Going Down in Flames

Health & Wellbeing Part 2

Run Ultra Wales 50
Run Ring O Fire
Surf
Regular yoga sessions
50% vegetarian
Regular stargazing
Cold water swimming
3 Peaks
Snowdon sunrise

Ultra Wales 50

I haven't run an ultra since before the first lockdown, so I'm thinking one is long overdue. Rather than travel thousands of miles to do one, I've decided to stay local. Ultra Wales 50 starts and finishes at Coed y Brenin, a forested area largely populated by mountain bikers, and just 90 minutes drive from home.

It's not the easiest of races, with sections of it at sea level and others the summits of Cadair Idris (398m) and Rhinog Fach (712m). A total of 2,898m of ascent altogether. Fortunately (whichever way you look at it) I have some good climbing terrain on my local section of the Anglesey Coastal Path (more about that below) and Eryri / Snowdonia National Park isn't too far away.

I have 20 hours to complete the course but aiming to go quicker than that at a pace that will prove to be good training for the much longer Ring O' Fire Ultra (more about that below) which I'm entered into just 2 months later.

Ring O' Fire

The Ring O' Fire Ultra is one of 2 nemeses in my life. I managed to conquer Exercise Cambrian Patrol before my miltary career came to an end. ROF, however, is another matter. I have tried the full distance once, back in 2016, and I crashed and burned 44 miles into day 2. That still rankles with me as, looking back, I was well within the cut offs and could have toughed it out. But I didn't.

I have entered twice more since, both times withdrawing before the start because I simply wasn't fit enough, knowing how sharp the teeth of the race are. I entered and completed the 36 mile Firelighter version, which is the first stage, but it's not the same. I thought my chance of glory and gone as the cut-off times became more challenging and I got slower.

I had given up hope altogether until the ultra gods smiled on me and the organisers changed this year's edition to a single stage with 55hrs to complete. I was in within 2 minutes of the entry window opening!! Perversely, non-stop is more my thing and I'm actually looking forward to the experience and the ultimate feeling of never being completely defeated by anything event I have tried. Just need those Gods with me for 3 more days.

Surfing

"Surfing's the source, change your life, swear to God". My favourite line from one of my films. I'm never going to reach the levels of Bodhi or Johnny Utah but I'm convinced I can ride a wave at least once. I had a go many years ago when on holiday in St Ives and I was rubbish!! But I think, if I continue to work on my core and balance with my yoga, I can pull it off. Just need to work out where and when.

"If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price." In my case, that will be being seen in a wetsuit in public!!

Regular Yoga

I've pretty much nailed this one. Other than when I was in Antigua plus one other day, for some reason, I've done my regular session every morning since the beginning of November. Because I now get up a lot earlier, I'm also going to bed a lot earlier. This, in turn, means I drink less, so it's all good. Plus I'm noticing my flexibility and posture are improving and my gut is retreating. And, in my 60th year, I can put my socks on standing up. Ask around, that is no mean feat!

Become Half a Vegetarian

This is another one that I've got in the bag. Because I have developed the habit of planning the week's meals ahead, it is very easy to make sure 3 or 4 nights per week that these are veggie or even vegan in some cases. I've now got enough options to make it variable and tasty.

Because my portion control has always been terrible, there are always leftovers to put in tubs for lunches. So many days during the week will be 100% veggie without even thinking about it.

Stargazing

When I was with the Army Reserve and used to train on Tuesday evenings, this was something Claire and I would do on a regular basis, whenever there was a clear sky. Didn't matter what time of the year or how cold it was, when I got home at 23:00ish, we'd go out with a drink and sit and natter for usually around 2 hours. We saw some fantastic skies due to there being next to no light pollution where I live. Occasionally, it would be so clear that we could see the Milky Way with the naked eye. We also saw many shooting stars.

The clear skies are still there but I'm usually inside and into an evening routine so tend to forget to have a peek outside. This peek will now be part of that routine.

Cold Water Swimming

Cold water. Even the words make me shiver!! I bought a recovery pod sometime ago which I fill with cold water and added ice to ease my aching muscles after a long run. I even thought about using it for a morning dunk. All of these things can be done within the warmth of the house and I still hate it.

So, why on God's green Earth, would I want to swim in the stuff? I don't even stand up on my paddleboard in case I fall in!!

But, it's supposed to be extremely good for circulation, which is very important as you get older. I've got all the gear, including neoprene, gloves socks and hat so I've sort of backed myself into a corner.

Start Monday!!

Well Monday came and went but finally got out on 13 Apr on a reasonably sunny, yet cold day and made the first entry. With wetsuit plus neoprene gloves and socks, this was actually quite comfortable. Head was dipped a few times to get the effect of the cold. See video

First cold water dip

3 Peaks Challenge

Ben Nevis

I'm planning the big yin first, purely because it's the furthest away and this will allow me to finish on my doorstep, relatively speaking.

It's a good 8+ hours up to Fort William and the start of the ascent so I'll need to plan a day of driving before even starting the challenge.

At 4,400ftasl, Ben Nevis is comfortably Britain's highest peak so it will be good to get that out of the way first.

Scafell Pike

I'm aiming to box off Ben Nevis and get to Cumbria in the same period of daylight, with the intent of starting Scafell Pike (not to be confused with plain old Scafell) at day break. It's the short arse of the peaks but, what it is lacking in inches, it makes up in gradient. Relentlessly steep, hard and rocky is how t'inernet describes it!!

Yr Wyddfa

The local hero, Wales's tallest mountain and the scene for throngs of hikers throughout the year. Ordinarily I won't go near the place but, on this occasion, I will have no choice.

The plan for this one is to summit Scafell Pike, drive to Eryri and hike up Yr Wyddfa in the darkness. If the mountain gods are with me, this will also let me tick off the last thing on this section - the Eryri sunrise.

Snowdon Sunrise

Despite my English heritage, I actually prefer the use of the mountain's Welsh name. But in this instance, the long standing English name rolls better in the header.

I have ascended Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon many times before being put off by legions of tourists queuing from far back just to get the summit selfie. I don't begrudge them as it is a big thing for many but they just clog up the mountain for me. I have always preferred the Carneddau range on the other side of the A5 to be honest, so there isn't any FOMO on my part.

One thing I have never done though is experience a sunrise from the summit, which from pics I've seen, is a sight to behold.

Hopefully I will get the opportunity at the back end of the 3 Peaks challenge, meaning I'll only need to make the trip once. But, if not, the mountain weather forecast is usually pretty good so I'm confident of knocking this one off.

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