European Mountain Running Championships

Inhale. Exhale. The finish line in sight. The crowds cheering, screaming with excitement. 

A girl on my shoulder, suddenly sprinting past me. A barrier between a medal and fourth place. I could not finish in fourth place. I would not finish in fourth place.  

My arms pumped harder. My knees rose higher. My stride extended. My lungs; barely able to take oxygen in. I was a tiger about to pounce on it's prey and I would not give in to the pain.

I suddenly found an extra gear. Surging forward towards the finish line. Flying past the girl. Feeling like my legs and lungs were on fire. So much momentum. I would not stop until I was past that line.  

Crossing the line in the bronze medal position. Arms raised triumphantly in the air. Collapsing from the lactic acid swimming in my muscles. Kneeling, my head in my hands. I couldn't believe I had done it. 

My first international individual medal....

crossing the finish line

 

Back to the beginning

The plane left British soil and soared off the runway, up into the sky towards a new adventure. On board were the excited British Mountain Running team, ready to touch down in Italy and begin their quest for success at the European Mountain Running Championships in the scenic tourist town of Arco near beautiful Lake Garda.

I was part of the Junior Women's team and this was to be my fourth British mountain running vest and my second time racing at the European Mountain Running Championships. Having missed the British trial due to a niggle, I knew I was very lucky the British selectors selected in my favour. I couldn't wait to get out there in Italy to prove I was worthy of the selection by racing to my absolute best.

The strong British team were as follows...

Junior Women:

Scarlet Dale
Heidi Davies
Laura Stark
Bella Williams

Junior Men:

Josh Boyle
Gavin Bryson
Ciaran Lewis
Jake Smith

Senior Women:

Emmie Collinge
Heidi Dent
Rebecca Hilland
Sarah Tunstall

Senior Men: 

Tom Adams
Andrew Douglas
Ben Mounsey
Chris Smith

Team GB ready for the opening ceremony

The first thing we all noticed stepping off the plane and out into the Italian air was the heat. This was obviously something us Brits are not really used to and would make the races even more challenging. I think we can all echo the words of Ciaran as we left Italy on Sunday; "The only thing I won't miss is the constant sweating from the heat."

During the few days before the race, there was time to relax, become familiar with the course, swim in the hotel swimming pool, eat lots of Italian food and get to know the rest of the British team better. 

Walking the course

 

I know I've said it before in previous blog posts but I will say it again; the people and the community surrounding the sport are what make mountain running so special. There are no egos, everyone accepts one another for who they are and I am so proud to be part of such a close knit GB mountain running team. 

There was a good mix of old and new faces competing for the British team at these championships. The old showing the ropes to the new and soon everyone knew each other and felt welcome within the team. No matter who is in the team each time I have represented Britian, everyone has always got on with one another and it is a testament to the atmosphere within the sport.

Soon it was time for the opening ceremony but before that we all had to obviously have the obligatory team photographs. Chris had emailed us all prior to flying out to Italy to tell us to bring our club vests so we could get a picture of all of them as a way of saying thanks to our clubs for helping us along our journey's to running for our country. This was a lovely idea and the picture looks pretty good with a mixed array of Welsh, Scottish and English club vests. 

The Club Vests

So onto the opening parade and ceremony where the fell running legend, epic blogger and all round nice guy Ben Mounsey had the honour of carrying the British flag. 

With the legend himself

All the countries paraded behind their flags through the streets of Arco towards the square where each country was called up onto the stage and introduced. Whilst waiting to go up onto the stage everyone was trying to get away from the boiling hot sun and fit into the tiny patches of shade. This became a sort of game as every time we moved forward down the street we would have to find different patches.

Soon there was the official opening of the championships, speeches and dancing whilst us GB juniors moved a bench and made camp in the shade to once again get away from the sun. (Can you tell we're British?)

Opening ceremony

From the electric atmosphere at the opening ceremony, I could just tell that race day was going to be exciting with all the Italians screaming out on the course. I just hoped that there wouldn't be any chain saws in my face like at the World Championships in Italy in 2014.

The day finished with a team talk by Sarah Rowell and a speech by the experienced Sarah Tunstall who was the team captain of the British team this time around. 

If you're not starting to feel nervous about the race during the opening ceremony then you certainly will during the team meeting. When both Sarah's were giving their inspiring talks, it really just hits you that tomorrow you are going to be wearing your country's vest out on the course. You are going to be competing against the best athletes in Europe. These are the moments you work so hard for in training and the reason why you continually put your body on the line both when training and racing. You had to give it your all.

As we left the team meeting Sarah's words were ringing in our ears; "Don't enjoy the race." If we were enjoying it, we were not pushing and working hard enough. I wasn't going to enjoy it. 

*********

Everyone assembled on the start line in the centre of the car park. Us Brits in pen nine. The steady bass of the music playing over the loud speaker echoing throughout the car park. The sound of excited voices, nervous exhalations. Athletes jumping, constantly moving up and down. Got to keep the blood flowing ready for the frantic start.

Eyes focused ahead. Going over the race plan one last time in your head. Turn the nerves into excitement. Let the butterflies fly into formation and assist you to run faster than you ever have before. Today is your day.

On your marks....
BANG

We were off...

Snaking our way through the pretty narrow streets of Arco. A group of girls all with the same dream. Who would want it enough?

Leading the pack up the first climb, concentrating on each step up. Pitter patter, pitter patter. Inhale, exhale. Up, up, up.

Breathing becoming more laborious at the top of the steps. Inhale, exhale. Someone's passing me. Don't panic. Flow. Pitter patter.

A long flight of steep wooden steps, a camera in my face. A flatter section. Flow, relax. People screaming my name. A cup of refreshing cold water tipped over the head.

Up, up, up. Up over the cobbles to the castle. Up the steps on the inside of the castle. Steep switchbacks. The summit of the climb. No time to look at the view.

Down, down, down. Extend stride. Quick, break into the corner. Stay on your feet.

More screams, cheering. "Keep at it Heidi!"

The end of the first steep descent. Time to go back up. Up, up, up. Work, work, work. Heavy breathing. Pitter patter. Keep the rhythm over the rocks.

Someone is getting closer. Breathing down my neck. Don't panic. Rhythm, rhythm.

She passes me and I am in third...

Legs moving faster. Down, down, down. More screaming.

Downhill on cobbles. Wrong shoe choice. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Keep flowing. I can still catch her.

Downhill steps. Interrupts the rhythm. Almost at the finish. I can still catch her.

BOOM! Onto the flat. Inhale. Exhale. The finish line in sight. The crowds cheering, screaming with excitement.  A girl on my shoulder, suddenly sprinting past me. A barrier between a medal and fourth place. I could not finish in fourth place. I would not finish in fourth place.

Arms pumping harder. Knees rising higher. Stride extended. Lungs barely able to take air in. I was a tiger about to pounce on it's prey and I would not give in to the pain. Who would want it more?
 
Find an extra gear. Surging forward towards the finish line. Flying past the girl. Feeling like my legs and lungs are on fire. So much momentum. I would not stop until I was past that line.

Crossing the line in the bronze medal position. Arms raised triumphantly in the air. Collapsing from the lactic acid swimming in my muscles. Kneeling, head in my hands. I couldn't believe I had done it. My first international individual medal....

Turning my head and seeing Scarlet, crossing the line in fifth. Another fantastic race from her. Laura, crossing the line in tenth. A superb debut in the GB vest.

Had we got a team medal, surely we had. Yes team gold!

Hugging, shaking hands, choruses of 'well done', 'congrats', 'you ran so well'.

The flower ceremony. Presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers. Flowers raised in the air. Photographers, smiles, more choruses of 'well done', 'good job'.
 
All that hard work in training paid off... At last.
 

 *********

I am so so proud of all the girls in the GB junior women's team for all running so strongly and bravely. It still hasn't quite sunk in yet that we are the best mountain running team in Europe for our age group.

I must give a special mention to my room mate, Bella who ran so well being in the top ten throughout the race. Unfortunately and so gutting for her, she collapsed along the finishing straight and wasn't able to finish the race.  I'm just so happy that she was allowed to come and collect her team gold medal next to us and stand on the podium because it belongs to her just as much as it belongs to us. A team is a team, and we wouldn't have been a team without Bella.

After our race it was then time to watch all the other races and cheer everyone else on. It's so inspiring when you're out there screaming for your team mates and you can see that they're are running to their absolute best and leaving everything out there on the course.

Laura's amazing GoPro skills

The Juniors

Yep, we do have GB flags on our legs

The juniors went to watch the races from the flat section by the castle and the atmosphere here was absolutely crazy. Everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs for their team mates and there was a continuous ring of bells and horns which added to the atmosphere.

All too soon, the races were over.

RESULTS

Junior Women:
Heidi Davies-BRONZE
Scarlet Dale-5th
Laura Stark-10th
Bella Williams-

Team-GOLD

Junior Men:
Ciaran Lewis-13th
Gav Bryson-17th
Jake Smith-21st
Josh Boyle-26th

Team-4th

Senior Women:

Emmie Collinge-GOLD
Heidi Dent-7th

Rebecca Hilland-13th
Sarah Tunstall-14th

Team-SILVER

Senior Men:
Andrew Douglas-4th
Chris Smith-12th
Tom Adams-17th
Ben Mounsey-26th

Team-BRONZE

All in all a successful day, wouldn't you say?

The long awaited post race pizza and ice cream was then on the cards. I remembered to take a picture of the pizza but not of the ice cream. You'll just have to take my word for it... It was delicious.

PIZZA

It was soon time for the medal ceremony. It still felt kind of surreal standing on the podium to receive my bronze medal and I was so happy to be standing on the top step to receive the team gold medal with such a nice group of girls. The national anthem played and Scarlet and I are sorry for hurting Laura and Bella's ears with our singing. It was such a fantastic moment.

The ceremonies went on for each race and the atmosphere got even more exciting helped by the fact that by the end the Italian national anthem was played three times in total. I felt very inspired when Emmie stepped up to receive her gold medal for winning the women's race. She is such a class athlete and so friendly. She is loved by the Italians as she lives out in Italy and competes in lots of their races and it was amazing to hear such loud cheers for her. She really deserved it. If I could be half the athlete she is in the future, I would be very happy.

After even more food and spending time in the square which had a crazy atmosphere as the Italians were watching their team play football, there was a water display to music and then a pretty wild party started out on the square. 

My mate from Scotland

The next day it was time to fly home. We were all sad to leave the town of Arco and Italy behind, nevertheless, we all have very special memories that we have taken home, even if it does kind of feel like a dream. 

Flying over Germany

I must be honest, my preparation into this event was not the best after picking up a small injury and not being able to run for a few weeks and having to miss the GB trial. Nothing but good old fashioned hard work won me that bronze medal as I poured myself into my cross training and then after my injury had disappeared, back into my mountain running training. Admittedly, I would have liked to have been challenging for the Gold medal at these championships but I will happily take bronze after the rocky preparation I have had. The fact that I was only one second away from silver is enough motivation for me for the future. I can only hope I can get fitter and stronger over the coming months and make the British team for the World Championships as I'm excited about seeing what I can produce there. 

Well done to everyone who competed at the championships on the weekend. You were all part of a very special event.

I would like to thank everyone that has been involved in my journey to my first individual international medal, whether in a big way or a small way. My family, friends, team mates, Norman Walsh UK, Sports Aid, The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, Happy Home Gift Company, The Metropole Hotel, Junk n Disorderely, Arvon Ales, Chris Jones at Welsh Athletics, Matt Craythorne and Laurence Birdsey at Sport Wales... the list just goes on.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to congratulate me and thank you for the kind messages.

Finally last by not least, I would like to thank all my team mates, all the support staff, the organisers of the Championships this year and the people who helped to make this weekend so memorable. You are all amazing.

Mountain running. More than just a sport. More than just a race. 

It's about the inspiring people you meet, the incredible places you get to visit, the close friendships you build and the unforgettable memories you make. 

It's so much more than a run up a hill.

Ciao Arco

World Mountain Running Championships 2015

WOW! I think that I need to pinch myself to make sure that last weekend actually happened! What an incredible event this years World Mountain Running Championships was! I’m still on a high a week after the event and I’m sure that I will be for a very long time! After competing for Great Britain last year at the Championships in Italy, it was hard to imagine that a home championships in Wales would live up to the expectations in my head but Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno seriously delivered. The memories that myself and the rest of the athletes made during the weekend are sure to last a life time. I don’t think that I can use enough superlatives to explain how phenomenal the weekend was but I’ll try to give an account of it in the most calm manner that I can manage!

The British Team all set for the competition ahead

All the teams were located in various hotels in Llandudno in North Wales just half an hour bus drive to the race location in Betws-y-Coed.  The British team were located in The Dunoon Hotel which proved to have delicious food and great hospitality so was a great base for us all to prepare for the competition.  On the day before the competition after a steady run along the promenade and some drills we made our way to the Opening Ceremony at the Venue Cymru building to formally open the competition.  After welcoming all the different nations to the competition in Wales, it was Robbie Simpson's turn to carry the British flag into the ceremony to a huge cheer from the rest of the British team and British supporters.  This was a sign that the Championships on home ground were going to be well supported and that there would be an amazing atmosphere.  We all couldn't wait to get out there and compete for our country on British soil.  Wandering through the town after the opening ceremony lots of members of the public were asking what we were doing and we received lots of calls of ~Good Luck~.

Steady run selfie

It was nice to not have to wake up too early on the day of the competition.  Usually the junior women's race is early to try and avoid the hot weather abroad but being as the Championships were in Wales and the weather isn't that hot in September the Championship races started at 11:15am after the British and Irish Junior Home International earlier on the same course in Betws-y-Coed.  We arrived in Betws-y-Coed a good two hours before the first championships race was due to start leaving us plenty of time to relax and prepare mentally for the race.

Soon it was time to race and I was eager to get going. On the start line I felt calm and well prepared to do the very best that I could. I was confident that my training and race preparation had gone well and I was determined to prove that all the time that I had spent training on the course had been worth it.

On the start line eager to get going

I was surprised to find myself leading the race in the first stages along the road but remained calm and told myself not to panic and soon settled in within the leading group of girls. I could tell that the group of girls had begun to string out as we started to rise up the first steep track. The American girl Allie Ostrander (the pre-race favourite) led us all up the hill and powered ahead. I set myself in a good position before the course narrowed so that I would be able to work at my own pace through the more technical section. All the way up the climb the support from the home crowd was absolutely amazing and definitely spurred me on. At the top of the climb by the monument I was in fifth place and could see the third and fourth placed athletes. I knew that the downhill was going to be quick and that I perhaps had a chance to catch the athletes in front but I knew that it would be difficult. I ran the downhill faster than I had ever ran it before and before I knew it I was back in the village of Betws-y-Coed and running through the finishing funnel into the finish. I didn’t quite catch the athlete in front but finished absolutely delighted in 5^th place. After collapsing onto the ground I managed to muster up the energy to look behind me towards the finishing straight and it was so good to see my team mate and friend Georgia Malir coming through strongly in eighth place. Scarlet Dale then came through in 21st place meaning that our strong team performance had earned us a team silver medal! After finally recovering from the race, posing for many photographs, doing some TV and Newspaper interviews and cooling down around the golf course with my team mates and two American girls, it was time to get back out on the course to support the rest of the British athletes on their bid for glory.

Post race feelings

The Junior Womens team

The junior men all ran extremely strongly to secure a team bronze medal on their two lap course and it was inspiring to see them all coming into the finish line having obviously given everything out there on the course. Soon it was the Senior Womens race so Georgia, Scarlet and I made our way up to near the top of the climb to cheer on the GB girls....and oh my when we saw the girls coming up the climb running so close to the front of the field, we all screamed so loud with encouragement willing them on! It was an anxious wait to see them come back down the hill to find that a Ugandan athlete had taken over the lead but Emma, Emmie and Sarah were all packing so well in second, third and fourth respectively with Vic following closely behind. It was sure to be a tough battle on the last lap between all the strong British ladies for the medals. Coming up the hill for the second time the Ugandan looked like she was tiring slightly and the GB girls were once again stacking behind. I had to keep checking my Twitter updates to get the information about who was first to the top and we raced back down the hill to cheer on the girls coming down the hill for the final time. The Ugandan was obviously going to win the race as she had built up a lead at the top of the climb and we then discovered that Emmie had broken away from Emma and had a marginal lead with Sarah just behind and Vic running strongly a bit further back. The girls all came flying down the hill so fast proving how fast the descent could be. I was amazed to find that the Ugandan athletes were just wearing racing flats! The British senior women team claimed the team gold medal to reinforce that they are the best mountain running team in the World at the moment! It was so inspiring to watch them in action and it’s going to prove difficult when I move from the junior to senior age groups to make this extremely strong team!

A great picture of Emma Clayton on the fast
descent (photo courtesy of Phil Gale)

And finally it was the last Championships race of the day. The senior men. The men had some pressure on their shoulders as every athlete in the GB team had earnt at least one medal so far and they would have been hoping to do the same. The British men all ran sensibly on the first lap as they had a long way to go (3 laps!) and on the second lap the Italian ahead was caught by a Ugandan athlete. Robbie Simpson was sitting in fourth place and working well with the rest of the British team packing tightly behind in the top 30 or 40 positions. Anxiously waiting as the Ugandan and the Italian athlete flew down the hill on the last lap and suddenly Robbie Simpson emerged through the trees in the bronze medal position. Every time a GB athlete emerged from around the bend the group of spectators near where I was stood erupted into cheers and shouts and it really was spine tingling to see all the men packing so well. Robbie Simpson became the first British athlete to win a senior men's individual medal at a World Mountain Running Championships. I rushed back down the hill to the finish to the news that every athlete on the British team had won a medal as the Senior men had achieved a well deserved team bronze. It felt so great to be part of such a successful British team on home soil. I cannot put into words how inspiring and uplifting the whole day was in Betws-y-Coed.

Post race with all the British boys

When we had all calmed down it was time for food and to head back to Llandudno to get ready for the medal and closing ceremonies followed by a party. The medal ceremonies were a great end to a successful day and I felt so happy to be standing on the podium with my British team mates for the first time at a major championships after not winning any medals in the previous two championships that I had been to. Third time lucky! All the hard work had paid off! And I felt especially happy for Georgia as this was her last race as a junior before she moves into the senior age groups and it was great for her to finish her junior career on a high.

Feeling very proud standing on the podium

Finally it was time for the after party and there was a really friendly atmosphere as all the athletes from all the different nations mixed and danced together. It was definitely the best after party that I have been to!

I can only say WOW! What an amazing time I have had building up to and participating at this years World Championships. Early last year when I saw the Worlds course for the first time on a Junior Development Camp I never dreamed that I would make the GB team to compete at a World Championships on home soil....but then last year when I was selected for the same Championships in Italy my dream started to come to life as I began to have hopes of making the team here in Wales!

I would just like to thank every one that has helped me along my journey from a young teenager competing for my school at the local cross country races to finishing this Summer season running for Great Britain at a home World Mountain Running Championships and finishing 5^th in the World and a team silver medalist! It has been one amazing journey and I know that I am not at the end of the road yet as I have many more goals that I wish to achieve in the future and many more dreams that I haven’t even dreamt yet!

A big thank you to the inspiring British Athletics team that I have had the privilege of being part of. We always bring the best out of each other in these competitions and I’m sure I would have trouble finding such a friendly group of people to be part of else where. Also a massive thank you to the British Athletics team managers and staff that always support us in the best way possible.

A big thank you to Welsh Athletics for all the opportunities that they have given me so far to compete at an international level and gain experience to help me become a successful athlete in the future.

 A massive thank you to my sponsors Norman Walsh Footwear for the never ending supply that I am presented with and for allowing me to wear the best UK made fell shoe out there around the world at the different races that I have competed in. To The Metropole Hotel and the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, thank you for the financial support. It feels great that I have a local business and a British charity helping me along my athletic career!

Thank you so much to ever single person that took the time to come and support us GB athletes out there on the course in beautiful Betws-y-Coed. The atmosphere out there was electric and helped spur us all on to achieve our very best!

Thank you to all the coaches that have helped me to achieve my goals as an athlete so far...from the coaches at Brecon Athletic Club and a few teachers at school, to the coaches at Welsh Athletics and British Athletics.

And finally last but definitely not least a massive thank you to my family and friends that are around me in every day life helping to bring the best out of me. To my Dad who has many roles as a training partner, coach and taxi driver and my Mum who cooks the best athletes food out there as well as winning the prize for the biggest screechy shout during a race! And thank you to my brother Luke, who may be faster than me now but I always know that I can keep him on his toes during a training session! 

Lots of people have played their part in helping to make me the person and athlete that I am today...you know who you are, it would be too many to name you all. So thank you to everyone!

Finally I would just like to say diolch yn fawr to the organisers of the World Mountain Running Championships this year....

What an event...What an atmosphere...What an experience!

I think I’ll just finish this blog post by just saying simply.....WOW!

The team silver medal

Until the next adventure,

Heidi x

Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon 2015

On the weekend, I competed for Welsh Schools for my sixth and last time at the Mini London Marathon.  The race is the British Road Championships and is run over the last three miles of the London Marathon course.

I enjoy competing on the streets of London as there is always such a great atmosphere on marathon day and this year was no different.  When the under 17 girls were called from the starting pen at Old Billingsgate and took to the road for a five minute warm up, I remembered standing on the start line six years ago, a bag of nerves unsure what the race would bring.  This year my nervousness about the race left me and I decided that I was just going to enjoy it.

Team Wales 2015

The start was very fast as usual and I held back slightly making sure to not get carried away in the mad dash and to save something for the end of the race. Heading through the long tunnel in the first mile I passed lots of people and came up onto the shoulder of my old Welsh rival and friend Cari Hughes.  Cari and I have been competing against each other for a number of years now and it is great to have such a rivalry between the girls within Wales.  We pushed each other throughout the remainder of the race, passing other runners and jostling for position.  It was amazing to be running along with a fellow Welsh athlete and the crowds shouting "Go on Wales!" to us.

At Big Ben which is about a mile from the finish, Cari and I were neck and neck fighting for fourth position and it was great to hear my old primary school teacher, Mrs Baynham, cheering me on from the crowds.  Running along Bird Cage Walk towards The Mall the crowds got louder and our pace got quicker.  Rounding the bend into the mall at the 400 metre sign I picked up my pace as Cari was still on my shoulder.  I knew that is was going to come down to a sprint finish between the two of us and I gave it all that I had.  I got ahead of Cari just as another athlete came tearing past us.  I raced after her just overtaking her before the line.  I was pulled over by the officials and I couldn't believe that I had finished fourth overall and third in the regional challenge! I had never finished in the top ten before at this event so I felt very happy to finally achieve this.  Cari finished sixth and is still eligible to compete for Welsh Schools' next year!

I met the rest of the Welsh girls whilst walking along The Mall, it was great to hear how everyone did within the Welsh team and there were some really good performances by our athletes in other age groups.  The Under 15 boys were team of the moment taking team gold in a really strong age group. I can't believe my brother Luke broke 16 minutes and will be back to race in the same age group next year.

After what must have been hundreds of photographs taken by proud parents on Horse Guards Parade it was time to say goodbye to the team and for all of us to go our separate ways and enjoy the rest of the day in London.

#ThankYouPaula

After a late breakfast at an Italian Cafe, it was impossible to get anywhere near The Mall when Paula Radcliffe finished her last ever competitive marathon and my family and I had to be content with hearing the commentary over the loud speaker.  Paula Radcliffe is a fantastic role model within the sport and it is amazing that the world record she set in 2003 still stands today; this is a testament to the determination and the dedication that she put into her running.  Paula has and will always inspire me with my running and totally deserved the fitting send off at the London Marathon this year.

Before my family and I left London, we were sure to wait for Justin Baird-Murray from The Metropole Hotel in my home town of Llandrindod Wells to cross the finish line.  The hotel sponsors my brother and I to support our running.  Justin ran the London Marathon raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK and completed it inside three hours 20 minutes which is 10 minutes quicker than he ran it two years ago!

Luke, Justin and I

Finally, I would just like to say thank you to everyone at Welsh Athletics who has supported me over the years at the Mini London Marathon.  The last six years have been full of amazing experiences and it will be weird not running in the event next year.  Also thank you to all my family, friends and team mates that have been with me each year and also to all the strangers that have cheered me on!  Good luck to all the athletes that compete in both the London Mini Marathon and the full Marathon in the future.  One day I hope to run the full marathon; although I'm not sure yet if this will be competitively or just for fun!

Now time to get running up some big hills ready for the mountain running season!