I am running monthly challenges in 2021 to fundraise for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
Discovering hidden Gower whilst hiding from a gale was an Ultra Marathon to remember! Let me tell you what I remember of this overcast day when a moderate south-westerly gale forced us to discover some hidden corners of this beautiful peninsula.
The best laid plans…
It has been challenging to make plans this last year. So many things we took for granted before have been repeatedly postponed, such as organised running events. Even informal group runs have been banned for months on end. This adds to the inflexibility of a date set to do a particular run, much like an organised event in non-pandemic times.
Since my monthly running challenges began in January 2021 the ‘event’ of the month has coincided with ‘worst weather’ of the month. February’s ‘Heart of Gower’ run put me off running in any sort of gale, even a moderate gale, for a while. I ran five half marathons in January, whilst recovering from an injury. Some weather was pretty awesome, but the second half of the final half was run in a snowstorm!
March was no different. The original route hugged the coast and included the ridges of the hills. I mapped a new route the night before, because I could not face another viewless run in gale-force winds. This route found all the valleys and woodlands and crossed many farm fields a bit further inland. We lost our bearings somewhere in the middle of Gower, because we couldn’t see the hills.
You can see my Strava activity here.
Valleys and fields to North Gower
We set off just after 8am. It felt more like 7am, because the clocks had just moved forward during the night to kick of British Summer Time. I had not taken this into account when we originally planned the run! We were a running party of three. Steve joined me and Bb8 for the adventure. (Bb8 did not run all the way!)
We ran across some fields and down into Bishopston Valley. We emerged at Kittle Village, ran past Kittle Hill Farm and on toward Ilston. From Ilston we ran through Ilston Valley, followed by a woodland section to Parkmill. After Parkmill we ran trough Green Cwm and on through some fields to pick up the Gower Way to Cillibion. The ‘on through some fields’ bit is not on any of my usual routes. This might explain why the field became my first photo of the day. Here it is!
A bit further on we reached the picturesque village of Llanrhidian on the North Gower coast.
Along North Gower coast to Cheriton
The North Gower Coast borders the Loughour Estuary. There are some grazing fields and a lot of mud. Weobley Castle overlooks the Estuary. We passed on a muddy path below the castle and ran along a slippery stone path further along next to the estuary.
Little break at Cheriton
We are just short of half way. My husband Peter has driven out to bring us a cup of hot tea and banana nut cake I baked the evening before. Our map blows from the bridge. It would be litter, so I choose to retrieve it. Just as well, because we end up running a completely different way!
To Burry and beyond
We found our way to Burry across some disused stiles and hostile borders. Luckily no dogs were set upon us as we made our way across land where those who live there have clearly changed their minds about the public footpath! This whole running campaign is about borders and the increasing hostility of the British border. My fundraising buddy Lauren writes a recap what has been reported in news outlets each month. You can read the March 2021 recap here.
I also had the conversation of JCWI’s Minnie Rahman with Leah Cowan to reflect on and share with Steve. They talked about Leah’s new book ‘Border Nation’. It was an inspiring and myth-busting conversation. You can watch the video here. I can highly recommend the book, which I have been devouring this weekend.
You can support JCWI’s work by donating to my JustGiving page here.
After Burry we ran in the opposite to intended direction. Even though some fields felt familiar, I have never run this way before. We eventually entered an enchanted woodland. It is amazing how sheltered and full of life a woodland is, compared to a barren brown field of farming.
The woodland turned out to be one that I know, but I’ve never entered it from this side and never run on this path. At least we could make a new plan from here!
Mill Wood to Pennard
Steve realised he was going to run out of time and we decided to head back to Pennard for about 45km. I phoned Peter to drop Bb8 off a little further along for the final stretch home.
We ran through Mill Wood and Penrice Estate to get to Nicholaston Woods where Peter dropped Bb8.
Bb8 brought some new vigour and enthusiasm to the running party. I was starting to feel the miles and I think Steve was too. Our running pace remained steady whilst our conversation slowed down a bit.
We stopped for photos at high points where the woodlands opened towards the sea. We decided to take the option of Tor headland for the miles and a taste of what we have been avoiding. Then followed a round on the beach at Three Cliffs, before running up and back down the valley to make up the mileage. The gale was most definitely at least moderate!
A solo finish
Steve got in his car at Pennard and 45km. I decided to run the last 5km home to get to 50km. That would satisfy my idea of an ultramarathon. Cows in the path extended the home stretch to 8km. These miles eventually passed painfully slowly. I was unable to run downhill due to decreased coordination and balance. Walking is a good option to avoid a face plant that can ruin more than just the run.
After more than 6 hours of running I finally got home. Relieved, hungry, thirsty, cold, tired and very alive!
Discovering Hidden Gower Ultra
Here are a few of the things I discovered or rediscovered during ‘Discovering Hidden Gower Ultra’.
Not all of the Gower Peninsula is pretty. There are some areas of mess and dilapidation. The ‘cultivation’ of land leads to a proliferation of boundaries and borders as well as a diminishing of biodiversity and life. Is it possible that our quest to ‘survive’ is inversely related to our ability to ‘thrive’?
Woodlands are places of refuge for biodiversity and from adverse weather conditions. The wild places are the beautiful places.
Running free is a privilege on offer to only a few: human and animal alike. Most creatures live confined lives in a society where everything and everyone is commodified by the bottom line of a balance sheet.
It is easy to get lost when you can’t see the hills. Running more than 50km in one go is tough!
We don’t always get what we wish for! When we meet adversity with creativity, we can increase our resilience, discover new perspectives and set ourselves on a whole new course.
You can subscribe to my blog to read how this journey unfolds.
You can support my fundraiser for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
You can join the team to campaign for borders that don’t hurt people (generally) and don’t tear families apart (specifically), but joining our ‘Love Without Borders’ team. Please reach out through social media if that is you.
