Ultra Race Romania - stage 3

Excuse the delay in my report.  I did send it from the camp but now I am back in civilisation I see it didn’t arrive.

As advertised, this was going to be a very tough day and it lived up to it’s billing.  Although the overall gradient was less, 31.2%, there were places where I really did question if I would reach the top if in fact it was the top and not a false summit.  I’ve questioned this before when looking a huge sand dunes and my feet were sinking in the sand, but to have those thoughts when standing on firm ground gives you an idea how difficult it was.

I was concerned right from the start because last night I could only eat half my dinner meaning there wasn’t enough fuel in the tank.  Breakfast and I only ate a quarter of it so I knew I was going to have to eat regularly on the move and make sure I kept hydrating.  I was in third place overall but expected a couple of runners to get past me on this stage as I was taking it easy in preparation for the long day, stage 4.

My good friend Laurent was on a mission and headed off fast so I decided to let him go.  I caught up with him at CP2 which was after a 7 km climb but I decided to take 10 minutes rest as I wasn’t feeling great in the heat.  I took a salt table and immediately was sick - warning bells were ringing in my head.  I still had over 22km to go (advertised as down hill - aye right!) and if I couldn’t keep liquids or food down I was in serious trouble.  I left the CP and the summit was a short distance away, straight up.  Possibly the steepest gradient so far and I took baby steps at get there.  It was less than 10 minutes from CP2 but I decided to rest and enjoy the view.  Mike & Christine from Canada came through so I thought I’d follow them on the descent to be safe and knew the other runners would be some way behind - possibly an hour. 

The descent was horrendous.  All sorts of hazards under foot, each of them a potential ankle breaker so it was very slow.  I knew I was struggling as my friends disappeared into the distance.  I met some locals climbing up the mountain with baskets of blue berries they had picked and they gave me handfuls to eat.  They were so sweat, my mouth is watering just now thinking about them.  However every time I tried to drink I was getting reflux.  It’s hard to explain my physical and mental state at this time.  I had no muscular pain in my body but my stomach was not happy.  I was on my own, no one around for miles and there was fresh bear poo and paw prints  It was almost impossible to run with the deep logger tracks that were slippy where wet and mud coming over my shoes.  Staying upright wasn’t easy but I focused on the next check point - just get to the next CP and re-evaluate and maybe get some medical attention.  From CP3 it was only 12 km to base camp and I could recover there.

However I was doubting whether I could manage CP3 to base camp as I had studied the map and knew it was difficult and eventually I started to think about my safety as I was hardly covering any ground.  I kept banging my poles together to hopefully scare off the bears but that’s not something I’d thought about when training in Scotland.  Going through the forest you had to keep your wits about you as you didn’t want to miss a sign, and at the same time there was the possibility of meeting a bear.  I know the probability was low, only one competitor had seen a bear up till that point but she was so traumatised she withdrew, but it was in my head.

With a heavy heart I came to the conclusion that even if I could complete the day, I’d be in such a state and would still have 125km in the next three days that I was asking to much of my body that wasn’t accepting food or water.  When I entered the race it was with a view to competing for a top 5 place but now it was about survival and self preservation. I pressed the button on my GPS tracker which alerted the organisers I had a problem and they would come and get me.  However I wasn’t going to sit in the woods and wait for them so I continued walking.  The logging track was horrific.  Churned up by the machinery I was stumbling across tracks that were 2 feet deep and slippy with mud.  I became clear that the organisers could never get a car up here so I slowly made my way down the hill.  Eventually I heard a scrambler and one of the volunteers was there to see what the problem was.  I explained and he told me to sit down and that the car would be here shortly.  I’d walked 6 km since pressing the button and was totally done in / finished.

I got in the car and we drove the last 13km to the camp - seeing the terrain, I’d never have made it.  When passing my friends I lent out the windows and shouted encouragement to them.  I could see the shock in their faces but fortunately they didn’t see the tears in mine.  My race was over.  When I got back to the camp the doctor sorted me and I was looked after.  I was the 2nd runner to drop out with the same problem that day.  I was allowed to phone home and explain why I wasn’t appearing on the tracker any more.  Fiona then posted the message so that everyone knew and could “stand down from dot watching”. 

I cheered my fellow runners home but it was strange being in the tent with them knowing I wasn’t running in the morning.  I had given the videographer Mike my kilt at the beginning for a finish line shot so went off to see him as I always sang 500 miles on the start line.  We agreed that I’d surprise my pals at the start line so I put my kilt on and when they were all lined up, I stepped out.  Instantly I had runners and volunteers hugging me and demanding a photo which was lovely and I really worked hard not to cry (man the fuck up I told myself!). I sang them off and they heading into the distance for the long day.  Then the camp was silent.  

The volunteers offered me food - real food.  Bread with chicken pate and then they gave me a tomato - I bit into the tomato and cried.  I have never tasted anything so wonderful.  Christ what was happening to me, but they understood.  Arrangements were made and they got me to a hotel a few hours away where I spent the next three days.  I’ll cover that in my next blog.  I’ve lots to share as this adventure wasn’t over but sadly my race was.  I’ll be posting another blog on Sunday but I’d like to thank you for all your support and for your emails that I received while in the race.  I hope I have conveyed what a multi staged race is like however as will come out in my next blog, this was way more than a race and will forever be etched on my soul.  I also would like to thank the organisers for looking after me before during and after the race.

URR Stage 2 - and they think it's all over!

 

Today was brutal, even more than  yesterday.  Steeper, higher, steeper and longer.  At the same time it was meant to be run with tomorrow in mind.

Before going into the detail of the race it's worth remembering that I'm sharing a tent with four guys and the only washing facility is if you come across a river. The two nights so far have been lumpy and tonights has a significant slope.  So it isn't a quality sleep and you are living of boil in the bag food!  I know I know your asking why but that's for another day.

Today after a short run it turned onto a full blown climb.  The type that has you taking baby steps and breathing heavily.The climb was 10 km.  I was ahead of the second placed Romanian runner Cosmin Raileanu until a wrong turn lost me 5 mis.  Cosmin and I completed the climb together but he disappeared on the downhill.  This almost ended my run as having not seen another runner for 15 minutes I thought I was on the wrong route, yesterdays route!  There was no way I was going back up the mountain so I consigned myself to being out of the race.  I was gutted but this race is so incredibly tough that I thought the beer was going to compensate!  Just then my friend Laurence shouted out to me and we were on the right route.

The rest of the day was more of the same.  Very steep hills and I wanted to keep my third place so when I reached the last summit I gave it all I could manage for the 6km downhill on rough ground.  Just as well I did as Mike (2hr 43min marathon) and his wife came in just over 5 mins behind me.

Yesterday a runner retired Gina.  The good news is she is giving massages at the end of each day so I have had 2!  My traps in the shoulders are agony but my back is tired as well.  To be expected with a heavy rucksack.  My training in the mountains has been the best thing for this adventure but the gradient is unreal.

In all my multi day events it's the long day that everyone talks about before it arrives.  Here it's the day before the long day.  48km with over 2,000m of ascent and the following day is the long day.  This will be my biggest challenge yet and I'm heading off to rest as I need lot's of recovery time.  Tomorrow if you're dot watching it will be slow.  They've been having technical problems with my tracker but hope to get it sorted.  I'm off for a rest now and hopefully will receive emails from you.  The ones received last night were very much appreciated - keep them comming please.  Fingers crossed.

Ultra Race Romania

#wherelegendsmeet

https://ultraraceromania.ro

Ultra Race Romania - Day 1

URR Stage 1

Distance 32km, Elevation 1,236 m, Max.Grade 37.1%, Min Grade -29.8%  Completed in 5hrs 42 mins.  The best way of describing this course in the beauty and the beast.  My plan was to run what I could before the climb and was in 4th place when the climb started.  The most beautiful forest awaited us but OMG the gradient was a killer.  That's not helped by the temperature which was 34 degrees and I was carrying a rucksack with 24 kgs.

It was a slog and nearing the highest point I missed a turning and started running down hill.  Fortunately a Romanian runner Michael shouted to me which was very generous as I then past him.  Reaching the highest point was a relief but the way down wasn't much easier with the terrain being difficult under foot.  I didn't want to lose my place and gave it everything but the last 5kms were touch and go as I tried to stay upright  I'd hydrated plenty and taken the usual amount of salt but it was obvious my body was closing down and putting one foot in front of the other was difficult.  

The only dangerous point was the sheep dogs I mentioned before.  I had 5 of them snarling at me as I was  backed against a tree but the shepherd sorted it. Apparently they don't understand English and I might meet them again tomorrow!  I did come across some bear paw marks but fortunately didn't see them! 

Towards the end there was a river off to my right and I had decided just to walk into it when I came round the corner and there was the finish line.  All the volunteers were cheering and Andrei ran out with a Union Jack.  I made the mistake of lying down while waiting for water and that's where the cramp kicked in.  I then headed to the river and lay in it fully clothed to try and wash the clothes and soak my body.  I've had my recovery drink, took more salt and had a snooze.  I'm looking forward to my first camp foot, spag bol, which I am sure will be worth the weight in carrying it!

Plenty of rest required because tomorrow is 38km with 1,826m of climbing. My game plan is to run the first couple of KM before the big steep climb starts and that's where the power walking begins.  But it's slower than UK pace due to the heat, gradient and rucksack so be patient if tracking me.  I'll run the downhills if the terrain permits and I'm safe to do so.  I need to keep some in the tank as Wednesday is a really tough day.

Ultra Race Romania.  This is a really tough course but the organisation is fantastic.  As there is no signal at the camps the organiser takes the emails off sight at the end of the day so you'll probably be a day behind.  At least if you track me you'll get the times.  I'm chuffed with 3rd place today and let's see what I can do on day 2 that leaves me in reasonable condition for day 3.  I'm not even going to talk about day 4 as I need to get there first.  Thanks for your support.

#wherelegendsmeet

https://ultraraceromania.ro

Ultra Race Romania - Base Camp

 T-1

I've made it to base camp despite KLM's best effort to scupper my plan!  I've got three tent mates, two of whom I know from G2G and Tahoe so it's great to catch up.  We have received wonderful hospitality from our hosts and despite me being a fussy eater, the food has been good.  Tonight we will have our last proper meal at base camp before being self sufficient.
I passed the covid & medical tests but my bag weighs 12.3kg, and that's having reduced my snacks!  Another 1.5kg will be added with the water so the first 2/3 days are going to be affected by the weight as I weigh 67kg, it's a challenge.
I've studied the route and the altitude for day 1.  I'm going to pace myself as this is a 6 stage race not a sprint.  Where I can I will be running the downhills but I need to be sensible as I also have to acclimatise - it's in the 30's but there is a nice breeze.  The key is staying hydrated and as we are hanging around camp waiting for dinner we are sheltering from the sun.
There are competitors from all around the world and a few racing snakes by the look of it.  At our briefing last night we were warned about the bears and we're been given a bear spray and firecrackers!!  Apparently there are also snakes, vipers, however they haven't seen any in the last couple of years - here's hoping that continues.
I'll post at the end of every day with the exception of the long 4th day, 70km, as my priority after that will be taking care of my feet, eating and going to sleep.  I'll report back the following day which will be a rest day.  As you know you can track me by going to www.ultraraceromania.ro and following the instructions and you can also email me.  Receiving the printed emails in your tent at night can be the highlight of the day (or the lowlight if you don't get any!).  
I'm now going to rest.  Another briefing in an hour and dinner in 2 hours then an early night.  It's down to business tomorrow.  Let the adventure begin.

On the edge

 8 days to go before I "toe the start line" in Ultra Race Romania.  Time is running out as I finalise my food and a few last minute equipment purchases which I pray arrive on time before I travel.  Getting on a plane will also be something I haven't done since February 2020, but I'm looking forward to a complete change of scenery and an internet detox.  You will be able to track me during the race and I'll put up details when I know them.  My only internet contact will be 15 minutes a day when I can send an email which I will do to my wife so she can update my blog on a daily basis.  If you want to send me an email offering support then please do.  It's the highlight of the night when you are in your tent and there is mail delivered.  You have no idea the lift that it gives me.  It's also terrible if a tent mate doesn't get mail - especially if it's me!  I'll get the email address out soon.
As for being "on the edge" this is in relation to my last big week of training.  It's a fine balance between getting me to the optimum condition while avoiding injury or making me too tired.  But my coach Genevieve has nailed it.
This week involved me in my first race since September 2019.  The John Lucas Memorial Ultra which had a relay race.  ATHelite put 3 teams in and I had the first leg which was 16km with 322m of ascent.  I pushed hard as one of my other team mates Mark was looking to beat me so was delighted to complete a very difficult leg with my average pace being 5:02 mins per km. Delighted with that and staying ahead of Mark - by one minute!  After a few minutes rest I then headed out for the second leg but not to race it, just to run it for the distance. Another 18 km in the bag with 231m of ascent and an average pace of 5:30 mins per km.  Very happy with that result as a race and as a training session.  Our team came 4th and there were great performances from the individuals - well done guys.  There is nothing to beat racing for real and it's wet my appetited for URR, although there are some serious runners in the race.
Today was a 5am start as I headed to the mountains on my own.  I had some scrambling over rocks at the second summit and was very nervous although another climber who appeared from nowhere, gave me some guidance - my heart was in my mouth, again!  I shortened the route to give me a long descent and I flew down the hill.  My legs feel great and 3.5 hours of effort with 1,400m of ascent was a fantastic way to bring the hard training to a close.
My coach will be letting me know what I will be doing this week but it will definitely be a lot less and no more mountains.  I've said it before but the first priority is getting to the start line and I'm almost there.  The second is to get their fit and I think we can tick that box based on my numbers.  She has taken me "to the edge" but that's been achieved safely no matter what my Garmin has been trying to tell me! 
I aim to report back next Sunday from Bucharest on the eve  of the race depending on the access I have to the internet.  I'll make sure I let you know how you can follow me and send me emails.  Thank you for all your support and I will be posting my charity page for Maggie's Cancer Centres.  Like all charities they have suffered with a lack of donations during the pandemic and I hope we can raise some valuable funds for them as the support they give cancer sufferers and their family is just amazing.

Choosing the right path

Sorry for being a day late with my blog.  I've been so tired with my training that I deferred it a day so I could eat my body weight in food and relax after a hard day in the mountains, again!  My weight is at my lowest and I think I'll be on the cake diet until the race to try and get some pounds on! 
The focus last week was on getting ready for a long day in the mountains on Friday and again on Sunday.  We've also had the benefit of sunny weather but that in itself presents some challenges which I'll come onto.
After a big weekend in the mountains there was no rest.  On Monday I completed a 26km road run, Tuesday 2 x 12km (am/pm) with gym on Wednesday, 10km road run Thursday and gym.  On Friday I headed up to Glen Feshie near Aviemore and completed a solo mountain trip of 27km with 1,379m of ascent.  The OS app on my phone is critical and I found my way to the first summit without a problem.  There was even a stream running near the top so I stopped to refill my bottles as I couldn't be certain when the next one would be.  There is nothing like fresh, cold water taken from a mountain stream.  The temperature was rising and I'd taken the precaution of wearing my desert hat to protect the back of my neck and obviously P20 sun cream.  The problem with the once a day sun cream is everything sticks to it and you come off the mountain filthy.
The views were amazing and the plateau at the top was very expansive - that's when the path disappeared!  You'd be on the path for a while then come to a bog and can't find one out the other side and boulder fields presented the same challenge.  I took great care to try and always have some landmarks to keep me right but on the way down I obviously detoured off the summit at a slight angle and was beginning to panic, although I could see my position on the OS map, when I eventually saw the landmark that I had observed on the way out.  I had a fabulous descent running at a good pace all the way back to the car - I like that kind of finish.  It was a long day with 6 hours of travelling and almost 5 hours in the mountains.
On Saturday it was another gym session.  Sunday I was up at 5am and off for my final day in the mountains.  My destination was Kinlochleven and the Mommore Mountains, 18km and 1,500m of ascenting, so another 5.5 hours of driving and 4.5 hours of running/hiking.  Coming through Glencoe in the early morning it was completely clagged in but when I got to Kinlochleven it was blue skies.  On running in there was some low cloud across the loch and I got one of my best pictures of the day.
Getting to the 1st summit involved some boulder fields and off course, no paths.  It also meant I needed to do some scrambling and rock climbing which had my heart racing (don't look down, don't look down!).  I was admiring the magnificent view at the top when a climber/runner came up the other side - this was the first person I'd seen all day.  So after a brief chat, Lizzie and I headed down a very narrow path with drops on both sides which again was challenging me.  But as an experienced climber she went first - it was though she'd been sent to look after me!  We diverted off my route so I had company and summited another couple of peaks.  The time flew by as we shared stories about races past and future and she enjoyed the company too having been wild camping in the mountains the day before - maybe try that next year to get better access to some of the mountains.
Lizzie headed off in a different direction and immediately, I found myself aone with no path.  Michael had warned me about this an said I'd just to head straight down the mountain - that takes time and is a real leg workout so I was glad when I got to the path at the bottom.  I followed the path on my OS map when I realised it was not going to finish where my car was parked.  Time to go off piste.  I followed some land rover tracks in the general direction but they quickly disappeared and I ended up plowing through ferns up to my shoulders for about a km and then wading through a river.  But I did wash myself down and drink pints of the fresh water before finding my way back onto a path that led me to my car.
It seams that while going solo in the mountains all I have done is search for paths.  I've now come to the conclusion there are many paths you can take but it's about understanding where you are in the bigger picture that matters.  My confidence is growing and now I understand my maps on my watch and phone I'm less likely to panic.  I've completed some "hairy" challenges in the last few weeks and while it's not going to make me a mountaineer, it will get me out of tricky situations although I will do my best to avoid them.
The paths between now and URR which starts two weeks today will be much clearer and I hope you will follow my progress.  I'll publish details on how you can track me nearer the time but for now, thanks for your support.  Now to finalise my shopping for the race, food, equipment, gear - that's got to be the best bit!!

Overcoming my fears

This week was all about recovery and getting ready for the big weekend.  The plan was to have 2 big days, back to back, in the mountains as this is my 2nd last weekend in the mountains before URR.  As usual my pal Michael planned the routes based on my coaches requirements.  They were to be approx 21 km  with at least 1,500m of ascent and rugged conditions.  He didn't disappoint and of course I'd be flying solo so we also had a session together making sure the OS maps were downloaded to my phone and watch.
Saturday involved visiting the mountains are Blair Atholl with the big one being Ben A'Ghlo.  It was a sunny day but the wind on the summits was very strong, so strong it was blowing my poles across me when I was running.  I even had to take my hat off or I would have lost it.  My technology got confused as my route doubled back on itself and I had to believe I was going the right way and ignore what the IT was telling me.  Once again the path disappeared and it took me 10 minutes to find the path out of the boulder field.  The descent was precarious and I remembered it from a few years back.  The stones were all lose and they just kept slipping from under me due to the steep narrow paths.  When I got to the bottom of the mountain I was glad not to have fallen and swore I wouldn't do that descent again.  However compared to what I faced today, it was easy!
Today my goal was Ben Lui & Ben Oss near Tyndrum.  The weather forecast said there was a chance of rain and there would be low cloud.  They weren't wrong about the clouds and I spend a lot of the time being guided by the OS map on my phone as there was nothing to see.  However that wasn't without it's challenges.  Approaching Ben Lui which was in cloud base I lost the path.  I couldn't see the shape of the hill and should have paid more attention to my phone.  If my watch signaled I was off the route, I never felt or heard it.  But I was heading towards the "Central Gully" as I thought I could see a route cutting off to the right.  The climb was vertical and made all the more difficult by loose stones which just fell away under my feet creating mini landslides.  I was digging in my poles and trying not to look down, I don't like heights, when I began to realise I was going to have to travers across some rocks.  Eventually I came to an overhanging rock that would have required me to fully commit to a grip and take my body weight.  By this stage I was talking out loud to myself and was trying to calm myself down and evaluate the risks in every move, every step.  I came to the decision this was crazy and I'd head back down. Easier said than done. 
When I turned around, the steep narrow gully of loose stones were below me and I really couldn't see how to get safely down.  It involved using my poles as brakes but actually sliding with the stones and sometimes sliding on my arse.  I never, ever want to find myself in that position again.  I was shaking with fear.
As I was descending I noticed a path (at long last) off to my right.  I checked my map are saw that if I followed it I would eventually get back on track and could complete the rest of the route including Ben Oss.  But it was totally clagged in with cloud and I couldn't see the shape of the hill to assess the risks.  The weather was threatening rain so should I take the risk?  I decided to press on as retracing my steps didn't appeal as I had been fairly shaken by the gully.
The path I had seen led me up the side of a sheer drop so that didn't help my nerves that were already frayed!  I just kept my head down and pressed on.  When I reached the top any sense of a path disappeared so it was down to my IT guiding me to Ben Oss which it did.  I was ecstatic to reach the summit and the clouds parted to allow me some photos.  I took time out to get some food on board and calm down.  The way down, although it also involved another climb, was fairly uneventful and after 4 hrs and 45 mins, 1,523m of ascent and 22 km I got back to my car.  Mightily relieved and kicking myself for not managing to follow my map.  At the same time I was pleased not to have totally lost it in the gully when I was thinking of lying down and calling for help!
People often ask me why I do what I do and yesterday was a great reminder when out of the blue I received a message for Jim, someone we met in a bar in San Francisco in 2019 who started following me on FB/Strava/blog.  He wrote to me to say that when he met me he thought 5km was like a mountain so as I'd just ran 205 miles non-stop, it helped him raise his own bar/goals.  He's teed up for two half marathons this year, has lost 45 lbs and is off his meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol.  What an amazing story and all because he was taken by my story about my running and wanted to raise his game.  Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than knowing that what I do can make a positive impact on some ones life.  I hope Jim realised that not only does this message give me a massive boost, but he will also be inspiring people around him who notice the changes in his life.  As I always say, we are all capable of so much more and growth only happens outside the comfort zone!  I must have had a major growth spurt today!  I don't think I've overcome my fear of heights but put in the precarious position, I was able to handle it.