My natural attraction for the functioning of the human body push me to build my own training program with the objective the ascent of Mount Everest.

First, I ran plenty of kilometres, increasing the frequency of trips, duration and finally the speed. At the end of this first round of training, I was able to take over distances of twenty kilometres at a speed of 13.5 km/h which means under 4 minutes and 30 seconds per kilometre. These measures were validated by my performance on two tests carried out during the month of October. Pictures are also available on the Picture page of this website. At the same time, I looked for information on physiology and I learned a lot about respiratory functions, muscles and interaction between oxygen and human body. So I deepened my knowledge on the breathing capacity, VO2max, aerobic and anaerobic efforts.

La Cabro d’Or, Sunday October 14th 2007.

Organized by Olympic Cabries Calas’s running section, the event consists on three distance runs : 10 km, half marathon and marathon on the roads of my rural village of Provence. The course has the added advantage of moving in front of the house, which allows me to benefit from the encouragement of my first four supporters, Valentine and children.

The course has no particular difficulty except a short rise at kilometre 16 and the final climb to Cabries Stadium. The weather was perfect : brilliant sunshine as always in Provence, mild temperatures prevailed from 15 ° C and no wind. The organization is well established, however, I deplore the three kilometres of pathways common with the 10 km that lead to a high density of runners with different forces.

Finally, I wish to make an helping hat to a blind runner and his guide that I followed for a few kilometres, I hardly doubled them in the 14th kilometre. Their determination have enthralled me and given me the urge to smash me a little more and accelerate the pace for the last kilometres.

Distance : 21km100 – Time : 1h35mn14s

Then, we turned to classical test VO2max where we measure the maximum capacity of oxygen’s absorption during an intense physical exercise. The effort made beyond this capacity is not sufficiently supplied with energy and waste (CO2 and lactic acid) are not evacuated and are accumulated in muscles. Organism may not pursue this job for a long time. This test consists on making an effort (running, cycling) and increasies the load gradually, gas exchanges are measured with developed power  and heartbeat.

My results

VO2Max : 53 ml / min / kg.

Heart rate maximum : 181 beats per minute.

Anaerobic threshold : 165 beats per minute.

Max power : 330 Watts.

Capacity at 130 pulses : 158 watts.

Capacity at 150 pulses :  202 watts.

Capacity at 170 pulses : 285 watts.

Marseille-Cassis, Sunday October 28th 2007.

Famous and wonderful event attended by more of 12000 people between Marseille and the Cassis harbour. Organization is serious and important with arrival located 20 km from the start that imposes significant logistical repatriation at the beginning for many participants.

The black dot is starting where all competitors are awaiting the starter’s shot. There are no parking spaces in accordance with runners’s levels or racing goals, which leads the first kilometre tumultuous where you have to adjust trajectories,  accelerate and brake in this crowd. Much of runner’s influx is lost in this fight during the first five kilometres. It improves after that with natural selection occurs by the beautiful and rugged climb to Gineste pass (elevation 320 meters), which marks halfway point. The view is fabulous  : sea, blue sky, creeks and the long human serpentine on the road. It remains then to descend on Cassis but this long line is not easy to manage because the runner is divised between its potential to increase the pace and not ignite because cramps and joint pain can appear at any time. The arrival in the harbour of cassis with all its spectators and this special atmosphere is a great moment which undoubtedly makes you want to come back. It is a race that must be learned if we want to achieve a good performance : manage the crowd of the first kilometre, adopt good pace in the climb and can lengthen in the descent to reach Cassis rather cool to be able to have a high speed finish.

Distance : 20km310 – Time : 1h32mn35s

I am now entered the second phase of my training. Satisfied with my basic level, I have conducted tests in the laboratory of  Sainte Marguerite’s Hospital in Marseille to know my natural abilities to physical effort and the ability of my body to adapt at the  high altitude.

The first steps were made on my lungs, their volume and maximum throughput for emptying. The results are in the standard without more, I will be never a high competitor as Amstrong or Indurain, my vital capacity of 5.45 litres remain far away from their 8 litres. But, I already knew it. To perform these steps, we clip on your nose and you have to do a great inspiration after a rest and also a great expired also after an another rest, then after inspiration, you must make a strong and full expiration. The bit in your mouth is wide and uncomfortable, it is likely that you improve your scores with the habit.

My results

CV max : 5.45 litres - theoretical 4.81 litres

VRE : 2.07 litres -  theoretical 1.41 litre

Flow : 9.86 l/s - theoretical 9.10 l/s

I therefore enjoy a good engine, even it is not exceptional. So I am motivated to improve my performances with my future training. But the day testing has not been completed because we make the ultimately test of hypoxia (Body reactivity to lack of oxygen). During 4 minutes of resting, we measure your natural gas exchanges. Then using a breathing apparatus, we simulate the rise in altitude by reducing the level of oxygen in the air, 11% instead of 21% (altitude of about 5000 meters). It should be noted that this is a simulation because normally oxygen is scarce not aloft, its proportion is always equal to 21% of air’s volume whatever the altitud, but it’s the barometric pressure who decreases, which expands air available and  people must breathe more volume to absorb the same amount of oxygen than at sea level. I have  to provide one-third of the maximum power developed at my VO2max test (100 watts) still under simulated altitude of 5000 meters. It was found that my cardiac and respiratory performances at this altitude correspond to 180 watts at sea level Then we unplugged the rarefied air and the effort is continuing at sea level The heart rate and respiratory rate slows down instantly. You get into the lungs a “great breath of fresh air "!

My results

Adapting to normal cardiopulmonary exercise in hypoxia according to the method of JP Richalet.

These tests done in connection with Florence Villien, from Manage’Air inc, we started breathing exercises to increase capacity of my respiratory muscles. Florence has worked with many top athletes and our contacts were very friendly and informative. I advise you to consult her Website for more information. To judge the results of her approach, we have decided not to change my training exercises so far, I will continue to run plenty of kilometres. But fall and winter do not facilitate outflows in the evening after work, so I will be replaced it with biking on my home trainer in the fitness center that we have moved.

Our bags have already flown to Kathmandu early March. They have been picked up by the Himex team of Sherpas in Nepal.

But we want to introduce you the most specific pieces of our gear. With one click on each picture below, you will have a more accurate description on these important  elements necessary to try, succeed and return safely from such an adventure.

The list of equipment was composed by our expedition leader. Then, final choices have to be made by expedition member. We made them with the Antoine’s help (our teampartner) and with the advice of Au Vieux Campeur stores in Paris.