V3K Ultra race report (Vegan Welsh 3000ers) - My first ultra race finished

Last Saturday 18th June was the annual V3K ultra race, the first race of the year in the UK sky running calendar, and I had, rather stupidly, booked myself a place.  I say stupidly because the last running race I attempted I didn’t finish, the one before that I finished but didn’t get my food and water intake right, and the race before that I didn’t finish either!  Add to that, that I had only just returned from a long expedition and had only done a couple of runs in the last 6 weeks and you’ll understand why it was becoming a ridiculous idea.  But then there was nothing to lose.  54km of running over my local mountains, with 4000m ascent.

Looking fresh at the V3K ultra start

3:45am alarm clocks ring, banana oaty pancakes and coffee for breakfast (kindly cooked by Jim who got up at 3:30).  Dressed in running kit, double check compulsory kit, check 4 safety pins holding race number onto shorts, check phone and watch charged, check heart rate monitor is on and working, check food and water are all in the correct pockets, put midge spray on, check check check and check.

4:20am driving to the race start and find ourselves behind the coaches of runners, at least I won’t be late then.

The race start, full of lean sky runners, marshalls and midges!

5:00am race begins with a fast ascent of the South Ridge of Snowdon, leaving the midges behind.  Initially starting up the Watkin path, you soon split off to the left as you would to climb Yr Aran.  I raced up, alternating between jogging and power walking, trying hard to focus on breathing steadily and keeping a pace of 800-1000m ascent per hour.  My initial goal was to get to Snowdon’s summit within 90 minutes of leaving the road, having eaten some food; I got there in 78 having eaten 1 and a half bars.  Feeling great I hurried past the summit ‘rush hour’ as hundreds of walkers plodded up, and was soon joining other runners along the way to Carnedd Ugain.  Peace again.

Balancing along the Crib Goch ridge in the fog

Crib Goch, the ‘knife edge ridge’ was covered in low fog, enabling you to see around 100m infront and no more.  Being local definitely helped here as I knew roughly where some of the faster more runable sections are, in addition to feeling confident travelling purposefully along the ridge.  The first section of Crib Y Ddysgl was incredible slippy and greasy.  Passing a few groups heading in the opposite direction, in addition to some slower runners I made great time and felt confident in my abilities, so far so good.  But the worst was yet to come, the screes down to Nant Peris.

Running along Crib Goch is always fun, even in the fog Photo by Andy Milton

Punched the first set of holes in my checkpoint card and followed the occasional flag down to the very end of the North Ridge of Crib Goch before disengaging my brain and just going for it down the screes.  Descending technical or uneven terrain is my ultimate weakness and I knew after last year’s attempt at the Glencoe Skyline, that I just had to run it to avoid being timed out.  Imagining skis on my feet I kept a high cadence, ran and survived.  Losing the ‘path’ a bit in Cwm Glas cost me a couple of minutes, but soon I was back on track and out of the fog.  Legged it down the road at 10km/hr and was soon greeted by cheering at the first aid station.

7:47am arrived at the aid station, I couldn’t believe I was there around an hour before my estimated time, this worried me a little, but also gave me a much needed boost (maybe I could actually finish the race after all I thought).  Filled water bottle with half coke half water mix, ate food, packed another bar, packed jam sandwiches, picked up trail running poles.

7:52am left aid station and started the long 800m ascent to Elidir Fawr.  Despite being a long ascent, time seemed to pass quickly, and by now my feet and shoes were soaked through having chosen bog and marsh over the long way around.  More food and water consumed.  The fog remained thick and I only saw a few other runners.  2nd checkpoint stamped.

Energy levels were still high as I powered up Y Garn into more thick fog

How pleasant it was to be descending quickly, my legs still felt strong and I would be up Y Garn in no time at this rate.  The next peak was over, more descending, a cup of tea from the lovely marshalls at Llyn Y Cwn, and then a 300m climb to Glyder Fawr up more scree.  This wasn’t too bad either, however I was very glad that I knew the area so well, as the course markings were rather sporadic at times and I would have had to navigate properly across the Glyderau.  An occasional check of my phone GPS sufficed for peace of mind.

Glyder Fach soon arrived as I skipped across the uneven rocky terrain, but no sign of the checkpoint stamp or marshall.  Descending downwards we spotted them, some misinformation as to their true location was given beforehand.  Phew, I picked up my 3rd stamp and continued on, legs firing, to the Miner’s Track.  Traversing to the Tryfan wall, and the hills began to get busier again.  The summit was littered in hill walkers and runners, and soon the descent straight down the gully started.  This was the only section of the course I had never done before, and I couldn’t believe how direct and easy to follow it was.  After a short section of bum sliding and down stepping, man made steps arrived and I galloped down them, overtaking several other runners, yes… overtaking while running downhill.  This seemed preposterous to me, the runner who can’t run down hills.

Descending quickly down the steps from Tryfan Photo by Andy Milton

12:09 Arriving into Glan Dena aid station, I felt tired for the first time, and knew I was as I could only manage 8km/hr rather than 9km/hr along the road.  The Carneddau would be difficult.  The good news was that this eating and drinking while running thing was actually working, I couldn’t believe the difference it made.  Over the Glyderau I had consumed 1litre of liquid, 2 jam sandwiches and a bar.  Sitting down inside the bunkhouse I ate some vegan lemon drizzle cake - actually quite nice (I’m not a vegan), topped up bottles, put more jam sandwiches in my bag and dropped off my 2nd extra warm top.

12:19 Ran out of Glan Dena towards Pen Y Ole Wen, the last big climb of the day.  Having taken each section of the day in small stages so far I only thought about getting to the top of this climb, forgetting the other 25km running left to do.  Impressed that I could still ascent at 800-850m/hr I still felt positive, but my legs were tiring.  This showed as I could no longer bound from rock to rock across the Carneddau, everything began to ache.  At times the fog cleared and you could see for miles, then it would return with a vengenace, requiring the occasional GPS check.  Although familiar with this section of the course, the GPS could tell me exactly how much further I had until the next peak.

Soon the first out and back to Yr Elen arrived, flagging, a couple of people who had overtaken me earlier passed me by, fleeting words of encouragement were passed, I was still smiling!  Carnedd Llewelyn came and went, and I tried my hardest to get those sprightly legs to return to me.  Come on legs…  They didn’t, patient jogging over the rocks took over, until the grassy tracks towards the northern peaks replaced them.  Patient jogging continued, a forced injection of speed running did nothing to invigorate them, so I was damned to forever plod on at this pace of 6-7km/hr.  Secretly I wished to do the 3000ers top to top in 8-12hrs, and finish the race in under 12hrs.  Ambitious.

Nearing the end of the Carneddau and the uphill, this track went on forever

15:43 Relief poured over me upon reaching Foel Fras, the last top in 9hrs 25 top to top.  No more big climbs left, and the only way back was on foot, I had, effectively finished, as I now had to get down unless injured.

Jogging slowly towards the sea and the finish line at Hendre Hall, all downhill from here. Photo by Andy Milton

Returning to Hendre Hall, Tal Y Bont, from the Carneddau is beautiful.  Whatsmore, the fog began to part and I could see the sea in addition to all of the peaks previously summitted earlier today.  It was stunning, but I just couldn’t stop to take photographs.  My legs were fading fast, and all I could concentrate on was getting down, not tripping over, and trying not to cry with excitement!

Running into the finish line at Hendre Hall

17:18 Killer steep downhill tarmac to the finishing line, and it was over.  Slate medal awarded, vegan food consumed, discovered I couldn’t walk up anymore stairs (glad I live in a Bungalow!), more food on the way home - bacon cheeseburger (not very vegan!), massage, stretching, hot shower, smiles, exhaustion and sleep.

I can’t describe how thrilled I am to have finally finished an ultra race.  After another year of trail running, trying to work on my descending, and having the guts to enter another ‘crazy’ race I think it all paid off.  To summarise, all I can say is, it was a great day in the hills, and eating and drinking while running definitely helps.  Thanks Jim.

At the finish having just received my medal.

The Salomon Glencoe Skyline Race - my first ultra attempt

That's running, isn't it?! - One of the first 'promo pictures' of the race to come out by Ian Corless

Some people reckon I'm delusional, others recognise my motivation and understand why I set myself inconceivable goals.  I 'dream large' about running long distances across mountain ranges, turning myself into a 'Kilian Jornet', and travelling quickly over technical terrain.  I draw up lists of the link ups and traverses I'd like to do one day, both in trainers and on my touring skis.  On the most part, these have been little more than fantasies, until...



The Glencoe Skyline Logo

In March 2015 Ourea Events announced a new race in the UK Skyrunning calendar, the Glencoe Skyline.  http://www.glencoeskyline.com/  The route seemed fantastic, technical, long, fun and perfectly matched to my running dreams (and delusions!)  The entry date was marked in my calendar and I continued my usual winter training fun - lots of vertical m's on my touring skis; dreaming of lighter boots and competing in mythical races, such as the PDG and Pierra Menta.

 

 

April arrived, and as luck would have it I was at my alpine home with WiFi when entries opened (as opposed to in a mountain hut where most of my spring days are spent).  As I filled in my application form, diligently answering each question, I doubted if I would ever get an entry.  My previous running race history is one very unsuccessful OMM race, and that was it, not even one other local fell race!  The only things in my favour were, my self belief, lots of personal mountain running, and a proven ability to look after myself in the hills - it is my job after all.  I can climb, run, and have a stubborn streak that makes me keep plodding on and on.

Having fun ski touring in the Alps during Spring 2015

The following day (so soon!), my entry was accepted, S**T!  Every mountain person I had told thought I was crazy - your 1st ultra, and everyone else just said 'cool', not really comprehending the task I had set myself.

All climbing was set aside for the summer, as I ran and ran, before work, after work, missing lie ins on days off, and generally obsessing over running, running videos, running magazines, running training and more running until I drove my colleagues and family bonkers.  Strava and my training spreadsheet became my new best friends!  Here I would like to point out that I did not give myself a structured training plan, but rather a vague, this month will focus on base work, speed work, etc... and set a goal to do something on most days of the work.

Summer arrived, and as I eased into July, I thought that entering a running race before the skyrun would be a good idea for some racing experience.  Scouring the race listings for one I could make, the only one was the Snowdonia Trail Marathon in two days time!  Over Facebook I bought someone else's entry, registered the day before and the following morning at 10am I was on the start line in pouring rain.  Despite having a bit of a bonk on the summit of Snowdon, I completed it, and this only sought to feed my delusions more!

Crossing the finishing line at the Snowdonia Trail Marathon, image by Mel Parry (I have yet to buy a copy!)

The day after finishing this race, my muscles were sore but my foot was even sorer, and I thought I had really injured it.  After a week of no walking or running, just swimming, I went to get an x ray of my foot - no stress fracture, phew, but it still took another week of pain to recover.  My third week was pain free, but I wanted a whole week of pain free before training again.  So there went nearly all of my weeks set aside for technical speedwork, and after three weeks off, my first run was up the Aonach Eagach the following week on holiday (it was a relief to feel no pain at all = full recovery :) ).

Stunning morning views from the Aonach Eagach on my recce whilst on holiday

Jimbob had agreed to support me for the Glencoe Skyline, his parents lent us their campervan, and we agreed to make a holiday of it, taking a week off during both of our busiest work periods of the year.  On arrival to the race location, driving down the Glencoe valley seemed to take for ever and it hit home just what I had taken on.  The night before the race we headed down to the Mountain resort to register for the race, and although excited I felt I was there at least two years too early in my running dreams!  I was surrounded by friendly lean runners sporting t-shirts of completed ultras, with legs toned from thousands of vertical metres logged running, and lots of shiny lightweight gear.  Only a few weeks ago I had 'been informed' that my leg muscles were 'starting to look like those of a runner!' so at least I was beginning to look the part to enter such a race!

My race map and number

5:45 am the alarm clock went off and I slowly drank some coffee with half of my planned breakfast.  I dressed for the race, made some final rucksack adjustments, and managed to go to the loo (always good before the race starts).

Views down the Glencoe valley earlier in the week

7am, race starts, pounding out the first 6km along the West Highland Way, I move quickly and easily, although still at the back of the middle of the pack.  Forgetting to zip my rucksack down to the side of the back it burst open along the track, to which the other runners were amazing at picking up and passing me the contents as they flew on past me - damn, this was the only fault with my otherwise brilliant Deuter Speedlite 10, when full you have to drag the zip pullies to the side as if they are at the top of the pack it splits open!

The only photo I took during the race - on Curved Ridge

Curved Ridge was always going to be a bottleneck but I was not expecting a few minutes rest.  The last time I was here was in torrential rain and howling wind on a Scottish climbing holiday, so to be queueing in the sun on dry rock was incredible.  The next section passed quickly, although the same cannot be said for my descending speed as I was overtaken by the majority of the field.  At checkpoint 5 I saw Jim which gave me some motivation to try harder, however on my way up to Stob Coire Sgreamhach I knew I was loosing time, I could still jog the easier sections, control where my feet were landing, but it just was not fast enough.

On top of this it had started to drizzle, I knew if I stopped to put my waterproofs on, this meant I wasn't running fast enough to make the cut of time at the A82, but I still believed I could do it.  On the out and back to checkpoint 8, Stob Coire nan Lochan I saw the end of the pack (that would just make the timing cut off).  This section was so atmostpheric, cloudy and sunny at the same time with super terrain, but again, just about too technical for me to run over.

One of Ian Corless' race photos, the cow bells and support were amazing and added to the alpine feeling of the race

Three word review of the Bidean Nam Bian descent: Horrific, Wet, Steep.  At the start I knew if I ran as fast as I could I would just make the cut off, but the steep wet terrain mean I couldn't go fast, thoughts of injuring myself when I would probably miss the cut off time anyway went through my head.  A quick check of my GPS showed me I was not even half way down to the road and only had 15 minutes or so to get there.  Pace slowed and my mind turned to how the day had gone, what I had learnt, and how amazing it had been even though I knew I would never finish the route.

The Glencoe Skyline race route (in orange, blue is the bad weather course)

In the distance I saw a brightly coloured Jimbob who had walked up to meet me, this was a great boost, kept me strong, and as the terrain evened out I ran into checkpoint 10, 48mins too late to continue.  Despite being tired I could still walk, and did vaguely consider just going up the Aonach Eagach even though I was timed out, but that would be silly.

As we drove back to the resort the top half of the field were finishing, and I although disappointed with myself I couldn't help smiling as I handed my GPS tracker etc... back in. 

Sky running UK logo

Thoughts on the race nearly two weeks later:

• It was an incredible day in the hills, one of the best running days out I have ever had
• The event marshalls were amazing, and knowing a few of them gave me an extra boost too - thank you so much
• Everyone else I met on the hills were so supportive too
• I probably was not prepared enough to go for my first ultra so soon, let alone this one!
• Today I went on my first 'proper' run since the race and I still love it
• Missing three weeks of training before the race didn't help, but probably didn't hinder me either
• The trails in Scotland are amazing
• ... I still really want to run the race again, but am unsure whether to wait one year or two

Training focuses:

• Improve speed on technical terrain
• Improve speed descending
• Fit in more speedwork
• Get faster on long steep hills - they were all long and steep!

Hmmmm, sounds like I need to go faster!