What brought us there?
The call of the desert, the desire for an extraordinary challenge, and, above all, the idea of sharing this adventure with friends. Arizona seemed like the obvious choice. With winter in full swing back home, we wanted to explore a new horizon, put away our winter base layers, and run in the great outdoors.
The challenge? The Rim to Rim to Rim, a legendary FKT (Fastest Known Time) that connects the South Rim to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, a 68 km monster in complete autonomy. A major challenge, a promise of surpassing oneself. 
As a side note, Louis and I met at a social run at Faux Mouvement. Since then, we've been inseparable, running trail races one after another. A fitness trip with friends quickly became our next big adventure.
Story of our trip
We stayed in Arizona for six days, staying in Flagstaff. It's an incredible city where outdoor enthusiasts gather around trail running, skiing, and cycling. The welcome is warm and the atmosphere immediately won us over.
Every day we explored a new setting.
Sedona : A red desert straight out of a Lucky Luke comic strip. 
Wupatki National Monument : A fascinating park, between ancestral ruins and volcanic landscapes. 
Grand Canyon : An extraordinary natural monument, shaped by the erosion of the Colorado River. Its colorful sedimentary layers tell millions of years of history. A place you must see at least once in your life. Our adventure in the Grand Canyon will remain etched in our memory. Early in the morning, as the first rays of sunlight touched the horizon, we plunged into the depths of the canyon. Initially carried by the momentum of the descent, we quickly realized that the trail would be as much a physical as a mental challenge. The variations in elevation mirrored those of the landscape: each turn revealed a different setting, from steep cliffs to arid plains. Throughout the day, we moved forward together, supporting each other despite fatigue and moments of doubt. At times, we felt like we were alone in the world, tiny compared to the immensity of this untamed nature. And then, at the end of the effort, the reward: as we reached the summit, the setting sun enveloped the canyon in a golden light, filling our hearts with a deep sense of pride. 
Antelope Canyon : A wonder sculpted by wind and ice, a breathtaking visual spectacle. 
We felt at home. Every morning, our ritual included a visit to Single Speed Coffee, a small local haven where we would recreate the world between outings.
Our favorite route
The Hangover Trail , a 14-km stretch through Sedona's red desert. Picture it: blazing sun, cacti as far as the eye can see, time-sculpted rocks, and our adventure hats screwed onto our heads for protection. Every turn revealed a new, striking panorama.
Along the way, a surprise awaited us: the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a spectacular chapel embedded in the rock. A must-see, especially with our architectural eyes! 
Is this a good place for racing?
Absolutely. Arizona is a runner's paradise.
- A varied climate.
- An altitude that requires acclimatization, ideal for training camps.
- An infinite number of trails, far beyond what you can imagine.
It's a life-size playground, where every outing is an exploration.
Fun fact
We ate at La Pizzicletta, ultra-trail runner Jim Walmsley's favorite pizzeria. A coincidence? Maybe not. We were there with Owen, a local runner we met as soon as we arrived. He spotted us thanks to our Norda 005s . The Norda family can be spotted from afar, right?
What makes us run?
Encounters. Running is, above all, a way to meet incredible people and forge lifelong friendships. And if we continue to run, it's perhaps to relive these moments again and again. 