Well, I'm in a different league compared to you guys (is it still the Conference?) and saw things from the back of the race. Going in, my biggest worry was getting timed out at Les Contamines, so I was pleased to be making up time on the published schedule for a 46hr finish. The wheels came off on the climb up the Col de la Seigne - started feeling sick; started retching; was sick 2-3 times; no energy in the legs so it was 100m progress then take a rest, etc. Threw up spectacularly at the top of the Col and felt much better on the descent, but was getting nicely dehydrated. Tried to drink and eat something at Lac Combal cp but I hadn't gone far when I brought it all back up again. Carried on to Courmayeur, and convinced myself I would be timed out there. In fact, I got in with 15mins to spare but needed to have more time to re-fuel and let the food settle before trying to get up to Ref Bertone, and I'd also lost my time buffer so would have been chasing the cut-off at Arnuva.
So, retired at Courmayeur. But I have enought points to enter the ballot for next year and can't wait to go back. It's an awesome event. I spent Sunday in the square in Chamonix watching runners come in and it was fantastic how many were able to muster a sprint finish.
Memories? Running into St Gervais on Friday night, hi-5ing the kids lining the streets, and all the encouragement from the crowds; the atmosphere at ND de la Gorge and Nant Borrant, heading up to the Col du Bonhomme; seeing the line of head torches as far as you could see in front and behind, like an LED light rope draped over the side of the valley - beautiful, but the torches just merged with the stars at the top of the col!