Becoming an Ultra Runner - 047 - Touch the Sky

[@HereWeAreRunning]

That was a super early start - respect for getting up and getting the run done at that time of the morning. Glad to hear all the little niggles have cleared up. Best of luck for the race mate! You've put in the training so I've every confidence you'll have a great race. Enjoy the experience :-)

[@TrailRunningWales]

Cheers mate. I'm itching to get going with the race. Such beautiful countryside to send a day in. I'm going to head down to the start line tonight to watch the 100miles guys start their race.

[@trailover5551]

Good luck Cam.

[@TrailRunningWales]

Ta mate. See you out there

[@runningwithmarc]

You don't need luck, you've worked really hard and sensible for this, now just go out and enjoy the experience. Have fun out there :)

[@TrailRunningWales]

Cheers Marc. I cannot wait to get going. It's such a beautiful course :)

[@ACJ60]

Good luck mate. All the best. 👍

[@TrailRunningWales]

Cheers A J. I'm like a child on Christmas eve

[@foresttrailrunner6996]

All the best for tomorrow, enjoy the day and don’t worry about anything, your mind controls your body so keep positive, keep pushing and keep being tough - every step is a step closer to the end. Go crush it

[@TrailRunningWales]

Thanks the comment I really appreciate it. It'll be a tough day but I'm sure I'll look back at it for the rest of my life

[@freelancegeekltd8713]

welcome to the wonderful world of Maranoia! ignore it, trust the process and have a blast! you got this! i'll be watching on the tracker - go cameron go!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Haha the maranoia is real. Thanks for tracking me, it's great to know that people will be rooting for me

[@traillife5501]

Yes dude! Good luck for tomorrow

[@TrailRunningWales]

Thank you

[@gingeral]

Now my friend, the hard work is almost over!! You have put the time in during training, that Marathon paranoia hits most people, embrace it and us its energy to your advantage, hopefully see you at the start and at some point on course - you got this 👍💥

[@TrailRunningWales]

Cheers Al and thanks for all the support along the way. Every friendly face helped loads

[@capote481]

Excited for you, I'm sure you'll have a great time you deserve it. Looking forward to keeping an eye on the tracker. Have fun!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Thanks Chris. It was a long but amazing day... and I'm still hurting from it

[@mikederas8530]

OMG I have got to find a way to get out there--so beautiful!

[@TrailRunningWales]

It really is worth it, and the route I took was by far the best climb up Pen y Fan. Post code for the carpark: Brecon LD3 8LE but get there before 9am

[@outdoorliving3001]

Beautiful views up there in Brecon. Great job on getting up so early and training. Goodluck for the race

[@TrailRunningWales]

It was tough to get out of bed, but I feel so much better for doing it

[@TheFODRunner]

Incredible Brecons mate, love it! Give me some ideas of where I can park that’s just past Abergavenny and run some of these hills? As I only know the national mountain centre or whatever it’s called!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Its probably a bit further than you want to travel but this is the postcode for the carpark that goes up this trail: Brecon LD3 8LE I'd would say that its really worth the extra travel time

[@Kelly_Ben]

I've never heard anyone say they'll enjoy every second of an ultra! LOL Great attitude to go with the solid training!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Thanks :) On the day there definitely painful moments, but I did enjoy it all. I feel so lucky to be able to go out in on these amazing mountains, so make the most of it :D

[@daiwilson412]

The Beacons looked stunning in the mist, Cracking film! All the best with your run! Remember to smile when it gets tough!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Cheers Dai. I've been looking forward to this for soooooo long. I will definitely be smiling 😁😁😁

[@hokafeelings3279]

Wicked video mate, those mountains at the start look amazing. Hopefully you'll have nice weather again for the race

[@TrailRunningWales]

Weather is looking good 🤞🏻

[@itsfunnyd]

Hey are you from hengoed south Wales that's where I'm from ?

[@TrailRunningWales]

Hi Ryan, I am indeed. I spend most of my time running around the trails on Penallta Park

[@itsfunnyd]

@@TrailRunningWales awesome I do alot of running around penalta how do you go about running with the club or joining

[@gingeral]

Hey Ryan check out Hengoed Harriers.com or their Facebook page for where to meet on a Tuesday and Thursdays (Saturday’s dependent on races and availability) or give me a call 07861394015 👍 I’m one of the other nutter in blue in this video 😉

[@TrailRunningWales]

@@itsfunnyd facebook.com/hengoedharriers/ Definitely come along Ryan, everyone is welcome and it's a great group of guys. It'll probably be a week or two before I'm back, my body is broken

[@sarahsangster943]

Hi Cam - totally sympathise with the nervousness thing! I did my first 50+ miler 2 weeks ago (2300m ascent) and was so sick with nerves I couldn't eat that morning. Once you're at the start line though, everything falls into place and the other runners, checkpoint staff and atmosphere really help carry you along. I watched this Ted talk 2 weeks before my run and tried putting the counting technique into practice on my taper runs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laXGZX5rj9qdp9k It made a massive difference; I focused on breaths, not steps, and it became like a secret weapon during the run. It really worked with taking the mind off the pain and exhaustion, and I finished much stronger than expected, plus experienced no low points. This is in spite of 2 knee injuries and nerve pain since January. Might help psychologically? Good luck!

[@TrailRunningWales]

Hi Sarah, it's a real horrible feeling. Funnily enough on the morning of the race I felt good and managed to get some food in me. Congratulations on your first 50 too. Where was it?

[@sarahsangster943]

@@TrailRunningWales Congratulations on completing your ultra! You must be chuffed. I did Race to the Tower - superb organisation and support. Totally recommend it.

[@TrailRunningWales]

@@sarahsangster943 funnily enough I was looking at Race to the King yesterday to see if that would be a good option for next year. How hilly was yours? I love hills but I would like something a bit more runnable

[@sarahsangster943]

@@TrailRunningWales Race to the Tower is the hilliest of the 3 Threshold series runs (2300m). The hills mostly aren't too high, but they are regular and it takes its toll! Cracking views though. Race to the King is the same distance but much more "runable" (I think it's about 1500m, so easier than SW50). Sounds like that would be a better option? I'm signing up for Race to the Stones next year (100km, 1150m ascent). All three races look awesome.

[@TrailRunningWales]

@@sarahsangster943 I do fancy a 100k and 1150m seems very reasonable. Run Walk Crawl also do the dragon 100k which is 1700m which will also be an option. The Race to series have always appealed to me and it isn't too expensive if you sign up in advance