Project TransFrance: Summer Progress, Setbacks & Solutions

📅 August 5, 2025

It’s been a packed and productive summer since my last update on June 10. With the ferry now officially booked for 🛳️ May 27, 2026, the countdown is on. It started as a bold idea. Now it has evolved into a fully active mission. I will be running across France — over 1,000 km — fully self-supported.

⏱️ 297 Hours of Training and 2,000 km in the Bank

Over the past few months, I’ve logged:

🕒 297 hours of training
🛣️ Over 2,000 kilometers covered on foot
🏔️ 14,000 meters of elevation gain

These numbers are more than metrics — they reflect early starts, long days, and a growing physical and mental resilience. All this training builds the capacity I’ll need to sustain 60 km a day for nearly three weeks straight.

🤖 Smarter Training with Athletic.ai

A major addition to my toolkit has been the Athletic.ai platform. It’s an AI-powered training system that automatically adapts to performance, fatigue, recovery trends, and my current training load.

Why is this helpful? The platform acts as a dynamic coach. It constantly adjusts my plan to ensure I’m not overreaching. It also ensures that I’m progressing efficiently. For a complex endurance project like this one, that adaptability is 💡 invaluable.

⚠️ Setbacks & Adjustments: Achilles Trouble

Unfortunately, progress isn’t always linear. I’ve been dealing with inflammation in my left Achilles 🦶. It is likely linked to ongoing compartment syndrome in my lower left leg.

I’ve had to cut back on some running. I replaced key sessions with 🚴‍♂️ cycling to stay active without adding strain. Injury management is now part of the plan. Knowing when to push is as critical as knowing when to hold back. Both are as important as the miles themselves.

🛠️ Trailer Modifications with Fjellpulken

Hauling my gear over 1,000 km means the trailer system needs to be flawless. I’ve been working closely with Fjellpulken. We are fine-tuning the 🛷 trailer attachment. Our goal is to improve comfort, load distribution, and movement efficiency.

It’s a fascinating process of engineering and testing. There are lots of small tweaks 🔧 involved. These will make a big difference over time.

💧 Fueling, Fluids & Recovery

Fuel and hydration strategies are another area of focus. I’ve been testing hypotonic carbohydrate–electrolyte mixes 🥤. These mixes help support endurance efforts and keep the stomach calm. It’s starting to pay off.

I’m also monitoring blood pressure 🩺 as a recovery marker. It provides a surprisingly useful snapshot of how my body is adapting from one day to the next.

🗺️ Route Planning & Vehicle Prep

The route from Roscoff to Gundelfingen is now largely mapped out. I’ve been using Michelin 1:200,000 maps 📍 to trace a mix of backroads, trails, and quiet connections through the countryside.

My trusty Suzuki Jimny 🚙 remains my testing base and sleeping quarters — simple, efficient, and ready for the road.

🚀 What’s Next?

With less than 10 months to go, I’m now focused on refinement. I am stabilizing injury and locking in gear. Mentally, I am preparing for the solitude, physical demand, and freedom of this crossing.

It’s all coming together. Slowly, but surely.

Thanks for following the journey — the next update may come from the road.

— Jens