Maxime Grenot is a lifelong athlete who, tired of "going around in circles" on the athletics track, preferred to hang up his spikes and switch to trail running. A physiotherapist and soon-to-be osteopath, he uses his knowledge of physiology, primarily sports physiology, to recommend our products to his patients.
If you're a regular runner around Annecy, you may have already encountered him! Follow us to learn more about him.
Algorigin: Tell us a little about your background! Where are you from? Where did you go to school or university?
Maxime: I come from a small village in the Vosges. I completed a scientific baccalaureate in a small high school in the Vosges. Then I went to the Free University of Brussels to obtain a Master's degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. I then pursued a diploma in osteopathy, which I'm finishing next year. At the same time, I've completed several certifications based on scientific studies (dry needling, neurodynamics, the runner's clinic, re-athleticization and muscle strengthening, shoulder rehabilitation, etc.), which I use to best treat my patients.
A: When and how did you discover trail running?
M: I came to trail running quite naturally, actually. I went through athletics, but I was tired of going around in circles on the track. So I started with the mountain running format, which appealed to me much more... and the logical next step was trail running!
A: Did you play any other sports when you were little?
M: During my middle school/high school years, I was a bit of a jack of all trades. I played a bit of every team sport, but ultimately, I stuck to running.
A: What are your favorite places for trail running?
I have a lot of them... Les Bauges, Les Aravis... but as I live on the shores of Lake Annecy, I'll say that the peaks with a view of the lake are still great spots.
A: What is your best memory from your trail running career?
M: I don't have one in particular in mind; I enjoy winning or achieving a good result when my parents are present at the race. But if I had to name a few, I would say the Grand Trail du Lac in Aix-les-Bains and the CimasaRun in Réunion recently.
A: For someone who doesn't know trail running, how can you explain the charm of running ultra trails?
M: Trail running is already about being in the great outdoors, you feel free... You find motivation by looking up and around you. When you see crazy scenery, you don't want to go home! And the atmosphere is often super friendly on the trail, whether you're first or last, you're happy to go and have a beer at the finish with your friends!
A: You're not just a great athlete. Tell us a little about what you do on the side!
M: At the same time, I work as a physiotherapist (soon to be a physiotherapist because I'm going to work in Geneva in a sports clinic at the end of the year). It's my second passion, and I think I'm even more demanding of myself at work than in my trail running.
A: What do you like best about your job?
M: The relationship with my patients! I treat a lot of athletes, and it's always a challenge to get them back on their feet as quickly as possible, and especially in good conditions!
A: Any advice for managing on all fronts?
M: I would say that you have to know how to set aside time slots, whether for work or training. Don't mix the two. And remember to recover; apparently, work is tiring .
A: This year your trail season was interrupted by a sprained ankle, but lately we've been seeing you back on the podium – how did you manage to recover so quickly?
M: This year it's true that my first half of the season was a struggle... I slipped on a patch of ice during my comeback race in March. It took me 15 days to recover... the following race, I badly sprained my ankle, then I suffered bone swelling in my femur after hitting the edge of a small wall while slipping on a muddy path... It was frustrating because I was in great shape, I had been studious all winter , and I got injured at the wrong time...
I managed to recover quickly because I didn't stop training! You can always find a way to stay in shape, and during this time, my bike was my best friend!
Of course, getting back into running was complicated, but I pushed through it and tried to be patient... Injury is part of an athlete's life, the most complicated thing is accepting it, not losing motivation and putting in place effective treatments to get back into it properly.
On this point, Algorigin products had a great importance in my rapid recovery , of that I am convinced.
A: What are your best tips for recovering quickly after a race?
M: The best way to recover is through sleep! Then there are the little things that make a difference: dietary supplements (thanks to Algorigin), diet, massage, etc.
A: Why is Algorigin and you a good match?
M: Algorigin is my ally! Honestly, I don't think I'll ever be without Algo again. I'm completely satisfied with it, both in terms of the products and the interactions with the different people who work there. It's simply the BEST!
A: What are the benefits of taking algae supplements for you?
M: I see several advantages: we avoid deficiencies, we recover better, less fatigue, fewer muscle injuries...
A: How important is your diet? Do you follow a specific nutrition plan?
M: Food has always been important to me, I really care about it. I don't like to eat just anything!
And now that Celia Karleskind has created a great meal plan for me, everything is going well! It allows me to maintain a healthy weight and avoid making the mistakes I used to make in the past.
A: Since you have been following Algorigin, have you noticed any improvements in your daily life?
M: I'm trying to remain objective when answering this question!
I tell my patients and runner friends every day that since I started using Algorigin, I've seen a real change! In a positive way, of course!
A: What are your next goals and upcoming projects?
M: On the sporting front, my next goals will be to enjoy myself in the end-of-season races after finishing 2nd in the Over The Mountain Salomon Challenge. I'm in good shape, so I'm going to try to have some good races to make up for the first part of the season, which was disrupted by injuries.
On a professional level, it will be a good start to my work as a sports physiotherapist in Geneva.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MAXIME GRENOT:
– His age: 29 years old
– Nationality: French
– Sport: Trail running
– Family: 2 great brothers and 2 sisters and amazing parents!
– Profession: Physiotherapist (osteopath in June 2019)
– Awards:
- Podiums in French mountain running championships (cadet, espoir)
- Selection in the French Junior Mountain Running Team
- Victories on different trails
- 11th in the 2017 French Long Trail Championships
– You in 3 words: Simplicity, rigor, humor
Geneva, July 2018
Photo credit: Thomas Vigliano
