Off-road running on trails and amongst the hills has grown in popularity in recent years. Running with nature can add many new dimensions both to your health and to your sport. By taking to the trails runners find that they can escape by getting off the beaten track and get to discover new places. Varying your training and building up your off-road running can help prevent sports injuries and improve your strength and fitness along the way.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in the Chamonix Valley

You will meet your coaches at your chalet in the evening who will brief you on the week ahead. Afterwards relax and unwind by tucking into the first of many tasty dishes to come. Our chef and nutritionist has designed the perfect runners menu for the week, offering a healthy and nutritious selection of delicious meals.

Day 2 Chamonix Valley Run & Test Your Fitness!

Morning: An easy run with stunning views of the Mont Blanc range. Speed is not the issue! To ensure that you get the most out of your week we will have two coaches available on our group runs to enable us to have two groups if necessary.

Afternoon: We complete our first day with a series of (non-frightening!) fitness tests and user friendly ways that you can assess and monitor your own fitness improvements. The fitness tests include finding out your heart rate zones with use of a treadmill and also a body composition analysis. The reports of which can be taken home with you and aid your future training.

We will also cover what we will need to carry and wear for our mountain days and organise when your complimentary leg massage will be.

Day 3 Mountain Highs & HRMs

Full Day: Our chalet base is ideally situated to access the mountains from the front door! We plan for a full day out taking a light lunch and snacks and explore some of the many trails the valley has to offer both uphill walking and running. During the day you will learn running techniques to tackle different types of terrain and route choice. As we progress we will get use to using maps and introduce simple, effective navigation along with advice on route choice.

If you have a heart rate monitor (HRM) then bring this along as we will use the information found from the fitness tests the previous day to help with our training.

Day 4 Learn to Love Hills!

Morning: A morning run looking at running 'drills' (don't be scared...) and training methods to strengthen your legs for both on and off road. We will also have a session to try running poles - a great help if on a steeper climb.

Afternoon: Nutritional and hydration advice for pre-race, during and after racing and training. Stretching and flexibility class.

Day 5 Vallorcine Valley

Full Day: We take the Mont Blanc Express - one of the world's most picturesque train journeys to the neighbouring valley of Vallorcine. Today we will run along some of the famous 'Tour du Mont Blanc' walking circuit following the trails of the Chamonix Marathon. We will cover 'night-running', mountain hazards, weather, terrain, emergencies and how to handle/ avoid them whilst on the move!

Discussion topic: Injury Prevention and Barefoot running.

Day 6 Goal Setting, Core Class & Free Afternoon

Morning: We look at ways to improve our strength and stability with a gym based core stability work out. Discussion forum on how to prepare the mind, body and feet for the longer distances. We will take time to plan your next adventures and how to train most effectively for them we will venture into how to go for longer and pushing harder.

We will also have a planning session for your next adventures and how to train most effectively for them we will venture into how to go for longer and pushing harder.

Afternoon: Time to explore Chamonix or just relax in the chalet and enjoy the views!

Day 7 Peak Performance!

Full Day: Today is all about putting everything into practice. Looking at the weather, setting a route, having the right equipment and the 'know how' to plan a fun full day out in on the trails. We plan to run/hike to a 'summit' to ensure that you finish your week on a true high! We'll cover some distance and height to gain unforgettable views and memories. You will go home with the confidence and motivation to hit the trails when you return home.

Evening: Final meal and farewells.

On the last weekend of June Chamonix hosts several trail races. The atmosphere that week is always exceptional and as a runner you just want to be involved. If you wish to take part or to watch this even then please us know and we can accommodate this into your week.

Day 8 Departure Day

Today is departure day and the package finishes after breakfast.

Meet the Coaches

Julia: as Director of Tracks and Trails she works full time as an International Mountain Leader and cross country ski teacher in the Alps. She's happy to admit that everyday her office window has a new view! Julia's sporting vices are Nordic ski marathons, trail, fell and mountain marathons, climbing and biking. Her life before the mountains was as a personal trainer and triathlete in London. Julia gets great pleasure from giving skills to others to explore the outdoors with confidence and achieve their goals.

Jon: is well known in the mountaineering world as a professional climber and IFMGA mountain guide. Jon Bracey co directs Vertigo Guides and uses trail running for both pleasure and racing during the summer months and as 'cross training' to enhance his ski alpinism racing. Jon's mountaineering experience is vast and his enthusiasm for sport is truly inspiring. Jon gets great pleasure offering structured training tips and advice whatever your goal may be.

Neil Maclean-Martin: is the Director of the Clinique du Sport in Chamonix and has worked for more than ten years as a Physiotherapist in the world of elite and international sport (including various Olympic and Commonwealth Games). He is a clinical specialist in Musculoskeletal sports injuries with a Masters in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Science. Apart from running his clinic, Neil is currently working with elite climbers, cyclists and runners in a coaching capacity by helping them with their training programs. So whether you need help with an injury or it's prevention, in need of a sports massage, require nutritional or training advice Neil can help.

Neil in action at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

Accommodation

We stay in a luxury chalet within easy reach of the centre of Chamonix. Our chalet was recently renovated with en suite twin rooms, spacious living and dining area, plus TV lounge, free wi-fi, and a gorgeous garden where you can enjoy the incredible views of Mont Blanc while relaxing in the hot tub, stretching on the terrace, or sitting in the sun with a cool drink! The use of chalets for accommodation always depends on numbers, availability and the time of confirming the bookings once the minimum numbers for the trip have been met. If the chalet is not available then we will book hotel accommodation of a similar standard.

Included: Full board accommodation (except lunch on your rest day) based on two people sharing in a luxury catered chalet, a planned healthy runners menu, 3 x coaches, 1x single cable car ticket (if needed), equipment hire for all sessions within the itinerary, 1 x sports leg massage, flexibility and core classes, fitness testing & trail run training.

Not included: Flights and airport transfers, insurance, 1 x lunch, drinks, maps and race entry during the Chamonix's running week.

Minimum numbers

This week will run once a minimum number of 4 clients have booked, we will take a maximum of 16.

Insurance

Please note that you must have the appropriate insurance for your chosen activity. As we will be running in the mountains you must be covered for helicopter rescue, repatriation and medical costs. With regard to this please be sure you have read the Insurance section in our Terms and Conditions.

Further Information

Upon booking a full kit list will be provided. The itinerary is designed to cover the essential information for those starting out or wanting to improve their trail running. We will certainly cover all aspects of the itinerary but due to changing mountain weather conditions we ask you stay flexible so that we can get the most out of each day.

If you would like to join our June dates that coincide with the Chamonix Marathon and other trail races and would like to take part then please ask for more details on how to enter or visit the Chamonix Club des Sport website. To be sure of a place for any of the events we advice that you book your race place as soon as you can - the marathon distance normally fill up soon after booking open online. The 10km though is normally possible to book the week of the event.

To get the most out of your week you may wish to buy a copy of the French IGN: Chamonix Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25,000 map this is available on arrival or online. Compasses would also be useful. Some are available for loan during the week.

Travel

Chamonix is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. For suggested travel links please refer to our Booking & Information pages for further details. Geneva is the closest international airport, only 75 minutes away by road, making shared transfers, buses or trains easy to arrange. Please contact us if you need further advise on your specific travel requirements.

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