Thursday noon, Laure Manaudou takes off for Iceland. The former swimmer launches this weekend in a 100% female raid organized by Défi d'Elles, whose goal is to promote the prevention of breast cancer. An adventure in which Laury Thilleman, Miss France 2011, and Valérie Trierweiler are also participating.
On the program, 10 km of cross-country skiing, 15 km of trail and 8 km of race with climbing a glacier at a temperature of minus 5 degrees. Quite far from the sweetness of the Landes where it resides. "I have absolutely no preparation," smiles the Olympic champion in the 400m in 2004. With the holidays, I haven't done much since Christmas. As always, I will count on my mind. "
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✨ DAY ONE ✨ That's it, the 31 kms are finished. A great proof of fact, a little tough but always with a smile. We started by trotting over 10 km, to the 1st ravito, filling our water bottles, finding some French people, taking our courage with both hands and especially on two feet, to climb this giant dune with 600 D + at a stroke. Once at the top, 2 bites of a cereal bar and off you go. A few kilometers of false flat under the sun and the heat of Peru, a nice climb, and at that time, a big thought for the first ones who were already arriving. We are told that this is the last climb, only after "it rolls" until the finish. Actually no. More than 15 kilometers, with legs on fire. Running is more pleasant than walking, we took advantage of it. I no longer remember when the 2nd ravito arrived for the simple reason that the brain was OFF, to be able to move forward without thinking. KMS 21, 3rd and last ravito of the past, that from the descent to the finish line, we made our head work, our mind saying that those who left too quickly were going to slow down at that time, we therefore run until the end, the finish line is visible while the last 2 kilometers are the longest of the event. Why are we here? What happened to us? The little questions that sneaked into my head before looking up and enjoying it. "We are in Peru brothel" We must love it! 6:13 am after departure, we arrive at 3, as expected. My 2 teammates managed like pros! @aureliearne @bdsemilie Come on, tomorrow is x2! The little phrase that pleases the finish line A recovery of 20 minutes in water at 14, a freeze-dried tabbouleh, a little rest and a good night 🌙
A post shared by Laure Manaudou (@lauremanaudouoff) on Dec 2, 2019 at 1:53 pm PST
The queen of pools, 33, who retired in early 2013, is not a first-time user. The sportswoman took a little time to find her way before letting herself be seduced by running. She became a fan of swimruns (mixture of running and swimming in open water) and participated a month and a half ago in Peru in the Half Marathon des Sables, a trail of three stages in the desert (including one of 95 km ) in teams of three in food self-sufficiency.
"I thought you had to be completely crazy to do this to yourself," breaths Manon's mom, 9, and Lou, 2. I am proud to have finished. It is also not very high level and I have the impression that the limits are reasonable. Manaudou is always looking for sensations. But no more victory.
"We can have fun other than by being first"
"Adrenaline is what all retired athletes lack," she says. This small hundredth difference, this short moment of intense joy that you do not necessarily find elsewhere. Of course, it is different today, because there is no longer the sporting result at the end but it is above all a personal satisfaction. I am also looking for the friendly side of engaging in a team, with the aspect of sharing and mutual aid. You don't only have to take care of yourself… ”
The triple world champion, who tries to do sports two to three times a week, but without being forced to do so, has no trouble leaving her ego on the starting line. "I don't want to be last, but I'm not particularly attached to winning," she says. We can have fun other than by being first. I just want to have fun and I don't care about the ranking. It also shows people that it is not because we have been champions in one sport that we should be champions in all others. But I feel that it is a motivation for them to overtake me. You have to know how to take it lightly. "
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Next fall, singer Jérémy Frérot's wife will embark on a new challenge: to bite the Big Apple. She will take part in the 50th New York Marathon on November 1st. Sacred baptism of fire. "It will be another experience, with three months of training," she explains. We will leave at ten girls. There, one cannot take the risk of going there without being prepared! I have the impression that it is more restrictive on the level of the body and the spirit, it is necessary to be more rigorous, there are times per kilometer to respect. You don't do a lot of marathons in your life. It must be taken advantage of and it would be a shame to suffer from it. I'm going to test my mind again… ”
