There comes a day when you decide to take all your fears by the hand and face life’s greatest challenge. This was my Tor des Géants, which started on September 8: a 330-km run along the Alte Vie 1 and 2 trails in the Aosta Valley, starting and finishing in Courmayeur, with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters, passing by the Matterhorn, Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, and Grand Combin.

The race really gets going in La Thuile with the first two climbs over 3,000 meters, while the first night arrives in Valgrisanche, along with a hot meal and a change of clothes. In these challenges, choosing the right clothing is essential because the weather conditions are very harsh. That’s why I chose Oxyburn for my gear, featuring the Halny jersey—essential for keeping my torso protected even on sunny days with cold air—and the Mistral jersey, which protects you and keeps your body warm while allowing moisture to escape—even in the short-sleeved version. I usually wear very short pants in the summer, but for long distances I prefer to support my muscles with the Kylyàn shorts, whose compression is truly revitalizing.

With the cold growing even more intense, I make my way over the dreaded Col Loson to Cogne. After 106 km, I reach Lake Miserin, the Dondena Mountain Hut, and Champorcher. Just as my spirits are starting to flag, I arrive in Donnas, where I find many friends cheering me on. I tackle the steep trail from Pont Saint Martin to Perloz, then the climb to the Coda Mountain Hut, but the steep incline makes for slow going. At the Barma Refuge, with 205 km under my belt, I decide to rest. Setting off again from Gressoney, excited for the climb to Colle del Pinter, I lose time trying to find the trail.

At dawn on the third day in Champoluc, I find myself early on the descent toward the Magià Refuge, having covered 270 km. The third-place Spanish woman is losing ground, but behind me, the Japanese runner is making up minutes. At Colle del Malatrà, I treat myself to one last refreshment stop at the Frassati Refuge. From there, I only remember the finish line, which I crossed after 96 hours, 55 minutes, and 5 seconds, finishing third, overwhelmed by exhaustion and emotion. This was my Tor des Géants, and I experienced it my way—doing the ordinary in an extraordinary way.