Running the HARDEST and HIGHEST section of the UTMB course (2023 training part 2)

Today we are running on the UTMB route from Les Chapieux in France to Rifugio Elisabetta in Italy taking in the highest point of the whole course along the way and some pretty spectacular views!
Awesome training plans to get you that PB you deserve!
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[@markholliday6734]

Lovely to see you both smiling and enjoying yourself. Keep going.

[@timeonfeet]

Great to see what some of the tough sections of the race look like, pretty spectacular and arduous! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@aidanoc19]

Loving the utmb content. Such a beautiful part of the world. Good luck with your prep.

[@paulchambers4844]

Loving this series with both of you. Enjoy seeing a genuine couple enjoying something they both share a love for. Looking forward to next weeks. - As for those mountains .... bloody 'ell!!! 🤪

[@diarmuidtruax2894]

Thanks so much for putting these videos out. It really eases the nerves to get a first hand perspective of what we have in store for the race. And a bonus to actually see some of the sections that I won't see during the race because it'll be dark.

[@clojo989]

Really enjoyed watching you and Sarah having such a blast! Beautiful shots and great insight from both of you - very inspiring! I'm working through the miles up towards ultras - hopefully do my first one around next autumn. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing your journey!

[@saytani]

Ben, you and Sarah are an absolute inspiration! Love the attitude and your approach this time round and what youre capturing in terms of the views are amazing!

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Good Luck! To both of you.

[@mikew6840]

Love this kind of content - gotta crack out of your roadie comfort zone every now & then 😊. Hope all keeps going well.

[@teddylim5305]

Thanks

[@BruceJackson-SEOCoach]

Great video, fantastic to see this section in daylight that I'll be running in the dark I guess. Hope to see you in Cham. In 4 weeks. Enjoy the rest of your trip! 👍

[@runningforviews]

This is your year Ben! And Sarah looks so happy to be in the mountains! You’ll both crush it!

[@petewilcock]

Key thing with the Maurten gels is to rip DOWN the seam. If you're not paying attention and rip up, the opening isn't large enough to squeeze the gel out. You must rip with the seam because the material doesn't cut if you try to gnaw at it with your teeth.

[@bennyytube]

Hey Ben, for Sarah and the poles, I use the compress sport free belt. I love it as it's really easy to put ilthe poles in and out and it can also store gels and power bars etc. Speak soon

[@nokwazishezi7580]

I just discovered (few weeks)your channel so much love from South Africa ❤️

[@tombriggs-hx2gm]

This is a really great video. Quite a lot of interesting chat as well as capturing the terrain. And having fun. A nice change this week from road running shoetubers trying to review the new Nike ultra shoes!

[@danielconde13]

What a superb environment! Wish you good training sessions.

[@fecardona]

Ben, it’s refreshing to see you wear your hat forward. Good in so many ways. Do it more often!

[@ashley1scott]

I’m with Sarah on using the Salomon pole quiver, I have been trying to get on with it for the last couple of months, It’s just a pain to get the poles into it whilst still moving at a reasonable pace. I use the Salomon belt to attach my poles to but I wear the poles at the front for two reasons. Firstly they are easier for me to get to as I can see the straps, secondly they don’t bounce around as much as when the are behind me

[@rubarb1275]

Amazing views, and I hope you both stay injury free so you can give the race your best! Also really like the red top, I will check it out in the store. 👍

[@Logs888]

This looks so crazy running on that ground 😮 but absolutely stunning at the same time 😊 keep it up!

[@ochtysia]

Thanks

[@BenParkes]

Thank you very much 🙂

[@nunoestacio3390]

Great video. I did the TMB to prepare, but missed the col des Pyramides part! Good luck with training. We saw you filming the last episode in la Balme some week ago!

[@michaeleaton6249]

love this, i really hope it goes well for you both in 6 weeks, totally deserve it! :)

[@gsa9408]

Fantastic scenery. This channel is amazing, good luck Ben and Sarah

[@pedrob8787]

Amazing stuff! Norway is equally as stunning , get yourselves there!

[@diederiklegrange7248]

Tell Sarah she can put the poles in the back loops of a waist belt, like the ones on Compressport. But put those rubber point protectors on, because it can nip one on the inside of the forearm.

[@peterseager6970]

Thanks for the videos. I’m competing in OCC this year. Getting scarily close now!! Good to see what the typical terrain looks like. Good luck for UTMB yourselves 👍

[@jimcotton5005]

Inspiring video - you really capture the majesty of the Alps. And that Legend hat is .. well ... legendary! I want it. good luck to you both for the next six weeks of work

[@debbiepriest8123]

Great video Ben, all the best to you both for UTMB, you really deserve to do well after all the hard training and previoius setbacks that you've had,

[@gingerwhiskyman7032]

I struggled with what to do with poles when not using them and found the Salomon Pulse belt, perfect!! Just tucks them away under the pack, easy to access and pop away, plus it has a pocket on the front for other bits n bobs.

[@MrRunner10]

Such a beautiful area! Looking good guys

[@grahammethold]

I know Sarah’s pain. I’ve tried storing poles waist front, waist back, chest front .. . Poles are just an annoying essential! Keep it steady with the training. I’m in Split, Croatia for a week’s holiday with 9km Strava run booked for tomorrow morning in the hills!

[@JamesSmith-iz3pl]

Great guys, looking good and sounding so positive. Thanks for the vid. Stunning views

[@stevehavas3970]

Sarah, ‘Naked’ waist band holds poles ++ very well. I also struggled for ages to find this solution.

[@rockpooltrackclub]

Used to have the same Maurten problem, can solve by snipping an extra 2-3mm with scissors before you go

[@Snerunseasy]

This is lovely, beautiful scenes ... thanks for an amazing blog...

[@robkgilchrist]

Love the UTMB videos, the views are amazing

[@Ov50-everyotherdayrunner]

Really like the look of the legend hat 👌🏼 - bought your bucket hat too recently and can vouch for it being the best bucket hat I’ve owned for Ultra running esp….. 👍🏻

[@eric-running-to-chamonix]

I have that quiver and the black diamond poles. I noticed that you are not using the notch on the tip guard to clip onto the pole. It is much easier getting the poles in and out if you use that.

[@flocav6962]

Are you going to make a video on all the kit you’ll be wearing (and dragging along) on raceday? Thanks! And great work out there!

[@adrimansvelder7875]

Forget the anxieties of the past and prepare for the future Ben! Run the UTMB again, but prevent injury before the race.

[@trentwilliamson4021]

Great content guys. Really enjoying your adventures. Keep it coming!

[@thesecretrunner26]

Fantastic video and energy from you both - keep getting it done 👍💪🏃🏻‍♂️

[@sandstromj]

Thx for a really nice training video, such a beautiful place.

[@rachelshirley8403]

Spectacular footage - love the different energy you both bring 😉

[@stevenmcfarlane6010]

Loving the optimism, and general happy vibe. Good luck

[@weekendkicks5964]

Got UTS in May and feeling very inspired to hit UTMB at some point! Thank you 👍🏻

[@alexandrechibane6838]

Very nice video!! Sometimes I hope UTMB will have a 12h-spreaded version with 6AM start to be able to see those sections in sunny hours! Have a nice last month😎

[@freeridethealps8350]

Hiking TMB next week so this is fab, thanks. See you in Cham for the race?

[@wk633]

Naak is a Canadian company out of Quebec. Also unknow in California which mean a lot of people running Canyons were seeing it for the first time. I liked the waffles but not so much the hydration. A lot of fellow runners seemed to agree.

[@simonlakin5067]

Great video, thanks to you both. Regarding the quiver. Looking at it myself as I’m doing the Hardmoors 60 in six weeks time. Be interested to hear what yours and Sarah’s thoughts are on it. Many thanks Simon

[@Feanaro5503]

Wow. I hate running hills, but that scenery would at least get me to try going up them.

[@thijsvisser]

Hi Ben, and did the quiver served it's goal? I did the UTMB route back in June in 4 days, it was the best experience. It is great to see you two enjoying the same paths and mountains as I did. You will nail UTMB this time!

[@gusts27]

I remember this part. I did it during TDS training. Fantastic views. Just the part before Courmayeur is bit hard.

[@tompatrick795]

Looks fun. FYI - I’m working away on your marathon plan for beginners, at week 10. Thanks for all you do!

[@nathankempf1990]

Since you're counting on the aid stations to take naak nutrition, I thought I'd let you know that, on the two UTMB events I've ran this year so far, all the Naak stuff was actually cut in small pieces not bigger than a nail. Hopefully it will be different at UTMB, but on the by UTMB events I ran, you could not actually leave the aid stations with new naak bars in your vest

[@Leeroy49]

Incredible views :)

[@kiwitrailruns7656]

Thanks for a great vid Ben. Would def be keen for a run during UTMB week in Chamonix 😎

[@malsbals]

I like your hat, Ben!

[@nicmarlow6388]

beautiful and brutal! What was your drink, it looked interesting. And it's SO lovely to see Sarah on camera, I know she's no longer doing her own channel but i've missed her. x

[@russamehta]

Fantastic videos. Keep them coming. It’s the closest I’ve been to the UTMB course.

[@ians3983]

Heh Ben Sarah great video and great to see your both well, you two keep me inspired and running and keep getting it done. 👍👍👍

[@peterrichmond6133]

Got a quiver about a month ago, game changer and now wouldn’t be without it.

[@bh4560]

Seriously great content. You guys are living the dream. I must get a bit of trail running into my runs. 😢

[@goodvietnam]

great!

[@chapel64]

that was a worried look when you dropped your camera at 6:39 in the river im sure go pros go surfing often haha

[@mickdubhgall]

The quiver is useless on your own. They tend to get snagged and are just awkward if you wish to keep moving. Much better is the Salomon pulse belt, which I've used on the use 100k. The y were much easier to use and have a useful front pocket for a phone or something...

[@jh230377]

Great videos guys, keep going 👍

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Forget the gels, just put 320 in your bottles 😅 or any 1:0,8 drink really. Styrkr is great too

[@macau.friend]

I thought you prefer attaching the poles to the back of your belt? I love the Salomon quiver, but it can be a bit fiddly to put the poles back into it. Another con is that even though Salomon jackets are designed to be worn with the backpack inside, you can’t do that if you have the quiver attached.

[@Langstonrocks]

This area is really beautiful 🤩 you cannot see anything here during UTMB as it is night. Took me 8hours to get to Les Chapieux (35h finish), Im aiming for 32h this year and plan to take 8h to Les Chapieux with better pacing at the start 😆 Also, there was a mandatory kit check here last year. They checked every runners rain jacket, head lamp and mobile Phone.

[@Langstonrocks]

And regarding the crampons, I always carry them if i expect snow but hardly ever put them on, only in very severe situations eg lots of ice. For longer periods I feel they put pressure on my toenails and get very uncomfortable especially downhill.

[@Langstonrocks]

Lots of pro runners use quivers but it never worked for me. I tried attaching them to a waist belt, not great either but finally I found a good way to attach them easily to the bottom of my backpack. I dont mind running with poles in hands but it's way better to have free hands at the crowded aid stations

[@richardantrobus7186]

hardest section for me was the boulder field over to flegere... brutal on tired legs 😬 followed closely by the section after the italian border which felt like running over a mountain covered with snooker balls. I'm sure others have their own opinion!

[@valadosmsport]

Tell Sara I use two bungees and toggles to the front of my Salomon, easy to put away or access to use

[@sharonelliott7481]

Looks amazing id love to have a go at this

[@baltsu]

Now when I heard how you pronounced Maurten, I realized that it should be named Mårten. It's a Swedish name. Maybe they write it Maurten because some people don't have Swedish o in the keyboard. From now on I will call it Mårten.

[@deanpower3079]

Our friend ricki Wynne is currently out training on the utmb course out with alot of other Irish guys .. looking for placement or the win on ccc this year

[@johndudley2030]

Wearing a hat with the peak at the front? I didn't recognise you at the start! 😂

[@severiner7168]

Amazing video! Can't believe you saw an Ibex!

[@inkysteve1967]

Very very cool 👌🏻

[@jjnrmason]

See you in Valencia will be my second marathon

[@wk633]

I have a quiver but I find it hard to access unless it's on the front. My best solution so far is crossways at the back of my Salomon Sense Pro belt.

[@mokefish8126]

I want to try the Salomon quiver, but they are seemingly always sold out worldwide.

[@spiritlord77]

Suggestion for Sarah: S/LAB belt or PULSE belt from Salomon. I prefer the latter.

[@gingerbread222]

But when is Sarah’s hat available for purchase?! 🔥🔥

[@robwilliams9965]

Hmmm..🤔... definitely something different about you today Ben?!! 🧢😝😁

[@jasonhawen3272]

Hey Ben, will you be trying out the Nike ultrafly?

[@neilmurray549]

👌👍

[@The_Funky_Horn]

I really want to like trails, but hate the twisty, unevenness which prevents building a rhythm like you do on the road. Smaller steps maybe?

[@diederiklegrange7248]

Harrier poles nice..:)🙋🏻‍♂️. Do I see right?

[@nigelgreen7585]

Do you normally use a quiver instead of a pole belt?

[@nitishprajapati7077]

what were you drinking to hydrate

[@sarfarazkhan9441]

Which one is better nike zoom fly 5 or nike zoom tempo next percent... Plz reply

[@johnmcgough1217]

What running vest are you using?

[@simenmadsen2232]

Does anyone know what watch Ben is using?

[@hustle3011]

For gods sakes! Marry that woman!!!

[@fireman3857]

Don't skip weights, bones protect the organs, muscles protect the bones. Good luck

[@andrewslough389]

Take a shot every time UTMB is mentioned

[@neilreynolds432]

Seems you changed your shoes on the run

[@jackbarton4938]

Does anyone else think that Ben Parkes the Runner looks like Ben Duckett the Cricketer?