Runner's Tale: The Marathon Annecy Lake 2024: Amelie's Story
Created in 1980 by the Annecy Haute Savoie Athletics Sports Club, The Marathon Annecy Lake saw its 43rd edition take place on April 14, 2024.
This event brought together over 4,500 runners from France and all over the world (Germany, Switzerland, United States, Kenya, China...) for the 42 km race.
The start of this marathon is located in the famous city of Annecy, in Haute-Savoie, where the runners run along the west bank of the famous lake. After those of Paris and Albi, it is the third oldest marathon in France.
To date, the records for The Marathon Annecy Lake are held by Kenyans: Felix Kirui Kiprotich (2h11min26sec) for men and Cynthia Chepchirchir Koshgei (2h28min03sec) for women.
For this 2024 edition of the Marathon Annecy Lake, the winners are the French Damien Grass (2h13min50sec) and Emilie Lassere (2h47min15sec).
On this occasion, we met Amélie G., who participated in this marathon, and asked her a few questions about her experience. With this article, discover The Marathon Annecy Lake through the eyes of Amélie, a participant. From the preparation to the race day, delve into her journey and gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of marathon.
Who is Amélie, one of the runners of The Marathon Annecy Lake?
Can you introduce yourself briefly? Tell us more about you, your running activities, your gear...
My name is Amélie, I'm 30 years old and I regularly practice running as I run about 4 to 5 times a week for several years. It's a sport I deeply love. I like the effort it requires, the sense of balance it provides, and the adrenaline rush that makes me feel alive and strong. I also enjoy the challenge of competitions and am actually a member of an athletics club.
I ran my first marathon in Jersey in 2023, which made me want to continue. The Marathon Annecy Lake 2024 is therefore my second marathon, during which I beat my personal record of 3h08.
The shoes I ran with are the Nike Vaporfly Next 3, a model I adore because they are dynamic and provide good foot support.
However, for my daily training, I also use Nike shoes and alternate between Nike Pegasus, Turbo Nature, and Tempo Next depending on the exercises.
The preparation
What was your preparation for this marathon?
As I practice this sport year-round without interruption (even on vacation) for several years, I followed a 10 to 12-week preparation tailored to my needs.
I followed the training program of my club coach (who has been following me for a year), doing 6 sessions per week. Towards the end of the preparation, I was running 80-90 km per week. To get my body used to continuous effort and split the big sessions in two, I also practiced bi-weekly.
I do cross-training by incorporating cycling once a week, which works on cardio and preserves my joints. Having had tendonitis, I also work on my ankles/tendons to avoid any injury.
Marathon Annecy Lake 2024 experience
What was your overall impression of the Marathon Annecy Lake ?
I was captivated by the scenery; I didn't expect to run so close to Lake Annecy throughout the entire course, which made it so unique. I was pleasantly surprised by the encouragement from the volunteers all along the 42 km!
There were orchestras to liven up the race at various points along the course, and families and locals sprayed us with water to cool us down, which was very pleasant. We were blessed with exceptional weather with beautiful sunshine, which made the experience incredible (although the high temperatures made the race challenging). I loved being able to enjoy the post-marathon outdoors and take a dip in the lake, it was the little bonus after the ultimate effort.
Are there any specific segments or parts of the course that stood out to you? If so, why?
The finish line, of course, is such a striking moment that officially closes these 42 km covered, the end of the effort, the celebration. After the effort, we also think about others enduring the race and encourage them not to give up and to continue their efforts.
Otherwise, the loop segment to turn around was beautiful. We entered a bit inland with a single road where we could see the mountains towering over us and paragliders flying above our heads. At that moment, my body was relatively "fresh", I looked at the scenery and ran without thinking about the effort.
How were you equipped for this marathon?
To run this marathon, I equipped myself solely with Nike products, as it's my favorite brand and I'm very satisfied with it. I wore a sleeveless Nike tank top, Nike One Swoosh shorts, which are comfortable and allow freedom of movement.
To avoid chafing and blisters, I wore Nike Lightweight socks and for shoes, the Nike Vaporfly Next 3, obviously.
As for accessories, I had a very practical waist bag that didn't hinder my movements. It contained my five gel tubes. I took one every 8 km. For hydration, I drank at the refreshment stations. Otherwise, I saw some runners with flasks or hydration packs.
I'm also equipped with a Garmin Venu 3 watch, which I use in daily life as it's discreet and elegant but, thanks to its features, I track my sports activities. So, I had it on my wrist for this marathon.
What was your best moment during the race, and what was the most difficult?
My best moment was when I finally spotted the arch after long minutes of searching for it... I had a smile glued to my face all the way to the finish line. It was an unforgettable moment since the announcer encouraged and welcomed me 100 meters from the finish line. Another great moment was when I reunited with my partner, Nicolas, who also became a marathon runner. We were overwhelmed with emotions: pride, joy, relief...
The most difficult moment was the 34th kilometer where I suffered from the heat. So, I pushed harder to maintain my target average pace of 4'25/km. In those moments, you dig deep into your mind for resources, it's amazing what happens and how much you can ask your body to draw from its reserves and push its limits. Once past, what satisfaction!
If you had the opportunity to redo the marathon, would you change anything in your preparation or during the race?
I felt quite prepared. I had a lot of mileage in my legs without getting injured, so I'm very satisfied. I already want to plan for the next one and aim for a target of 3h00/3h05... it's something to work towards.
What were your thoughts before, during, and after the race?
Before the race, I tried to memorize my split times at 10k and the half marathon to have timings in mind and adjust during the race. I repeated them to myself just before the start so I wouldn't have to think about them too much afterward. Right before entering the start corral, the announcer pumped us up, I felt really lucky to be there and knew I had to make the most of it.
During the race, I did a lot of mental preparation and broke down my race as best as I could. To celebrate mini-victories, I divided it into blocks of 3-5 km. It helped a lot. I managed to maintain my pace despite the heat and doubts... but the mental aspect took over! I also thought about my partner who was running his first marathon, I'm very proud of him.
I also talked to other runners, and even volunteers who accompanied us on bikes on certain sections, which helped me a lot with the course difficulties. The presence of volunteers is very important, it may seem small to some, but as a runner, we are very grateful, it really helps.
After the race, it was just pure joy.
How do you manage recovery after such an ordeal?
To recover after a marathon, I give myself 6-7 days without running to allow my body to recover from the effort. I also make sure to drink plenty of water, eat well, and get good sleep. My body recovers quickly, which is an advantage, but I respect this rest time to come back even stronger. I don't want to rush back too soon and risk an injury, which would be unthinkable and would delay my return to running.
Are there any specific resources or tools you would recommend for preparation?
Yes, with my athletics group, we created a WhatsApp chat where we share tips, feelings about training, and encourage each other. I recommend all runners to be part of a group, even if they are not part of a club, because the social aspect is very important.
I also use the Garmin Venu 3 in daily life and to track my sports activity. It allows me to record my route and get important information like heart rate, VO2 Max tracking, pace, and time at a glance without having to take out my smartphone.
Last but not least, I use the Strava app to track my workouts and my weekly running volume. This allows those who are not present to follow our efforts and encourage us. As I said, the social dimension is very important in running.
Conclusion of this experience
What advice would you give to someone who wants to participate in this marathon in the future? Preparation, accommodation, transportation...
To participate in the Marathon Annecy Lake, it's crucial to plan your weekend in advance by booking accommodation early enough. Since the event is highly popular, accommodations fill up quickly. During the week leading up to the marathon, it's important to rest as much as possible. On the eve of the race, it's advisable not to stand too much, eat well, and stay hydrated. It's also important to follow your training program diligently to not skip steps and leave nothing to chance. If the preparation has been done well, most of the work is already done. It helps to approach the race with a calm mind, well-prepared, and injury-free.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience at the Marathon Annecy Lake?
I recommend this marathon 100% for the atmosphere, the experience, the location, and the scenery. The organization was superb, with an army of volunteers and all the people along the course whom I thank again for allowing us to have a great time and for encouraging us during difficult moments.
