Hiking Tour du Mont Blanc, An Unforgettable Adventure

[@runningwithsimon]

One of the hardest movie to put together emotionally. The beginning of the adventure was so great. But the higher you climb the harder you fall...

[@parkerliang]

This is my dream. To be able to afford to go there and run trails.

[@runningwithsimon]

It was our dream too. There are ways to make it more affordable, especially if you backpack instead of go to huts for the nights. Of course the flight is always pricy depending where you fly from.

[@lesliew4026]

What an emotional rollercoaster for you both, the love, connection, joy, excitment to sadness, hurt, disappointment and so much more. The scenery added another layer and depth to the story. One of the things that keeps me coming back, is the connection you both have to each other. The joy and love you have and show talking about and being in each others presence, you really captured it in this video. It makes you both so relatable. Glad to hear Nora is recoverying and that you two are planning more adventures.

[@runningwithsimon]

Thank you for all the kind words.

[@shild6626]

This was the best video! Thank you for putting it together! Love your adventures. Hope Nora is recovering. Looking forward to your next adventures.

[@ArcaneSpells]

Well said!

[@PakanitK]

Thanks for this video. I wish her speedy recovery. 💪🏻

[@runningwithsimon]

Thank you! Progress is slow but very good. Yesterday we did 10 miles on trails - a mix of hike and jog. Not very fast, but it's a good sign because trails can be hard on ankles

[@roy3677]

Thank you for sharing videos of your beautiful adventure. Hope Nora has recovered.

[@runningwithsimon]

She's improving through a lot of hard work and daily physiotherapy exercises and strengthening. Always slower than you'd want (it's been about 12 weeks I think). But some clear progres - today we went for 10 miles on trail. A mix of walk and jogging. Her ankle was sore after, but it's a huge improvement compared to 8-10 weeks ago when she couldn't walk much

[@ArcaneSpells]

Beautiful footage, thanks for sharing all your highs and lows. Sorry things didn’t turn out how you two hoped. I’m glad Nora is getting better!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks for saying this :)

[@ervinslens]

What a beautiful scenery, absolutely stunning mountains my friend and so professionally put together! Bravo 👏

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks!

[@michel.h_cf99]

My dream route too, but in 7 or 8 days 😊 Greets from 🇨🇭

[@runningwithsimon]

It's absolutely worth doing! Although some very cool route in CH too and the italian alps. The views we had during Tor des Geants were solid too on I think Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 3 (although I might be mixing the numbers)

[@BellasBone]

Simon ; thank you for making a raw and emotional video and sharing it with us. I know it wasn’t the trip you wanted but it became a testament to the love 2 people share and a lesson in overcoming adversity. At the end of the day, life is about the memories you make together with Nora and thank goodness she had your support in her unfortunate moment!: In the end, I’m sure Nora saw the love you have for her and maybe it wasn’t the memories you wanted to make but instead they became the memories, you needed to make together. Your’s and Nora’s life has been hard charging and full of accomplishments; if Nora’s injury forced you to slow down and refocus your energy on your bond as husband and wife, was it truly a bad thing? I’m sure that Nora had a ton of guilt over this too, but wherever you go next, I’m sure you will experience it with love and commitment to one another and what better memory is there to make? Everything else is just window dressing!

[@runningwithsimon]

You're right about the guilt. Feeling it could have easily been prevented. And also 'spoiling' it for me. I think it's a normal thing to feel when you care for each other. And of course I was disappointed we couldn't do the whole thing, but I'm mostly sad for her. Because in my case at least I was racing Tor des Geants the week after. It's for her thta it made a big difference. And of course the subsequent consequence of the injury inthe months following which she is still dealing with. When we were in the Alps, we actually heard that many people had to stop their Tour du Mont Blanc adventure too - but because they caught a stomach bug and were very sick. We both felt like although that would have been unfortunate too - it would have been much easier to deal with because 1 week later you are fine. And you can't feel guilty about being sick.

[@OmahaTonyG]

The video is beautiful. I’m sorry to hear that. Things didn’t go well. Stay strong.

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks - yes unfortunate turns of events but we can still find some positive. Overall the trip (including meeting the family and me racing Tor des Geants the week after) was very positive.

[@nataliamartinkova]

Going into this video, knowing how it ends, made watching it from the pure joy in the beginning heartbreaking even for a stranger. I am sorry for her pain and disappointment of your little family. What helps me heal from injuries is walking with two forearm crutches in sync with the injured leg. Lots of exercise without most of weight bearing (plus I don't have a car).

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks - exactly the ending is a bit sad. But pure joy at the start, which makes the fall even worse. She's much better now - just today for example we walk/jog/walk/jog for 10 miles / 16km on trails. After the initial healing phase, she did a lot of physiotherapy exercises to strengthen and loosen everything. It's a lot of work everyday, but she's got it!

[@KaskaGdela]

Awww Simon! tears me apart to see this and at the same time it elevates me to see how true your love and your bond is. It wont be the same time next time. It will be better!!!Sorry don't wnt to be to corny but you guys inspire me for both: the mountain running and for human connections.

[@runningwithsimon]

That's true- we'll be back and make it different but better. And now we know what to expect and how to plan so it's going to be a little simpler. There are also other areas of the alps we've been considering. I might even be back next year for Swiss 360 (depends on work)

[@shild6626]

Beautiful video!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thank you - makes me wonder how nice the rest of the Tour would have been... But luckily I got a lot of Alps views too when I did Tor des Geants afterwards (still working on the movie - probably releasing it in 1-2 weeks)

[@lindawilliams6220]

Thanks!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thank you! Not entirely the way we wanted this adventure to turn, but still a lot of happiness and good memory. I was actually considering stopping the movie at the injury but it felt a bit odd

[@louischiasson1366]

Bravo pour la vidéo!!!! Comment as-tu trouvé le sac Ultraspire? As-tu déjà essayé les Ultimate Direction Fastpack?

[@runningwithsimon]

Merci! Tres satistfait du sac Ultraspire. Je l'ai egalement utiliser pour Tor des Geants. Mais non je n'ai jamais utiliser Ultimate Direction donc je ne peux pas comparer

[@samuelkau9973]

What a beautiful place. I have been interested in that ultraspire pack. What were your thoughts on it? Was there bouncing when you ran? Also, iee see they now have a 20 liter version. Was the 30 the right size for you this trip?

[@runningwithsimon]

Loved it - and perfect for this. You can tight it up, so at least on my body/frame, it was fine for running (fyi I also used it for the full Tor des Geants race). For Tour du Mont Blanc the volume was needed. Because you carry also small sleeping bag and more food for the full 4 days. For tor des genats, it was a bit too much. But that doesn't really matter. I'd rather be able to toss anythnig I want in there when at life base vs. having to make tough decision. It probably 'saved' my race to some extent because during Tor des Geants, weather turned to crap and had to carry winter gear. It felt safer to have too much and even spare to change out of wet stuff if needed.

[@seahog32]

You must really hate the sun, Simon. Or maybe it hates you.

[@runningwithsimon]

Do you mean about the hat and arm sleeves? I just really like the simplicity of not having to carry sunscreen, especially on longer event like the week long Tor des geants or this here.