GB Snowdon Ultra 100.

03.00am, Betws y Coed, Mile 53.

I was sitting in a green camping chair, with my head in my hands.  Inwardly, I was battling with the decision of whether to head back out and to carry on with the next 50 miles, or to call this quits.  I had my crew (Ellie, Adam and Tom) offering advice, options and food choices; none of which I could really take in or begin to process.  I was tired and confused, cold, nauseous and had no idea what to do.  I remember vividly a piece of pasta on a fork in my bowl, and remember wondering how I should go about eating it.  I found the same fork in the boot of my car, three days later.  The piece of pasta was still on it, although I had decided to move on.

...


It's always the same with my long runs.  I'm concerned all week, and then when I wake up on the day, I always feel very calm.  The first 18 miles went really well, chatting along the way and finding pace.  Enjoying the atmosphere and generally thinking about how strange it was to have other people to run alongside.  Usually I run long-distance solo (or with Tom), so this was bizarre.   After coming up and over Heather Terrace and getting a good, fast and fun decent down to PyG, with a busy time up on Snowdon, it was nice to make it to a far quieter section of the Miners Track, with just a few spread out runners dotting the trail, in-between downpours.

Someone at work asked me if this run was flat.  Here's a collection of maybe a third of the lumps that we ran over.

Its incredible how much you focus on the two meters in front of your feet.  Looking down as you run along tough terrain for hours at a time requires some concentration.  I'd had some news the previous day, and suddenly found myself letting a single thought creep in.  I was heading down to PyG from Pen y Pass at the time, and all of a sudden I caught my toe at speed, and found myself flying through the air, waiting for the inevitable impact on the rocky path below me.  The impact was as painful as I'd anticipated, with an instant deep pain to the knee, with white 'something' exposed through the skin.  I could also see blood under my waterproof to my elbow, and decided not to investigate.  Sitting in the stream that had formed down the path, I assessed the damage, as I was sure that I had shattered something.  All I had in my mind was 'No - this is to soon into the day to have to bail', so I got up, and tentatively began firstly weighting my knee, then walking, before carefully jogging to a run.  I was up and off, and onto the next section - the Glyderau to the Carneddau.  Sometimes, you just need to deal with it.

I took it easy up to the Glyders, hiking with two guys that I'd met earlier on the way up Snowdon (Jasper and Steph) along with another small team.  Its quite a slow section up to the top here, although I love this initial area.  Not much in the way of running to be had, although when you reach the tops, and then the decent to Llyn y Cwn, that's a pretty cool 'down'!  Running on loose scree and marbles, down to the top of Devils Kitchen is always a fun ride, made all the more enjoyable this time around by having Preet Johal with his chocolate balls to hand just before the decent (amazing impromptu aid station!).

A good run along the shores of Llyn Idwal led to the CP before the dreaded (although awesome) ascent up the SW face of Pen Yr Ole Wen to gain entry into the Carneddau.  I was met with amazing support from the crew here (Ellie, Adam and my Dad), with a foot dry-out, vaseline and a dry pair of socks (lush!).  A couple of Beef Tacos later, it was time to hit P yr Ole Wen.  I had my first dark moment around half way up the mountain side here.  This was the first time I began to feel a bit tired (maybe 30 miles in), and for some reason I let myself think about the second loop, before I'd even finished the 50.  I'd ran with quite a few 50 mile runners that day, and was starting to really feel the severity of the undertaking.  These guys would already be done, way before my real race had began.  I really had to have words with myself here, dig deep, stem the self pity, eat and move on.  I hadn't trained for so long, and for so hard, to give up now just because it was 'getting a bit difficult'.

On the way up PyG, shortly before coming back down with a painful crash!

The ascent was short lived, and once at the top, it was run time!  Moving quickly along and up Carnedd Dafydd with Steph ( a superb marathon runner), and then around the majestic rim of Ysgolion Duon, to the semi-ascent of Carnedd Llewleyn, before trending rightwards along the contour to hit the descent ridge to the peak of Pen Yr Helgi Di.  It was nice to get a bit of speed, as I was hoping to have beat the darkness before the scramble up to the final peak of the first 50.  Unfortunately, darkness came quite swiftly, along with thick mist and far colder conditions.  There was some confusion amongst quite a team of runners that had converged at the base of Yr Helgi Di, with the majority choosing to go lower, along the Braich trail.  I knew that this wasn't the course route, so lit with the headtorch, I opted to climb the 50 metres or so of scramble above the ridge to the peak (along with Jasper, Steph and Christian Maleedy).  Slightly gnarly (!), but good solid fun none the less!

Getting back to the road after a nice jog down, was where the first dry heave hit.  I made headway to the CP where the volunteers here amazing as always, and Ellie and Adam where there to sort me out once again.  I really needed hot food now, so at 21.30, chicken soup was a dream as was the pasta.  It took a long time before I could get any food down, so took it bit by bit, until things straightened out.   Moving off and leaving Ellie was tough, but once out of the CP (Gwern Gos Isaf), I finally hit pace, got some tunes on and began the run along the old A5 into Capel Curig and up towards the lakes.  It was here that I met Gareth.

Gareth was walking at this point with about 10 miles to go of the 50.  He had a proper speed-walking pace on, and we got talking.  He was unsure of the route to Crafnant, so I decided (as I was in no hurry really), team up to the first lake, via Crimpiau.  It was quite nice, as Gareth was fully focused on his own mental battle, so I carried on with music and just said to him to let me know if he wanted to talk.  After making it to the lake, I moved on as I'd visualised running along Crafnant solo, with Orbital on the headset.  I like sticking to a plan, so busted a 9' along the lakeside, enjoying the darkness, the wind and the light reflecting off the lake.  It was a full moon by this point, which was just amazing.  It's not very often that you are absolutely in the moment in life, although this was it - nothing at all, but moving.  No thoughts, no issues.  Just moving - plain and simple, and I was loving each and every second.

That didn't last long though, as  I had a bit of a moment after the CP here, and went the wrong way for 1.5 miles, as I just drifted off following another runner (who was ranting to himself in the night).

I clicked after a bit that I was off course, so cursed myself for my complacency, and ran back down hill for 1.5 miles, and finally to the entry point to the Geirionedd path, where once again, darkness surrounded me into the woods, before the the secondary lake appeared, along with Gareth, who had caught me up due to my additional miles issue!  It just made sense at the this point to walk it in, to enjoy the conversation and to see Gareth run across the finish line.  It was really cool to see his wife and kids' relief as he finally appeared after a proper long day out, after such a proud and hard effort on his behalf.

I had now lost a 4 hour lead time by now, and was on hour 21, mile 53.  I was pleased to be back in Betws and to see the crew, but the reality of the next 50 came seeping back in, to then hit me mentally full force.

After taking an hour here with Ellie and Adam getting me to eat, chatting with Tom, and grabbing 40 minutes sleep I woke up feeling clear, and focused.  I packed my running vest, topped up gels got my fresh trainers on and it was time to hit the trails.  I was feeling great as we ran into the new day rising, despite the cold rain. It was good to be moving again at a decent jog, and on making it to the CP at Trefriw, to have a chat with such a cool couple of volunteers was brilliant (Martin and Paul I think?) - peanut butter sndwiches for breakfast - wicked.  The climb up to Cowlyd Dam Road was a chore, but again - once you reach it, the run down is a cracker.  Cowlyd was as beautiful as always; with the sun filtering through the clouds, the rays seemed to stem hope for the day ahead and all of a sudden it was very clear to me I would finish this race for sure.

There's life out there Tom, but not as we know it.  Deep in thought at mile 60 something.

Arriving at Gwern Gos Isaf CP was great.  Despite my moment of clarity by the lake, it was great to see Ellie again for a hug, fresh coffee, and also - so glad that she had convinced me to let her pack my Hierro's just in case.  I'd pulled my flexor tendon and needed more mid-foot support.  I got these on, ate some foot, and then Tom and I (Tom was support running with me - awesome!) got our full winter kit on to bail into the mountains.  It was at this point that Adam (Gallimore) informed us of a route change due to fierce weather up on the tops. I was really mixed about this - both relieved and gutted at the same time.  I've ran up there in full winter conditions, so couldn't see the issue and had committed mentally, but also was grateful of a low level alternative.  To be honest, I find mountain running easier, and the thought of the long there and back stretch between Gwern Gos' and Bethesda didn't really thrill me (16 miles of slate trail and tarmac - grrrrrr!).

A nice break from the low level tarmac challenge on the Slate Trail from Ogwen Cottage to Gwen Gos Isaf,  Give me the high route any day of the week!

It was nice to see the other 100's along the way, with Ben and Craig having come down after completing the original Carneddau route (only four in total - I'm jealous guys!), and Dave, Christian, Matthew, Rodney and Marcus also along for the long ride to the distant finishing line.  It was only at this point did we (Tom and I) find out how many had dropped from the race, and that i was in  with a chance of doing quite well.  Wonders never cease.  There was a bit of confusion back at Gwern', where we where informed that we had to go back up towards Foel Goch to make up a couple of miles off the original route.  Mentally, after having prepared to run straight to Crafnant from here, I was kinda' destroyed by the news.  Beating a path to straight line it up was a killer psycholigically as I simply had not planned for this.  I had to really will myself to turn this around or lose the plot.  I took a second to reflect that i really lucky to be able to be doing this right now, and that despite it being a push to gain the 2000ft, it was actually a nice spot to be in for a bit.  Once I'd done that, I really enjoyed the run down, to rejoin the trail to Capel, and then onto the final loop of the lakes.

I found an incredible second wind on the way to Crafnant and much to Tom's suprise, burnt off into the distance (I was quite surprised myself).  Once past the final CP, we headed on to Geirinonedd, with which all of a sudden real fatigue kicked in. The last 7 miles over routes and stones, forestry roads and trails was just so difficult.  I think that as I was so close to finishing, mentally everything began to shut down, with my physical self following behind. I couldn't work out if I was running up hill, flat or down at one stage, and had to keep asking Tom if I should be working hard or not.  At mile 97, along the trails by the river into Betws, my mind was going haywire.  I've never been into hallucinogenics, and dabbles with Welsh mushrooms rarely went well in my youth.  I was seeing trees turning into witches, who began staring at me as I ran.  Smiling elfish faces on the stones under my feet, and my breath was freezing in front of my face and forming all sorts of weird shapes as I ran through the pines.  Tom was keeping me sane here, although also taking the piss big style!

Losing the plot in the woods.  Tommy taking the piss, and freaking me out did not help matters.  It was bit dark at this point.

The final mile, we ran.  Passed by Craig, Ben and Matthew despite trying to retain the pace (all way stronger than me!), we got in at bang on 40 hrs.  I had so many emotions, it was hard to recall how I felt.  Happiness, relief, pride, emptiness - so much going on in a head that had been so focused for so many hours.  On a basic level - it was overwhelming, although it was done - my first, brutal 100 mile ultra. Simply incredible.

I'd like to thank Ellie and Adam for the hours of dedicated support - best crew ever.  Tommy for running with me from half-way to the finish line (his first 50 mile run!!). My dad for his aid stationing on my solo, long training runs in the mountains and basically everyone for dealing with my obsessive nature over the last few months.  Thanks and respect to all of the volunteers throughout the event (most of  which must have been awake as long as the runners!), and to Wayne Drinkwater for organising such an incredible race.  GB Ultras (http://www.gbultras.com/) do such an incredible job. 

Also - a huge shout out to Graham and Nick at New Balance, for ensuring my feet where always well cared for along the countless training miles, and the race itself.  Shameless plug - grab yourself a pair of Summit Unknowns - 50 miles straight out of the box?  No problem!  Man - what a ride. What to do next??!!

The Buckle (sorry - THE BUCKLE!).

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!

Welsh 3000's Challenge

At mile 31, I couldn’t even manage a power hike up to the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn.  It’s a flat summit, and I couldn’t see the need in it being there.  I also couldn’t see the reason for the previous peak, or indeed any peak at this point.  It’s safe to say, on the way up Llewelyn, as the Welsh 15 Peaks was drawing to an end, that I had had enough of mountains, running, and indeed any thought of being capable of executing 100 miles on similar terrain.  As the Americans would say, I had ‘bonked’ big time, and my ‘quads where totally blown, man’.

The reason I had decided to take this on, is that my training schedule told me I needed to run 55km to finalise the first 16 weeks of my conditioning programme.  I’ve never met the person that wrote this, and don’t recall their name.  Therefore, I was being dictated to by a piece of paper on my kitchen wall, covered in Sharpie notes.  I was thinking a few hills, and some flat to ease the pain.  My running partner Tom, decided that the 3000’s was the way to go and road to road (as opposed to peak to peak), would give me the required distance.  And that was that.  One 4am start later, again my right foot hit the rhyolite, and the journey began.  32 miles, 14,000ft of gain, in under 10 hours.

Sometimes, I wonder whether to refer to the ranges in North Wales as hills or mountains.  Some days, they just don’t seem that mountainous.  When you have been overseas, in say Austria or Switzerland, and you return home, I would say they were large hills.  Other times, when the sky is a pristine blue, I would say mountains.  This is when, as you gaze towards the ridges, peaks and skylines, that the mountains resemble high resolution cardboard cut-outs.  Almost too perfect and panoramic to believe.  On this run, they were definitely mountains.  Being up there when the sky is perfectly clear, and you are the first out, the Welsh mountains are beautiful, and so very wild. 

The View from Elidir Fawr.  Such a killer in the heat!

Most walk the course, with an aim to finish within 24 hrs (peak to peak), or maybe take a couple of days.  Or a long weekend.  The record for running the route is 4.19hrs, set by Colin Donnelly in 1988 (my new hero!).  We were looking at trying for under 10hrs, on the hottest day of the year.  The heat was a huge issue for the most part, made all the more trying as most people that we came across where lying down in the heather, looking at the sky, eating, chatting or sleeping.  I felt that I wasn’t allowed to stop, because I’d started.  The joy of running.  Physically (for the majority of the ‘run’), I felt above capable of the distance and the terrain.  Mentally, I learnt a huge amount along the way.  Minor doubts came and went. For instance, on the ascent of Elidir Fawr, we took our own route.  The steep contour tugged at the soles of my feet relentlessly, which were soaked from the boggy, sphagnum riddled slope.  Repeat 1 zillion times.

Coupled with relentless heat, dark thoughts first crept in here.  It was a tough hike, with not much in the way of a jog.  All in though, this was a short lived ‘mental dip’, and once at the summit, with a clear running phase down, around and up to Y Garn (via Foel Goch), it lifted and led to quite an elative feeling as opposed to the ‘doom’ experienced on the way up.  I had another one of these fleeting issues up on Tryfan, the final 3000 of the Glyderau Range.  Such a beautiful and exposed environment to have a ‘moment’.  You would think that the moonscape of Castell Y Gwynt, and the stunning views from Tryfan would hold these sorts of negative thoughts at bay.  Again, all of this was momentary, and personally all to do with doing entering into a physical and mental unknown with the wrong food.  I stumbled across an old friend on the summit (Hello, Andy Cave!), which was a much-needed distraction.  Running with Tom also makes times like this a lot easier.  He has a great sense of humour, which also helps in these scenarios.  Again, once on the down, with some real running and good pace, the brain came back around.

Running high above the clouds.  Castell Y Gwynt, Glyderau.  Stunning.

The final push up into the Carneddau was hard.  Simple as that.  We had been fortunate enough to have had a top aid station in the form of my dad’s van at the Ogwen Cottage.  Real food, Coco-Cola, dry shoes and a general re-calibration and we were good to go.  Up on Tryfan, I was debating internally whether I should carry on.  The moment you set foot to ascend Pen Y Ole Wen, you are locked in it.  It’s sometimes that simple a decision.  The time to dip out has gone, and you have entered in this case into the final leg of the task in hand.  Despite having to take time due to the temperature, once at the top, running came about again and moving up and over Carnedd Dafydd, towards the dog-leg of Yr Elen was pretty rapid, and there was still gas in the physical tank.

Looking back to where we had come from.  Such an amazing view from the summit of Pen Yr Ole Wen

It was here though, that I began learning quite a bit about my capabilities, and that everything began slowing down.  Mentally, I entered into a quite a difficult place.  I know enough to keep it in the moment, and to not think about the distance remaining.  To not think is the key, and to let thoughts drift in and out.  One foot in front of the other, repeat.  Take in the positives and the beauty of it all and remind yourself how lucky you are to be able to do this.  None of this worked this time.  With each step, I was digging deeper, with the only thought being how much I needed this to be over.  At mile 30, all I could focus on was the 100 mile race and how unprepared I was for that.  Entering the 1000’s as a training run became a ridiculous idea – what was I thinking!  Despite trying and knowing my own mind very well – I was quite stuck at this point, so close to the finish, with the gloom and nausea running wild.

As with anything, darkness passes, and things do come to an end.  In the clear light of day, on reflection, everything falls into perspective.  I’d convinced myself on the hill that I wasn’t capable, therefore I wasn’t.  I knew at the time that this was all due to nutrition and the lack of it, causing the mental failings, which in course led to physical hardship.  In all reality, with some proper food another 20 miles would have been more than possible.  The entire experience was needed, with a focus ahead on the Snowdonia 100.  Without tests like this, it is impossible to get stronger.  You need to be able to gauge yourself in real-time, in real situations to assess your capacity.  To be able to admit your short fallings and to learn, is key to growth in distance running.  It only took until morning coffee the following day, until I began to analyse what had happened, what I could improve on, and how I would change the route for next time to get a faster, more efficient time.  The 1000’s is back on, as is the GB Snowdonia 100.  A new plan for the Paddy Buckley has also hatched and been voiced.  The next 18-week cycle of training is underway.  I just need to run fast, eat slow, learn and enjoy.

Stretching the Distance.

Gazing off into the misty green of the Gwydir Forest, today feels different.  Contemplating how this run is going to go, and focusing on how I'm feeling, trying to tune in; do I feel anxious, am I confident, how is my body reacting to my mental perception of how difficult this might be.  All of this in a timely fashion, before taking a deep breath and the first step.  Once my right foot (always my right foot), strikes the ground all of those thoughts pass and I'm running.  I'm in it for the long hall.  My first 30 mile mountain run begins.

My legs felt heavy from the outset.  Whilst warming into pace, I reflect that it maybe wasn't such a good idea to have ran the 6 miles up Helgi Ddu a day earlier, with a 6 mile run in the forest the day before.  That can't be helped, I told myself - just get on with the job and stop thinking so much.   For me, it's important to stay in the moment on long runs.  To focus on being as aware as possible as to what is going on around you.  Listening to the birds call to each other, the wind through the trees, the changing colours as the sun filters through the canopy, the sky, the clouds, and my feet as they move over rough forest trails.  This always takes a few miles for me.  Maybe 4 miles in, my mind is where it needs to be, my pace falls into place, my lungs engage and again - I'm just running in my own, uninterrupted space.

Gwydir Forest, finding pace.  Photo: Adam Groves 

I love running through the wooded area at the tail end of Crimpiau.  Looking over towards Lliwedd, the first leg done.  Mile 7, and the forest comes to an end.  The terrain changes here, as you head onto the old A5, with 4 miles stretching out in front of you.  Its easy to get psyched out here, as if you look to far up the trail as you run, it gets seemingly further away, as opposed to closer.  I centre my attention instead on the beauty around me, and looking up at Pen Yr Ole Wen, the Glyderau and Carneddau, I imagine running the tracks up there, and wonder how the weather is - is there still ice and snow, or should I get up there sooner rather than later.  How do the trails fit together, what will the sections feel like, how will I feel up there...  Drifting off, the section is done, and I'm crossing over to run the Ogwen lake trail.  The last few weeks, this has been so wet.  Calf deep in water, no chance of dry feet.  

Drifting off, checking out the higher realms.

Today, as luck would have it, I can run faster than usual here, as the streams have dried out into trail.  I think to myself, 'I'll come back this way' as I'm feeling that I can make the distance now.  Instantly, those heroic, preemptive thoughts creep in; shall I go for 35 today, and add in more altitude gain and so on.  I stop and again tell myself to 'take a knee', stop thinking and stick to the plan.  Once done, I'm having so much fun, leaping over rocks, getting some good speed and enjoying the trail.  If you have never ran this route - do it!  It's amazing at speed, and keeps you on your toes.  

Mile 13, and I arrived at Ogwen Cottage.  Changing layers, windproof on, ready for the climb up Yr Garn.  Getting ready to run up a further 2110ft of hard ascent felt quite daunting.  Stopping to chat to a team of northern mountain bikers helped, and took my mind off the fact that things where about to get cold and steep!  Fuelling up, and feeling warm now, I moved on through Cwm Idwal, and up towards Y Garn.  The climb up is a tough one, and keeps on coming.  Rounding the boulder strewn climb up, and running past Llyn y Cwn, before the final hike up to the peak.  

Llyn Y Cwn, just before the final push up Yr Garn.

I was pretty elated at this point, now 16 miles in with one of the best views in Wales.  I kinda made the mistake of allowing myself to think ahead to the Snowdonia 100, and got focused on staring out the trail up the SW face of Pen Yr Ole Wen.  Man - that it steep!  After bringing myself round, and shaking off the feeling of now being tired and daunted from the thoughts of running 100 miles,  I began the run down the ridge back into the Cwm Idwal, and over to the join the Ogwen Trail once again, 4 miles below.  The run down the steep ridge back into the cwm is fast and incredible fun!  In no time at all, I was over half way at 21 miles, ready to take on the final 9 back to where I began.

Miles 21 to 24 where pretty difficult.  I was low on food, and hadn't really spoken to anyone for a while.  I couldn't work out whether music was a good idea, so didn't bother trying.  I took the road from Ogwen Lake trail to Capel, as I was becoming aware that time constraints where creeping in, and I needed to get this finished.  My legs where getting pretty tired, and I was trying to work out why.  Last weeks 26 miles had felt relatively easy, and I was only on mile 23 and things where feeling difficult.  Again, my mindful line 'take a knee' popped into my head, so I stopped for a while, taking in the mountains, looking back to where I had come from, hoping to find some energy to carry on.  Staying in the moment is so important at these points for me.  Once I had managed to eradicate thoughts of time, and having informed myself that I totally had this, I was running again, back through the familiar territory of Crimpiau, and up and over into the forests once again.

Its a beautiful thing, when you the realisation hits you that you have ran through the day, and into dusk.  Over 6 hours on my feet now, hyper-aware  of the noises of the forest, the waning light and the shift in my perception; I had succeeded in what I had set out to achieve.  Rounding off and over the Afon Llugwy, feeling the power of the water rush by, the final mile back into Betws Y Coed.  30 miles, my first solo Ultra distance, job done.

Patagonian International Marathon

I've been meaning to write about my experience over in Patagonia for some time now, but as is the way - time keeps on moving on, and its all to easy to get caught up and carried away. I had a message from Javi, over at Ultra Paine not to long ago, which reminded me to sort myself out and get my thoughts out there (thanks Javi!).

I first thought about travelling to run the 63km race in the Chilean Patagonian mountains after reading a blog written by Matt Flaherty, from the 2014 edition of the Patagonia International Marathon.  Matt's account was so beautifully written, that alongside the images of the area, I was inspired to run.  From the outset, I felt compelled to experience the tranquillity of running somewhere so isolated and wild for myself; I had to travel, and so it began.

Initially I had wanted to run the 63k, although having not ran a marathon before, I began thinking that this was a little bit 'out-there'.  As luck would have it (or not?) the 42km was the longest duration for 2017, so that was decision made.  Fast forward 7 months, and I was ready to fly, and began the 8500 mile journey to Chile.

Before the race, I spent a few days based in Puerto Natales, which is a beautiful frontier port city, surrounded by the Seno Ultima Ezperanza.  It was such a beautiful place, with lazy dogs lounging around the streets, really freindly people, and the most amazing chicken Empanada.  The only shock was the temperature, which was around -10, so figured that if it rained on the day, it could a long run!

Escaping the tour guide.  Hilarious, as I said 'I'm just going to have a quick look over there'!

I took a tour into the Torres Del Paine National Park, just to get a feel for the area.  The actual marathon runs to the south of the main park boundaries, so to get up and close to some of the towers, and the wildlife was just stunning.  With guide that I was with, we actually came within 20 metres of a family of Puma feasting on an unfortunate Guanaco on the side of the trail.  I was absolutely blown away by this experience.  The majesty of the animals was just so commanding, it was beautiful.  Its so rare to see a single Puma, but to see a family still hunting and eating together is unheard of, and was such a good omen for the race.  I did make a note to myself to run fast, and not to be last - maybe I would be the next feast!!  This was just a small taste of just how wild and untamed Patagonia is; there is just so much space, so little pollution and just so much peace.

His eyes are saying 'Just give me half the chance, and you are next'!

I took a small run to just outside of the city boundaries to push away slight 'cabin fever' and feelings of loneliness a couple of days before the run.  I hadn't really spoken to anyone fully for a week or so, so it was good to feel I was doing something familiar, and also needed to remind myself why I was there - it's quite a long way form home, my Spanish (despite really trying to learn) sucked for the the most part, so it was really hard to join in with any conversation, so it felt pretty cool to run along the shores of the sound - it kept it real.

A 5 mile jog, to ease the Cabin Fever.

I only felt slightly anxious the morning of the race. No rain, but 70 - 100kph winds where forecast!  Getting to the start of the race was so cool - I met with some really inspirational people (huge thanks to Rajesh Jinabhai and Nuno) and also really cool to meet with Laura Jones who was undertaking her second of a Worldwide 7 marathons (another Welsh kid on the start line!).  This made the entire thing so much easier.  As with any race, or long training run, once you cross the start line, everything falls into place, and you just move.  The scenes that we passed through where so incredible, that the first 12 miles or so just flew by.  At the base of the main ascent, the winds did finally rise, and there where no half measures.  I'm not talking gusts, but instead a continuous blast of up to 100kph - totally head on.  Runners where literally being blown over, so this added a fair challenge to the run, but in a weird way, seemed to enhance the environment and the experience (a sucker for punishment obviously!).

The A Team

Rajesh, who I had ran with for the first 16 miles or so, developed a pretty bad knee, so after talking we decided on me moving on ahead, and I then entered into a totally different head space.  One thing that you need to understand about this marathon, is that it is not just a race.  Its a complete experience.  There are no crowds handing out jelly babies.  Instead you can run for miles without seeing anyone.  Its just so cool!  I rounded a corner during the last 4 miles, into a more wooded area.  The wind suddenly dropped away, and the silence was unlike anything I had experienced on a run before.  I took time here, just to drink it all in - no sound, no time, no need to move - just peace.  I could have stayed forever.

I ran for towards the end with Vanessa de Matta (which was super nice - such a great person!) before again moving forward to the finish line.  It was so exhilarating to cross the line at the end - I couldn't quite believe that my aim had come to full circle.  From reading Matts blog in January, to finishing my own race was a really emotional experience.  One thing that surprised me - I had so much more left in the tank.  I felt could have ran forever.  I stopped just before the final decent to the hotel finishing line, as I didn't want the experience to end.  Taking a final look around before running down to the field and crowd below, the one realisation that I had, was that I had to get stronger, I had to run further and I had to experience how far I could push myself as a runner.  Quite simply, I have Patagonia to thank for igniting the passion for running in wild places, and for realising what I am capable of right now.

Me, looking pleased as punch.  Would'a thought that 5 months later, I would just be ' nipping out' to run 26 miles! So Cool!!

Sitting here writing this has been quite difficult.  It took a while on returning from Patagonia to realise what I had learnt about myself.  It is so much more than just a marathon, even if it happens to be your first.  It is a fully encapsulating experience.  If I could, I would run this each year, as I know that each time, I would see the same places, although have the time and capacity to see each and every one in a different light.  One thing that I know for sure, is that this is where the seed of inspiration was sown to run Ultra distance.  Not long now.

Training for Ultra Distance

So, despite a good dose of man-flu (still ongoing), the first 5 weeks of my schedule seem to have gone well (touch wood!).  Training for my first 100 mile ultra seemed a bit daunting when I first decided to take on the challenge, although things have become clearer with a time-line in place, and the programme under way.

Once thing that I was unprepared for, is how consuming things have become.  I did think that after having spent the best part of 20 years training for, and obsessing over boulder problems, that this would be kind of okay, although this is so much more involved - a completely new level to be honest!  That said - I do like to keep busy, and without a focus tend feel slightly aimless and defunct.

I did have a minimal head start, in that I put a lot of training in for the Patagonian Marathon, having first considered the 63km.  The 63km was pulled for 2017, so the 42km (marathon distance) became the focus instead.  I was running around 40 miles a week for 8 months for that, so felt pretty strong afterwards.  As I've mentioned before, I also run each week in the Welsh mountains (so far, up to 12 steep miles most weeks, plus miles on the flat). This has helped me prepare for the schedule I put in place 5 weeks ago.

From reading various blogs and articles, I figured I should take sound advice and start with a shorter ultra distance, so with this in mind I have decided to condition myself for a 'Solo' 50km trail run, which I'll (hopefully) be ready to run in April (April 28th if anyone's keen to give me a shout out for luck!).  I've put the chart that I'm following below, as it seems to work really well, with my shorter runs (up to 10 miles) all hitting various PB's just 5 weeks in.  All of my trail-runs (marked in green) are focussing on taking in sections of the GB Snowdonia 100, which should sort out my fear of getting lost up there whilst tired/demented from the distance (like we need any extra miles, right!?)...

50km Training Plan (31 miles)

With work and family (I have three kids aged 7, 13, 15, a partner who's training for a marathon and travel to work each week), it is difficult to maintain the exact order, and I've dropped maybe 3 miles in total (over 5 weeks) just due to not having the ability to keep on top.  I sometimes lose the rest days, and have to cram, or even double session on some days to fit the mileage in.  The most important for me are the Hard Effort runs and the Trail.  The shorter runs do help with the constant, and ensuring my legs are getting use to training tired, although its the larger and harder miles I'm focused on right now.

Losing the rest days is something that I need to get on top of from next week, and the Trail runs are getting pretty long (20 miles plus), so I need the balance and rest to avoid injury and niggles creeping in.  Also - the mountains are so wet right now;  blisters from laps below the snow line are doing my head in (another lesson learnt - no brand new shoes for 10 miles of wet and muddy!).

Once this 'conditioning' phase is completed, I'll be taking a complete rest week (no running) a warm up week (two or three short (4 to 8 mile runs)) and then starting my 100 mile training schedule.  I'm going to use the programme below, although will start at Week 5:

By starting this at Week 5 , I'll be picking it up at a lower mileage that I left the 55km Plan on, but this will alow me to build back up, and then finalise with my 100 mile race on the 22nd of September (with time to taper as the programme suggests).

So, that's my update on how I'm aiming to succeed on my latest adventure, although if you want to leave any comments, any advice is fine by me.  

If anyone does read this with knowledge, one thing I'm concerned with is maceration (feet) with all of the wet terrain I'm expecting (it is Snowdonia after all!).  Answers on a postcard!

                                                     A view from last weeks trail,  The stunning Cwm Eigiau, looking over towards Pen Llythrig Yr Wrach, which leads on the 

                                                                                                                  Pen Yr Helgi Du (10 miles).

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!