A Slight Addiction

I began running as a means to an end.  Having bouldered semi-professionally for a few years, through to then focusing on the blocs alongside working full time, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep the weight off with ever increasing job commitments and a growing (beautiful) family.  Running was a way to get and stay lean, and to drop weight for harder boulders.  

I had a major focus/project that I was getting pretty close to and this made a huge difference at the time.  It just gave me that feeling of having the extra edge on those cold night sessions, whilst ultimately and unfortunately; unsuccessfully trying the project. 

After maybe a year, and taking on longer runs (including my first race and half-marathon (the classic Conwy Half), I realised that I was trying to climb the line for all of the wrong reasons, so decided to take a break.

That was April 2017, and I've bouldered once since. Completely by default, running became my new, unintentional passion and man - it is so awesome!

I've been extremely fortunate in my running so far, in that I'm based on the north shore of Penrhyn Bay with instant access (literally ten paces!) to miles and miles of cycle track coast line.  This is pretty cool, but for me, the major stroke of luck is being a 10 minute drive to the Carneddau mountain range, with endless miles of steep mountain trails in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

Running down Y Garn, Ogwen Valley, North Wales

Running for me now offers something that bouldering once did, but no longer can.  The freedom to journey further into wild expanses, without politics, in my own way.  The freedom to run, to think and to immerse myself in the moment and environment without demand.  It's a beautiful thing to be running head long down a steep track, laughing to yourself at the sheer thrill of moving fast, focusing, moving and being just so aware - it's a complete sense of nothing but being in the present; not much can give you that in my opinion.

Escaping the tour bus, Patagonia.

I made the mistake of running my first marathon on the roads and tracks of the majestic Torres del Paine, Patagonia.  The race was so mind blowing, so stunningly beautiful and challenging, that on return I just wanted more, more, more.  Ultimately, this is what led me away from 20 years of dedication on the rocks - a new focus, an incredible way to move through new and beautiful environments on my own two feet.  The shift was that simple, and I've not looked back.

So, this is just the beginning I guess, and what better a way to become capable of getting further off the beaten track, to get fit enough and strong enough to take on the challenges waiting out there?  Well, the only way I've ever known is to get an aim, and to get a date in the calendar - I've always needed that drive.  

Over the next 9 months leading up to the incredible GB Snowdonia Ultra 100, I'll be recording my ups and downs (in more than one way for sure!), alongside thoughts, meanderings and journeys along the way .  A steep learning curve for sure, but hey - steep rocks right!?  

I really hope that you enjoy following this as it unfolds, and thanks for reading.  One week in so far, so here goes crazy!