Solo 46.

So, I figured that if I couldn't run 50 miles solo by now, then I had no place aiming to run 100 in similar terrain in September.  With just 10 weeks of training left to go, it was time to test the metal.

I plotted the route out, which follows (pretty much) the last 50 miles of the GB Snowdonia Ultra, although attempting to be kind to myself I left out the final climb up Heather Terrace, which runs up and along side of Tryfan, Ogwen Valley.  My maping/route plan told me 49.84, and I figured that would be just about on the money.

I'd been stressing about the run all week, although I think that this was to do with a very busy work schedule, trying to be at home with the family, money worries etc. It all has an impact when your preparing for quite a physical and mental challenge, so I wasn't really in the best head space to be honest.  I kept thinking about the 9000ft of gain, the heat, the darkness in the forests with such an early start.  After getting through a pile of admin and seeing the kids off (thanks Ellie for arranging a sleep over for them!), I could finally concentrate on the task in hand.  Turning off the laptop, locking away thoughts of general life, i began sorting through and arranging my kit for the day.

A few hours later, I was eating my pre-run food, having a brew and reading before getting a few hours sleep (I'm currently reading 'North' by Scott Jurek - amazing!).  I always enjoy waking up at the place where I run from, so another car camp  and 4 hours sleep later, I was brewing coffee at 3am, on the edge of the Gwydir Forest.  Funnily enough, I slept solidly and woke up totally calm and ready.  Breakfast eaten, coffee chugged, it was time to head off into the woods and up onto the mountain tops.

I absolutely love starting a long run at this time of day. Getting out into the mountains, without a soul in sight - it's like the world has been put on hold for you, like you have been personally granted the chance once again to escape the masses, uninterrupted.   I always feel, that if I see the someone else to soon on, I have missed the boat and I've started my day to late on.

Waking up on the fringe of the Gwydir

Breakfast of Champions

I felt incredible that morning.  To ensure that I felt top form, I'd tapered as i had done for the Welsh 1000's, so with fresh legs after 102,000ft of training gain over the last three months, I knew I was up to the job.  The miles from Betws to Trefiw, up, down and along Llyn Cowlyd, before heading back to Capel Curig, and into the Ogwen just flew.  The power hike up Pen y Ole Wen was steep as it usual, but felt much less arduous.  Continuing through to Carnedd Gwenllian via Dafydd and Llewelyn was incredible.  i had such a hard time here maybe two months ago (both physically and mentally) whilst running the 15 Peaks, it was such a huge relief that this felt so good, and such a confidence builder.  You hit mile 26 pretty much around the peak of Berw Bach, on the decent down to Bethesda.  What a milestone, as you can look right back to where you have come from here, and also you can see the next huge leg of the journey ahead.

Stopping at the peak of Berw Bach for a bit, I remember having being asked 'what do you think about?'.  To be honest, I have no idea.  Thoughts come and go, you focus on your breath, your feet falling, moving forward and staying in the moment.  Time just comes and goes, as do the miles.  I like the simplicity.

Looking back over the last 26 miles.  Stunning.

Knowing that the climbing for the most part is done here was a boost. As I ascended down in to Bethesda to begin the run back into the Ogwen, the heat decided to turn itself up.  I had been going so well, with the first 28 miles in the bag within 6 hours, that I assumed this would be done under 11.  No such luck.  I was running in pretty much 28 degree heat, with no shade, which slowed things quite considerably.  making to Ogwen Cottage at mile 31 was a huge relief!  My dad had rocked up in the form on an aid station, so food and cold coca-cola was heavenly.  Unfortunately I puntered the intake, and ended up with 5 miles of heartburn (I actually convinced myself I was having a heart attack here, although realised that its probably quite difficult to move for 5 miles with that going on!).  Without my dad doing this, it would have been such a long time to go without any support - big ups man!

Again, due to the heat, and blowing the nutrition (so much to learn about nutrition!), the last few miles where so much slower with walk/run strategy to combat the sun, and the dry heaving.  I stopped to chat for a while with a couple of local ultra-runners, who mentioned that they where doing the Porthmadog-Conwy 50 Race the following week.  It was good to get my chain of thought broken up, and to have only my second conversation of the day was really nice.  It's also good to know that not everyone is looking at you like you are crazy!!  Getting to the final 3 miles through the woods was incredible, although quite hard work.  It was extremely frustrating, as my mind and legs felt in top condition, although the stomach issues where a complete hindrance.

 All in all, this took me around 12.5 hrs, and nailed 46 miles.  It's funny, as with all of my years of climbing I was never that competitive (well maybe a bit!), but with my running; if I know that i should have done better, and that a faster time was possible, I get really annoyed.  All going well, this should have been sub-11hrs.  So, I'm going to do it again in a couple of weeks, just to prove a point to myself.  Its such a beautiful run, why wouldn't you?!

A Brief Upate!

Its been a while since I last wrote, due to work, family, training etc.  Its been a particularly busy couple of months since the 3000's, although training has continued as always!

Sleeping in the wagon, the view the night before the 1000s Fell Race.  Incredible that the course runs up there!

A few weeks back, I ran the Welsh 1000's fell race, as a pair with Tom, which very nearly went incredibly well.  The aim was to get within the top three, although due to Tom suffering really badly from thigh cramps for around 10 miles (10 miles!), we had to move slightly slower finishing in 6th overall (which is still pretty good going, and a proud effort of Tom's behalf!).

The first climb out of Aber up to Gwenllian

The race takes in all of the Welsh peaks that sit over 1000 metres, over an incredible 21 miles, with around 9500ft of altitude climb along the way.  The route is a killer, and renowned as one of the hardest UK fell races - I'd like to think they don't come much more difficult!  I had a fantastic run to be honest, as I'd taken a 5 day rest from my 100 training schedule  - man, this gave me wings!  I'd been running tired for around 16 weeks, so to take 5 was just amazing.  Nutrition did need further dialing, but for the most part it was great to see the training pay off.

Sky Running.  The last hurdle up to Crib y Ddysgl - stunning.

The race finishes on the top of Mt Snowdon, leading to a further 5 mile jog down to the village of Llanberis, giving a great mountain based marathon for your efforts (and a nice medal!).  A great day out, with some nice people along the way.

After a week of shorter runs here and there, it was nice to get back into the mountains for a couple of back to backs, beginning with a great 21 mile section of the Snowdon Ultra, around Llyn Cowlyd, from Trefriw, and up and around the Carneddau. It was absolutely boiling temp wise, so good training although sitting in rivers along the way was called for - the IPA once home was a just reward for sure!  

Hot and Sweaty on the Cowlyd 21 miler. Incredible all of the way this one!

The following day, a earlier start was called for, with a 12 mile killer.  Tom devised a cracker of a route from Beddgelert, up the Watkin to Snowdon peak, Crib y Ddysgl, back up Snowdon, down and around to the top of Lliwedd, before bailing back to the car via a particularly un-runnable descent back down to the right of Craig Ddu (seriously, this is a crazy one!).  

The run up to Snowdon via the Watkin Path.  Lliwedd just behind me, with the descent being the slope down from the peak.

We actually decided along the way down to maybe direct a new event; Cirque of the Un-Runnables.  We seem to do a lot of them (never planned!).

Ilkey Moor in the heat. Fern hell!

As always, work leads the way and fortunately for me, came in the shape of a few days in Scotland.  I drove up via Yorkshire,and despite not having a huge amount of time, it was amazing none the less.  Vowing to get out each day, whatever the weather (!) reaped huge benefits, as the trails along the way where just incredible.  The first was along Ilkley Moor.  Despite the heat, it was great to get a blast in between driving and meetings.  Always a treat.  I'd only ever bouldered here in the past, so it was a good trip down memory lane running passed boulder problems I'd long forgotten about.  Leading through to an early morning jog up in Edinburgh, before heading off up to Inverurie.

The last section of Mither Tap, Rowantree.

The trails above Inverurie are incredibly beautiful.  I chose to run up Mither Tap, Rowantree.  It's a pretty short one at 10km, although just amazing.  With wind and mist, despite the warm temperature it was just perfect.  The paths are so well maintained, the speed that you can get up to on the descent is brilliant (still lots of jumping and twisting along the way!).

The last port of call was up to Moray, namely Elgin.  This sits just a few miles from the coast nr. Lossiemouth, so a quick jog in the wind seemed a great idea, before the 500 mile journey home.  I di think it seemed slightly windy, and wondered what all of the camera buffs where doing out and about.  With the choppy see making waves, sea spray cooling my skin as I ran, I headed off.  The miles back around where pretty tough, due to the wind in my face and on tuning into the local weather once sheltered in the car, I discovered Storm Hector was the culprit.  Next time around, I'll check out the weather report, or maybe watch the news!

Storm Hector, Lossiemouth Coastal Trail.  Must watch the news in the future!