We started this supported FKT on the Sunday 13th July on the beach of Hendaye and finished on the beach of Banyuls-sur-Mer on the 23rd. What a ride! It will take some time to process everything but right now I'm just super happy we were able to lay the puzzle and make it through to the end together. Nothing about this FKT is individual, it was a big team effort from beginning to end.
Deeper reflections will follow when the brain fog lifts... But for now I think it is necessary to state some of the practicalities this FKT involved. Among other things the support by my wonderful support team consisted of:
- regular crew stops with food & drinks
- pacing / running along sections of the route
- foot baths, foot massages, first aid
- prepping my bag
- planning the next day
- keeping an eye on the weather and other logistical factors
- reviving me when I got really sick ;-)
We were slowed down from day 5 onwards first because of logistics (one of the refuges we planned to sleep in was closed for the season, requiring us to shorten the day), followed by severe illness after drinking contaminated/unfiltered water. Although the stomach virus stayed with me till the end, day 6 and 7 were my 'sick' days in which I had to prioritize my health and shorten the stages. I'm very happy we were able to maintain some speed and make longer days after these slow and short days.
The HRP truly is a relentless but incredibly beautiful route. We got everything we wished for and more. I'm forever indebted to my wonderful crew: Regien Winnubst, Tessel Janse, Ewoud Duijndam, Kevin Servranckx, Caroline Dupont and Willem Sleeboom. This FKT is just as much theirs as it is mine.