Blog. Marathon Des Sables 2010

The Beacons Ultra 2008
Once upon a time ... (last Saturday to be precise) Two stubborn women chipped the ice off their car and rather nervously set off to Brecon Rugby Club. Once they arrived a freindly welcome awaited and non existent toilet queues! (very important)..............This is a novice Ultra runners account of their first Ultra race................

Arriving at the rugby club, extremely worried but trying not to show it we chatted to a few serious looking runners and realised that they were just as nervous as us (despite the serious kit and determined looks). The weather was freezing but promised a beautiful, sunny if rather cold day. Wandering to the start line the icey roads were lethal underfoot and it made us wonder what to expect later on. Annie and I did a trial run of one loop a couple of weeks ago so we knew what the infamous 'Gap' might be like and had a vague game plan to try and get some time in hand for the second loop by running all the first...that's as far as the plan went!

Annie This was a real test for us, money where mouth is time. Off to the MDS in 2010 and in Feb Trans Gran Canaria 90k, we needed to proove to ourselves we could hack it.

8am prompt we set off, expecting to be lurking near the back we fell in to a comfortable pace about mid pack. As the field spread out and the front runners were way ahead we started to feel the nerves disapear. We ran along the canal for about 7 miles(Martin and Likeys appearing on various bridges) to Talybtont and had a lovely hug from Martin's Dad before turning off up the Taff Trail and the endless fire road. Once at the top we turned down the road before turning right towards the Gap road. The TA were gathering their weapons and getting ready for a yomp...one bloke yelled out 'there was medicine for people with our affliction!'. Feeling pretty good and munching jelly beans we started stomping towards the Gap....Martin popped up to offer words of encouragment (he gets everywhere!)

CAnal Canal

The Gap Once we got to the top the work really began. It was very icey under foot with lots of loose stones and rocks.We knew that coming down here in the dark was going to be very hard so ideally if we could get to this point in the light it would be helpful.

No blisters yet and still in good spirits we gave it our best shot. I think the guys who planned the course thought they'd have a bit of a joke..and having read other reports from competitors the feeling is mutual.....After successfully negotiating the Gap road we were presented with a Gully of rock and brambles. GREAT FUN! Ankles protesting somewhat we got to it and mumbled and muttered and swore alot!!**

The joy of tarmac! Short lived as the sun hadn't got to the tarmac to unfreeze the ice..HEY HO. Next up fields...lovely! Llanfrynach and a gentle run to Pencelli and back to the canal and the second loop. We were very happy as we'd got a couple of hours in hand to add on to the next stage...much better than I could ever have expected. By now the odd banana and jelly beans was not working so this called for the flapjack and a walk to let it go down.

The second loop.
Setting off at a steady walking pace we headed off for the second half. It seemed amazing that it was happening but it never at any stage felt impossible. Another hug from Martins Dad, who informed us we were 4th and 5th women, knowing there were two girls behind us we started to feel competative and went off up the fireroad at quite a pace. Along to the Gap, (TA still yomping) and still keeping a gap with those behind us. We managed to get to the top just as it was getting dark. Buffs wrapped over ears and headlights on we started the descent. It was horrible!!

My feet wouldn't work properly and everything was frozen underfoot. (note to self and anyone else reading this, Salomon shoes are great on trail but rubbish on slippy rocks....Annies Roclite IN0V8s had much better traction.) Annie also realisied she'd got her torch on upside down! It went on for ever and just behind us I could hear voices...the girls had caught us up! How they did it I'll never know (they did admit at the end a heafty dose of Painkillers had helped). That was a bit off a dark moment for me and I had to dig deep to get back on track. Down the >>>>ing!!** Gully and on to the road. We crawled up the edge looking for water or leaves to walk on, finally making it to the fields. Amazed at the time we'd made despite the Gap road, we started running again to Llanfrynach.

Passing a few people we upped our pace and reached the canal path. The longest 4 miles I've ever run! It's amazing how your brain works or doesn't when tired or hungry. Luckily we know each other quite well, so when attempted conversation was met by grunts or silence, it was taken in our stride. I have never been so happy to finish or so proud. What a welcome from Martin and Co, a great goody bag and a plate of chilli and best of all a cup of tea.

Congratulations to everyone that finished, good luck to the MDS 2009ers, any tips for us after you've done it would be much appreciated.

Will we be back?....YOU just try and stop us...amazing what difference a few days makes to ones perspective! Well done to Likeys I really hope you do it again.

www.beaconsultra.com

www.likeys.com