So, that's it! The mountain running season is
officially over for another year. I can't help but smile at the many
amazing memories created during this season but I internally weep at
the fact that there will be no more mountain adventures with
inspiring mountain running friends until next year. Okay, maybe it's
only six months until the start of the next mountain season... that
makes me feel a little bit better....
If you regularly read my blog posts, you will know
I was selected to run for Britain at the World Mountain Running
Championships again this year. The World Champs were held on
September 11th at Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria.
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| The beautiful Livigno valley |
"I’m here with some of the British Athletics mountain running team to acclimatise for the World Mountain Running Championships, being held in Bulgaria on Sunday (September 11). It’s been an invaluable experience – and my first at altitude. I love waking up each day to a chorus of cowbells and marmots whistling, seeing the magnificent mountains encompassing the horizon, and then heading out to explore them. A run in the mountains at the hands of mother nature. There is so much freedom in that."~from my blog post for Inov-8 about life as a teenage trail runner.A big thank you to British Athletics for allowing me to experience that amazing opportunity. The camp really opened up my eyes to the mountains and the incredible world in which we live. The time spent in Livigno with some of the senior British mountain runners really increased my passion for the sport of mountain running and made me understand the dedication and determination elite athletes need to achieve their full potential as we basically lived as full time athletes during that time.
Livigno was extremely beautiful and I really want to return there again one day to make more unforgettable mountain memories.
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| Sunday long run in the mountains |
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| Training alongside Emmie Collinge // Pic: Phil Gale |
After the time spent in Livigno; it was time to head onto Bulgaria to meet the rest of the British Atheletics team for the World Champs.
Straight from the first stride forward on my warm up for the race; I knew it was going to be tough out there. I felt awful; like I was running through treacle. My breathing sounded like a steam train chugging into the station.
I tried to be competitive throughout the race. I got out okay but then I just went backwards. My legs had nothing. A very very bad day at the office. I admit coming over the line; I was devastated. For me, that race was more of a learning experience rather than a success.
For others, it was one of the main highlights of the Summer season. This was the case for my friend and team mate Bronwen Jenkinson. Earlier in the race Bronwen had passed me looking really strong. Upon finishing whilst I was lying on the floor trying to come to terms with the race, I was so excited to hear that Bronwen had finished in the bronze medal position. Seeing her receive her flowers on the podium and her medal later on in the evening was so lovely. Her medal is testament to all the hard work she has put in. It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. She was one of the first people I met when I started mountain running many years ago and I am truly happy for her.
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| Team GB in Bulgaria |
A week later, it was time to head to the Lake District with the Welsh team for the Junior British and Irish Mountain Running Championships. We would once again meet with Little Man, Skiddaw. I just hoped I could put the bad race behind me and run a positive race here. Although I felt a little bit better than I did in Bulgaria; my body still felt tired and lethargic. When I finished I admit I was unhappy with third position and wish I had listened to my family who had told me to rest and not try to put my body through any more stress.
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| British & Irish MR Champs // Pic: Woodentops |
When I went to the training camp at altitude, I was taking a huge gamble as I had never been to altitude before and so was unsure how my body would respond. As it was, the altitude didn't do me any favours when it came to the two races and looking back now I think perhaps I did try to do too much at altitude. Nevertheless, I wouldn't swap that experience in Livigno for the world because it has allowed me to learn new things as an athlete and has allowed me to grow as a person. Next time I go to altitude, I will be more aware and knowledgeable about how my body will respond.
The two races in September may have not been successful for me but they have added to my experience which I will call upon in the future. At the end of the day, I am only young and I've still (hopefully!) got many more races to run. Ultimately, I run because it is fun and something I enjoy. I've learnt that there's no point in beating yourself up about the bad races. The bad days just make the good days even sweeter.
“Frame every so-called disaster with the words; In five years time will this matter?”I've already moved on from my poor performances and I am looking to the exciting future ahead.
Trofeo Vanoni is always a brilliant race to end the mountain running season with. This year was no different. I headed to Morbegno with the Welsh team for this prestigious mountain race just last week. We met with the Snowdon race team at Hotel Margna once again and we were all soon busy catching up with each others' adventures.
This whole weekend was kind of like a spell of Deja Vu as we seemed to follow the same sort of itinerary as last year. One of the highlights was another trip to Lake Como where some of the members of the British teams enjoyed a chilly dip in the lake. Like last year, I accidentally (on purpose!) forgot to bring a spare change of clothes to swim in the cold waters.
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| A chilly dip in Lake Como |
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| Beautiful Lake Como ft. the legend Ben Mounsey |
Soon it was race day and I stood on the start line, excited for the challenging race ahead. Throughout the race, I found I was really having a good time. I felt strong, definitely better than the races in September and much more like my normal self. I enjoyed the steep climbs up out of the town and the descent was over in a whirlwind of noise as the Italian atmosphere was fantastic. I finished the race in 7th place, 22 seconds quicker than last year. I'm very happy with this performance and this was just what I needed to boost my confidence again.
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| Start line |
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| Making my way up the hill // Pic: Gareth Hughes |
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| Pic: Ben Mounsey |
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| Pic: Achille Marchi |
The rest of the British ladies did well again this year with Heidi Dent (Snowdon Race Team) in 6th, Lou Roberts (Snowdon Race Team) in 9th and Sian Williams (Wales) in 15th. I have a really vivid happy memory of us all laughing and smiling together near the finish line, exhilarated by the race.
All of us ladies went out on the course to cheer the men on during their relay. The clouds came down and it started to rain which really made the descent very tricky. The Snowdon Race Team ran well to finish in 4th place and the Welsh team finished 11th. Next year the women's race will be a relay too and I really hope I will be selected again to experience this as the men's relay race looks so fun!
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| The two HD's and matching Inov-8 XTalon225 |
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| Welsh flag out on the course |
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| At the finish with the Snowdon Race and Irish Teams |
The next day, there was time for a run from Morbegno up into the mountains before our flight back home. It's always so nice to run with a group of runners who all share the same passion and love for the trails and the mountains. The views were incredible and this run once again reminded me why I love the mountains and the natural beauty of the world. I just wish I could run in the mountains forever!
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| Autumn mountain adventures |
So with the season over there is time to reflect and remember. 2016 will be the year I remember for winning my first international individual medal at the European Mountain Running Championships and it will also be the season I remember for having a disastrous race at the World Championships. But that's okay... it's all a learning process.
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| European Mountain Running Championships 2016 |
The mountain running season of 2016 will be remembered for the magical time I got to spend in the Italian mountains in the beautiful valley of Livigno. It will be remembered for the many new friends I have made throughout the mountain running world. It will be remembered for the ups and also the downs. I am even hungrier and more determined for next season. I hope you will continue to follow me along this journey.
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| Mountain Running Friendships |
I would just like to thank my family, friends, teammates, Welsh athletics coaches, British athletics coaches, Sport Wales, Welsh Athletics, Inov-8, The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, SportsAid, The Metropole Hotel, Junk n Disorderly, Arvon Ales, Happy Home Gift Company and everyone else how has had their hand in helping to make me the athlete and person I am today. You know who you are. Thank you to you all for your unwavering support and I hope I am doing you all proud.
Finally, I would just like to finish by telling you all about a really exciting film all about Nicky Spinks and her Double Bob Graham Round.
In May 2016, Nicky Spinks made history by becoming the fastest person ever to complete a DOUBLE Bob Graham Round. I don't know about you, but one time around sounds enough to me!
This Double Bob Graham included 132 miles around the Lake District, covering 84 summits with over 54,000 ft of ascent. This took Nicky just 45 hours and 30 minutes. She took over an hour off the previous record set in 1979 by Roger Baumeister, who was there in person to support Nicky during her attempt.
Now the story of Nicky’s incredible life and phenomenal Double Bob Graham Round success will be told in a new film called RUN FOREVER. The film will be premiered at the Kendal Mountain Festival in November, after which it will have its public release. To whet your appetite here's the exclusive film trailer.
That's enough of my ramblings for one day. Time to get running around some muddy cross country fields.
Until next time,
Heidi x
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