Amazing train journey, beautiful

up here

Highland Ultra, 2021

 Well, this long anticipated event is the first time the event has been carried out, a new event from BTU. Even trying to get close to the event start is a bit of an adventure in itself. 

It is 125 km over three day stages, on a small island Knoydart, accessible from Mallaig. Semi self sufficient : carry all food and medical kit, filter own water throughout the day: camping at nighttime. It looks pretty wild, to be honest. 

The event itself looks so well organised.  I think the BTU team are probably more excited than we are that its going ahead, due to the disappointments of lockdown postponements. Quite brilliantly, there are organised talks each evening by ultra runners, event organisers, or local conservationists. More brilliantly than this, there is a strong emphasis on supporting the environment through this company : they are working with the Knoydart woodland trust to promote woodland replanting, plus local trail maintenance. You just gotta love 'em.

Highland Ultra 2021

All packed, getting too excited for words.

Whats that, a weather forecast for rain every day ?   Oh...

Highland Ultra

 Starting to prepare for next week's Highland Ultra, with Beyond the Ultimate.

Definitely an adventure : already a resilience test as the local trains have been cancelled on the way home.

Exciting exciting. Amazing to track down running kit and start sorting running packs and kit. Oh my. 

Conquest of Avalon, 2021

 Yesterday I managed to participate in the Conquest of Avalon event, in Somerset. For me, it is the last of a few one day events leading out of (hopefully) the worst of the pandemic.

The race, organised by Albion Running, is approximately 50 miles long, with a 30 m option. It starts at Ham Hill Country Park, weaves along the Leland Trail then the Lands End trail,  in to Glastonbury. The route is steeped in history and goes up to  Glastonbury Tor during the final leg : awesome.

I shared the pleasure of this day with two chaps, both seasoned long distance runners, Sean and Chris. I enjoyed immensely the company, chat, pacing, and buffers against the inevitable emotional lows. Sightings of Glastonbury Tor were magical, as was a teeny glimpse of the festival site also. We were plodding along right at the back of the race competitors : it was dark and atmospheric when we reached the top of the Tor with magnificent views of the area. Coincidentally, a Van Morrison concert was being held in Glastonbury Town that evening, so we got to run down the tor and through the town with an unbelievable musical accompaniment. I don't think this could have been planned to be a more perfect way to end the day. Fabulous.

The route accumulates around 4,000 foot of overall elevation - pretty much ouch. Five much appreciated checkpoints, also much appreciated course markings. We finished just over thirteen hours, that will certainly do me proud. For some runners, it was their first 50 miler : their finishing times, way faster than ours, are hugely impressive and something that should be shouted from the rooftops. If we can do this, we can do anything. 

Green man

 Green man green man green man

Apparently I am a Woodwose for completing, YIPPEE

Note to self : a Woodwose is anyone who completes the community forest path which circumnavigates Bristol. From what I can gather, they are also said to haunt medieval forests. To be fair, I've always wanted to be one. 

I swear there's more hills running the route in this direction. My feet think so, anyway.