to the hut next year

[@tpgenge]

as always - great video!!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jensmith3719]

Fantastic filming and narration, i found it very emotional when you played that song, would like to know who it is and what it is called. Superb effort and thank you so much for sharing your journey, quite literally the highs and lows. For someone with an extreme fear of heights to do what you did is a win in itself, kudos, best wishes

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi Jen. Thank you so much. The song was actually produced by me specifically for the video. Here's the link suno.com/song/3e4a266a-26bb-4767-bcfa-951da2016ca5

[@dawdlingdawnie]

Jen - I messaged Stephen to ask the same this, it’s a beautiful song. I have searched for lyrics, Shazam’ed it but with no luck.

[@laurippt]

Really beautiful trail! So sorry about the DNF and the heat! It’s so hard to keep going when your body is not heat acclimated, and even so some days are just too much! Awesome video! I really enjoyed it!

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Lauri. Always appreciated. I'll be back there next year to have another go!

[@SebRunning]

I'm so impressed, it's so beautiful there. Your film is, as always, brilliant.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much Seb. Appreciated as always.

[@Phantom_Six]

I absolutely love this video! You are such an inspiration for me on my running journey. Even when you are unable to complete something you still give it your all and come out the other side with a great attitude. I know you will crush it next year my friend and I look forward to seeing that effort! I hope I'll run into you out on the trails someday. Keep up the amazing work with these films!

[@Dee78584]

Looks like an amazing race. I went to Zermatt for the first time in the summer - what an amazing place, a trail lovers dream. As always your videos are inspiring no matter your result, you capture the highs and lows of our sport, thank you.

[@FilmMyRun]

I had never been to Zermatt before. Absolutely loved it there and I will take the family there next year.

[@RunTrails]

Always good to see you suffer Stephen! Looks like you got a bit too much sun too early on. You’ll smash it next year.

[@FilmMyRun]

Hi there. yes very possibly too much exposure for too long. I'll get some heat acclimation training in for next year. I've got this don't panic!!

[@TheBramptonValleyRunner]

Well done on that effort in the heat. That bridge reminds me of the end of Temple of doom!

[@roychambers2900]

Stephen - always enjoy these videos. Thank you for putting them together whatever the race outcome. You have achieved so many great finishes over the years that this heat induced DNF seems irrelevant in the grand scheme of your achievements. It did allow for a great watching experience through some breathtaking scenery. Thanks again.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Roy. Appreciate your comments.

[@chrisarnell1]

Loved the video, Stephen. Those of us who've run with you know how good an athlete you are and for you to DNF shows just how tough some of these events can be. I'm delighted you're going back next year and wishing you and Victoria the very best of luck.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you Chris. Great to hear from you. Hope you are well. Yes, I'll be back there next year and I'll try to be in shape!

[@danielrosner4296]

If you want to have a cool Matterhorn experience, hike to the Hörnlihut. It's super spectacular... a white-blue-white graded trail but a relatively easy one. You can reach the hut either from Zermatt village or also from Schwarzsee.

[@projectshoe]

If you ever get the chance to go to Zermatt the Matterhorn museum has some fantastic exhibits relating to the first ascent, you’d love it!

[@FilmMyRun]

@@projectshoe yes I went to Zermatt but I haven’t been to the museum. Will go next year! Thank you for watching!

[@projectshoe]

@@FilmMyRun I need to watch to the end of the video next time before I comment! :)

[@Ballard74]

Well done x great effort don't be hard on yourself looked a tough day out in the heat. Keep the videos coming and hopefully will bump into you on the trails soon 💪

[@philluke56]

Looks like an absolute fantastic adventure, great views, and you'll smash it next time.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much. Yes back next year and I will be ready for it!!

[@gerrybesworth7762]

Stephen, thanks for this raw and honest video. Even when knackered you have wonderful composure and a positive (or perhaps well edited) attitude. You continue to be an inspiration!

[@FilmMyRun]

Haha, thank you Gerry. It's funny, I'm so used to film in my races that even in the depths of despair I do seem to be able to muster the ability to speak coherently! Although yes there are times when I fluff my words or make no sense and I do edit those bits out....perhaps sometimes I should keep them in as well haha.

[@MrRunner10]

Wow that was tough! Smart to know when you’ve had enough

[@FilmMyRun]

Appreciate that. Difficult to know sometimes if you've made the right call, but it felt correct at the time.

[@stephenlaw1202]

good effort

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks Stephen. Appreciate your comment.

[@andrewbennett875]

Great video Stephen, i think its really important to give us these DNF videos aswell as the glory. I recently DNF'd a 100 and its tough to swallow. As for a certain 'not being mean' comment... I wouldnt pay too much attention to it, we all have an option to not watch anything we dont get on with. Keep uo the good work! And the advice you kindly gave me on running ultras just weeks apart worked a treat, i managed 66 miles in the 12 hour limit on the track, which is the fastest I have ever covered that kind of distance.

[@jillbuckenham9145]

Haha I made it to the end (as I always do!!) - well done for sticking it out for as long as you did without being sufficiently heat acclimated. Having lived and raced in Spain for many years, I'm now useless in cold and wet conditions, so there you are! Anyway, another great video and looking forward to seeing you out there one day Stephen!

[@FilmMyRun]

Congratulations Jill!! No mean feat making it to the end with all that moaning haha!! Yes if you do spot me you must come over and tap me on the shoulder!

[@1972njm]

Brilliant video…as always and great effort and look forward to the completion film 👊

[@FilmMyRun]

You and me both! Thank you!

[@stuartwebster2203]

Another great story Stephen, sorry this one’s didn’t get done in 2024, another chance for a Swiss holiday next year.

[@FilmMyRun]

To be honest Stuart I could easily have finished....I just wanted another holiday next year!! Haha. Thanks for watching mate.

[@barriehobbs4533]

I sometimes think Brits underestimate just how difficult it is taking on the Alps. You might think there are mountains in the UK but if you look at the background in your last summary to camera it puts it into perspective. And whereas there are undoubtedly very tough routes in Scotland and Wales they rarely come packaged with 30C plus heat. And all that's before dealing with altitude which is never an issue in the UK. Certainly no shame at all in your effort.

[@Martakus1000]

How perfect is that song choice at 17:26? Does anyone happen to know what the song is called?

[@FilmMyRun]

Hey Martakus, there's a reason it's the perfect song as it was specially produced for this project. Song link is here for you suno.com/song/3e4a266a-26bb-4767-bcfa-951da2016ca5. Thank you so much for watching

[@lemonacm]

Yes, I think it was the heat! Really enjoyed watching you suffer Stephen. Like you I'm no spring chicken. Unlike you my idea of vert is Knettishall Heath ;) I've never attempted anything like that but maybe one day I will. But 50km, and on a cloudy day :)

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Much as I hate suffering, I can't stop going back to these kinds of races because they are so beautiful and awe inspiring. It almost makes the puking worth it!!

[@PeterdeRooij]

Good video. Courageous too - not too many accounts around that go into a DNF in any detail. And relatable for me. Tried Eiger E101 last summer and dropped at the halfway point due to heat. Walked slowly into the aid station, out of breath, nauseous and a little dizzy but committed to continue. Sat down, stayed out of breath, nauseous and dizzy, and then my legs started twitching. All signs of heat exhaustion. Decided to pull out. Devastated, but I still think the right decision😞

[@tommosal]

Totally unrelated to this video (which was great as always), I keep forgetting to ask you why you used a scourer in front of your headtorch on TDS, what was the reason?

[@FilmMyRun]

@@tommosal haha, excellent! So, my old Petzl NAO headtorch was fine for a few hours of running. But after a whole night, and then another night it would leave a red mark on my forehead and would become uncomfortable to wear. I had planned to take something to protect my head but I forgot. So at the last minute I grabbed the sponge from the sink in the apartment!! It worked quite well!! However, I have since upgraded to the latest Nao headstock which is much more comfortable to wear for long periods

[@tommosal]

@FilmMyRun That's amazing 😂, I'm doing the Arc 100 in January, maybe I'll try it!

[@andrewstorm8240]

Correct decision. European heat can be heavy and faced a similar situation in Swiss.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thank you Andrew, yes it was unbearable for me at times. However, plenty of others managed fine, so maybe some heat acclimation training next year.

[@andrewstorm8240]

@ live in Europe for a month:-)

[@gdkmouse]

I have just booked this race for next year. What was your training plan for this race

[@FilmMyRun]

@@gdkmouse it wasn’t an A race so there wasn’t a specific plan. I was working towards OCC in Chamonix at the end of August. But that said I was doing between 60 and 100km per week but not enough elevation. Should be trying to get at least 2000 metres at week

[@BDamen1984]

I recently ran my first ultra and can finally relate a little bit to the struggle you went through. I love how real your channel is. Maybe that's why I need to mention the awful cringy ai music 😂 Please please please don't!

[@FilmMyRun]

@@BDamen1984 I paid thousands for that girl to sing my lyrics!

[@BDamen1984]

😂

[@palmyarmyswim]

First 1min29s- looks a great place....1min30s in suspension bridge of doom...nope. Glad I can say I saw the video. Better luck next time!

[@jameslong2659]

How did the Hoka’s feel?

[@FilmMyRun]

Actually fine. They are definitely firmer than previous editions but I didn't find them uncomfortable. However, maybe they contributed to how slow I felt in general, without me realising!! Thanks so much for watching

[@AaronRobinson67]

Some feedback that I hope you'll take constructively as I am absolutely not trying to be mean. Your content is becoming over dramatic, likely because you want or need to build up your user base. There's a sense of desperation, especially with the product placement which was crude at best and verging on deceitful. When you're puking like that, a sponsor's drink isn't magically going to be the only thing that you don't throw up. The video you made of the female runner that was changing Wikipedia was verging on slander, particularly around what she may have experienced growing up that contributed, watching it was like reading the tittle tattle in Hello magazine or a Sun headine. You can and do produce great content and I'd love to see that continue, but get rid of this other stuff thats creeping in.

[@FilmMyRun]

Thanks for the honest critique Aaron. It's always interesting to see how people take these things. Some comments says this video is an honest and raw account, which is what I like to think it is rather than over dramatic. It's just what happened. If you watch my Race to the Stones video, it went perfectly well without any dramas and I didn't artificially create any dramas. With product placement, perhaps I don't do it as well as others, I don't know. I thought it was ok. There were just two references to products in a 40 minute video. It has to be done unfortunately. But the important thing to remember here is that I choose my sponsors because I like the product and get on with it. It is amazing how your stomach can indeed filter out what stays down and what it throws up. Happens to me all the time and Yfood....or milk products in general tend to sit better with me. If I throw up it's usually the Red Bull! Regarding the 'opinion' videos which I started to do more of. Yes, it's more over dramatic but they do very well indeed from a views perspective and I generally try to be balanced. Yes, I'm not going to get it right all of the time, but I do my best. I'll continue to do them as I'll continue to promote my sponsors and do race vlogs as I have always done. Hopefully I can find a balance that doesn't offend too many people!! Thanks so much for watching and I appreciate your thoughts.