Events Blog

 September 25th 2022 (400m pool swim, 5k run) x Times Total time:  00:30:38 Standings Gender category:          2/17      12% Overall category:        13/59      22%

September 18th 2022 (12 miles - 1.2k swim, 8k run, 1.6k swim, 0.3k run, 1.0k swim, 7k run) A swimrun! Competing in one of these events has been on "the list" for sometime, ever since my bike training had to be binned in favour of parenting. I'm still swimming - great cross training - and still running, meaning a swimrun was really appealing. For those that don't know, a swim run involved multiple entries and exits from the water (rather than an aquathlon, where one swims, transitions, then runs). All equipment must be carried on your person, meaning yes, you swim either wearing or carrying shoes, and you run with your wetsuit. I decided to wear my shoes to reduce faff, using a pull buoy to keep my feet buoyant with shoes on. Another option would have been neoprene calf sleeves, of which I do have a pair, but I found tired my calves extremely quickly on the run. The logistics of this event, it being my first attempt, were the biggest factor in my "training" (

August 21st 2022 (27 miles - mountain trails) The third and final round of the GTNS UK qualifying races - currently sitting in 5th and keen to maintain a top 5 spot, I was excited for this race! Unlike before the Serpent trail, I felt well rested and ready to take on some elevation and some views. After an unprecedented few hours on the M6, I made my way straight to registration. The weather was NOT favourable, with torrential rain and gusty winds making my question my life choices. However, I registered and headed off to the Salomon led talk. Only to find HQ was rapidly being blown away.... Instead I provided some propping-up assistance until the area was made safe, then found my way to my accommodation, looking somewhat bedraggled and feeling glad I didn't have to talk to anyone in the process. To follow was possibly the worst night's sleep I've ever had, thanks to some caffeine that I had thought necessary in the stifling car on the M6. Big mistake! 57 minutes of sleep l

July 2nd 2022 50km - woodland trails and road The Serpent Trail 50 km is the second of the three golden trail series races this summer, and after an enjoyable experience at Trail Marathon Wales, I was really looking forward to it! Staying with a friend who lives really nearby was a novelty, normally I travel to races alone, so it was great to see her soon after registering. Saturday morning came soon enough, and after a poor night's sleep I set off for the finish. The start wasn't as early as I'm used to nor as I'd like, but the coach travel was well organise and soon I was being released into a field that was largely being used as a huge urinal....lovely. Some familiar faces on the start line thanks to the series, and soon we were off! The first mile or so was perhaps the muddiest of the race, and I was glad of the grip of my shoes here. Despite its downhill nature though, I just wasn't in "the zone" right from the beginning, immediately feeling fatigue s

June 18th 2022 26 miles - forest tracks and trail Trail Marathon Wales - a very general name for a race in Coed y Brenin forest park. First brought to my attention by a fellow runner on the track, who had entered for last year but unfortunately the race had not gone ahead (he didn't seem to know why....). So, on the list it went, positioned in the season as a training run before I tackle a 50km race in a couple of weeks. Just labelling it this way, in the knowledge that, yes I can walk the hills, and yes, it's OK to eat / carry a bit too much, made me feel pretty relaxed coming into it. Straining my intercostal muscles doing strength work on Tuesday morning however, did not. It was therefore with mixed feelings I went into this race - the previous night's musings including "should I take ibruprofen or paracetamol before or during the race if the rib pain is unbearable?" and "have I set enough alarms to guarantee I wake up?".  Luckily I managed to go pain

 May 14th 2022 47 miles trail This was the first race I entered for 2022, based on encouragement from amazing friend and fellow mummy of two, Charlotte. I didn't need much convincing, I loved the idea of lapping a lake, with the incredible scenery that would inevitably be enjoyed, as well as a not too horrific elevation profile. Having registered the day before (resisting a much wanted dip in the lake for risk of injury), I arrived at the start line ready to go, surprised at how light it was and regretting having brought my not-so-lightweight head torch. There seemed to be a huge variety of runners and walkers at the start, and lots of women too which was encouraging.  The beginning of the race had us running along the side of the lake, right close to the water. It was absolutely stunning. A very fine mist hung over the water, which was still enough to provide those fantastic mirror-like reflections. After an enjoyable three miles of this, the first incline came. This was rather st