I am running monthly challenges in 2021 to fundraise for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
Training for the Dragon’s Back Race 2021 is the focus of my training for June, July and August. For this reason, mountain running in Wales continues to challenge, exhilarate and exhaust me this July!
You can read more about what I got up to in June here.
Dragon’s Back Race: a summary of the challenge
- 6 ultra marathons over 6 days
- 380 km distance covered
- 17 400 m elevation gain
- lots of technical and pathless terrain
- unmarked route, making navigation skills a must!
Training for Dragon’s Back Race: goals
- cover as much of the route as possible pre-race
- acquire and test out all the required kit
- learn map reading and navigation skills
- learn how to use poles whilst running and hiking in the mountains
- avoid injury!
Training for Dragon’s Back Race: July 2021
- 16 runs
- 309.2 km(192.1 miles) distance
- 11 669 m (38 284 ft) elevation gain
I will cover these adventures under the headings of ‘big runs’, ‘new kit’, ‘new skills’ and ‘reflections’.
Big runs
The big runs of July included a couple of recce days with RAW adventures that covered most of day 2. In addition, I did a recce with my friend Sally to explore more of the challenges of day 5. Finally, I did a solo recce of 46 km of day 3 from Dolgellau to just beyond Machynlleth.
This means I have now covered the technical section of Day 1, all of Day 2, two thirds of Day 3 and two thirds of Day 5. A good proportion of the Brecon Beacons section of day 5 that I missed, was covered by a hike I did with my son Matthew last summer.
New kit
I tested out my new running backpack, a Montane Gecko VP 12+. Apart from the front fastening bits falling off all the time (one has already been lost!), the pack gets a thumbs up from me. It is really comfortable and has enough capacity for what I need to carry.
I also got to use my hiking poles for the first time. Trail and Kales’s review of trekking poles helped me to choose the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles.
Last but not least, I thought it was time to try Runderwear for increased comfort and decreased risk of chafing! I’ve used the women’s running hipster and the compression running socks. My verdict is that the underwear definitely improves comfort and the socks compare well with other brands I’ve used (CEP and ProCompression).
New skills
There is one thing that I want to avoid at all costs when out in the mountains and that is getting lost! Poor visibility makes getting lost more likely and poor weather conditions makes it more scary. Thankfully, July brought the opportunity to learn some essential skills.
The recce days with RAW adventures brought the opportunity to learn map reading and compass skills. It was amazing to find my way off the top of a mountain in a misty white-out!
I could then practice these newly acquired skills on the subsequent big recce runs with Sally and solo.
My hiking poles came out for the first time on the recce day with Sally. She has used them quite a bit before and was able to pass on some useful tips on taking them out and putting them away whilst keeping on the move. In addition, Sally had tips on when and how to use them. I used them a lot to get me over the mountains of Southern Snowdonia on my solo recce a couple of days later.
Reflections
The Dragon’s Back Race is definitely a challenge that will take me to my limits. My limits may be reached before the race is completed.
There are many things along the journey that cannot be predicted or controlled. However, preparation can put me in the best position to deal with both what is predictable and unpredictable.
Life is a bit like that: tough and unpredictable. Therefore, in ultra marathons as in life, we all need the best support we can have. We need a safety net for when things go wrong or fate turns against us. We need to learn to take care of ourselves and each other. Humility is a helpful attitude for our achievements and successes. Kindness is essential for the failures and misfortunes of ourselves and others.
I am hopeful for getting to the start line as well prepared as my life circumstances has allowed me to be. I will take it one day at a time, then one mountain at a time, then one mile at a time and finally one step at a time.
More detailed blogposts about these tremendous and epic days in the beautiful Welsh mountains are also an aspiration. I would love to share more of the beauty of the landscape and the richness of the experience with those who read my blog.
Plans for August
These posts might not happen till after the actual race. This is because I am a juggling being mom of a boy who will be going to secondary school when I go off to run in the mountains and work with training. A taper of training in August will bring a welcome opportunity to dedicate more time to having holiday and adventures with my boy Matthew.
I do plan to write a bit in August though. The idea is to use this ultra challenging ultra marathon as a metaphor for life itself and the systemic discrimination in our societies. In particular I will draw parallels between participation in an endurance event with participation in life in the UK as a non-citizen and how that might look if it was an endurance event.
Having had my own experiences, I would advise against that journey to those who have other options. When I did it 21 years ago, I did it with naivety and in ignorance. Much has changed since; for the worse, unfortunately.
Ongoing fundraising for JCWI
This is why I dedicate all my running challenges to raising funds for the amazing Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI). You can read more about the vital work they do on their website. Please support them if you can.
You can also follow the rest of my journey by subscribing to this blog.
