The Verdon Canyon challenge is a trail running race held in the George du Verdon in the south of France. On the same weekend there is an 8km, 17km, 30km, and 100km ultra. All courses are off road with some large climbs and descents.

To be honest I didnt really know the full facts when I signed up for the 17km race. I didnt realize what an 1100M climb in the first 5k would be like.  Didnt know that I would not be able to use stairs or even walk straight for several days after it. I didnt realize that I would be lost on the side of a mountain with 3 other French guys. But anyway I was on a 1 week holiday in Provence so why not. It should offset some of the food and wine that I planned on taking in....

A few days before leaving I found the list of mandatory items needed for the race. A backpack with hydration system, a whistle, an elasto-plast, survival blanket, energy gel/bar and a phone preferably with GPS. This started to get me worried. The day before the race I found this video (See end of article). Watching that left me more worried and confused. What the hell had I entered, and was that wierd French guy really wearing underpants....