Event: UCI Gravel World Series – Ruthin, Wales
Date: 22nd September 2024

How it started
Whilst in the final weeks of preparation for my 100km Ultra I received a message from a friend asking if I was doing the UCI race the week after my run. My initial reaction was not printable but then after a few moments of thinking time, I agreed to go if he wanted to do it!
So, a new challenge was born!

Clearly, the aim was to get round this year rather than qualify for an AG World Champs place. Would my body recover enough from the previous week’s Ultra to make this possible? I wasn’t sure, but I was up for giving it a go!

The course
The race begins around Brenig reservoir, where the initial ascent, a 1.2km climb at an average gradient of 4%, awaits after 6km on the reservoir’s north side. The initial climb is designed to fragment the peloton. Subsequently, at the 14km mark on each lap, riders encounter a second comparable ascent, stretching 1.3km with an average gradient of 6.2%. Nestled between these climbs is a brief 100m incline, boasting an average gradient of 28%. Throughout the course, elevation fluctuates between 300 and 470m above sea level and is never flat. With a cumulative elevation gain exceeding 2000m, this course presents a formidable challenge to all participants and at 112km, adds up to the official qualifier distance for the UCI Gravel World Championships.

The race
The weekend before the race our campsite booking was cancelled due to a flood, this proved to be a sign of things to come! Luckily, we found alternative accommodation in an Airbnb in nearby Ruthin that wasn’t fully booked. After arriving on Saturday afternoon, we went for a walk to stretch our legs and found ourselves in a thunder and lightning storm. Everything was pointing towards a very wet race! The weather forecast for race day was rain, rain and more rain and led to many entrants not even making the start line.

6:00 – Time to get up, pack the van and sort the Airbnb out. No rain!

7:00 – 30-minute drive to the venue and then 30 minutes looking for a layby to park in.

8:00 – Spin down to registration to sign on and check out the first few km of the course, find the bag drop location and time for a coffee before cycling back to the van to get kitted up.

10:00 – Final kit choices made. Is it going to rain, rain or rain? Then spin back down to the start to get into our pens to await the start.

11:00 – Race starts with the usual frantic dash up a gravel hill before a 5km road section where groups formed before we hit some single track and things spread out a little. One ambulance with 2 crash victims already! Still no rain.

13:30 – After a steady 2.5 hours I’m feeling ok, fuelled with a 40g carb gel every 30 minutes washed down with a bottle of water, I get to the end of lap 1 and it’s still mainly dry.

13:35 – RAIN!! Finally, the scheduled rain came just after I had passed the start/finish area. I have never raced in rain this heavy before. It was character building for sure and never stopped for the rest of the event!!

16:00 – Another 2.5 hours of grinding, sticking to the same fuelling strategy, battling through the rain/mud and the end is in sight (kind of, as not much to see through my muddy Oakley’s!) so I sit up and cruise whilst letting a rider catch me up only to find he is in my category so I get to do a sprint (for a lowly 37th) at the end. Just what I needed to bring an epic race to an end!!

17:00 – Back in the van for the long journey back.

22:30 – Home after a long, challenging, but enjoyable day out!

How it ended!!
To summarize, I had a great weekend away with friends and even though I wasn’t in any fit state to perform, I really enjoyed the race from a slightly different viewpoint. It’s amazing what the body can do when you focus on getting something done!!

Event: Bacchus Wine Half Marathon & 10km
Date: 8th September 2024

Fancy dress 10k with wine stops, live music, cheese and biscuits along the route plus a hog roast and party at the end…? Sign me up!

The Bacchus Wine 10k/half marathon is THE place to have the funniest day out wearing your best fancy dress outfit. A bunch of us decided to sign up and make a day of it…I was due to go as Little Bo Peep but not only had I lost my sheep, I had lost the outfit as well. So I ended up doing my best to recreate an 80s fitness instructor with a few items I had lying around.

We made it to the start line just as the rain started (that didn’t help with my bright pink heart shaped glasses!). But we giggled and laughed as we made our way through the beautiful vineyards, rolling hills, and a bit of mud before we reached our first stop.

The rain had stopped and the sun shone brightly on us. A tipple of red or white wine, a selection of cheeses (including vegan) plus a handful of crackers were on offer so we tucked in! With a few sips whilst enjoying the view we then made our way once more. A few more (steep) hills later, we reached the second stop. More wine and snacks!

A few more even steeper hills and we had made it to the top only to find a wonderful sign saying… “all downhill from here.” We flew down those hills and made it in one piece to our third and final stop where we danced for a bit to the live music, having another tipple with some sweets, donuts and chocolate eclairs! Yummy.

With only 500m to go, we were cheered across the finish line, each with our name kindly read aloud by the MC. What a lovely finish to a fab “race.”

After collecting our medals and T-shirts we cheered on the remaining group before heading to the party tent. We gobbled down our complementary tipple of choice (wine or beer) with a hog roast burger then raved our way around the party tent to the 90s old skool Ibiza classics! What a bangin party!!

I can’t recommend this enough if you’re looking for a fun filled event with loads of dancing en route and at the end. Who’s joining me next year?!

Event: Thames Path 100km Ultra Run
Date: 14th September 2024

Whilst doing a smaller challenge to run 5km a day for 50 days at the end of last year, I got inspired to step way out of my comfort zone and signed up for a 100km Ultra Marathon!! Apparently, you have to ‘run it’ rather than ‘jog it’ if you do it in less than 14-hours.

Having been a cyclist for many years, running is not something that my legs appreciate but I did manage a marathon at the end of my Ironman last year so how hard could it be, right?

Training diary as told by my social media posts!!

April
230km
Safe to say that converting from a cyclist to a runner is not going to be an easy journey! 20 weeks to go…

May
240km
The conversion from a cyclist to a runner seems to be getting harder as time goes by!! 16 weeks to go…

June
265km
Injuries to back and both legs, another back injury from a running fall and wrecked toes. Hopefully, July will be smoother and get me back on track! 11 weeks to go…

July
240km
Massive improvement to back and leg injuries by replacing some runs with walks. Catching Covid whilst finishing the 100 Cycling Climbs challenge didn’t hinder the plan too much! 6 weeks to go…

August
260km
An injury free month so all set assuming that my back holds out on the big day!! 2 weeks to go…

September 14th
100.75km
11 hours 36 minutes
6:55 / km
Challenge completed! That was one tough day out, but thanks to lots of support from friends I got it done. 49th Male solo runner from 709 starters so very pleased with that!!

Obviously, the challenge of running 5km a day continued up to the event and I ended up with a 319 day streak and over 2,000km of running in 2024!!

What’s next?! Ideas for next year’s challenge welcome!!

Event: The ROC England
Date: 7th September 2024

1.5km swim Lake Windermere > 46km cycle > 18km run/walk Scafell Pike > 46km cycle > 1km run

We knew exactly what was coming and mentally it made this race very difficult because after last year, we said we would not do it again but here we were, back in the Lake District ready to face up the mountain…again!

This time was a little different as we were missing 2 of our original ROC crew but Lara and I knew we just had to get it done. Game time!

Race morning wasn’t as smooth as one would have hoped with Lara’s cold not getting any better and instead of coffee she had to have Lemsip, and me panicking at the race start because I forgot my cycling sunglasses and had to borrow Chris’s (Thank you!) for the bike leg.

Swim started the same as last year, ouch ouch ouch over the stones but the water temp was good and we were pretty much high-fiving each other all the way to the second buoy when for whatever reason people decided breaststroke was a cool stroke to do during a race. Lara got bashed about a bit and we lost sight of each other but as I got into transition she was swiftly behind me and ready to hit the first bike leg. Quick fist pump and positive reassurance that we are in it together, off we went!

All was good until I dropped my chain on a climb, lost Lara, and wasn’t sure if I could continue because the chain was stuck. After a bit of bashing about, and a few swear words, I got back on the bike. Arriving at T2 and seeing Lara smile I knew she had a good bike leg and managed to avoid the discomfort and pain she was in last year.

Trainers and mountain bag on, off we went to summit Scafell Pike. It was hot, insanely hot in the valley, and as we started climbing Lara started to feel worse with her cold and my stomach felt like it was going to explode. One foot in front of the other and Lemsip washed down with electrolyte water (for Lara), we got to the first flat bit and thought we wouldn’t be too sad if we missed the 6km cutoff and couldn’t summit. That didn’t happen, we got to the checkpoint with 20 minutes to spare which meant it was time for Percy Pigs to help us power through what was to come.

The last 2km is HARD! but we got to the summit. A quick look up to take on the views, photo, smile, and off we went back down. This is where my mind struggled because I knew I could do the mountain and be okay but the 2nd bike leg broke me last time so instantly negative chat started in my head and the feelings I experienced last year rushed back. Powered by positive chats with Lara and a few other people who overtook us, we made it down. Got to T3 and I said, “Oh Lara look, there are other bikes here as well, we are not the last this time,” followed by a response from her, “Let’s go and catch the others, come on!”

On the bike, final push, and my goodness me what a push it was! Grateful for Lara’s power bum and legs, dragging me all the way from T3 to T4. It was hilarious, whenever she saw another competitor she just said “Let’s go, we can catch them, one more” and she would put her head down and I would try to hold on to her wheel as if my life depended on it. Even though there were times when Lara soft-pedalled (I know you did :D) we overtook so many people on our way back it was insane!

Utterly exhausted but empowered after getting to the end of the bike together we dismounted to the cheers from Chris and other people there. Last transition, trainers on and off we went for our 1km trail loop, chatting away and laughing at what a rollercoaster of a day we had had.

We started together and we finished together! It wasn’t the same with Laurence and Lance not being there but I was super chuffed with our performance (and for me not crying this time!)

Two down, one to go! Scotland and Ben Nevis, we are coming for you!

Event: VTC Club Relay Woking Sprint Triathlon | Fullsteam
Date: 15^th September 2024
Team Members: Anna Bartholomew & Sarah Riches

Pre-Race

I was excited and a little nervous going into my first-ever triathlon, particularly because I was part of a relay team and responsible for the final leg—the 5km run. I knew the pressure would be on to finish strong after my teammates swam and cycled, and I wanted to make sure I gave my best effort for our team.

The morning of the race was a mix of adrenaline and nerves. We arrived at the race site early, Anna had already checked us in, so we were able to set up in the transition area and chat about our plan of action. Being new to the club and given that it was my first ever experience of a triathlon event, it was nice that it was as part of a larger organised club event and I was able to meet so many friendly faces from the club which calmed my nerves for sure!

Race Start: Swim and Bike Legs

As the race kicked off, I watched through the window into the swimming pool as Anna started our relay team off in the water. As swimmers started making their way to T1 the buzz and the cheering were electric. Anna swam a solid leg, and as she came running to us, I could feel my heart rate rising. The transition from swim to bike went smoothly, and soon, Sarah was off on the bike course. During this time, I tried to stay loose, stretched a bit, and made sure I had everything ready—running shoes tied, race bib in place. I had been pacing nervously, waiting for Sarah to come in from the bike leg. However, during this period I was able to observe all the solo triathletes setting up for their event, which made me realise all the planning and preparation needed to do so so that your transitions go as smoothly as possible.

The Run Leg (5km)

Finally, we saw Sarah approaching the transition area. Anna removed the timing chip from Sarah’s ankle, transferred it to mine and I immediately took off. The first few hundred meters my adrenaline had spiked from the handoff and my legs seemed like they had forgotten how to run but once the feeling wore off, I was able to find a sustainable pace.

The course was relatively flat, barring one slight incline which became more prominent as the laps went on. I could feel my legs start to settle into a rhythm around the 1km mark. The support from the club and volunteers along the route was great—it really helped keep me motivated. At one point, I passed a few other relay runners, which gave me a confidence boost.

By the halfway point, I was feeling strong but knew I needed to save something for the final push. My teammates were out there cheering me on, which made me dig even deeper. The last kilometre was tough, but I could hear everyone at the finish line, and it gave me that extra energy to push through.

Finish Line and Team Celebration

As I approached the finish line, I could see everyone from the club there cheering loudly. I gave everything I had in the last stretch and crossed the finish line with a huge sense of accomplishment, especially after doing a PB. We had done it—completed our first triathlon as a team!

We gathered near the finish area, congratulating each other and sharing the excitement of what we’d just accomplished. It was an amazing feeling to be part of a relay team, knowing we each played a crucial role in our overall performance.

Post-Race Reflection

Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in my first triathlon relay. The camaraderie, the atmosphere, and the shared goal of crossing that finish line together made the whole day unforgettable. The run leg was tough but manageable, and I was proud of the effort I put in to help our team finish strong.

Now that I’ve gotten a taste of triathlon, I can see why people get hooked! I think I’m now ready to experience my first solo triathlon!

Image credits: Fullsteam

Event: The Brutal Extreme Full Distance Triathlon
Date: 7^th September 2024

The Brutal is an Ironman-distance triathlon with 3,700m of climbing in the rugged and beautiful Eryri/Snowdonia mountains. I signed up for this race with some friends from university about 8 months ago, excited to take on the challenge having never actually completed a triathlon longer than a sprint distance.

In May, I had a bike crash at another race and tore my iliacus muscle in my hip in two places. I had just under four months to go from being bed-bound to trying to complete an Ironman. Luckily, I absolutely love procrastinating in all aspects of life and with sport, so thoroughly enjoyed the training process.

On the 6th of September, I set out to travel there via train, cycling and carshares. Despite some traffic, all was fine and after the race briefing, we settled down around 23:00 for not-so-relaxing sleep. Race morning required a 04:15 wakeup and tasteless breakfast before heading through the dark streets towards Llanberis. Nerves were overtaken by time-pressured efficiency, and with just enough time for a group photo and some nervous jokes, we entered the 14°C water.

Failing to hear the start gun and (stupidly) messing around with my watch, I had a messy sub-optimal start. However, with about 200 competitors, the water wasn’t too crowded and I gradually moved forward. My race plan was to take the swim a fair bit harder than the bike or run, given it is much shorter. I let the competitive impulsions motivate me to overtake others one at a time and eventually was at the front of the chase pack. After 2 laps, we had to get out (for a safety check) and run a short distance before re-entering Llyn Padarn. I made the most of this and sprinted away to head off for the final half alone. There were still quite a few swimmers ahead and I was tiring but managed to hold a decent pace and admire the multicoloured sunrise appearing over the mountains. Out of the water, I jogged to transition, accompanied by some supporting friends who informed me I was the first woman out the water and after a speedy transition, the first competitor overall starting the bike course.

Alas, this was short lived as other athletes whizzed past me like I was standing still during the first lap of the 45km course. Two smaller climbs preceded the mega Nant Gwynant (white brook) climb that finished at Pen-y-Pass (head of the pass). My nutrition plan consisted of my mum’s flapjacks, bananas and peanuts from aid stations and a maple syrup/salt energy drink. Questionable, I know, but it worked for me.

It was strange doing a race where I was trying to ensure I went slow enough, not as fast as I could. Traffic lights and aid station stops provided quite a few interesting chats with other competitors and volunteers. My favourite was a man called “Mr Tumble” who had a 6-person support van driving ahead every 5km or so to cheerlead like wild when he passed but ended up also cheering me on as I went back-and-forth with Mr Tumble countless times.

After 2 laps most of the half-distance triathletes had left the course and the roads became much emptier. The electrifying mountain descents provided stimulation, but my mind began to despair. How would I finish this? I had so long left. My knees and head ached, I couldn’t expand my lungs fully to breathe and felt sick. Was I even enjoying this? I forced myself to look at the mountains. To smile at the other athletes and think of all the people who would love to be in my position right now. I also reminded myself of the £335 race fee. Eventually, I rolled down the mountain for a 4th time and into Llanberis for T2.

I set off for the 3x 8km laps around the same lake we swam in at an easy pace, I looked down at the 5:15/km pace on my watch and in elation bounced onwards. By the aid station at the halfway point, this had dropped and then I was onto the undulating trails with hills steep enough to reduce me to a defeated walk. By lap 2, my pace had dropped down to 5:45/km and by lap 3 this was again down to 6:15/km. As I took some food and water from the ceaselessly cheerful volunteers and ate/drank while walking up yet another hill, the sun began to set. My friends had now all finished the half-distance race and had gone home to shower and eat but would be coming back to see my finish. All that stood between me and them was Snowdon.

A short medical brief and check and I headed off with my mountain rucksack now on. The route was up and down the tourist path, which begins with some cruel >20% sections. Mind exhausted, I could just about smile and say nothing but ‘thank you’ to the people descending the path who asked what race was going on or moving to the side to let me stagger past. After the slowest 4km of my life, the sun finally bade goodbye and left an auburn horizon to burn out as I reached the first medic check. Headtorch on, I continued into the inky abyss with only the 10m in front of me and distant lights on the mountain for reference. The mist now obscured anything further than 10m from view, so it was just me and the ground below. Eventually I saw another red light – the summit was here! And then I was informed that this was actually the second medical check. The eternal upward crawl continued. Finally, I did reach the summit, although it had been moved 50m further down for visibility reasons.

I turned tale, unable to enjoy the non-existent mountain top view and picked up a cautious jog down the mountain. Weaving my way down the scree slopes, I stumbled a few times and struggled to pick out the path. But I had a renewed vigour and was forced to concentrate on my feet to avoid tumbling down the mountain. I walked when terrain got technical, but apart from that, it was the thought of my friends in the cold, waiting for me at the bottom and my family and friends at home, who only had the race timings to know of my progress that kept me moving forward. Slow, but enjoying the adrenaline rush of the isolation and challenge, I finally made it back to tarmac and streetlights. I turned into the race area where my friends shouted and jogged me into the finishing straight. In a time of 15:59:56 and some incredible highs and lows, it was over. I came 2nd women (out of 4) and 9th overall (out of 54) and enjoyed some time on the floor.

Sadly, this is the last ever year of the Brutal so there is no point in recommending it to friends/enemies. However, the Brutal are a super friendly and helpful community that organise other insane endurance challenges, so check them out if you are interested!

Event: Ironman Copenhagen
Date: 18^th August 2024

“If I can, anyone can!” Which is what started this off some years ago when I met a lady at a cycling event and she had taken part in an Ironman, she wasn’t the lean athlete that I assumed did these events. I just don’t see myself as sporty, I was the kid at school who hated PE and swimming was taught to you at school to save you in case you fell in the water. 

I’ve been having swimming lessons for years, initially learning to balance and breathe out in the water, so I have come a long way but I am so slow – I’m the one at the back when we do the lake training.

My anxiety comes with too – will I make it out alive and will I make the cut of time – plus cramps swimming, cycling, and running. The one thing I did better this time was more Precision hydration – I don’t get royalties.

I was recommended Austria, Copenhagen, and Challenge Roth for beginners/good events. CR is pretty impossible to get an entry.

I did my first IM in Austria five years ago—I really didn’t need to do another. However, this year, I would be 60 and for some reason, I was dreading it. I guess as a child, people seemed so old and retired at 60. Life has nothing to do with your age; it’s your attitude, so I decided I would do another IM.

It does become all-consuming fitting it in around work and family, I followed Be Iron Fit by Don and Melanie Fink, sticking as closely as life allows to follow the program. Breaking my @£* toe halfway through by walking into the sofa didn’t help.

Having paid a huge amount to enter, flights, bike box, and accommodation all add to the pressure to be healthy on the day and finish. The night before I couldn’t sleep and got maybe 1-2 hours, of course they always say the previous night’s sleep is the most important.

The day was perfect, the temperature had cooled and the water was flat. I was in the last wave, the 1:24hr plus. They set you off in groups of 6, mostly I was swimming on my own with the small jellyfish and eels, plus areas of tangly weed! A great course to easily sight and cheers from the bridges breaking the 3.8km swim into manageable chunks. 500m from the end my left leg cramped (pulling it along like a dead weight not wanting to make it worse or my other leg to cramp up too). At the swim finish I held the hand of the marshal for far too long, grinning and crying at the same time but managed to stand up, last IM I fell over in agonising cramp.

On to the bike, my best discipline, and I was looking forward to the views, crowds, and rolling hills. The wind was ever present even having to peddle down hills – no respite. I was keeping a steady rate, drinking and eating correctly and toilet stops as needed.

On the first lap I was overtaken by the guys with the solid wheels, TT bars and fancy helmets. The second lap I was pretty much on my own. Panic, my bad maths made me wonder if I was going to be okay for time, should be 7 hours plus 2 must be out by 9.5hrs allowed. At the time with the headwind I was back down to 14mph, so my head said needed another hour! Guess I turned a corner and picked up speed, to arrive in Copenhagen Centre with time to spare. They have bike catchers, so no need to rack the bike, and another full change into my running gear.

Set off with the brick legs (brick training really pays off) and still felt good. The course is 4 loops with each loop passing the finish with its continual announcements, ‘You are an Ironman,’ and big crowds. Strangely I didn’t mind passing this, I knew I would make it now – bearing complete disaster – as I had plenty of time.

Still running until lap 3.5, I had only had one gel on the run, feeling nauseous I really couldn’t eat anything and struggling to drink anything but sips of water, I walked for some sections, particularly on the cobbles (there are too many of these). I gave myself a pep talk, “My legs are fine, this is your final lap, you must try running!” So run I did, with extra energy at the finish to run through the crowds and onto the red carpet.

You are an Ironman!

Copenhagen is a beautiful city with lots of waterways, good architecture and good food, and everyone seems to speak English. We felt so welcome, and it’s only a 2-hour flight.

The IM had 60% first-timers, only 15% women but that’s increasing every year.

Event: North Downs Ultra 50 Challenge
Date: 27th July 2024

Prequel: “Happy Birthday Marit, for your birthday present I will sign us up for an ultra, 100km trail run/walk,” meet my friend Emma. After some negotiations, I managed to get the distance down to 50km and we were good to go! Fast forward a few months, and some very good long hikes in the Surrey hills, we went from planning to run/walk to walking the whole 50km.

How it started: Purchased parking in advance so it was super easy to just park up, register, get a coffee and wait for my friends to turn up. After a few jumping jacks and some other warmup routines, we were off for a long day of waking.

During: The course was well marked and with our plan to walk the whole route we had plenty of time to take in the beautiful North Downs Way. First feed station on top of Newlands Corner came fairly quickly and with the sun shining, everyone was in good spirits. Next stop, the halfway mark.

By the time we got to 25km, we were overtaking some other walkers and being overtaken by other runners and walkers but our group was still smiling. After a picnic, 15/20min break to eat and refill water bottles, we were off again.

The next 15km were going to be tough and as I had the most endurance training under my belt, I took on the role of a DJ and village idiot, playing music while trying to keep motivation and energy levels up. My rendition of “I would walk five hundred miles” didn’t go down that well but I did find some other tune we all sang along to.

The last feed station was 45km, we stocked up on pick ’n’ mix and with sore feet, we knew the last 10km was going to be tough but stopping was never an option.

How it finished: Walking together and singing to Ellie Goulding’s ‘Burn’ as we walked under the finish banner. With a medal around my neck, a cup of Prosecco in my hand and tucking into some food, I just couldn’t stop thinking, I would like to try run/walk a 50km.

To sum it up, well organised event by Action Challenge and it was an enjoyable/challenging day out with friends!