LDWA - Malvern Midsummer Marathon - 4800ft of elevation - full RIDGE LINE - 2022

[@jamesmoss5404]

Huge congratulations Rachel massive achievement oh and lovely cakes not a luxury runners normally enjoy 😊 the Malvern are a challenge just walking so assume your kegs are feeling it 👍

[@racheld1844]

Thanks James! Yeah, my legs weren’t happy for a good few days after. I love the Malverns, a beautiful area of Worcestershire and it was great to be able to get to run over the whole ridge again 😊

[@luagacolienquan1498]

LDWA - Malvern Midsummer Marathon - 4800ft of elevation - full RIDGE LINE - 2022

[@racheld1844]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@OlgasBritishFells]

Yes Rachel!!! Great video of the event, it was such a pleasure to watch, you showed all the main bits, even you giving your name at the registration. Brilliant going over this distance and elevation. Marvelous achievement, also I am glad that you enjoyed it.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Olga! I felt like a proper trail runner 😀 I think if your club were closer, you and them would love this event. These hills are under an hour from me but I’m always reluctant to drive out as sometimes I’m rushed for time and I also feel guilty for using that much fuel 😊

[@OlgasBritishFells]

@@racheld1844 it looked great! Was it a proper trail race? It was probably an expensive one. We are a bit cheap and mostly take part in £5 - £7 fell races.

[@racheld1844]

@@OlgasBritishFells - ah, another reason I love these events is the price. The cost for members was £10. I’m a member of the LDWA (£15 a year to join). For none members it’s still only £20. Like you say, for some big trails races you can sometimes pay 3 figures 💰

[@OlgasBritishFells]

@@racheld1844 oh, that's a brilliant price for this type of race with food stations and everything. Sounds good to me!

[@beverlycole4836]

I'll do most anything for cake🎂-even run a Marathon! Well done Rachel! 👍👍👍👍

[@racheld1844]

Haha, I’m no different here Beverly. I love the food they put on, even if I don’t take that much. Sometimes I wish I could go back the day after, as a visitor and get a plate full of goodies 😀

[@MihaiGoRunning]

Great race, love this kind of race where you have to get stamps at every checkpoint. I also did something like this around Budapest, a 85-90 km ultra, Piros 85. Beautiful running, Rachel! Nice filming! Lovely checkpoints!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Mihai, these kind of events are my favourite. It tests my fitness but not in a way that’s against the clock. I can push as hard or as easy as I like and still feel like I’ve had a great time….and I love the checkpoints too 😋

[@TheDeterminedRunner]

You have to love an uphill start, certainly helps you not set off too fast! Well done on a well-paced & ran race Rachel, awesome job & you got to eat cake! 🧁

[@racheld1844]

Cake is always my first priority 😂 I think that’s why I find trail running so easy. I usually train with very little so when I eat lots of sugar during a race my body gets a really big boost 😀

[@Mack.Tracks]

Looked like a fantastic run. Thanks for documenting!

[@rizmaslen]

Absolutely stunning scenery! Really inspiring! Thank you Rachel! just love your vlogs!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Riz! I had a great day and it was fun to film it as well. I had so much footage it was hard to condense it and it was a shame some of the sound disappeared towards the end, but the pictures from the top came out well 😊

[@frozen_jug_band]

Hi Rachel - thanks for posting this video, it really captures the event and the amazing scenery of the Malvern Hills superbly (and very nicely edited too!) I was one of our small group of runners who ran together from roughly checkpoints 1 to 3 (or was that manned clip point B... 😉) on the day. Really good to meet you and to experience the hospitality of the LDWA for the first time (especially the cakes!) Good luck with your future running plans and hopefully see you at another event sometime!

[@racheld1844]

Hi Martin, thanks so much! Malvern has become a firm favourite of mine for all those reasons. The route has so much packed into it from the views, the route, the people and of course the food. I was really disappointed that I couldn’t use the map on my watch (usually it’s been brilliant) and had to rely on the ‘follow the person in front method’ 😂 With that bothering me in the back of my mind, my judgment on checkpoints and recalling a 2 digit race number started to become a bit of a problem. Made myself look a complete novice 😀 Hope your legs have recovered, mine have only began to feel somewhat normal since this morning. I’ll hopefully be at the Canal Canter in August, which is also one of their events. A complete contrast in scenery to Malvern but still a great event. (What colour top did you have on at Malvern? 🤔)

[@frozen_jug_band]

@@racheld1844 Sorry Rachel, I meant to say - I was in the light blue t-shirt and black cap/shorts and made a couple of appearances in the video, mainly at the Ledbury checkpoint. I really wouldn't worry about looking like a novice - me and the chap I ran the last few miles with followed the "unofficial" gpx route a bit too closely and managed to completely bypass the final checkpoint! Luckily it didn't affect the total distance/elevation we ran so I think it still counts as a finish! Totally agree about the incredible diversity of scenery in the Malverns. Unfortunately I'm not very local to there but would certainly consider coming back for the MMM next year. A couple of similar races (in terms of distance/lumpiness/fantastic scenery) that I've run recently which I think you'd enjoy are the Peak Skyline and Yorkshire 3 Peaks, both great events too. All the best with your running adventures and with the YT channel, whatever you decide to tackle next!

[@racheld1844]

@@frozen_jug_band - ah-ha I have a face to a name now 😀 Last time I ran in 2019 I had set my watch to auto pause so every time I stopped moving, the watch stopped. But it completely backfired as it wasn’t keeping 100% track of the stop starts so by the time I got to the last hill I knew the distance on my watch would be short. Me being me I did a few out and backs on Perseverance Hill, i then took the car parking road near the finish to add extra and then a little lap of the final car park to get the 26.2! Completely bonkers as I’d covered the distance, it was just not registered on my watch. Needless to say I took that feature off and ran correct to elapsed time, not moving time 😀 Good luck with whatever is next for you too. I will definitely be back next year as long as nothing has got in the way. It’s a firm favourite of mine 😊

[@hugokramer5729]

That’s a great video! What a hard route - well done.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Hugo, shame you didn’t do the 14 this year. Maybe next year after your big cycle 🚴

[@paulvymeris425]

Brilliant video Rachel, and great running. That looked like such a fun day. I love how laid back it all was - seems that the main objective was having fun and eating cake. Plus the scenery was amazing! Might have to sign myself up for next year!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Paul, it’s so relaxed, they don’t even mind when you start 😀 I also like that it’s a nice small event with enough other runners for company, but not so many that you feel a bit squashed on some of the narrower sections. I’ve run 3 of their local events and at some point I’d like to look further afield as I’m sure there are lots more excellent walk/runs that they organise, and at different distances too. Their website is pretty good at listing their ‘challenge’ events and as long as you check they allow runners then there’s so many options. Good luck if you decide to run next year, I have no reason to believe I won’t be there again as it’s one of my favourite events 😊

[@tworunningbrooms]

Well done Rachel! That looked a tough route but very lovely. You made the distance look easy. #keeponkeepingon 👍

[@racheld1844]

Thank you 😊 I really did have a great day (even if I did mess up the navigation 🧭) 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

[@tworunningbrooms]

@@racheld1844 come in number 84. Or is that 86? 🤔

[@racheld1844]

@@tworunningbrooms - my tally card was 86 so they had to tick me off that I’d been through that checkpoint. I said 84, which apparently was registered to someone called Paul 😀 I just got a bit confused 🙃

[@largeeddie]

Great job with the race and the video, Rachel! Such a beautiful day and course, and you seemed to run it so easily. I love the idea of running ultramarathons simply because in my imagination they go like that, but I know that I'd need to improve my endurance a lot for that to happen. You're an inspiration. Thanks for sharing this.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Eddie. I always see an ultra as just a long day out. You move at any speed that suits you and do as much walking/ eating as you like. Some base fitness is enough to allow you to run sections but it’s just a day of moving forward and chopping the route up with picnic breaks. I see my daily training as perfect for ultras. I run mostly in the mornings, keep busy till I go to work and then 15 minutes of cycling each way to work. For me, as long as I just go through my normal daily routine I’m ultra training. There’s not much difference between an ultra and a busy day of work. Just one usually ends with a medal 🏅 😀

[@Thenglishrunner]

Great race Rachel. Well done. The hills looked fun. And the sights were amazing.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Ian, I’ve never had a disappointing run with the LDWA. They always offer something different to regular racing and it’s be really nice to be able to run at a few of there events 😀

[@Tonyr2]

Stunning scenery Rach. I can see the attraction of this race. The Hampshire Hoppit had similar views and elevation although pretty sure yours was greater. We really do live in a beautiful country. Think the start of Beachy Head marathon is probably the toughest of all. No way to be sure of course but I'll be there again clambering past the bagpiper in October. Bet you were 1st lady, hope so 👍🤞

[@racheld1844]

I love going to new places to run, it’s a great way to explore the best of this country. I get to go on some great routes that I probably wouldn’t have got to see if it hadn’t have been at an event. Last year I ran in Shropshire and although it’s only about 1.5hrs away it was such a beautiful place I’d never even been to. Also I ran a route in Gower, that was just stunning. I’ve not run around Beachy Head but I know there’s a few events along that coastal path. I’m sure I’ll get to venture that way at some point 😀

[@DevRunner]

I love the sheer variety in your running ! Now you are killing ultras with major vertical gain! You are so strong and such an inspiration! Beautiful views! Can't wait to hear your results! Keep pushing Rachel!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Paul, I love to run both ends of the running spectrum and sometimes in the same week 😀 I easily get distracted with the next goal while I’m in training for the current but in a way that helps me keep the momentum going. I’ve never liked the lull after a race as it feels so deflating after the excitement of an event. Not that I’ve anything booked yet but the seeds are planted 😊

[@DevRunner]

@@racheld1844 I definitely need to start booking multiple races into the future to avoid that lull! Great advice!

[@AMostlyFunctionalJess]

Looks like such a good event! Always like runs/races that have the 'have a good time and eat a lot' vibe.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Jess. I think the fact people were able to start earlier than the ‘official’ start showed just how relaxed it was. No chip timing, just cakes, views and a bit more running till the next table of delicious food 😀

[@CorreteandolaCheve]

hello!... congrats on your achievement:. greetings from the running world in Mexico

[@racheld1844]

Hi, thanks so much for watching from all the way over in Mexico 😀

[@ChloeHamard]

Congratulations on another fantastic performance! Feeling like you could have done more after tackling a hilly trail marathon really shows how good your fitness is! I'm glad you had a great experience and got to enjoy some stunning views :)

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Chloe. Some races just work out to be good ones. I still get apprehensive about going and wonder why I put myself through that but when it goes so well it reminds that running IS worthwhile 😀 I felt great running but my legs are still pretty cross with me as they still feel sore 😂

[@Shevock]

Beautiful place to race.

[@racheld1844]

Hi Dan, it’s a great place for so many things. I should really just go up one day and actually stop at the top for a while 😀

[@essextrails]

Brilliant Rachel. So good to see how much you were enjoying that run. I reckon all that cake helped. Interesting that they started the walkers first; when I have done trail runs with walkers, they usually start the runners first so we don't get in each other's way. However it looked like a super event.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Peter. I think the walkers got a head start so they had more time to cover the distance. It means the checkpoints don’t have to stay open as long as the runners catch up, and so we aren’t too spread out over the course. There is probably a 2-3 mile stretch that I always find I catch most of the walkers and then the route is pretty clear. There are normally 2 more ldwa events I run over summer but 1 isn’t on this year so it may just be one more in August 😊

[@royedwards8713]

Hi Rachel well done good run and great views 👌👌👌

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Roy, it was beautiful weather and from the top I could see all the rain sweeping across, but it never caught me in the end 😀

[@justanoldfashionedrunner605]

congratulations for a wonderful run and a great performance.......personally i take this race over any big city marathon any day of the year, just beautiful to run in such a wonderful part of the world

[@racheld1844]

Thanks 😊 I’ve followed a pattern for nearly 10 years where I concentrate on my spring road marathon and then take that fitness through the rest of the year to go and have some fun. I love the challenge of both types but I definitely don’t get as nervous at the start of these kind of events. I don’t really care about the time or my position so all that pressure is gone. It’s just deciding what’s next 🤔

[@asmrrelaxationtv8673]

Fantastic Content. Thank You For Sharing. have a nice day!❤👍

[@racheld1844]

Hi, thanks so much 😊

[@daisygeeuk]

Well done! You made that look easy! 😀

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Daisy, I was surprised how good I felt, although 2 days have passed and I’m still struggling to get down the stairs 😀

[@pennyrusbridge5725]

Great video Rachel and fab run

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Penny. I had a great day and luckily the big showers in the distance didn’t catch me in the end 😀 What’s your next race coming up?

[@ob1brand]

Great running Rachel. Looks like you had a great day and a fantastic event. Scenery, running and cake, what more could you want? Amazing that you ran a marathon distance and still felt like you could carry on going. All your training is definitely paying off.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Brett, I had a great day out. I love running far but it’s always a gamble to keep injures away. I’ve done well so far and hope that if I carefully up the distance I can still keep my body in one piece. Well done again on the Redditch Half, I wonder what time would be on the cards on a flat half 🤔

[@shinvictus]

Very nice video, Rachel. I hope your calves and quads are okay after those ups and downs. You were really able to convey how much you enjoyed your run.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Donald. Funnily enough I’ve never experienced any aches in my calf’s. It just shows how much I rely on my quads…. because they always kill for a few days after something like this. Stairs are only tackled backwards 😀 I’ve no idea how to change my running to involve more muscles, I guess it’s just how my legs decide they should move 🏃‍♀️

[@classicalruns1245]

Awesome job Rachel! Twenty-six miles and you could've kept going? Nice payoff for your training. It looks like you had an amazing day for the race too. I very much enjoyed your perspective and I didn't even have to wait long to see it. 😄

[@racheld1844]

Thanks so much. I had so much fun on Saturday. The only thing that let me down was my watch but luckily with the other runners and the memory of the last part of the route I was fine. I’m looking forward to seeing what challenge I take on next because although I have a few ideas, even I don’t know what’s coming up next 😀

[@OpenDoorYogaSLC]

Wow! That's interesting that they started the walkers first. I guess it makes sense timing wise, but I would have thought it would be the other way around. Great race!!

[@racheld1844]

I think they like to give the walkers the maximum amount of time to get round the course. Most of the route has good wide paths so it’s easy to get past and I like it too because seeing the walkers up ahead tells me I’m going the right way 😀 (or that we’re both going the wrong way 😂) Thanks for watching Michelle 😊

[@stevestinger9153]

Awesome adventure! I’m still strength training, and trying to stretch out longer long runs an increase mileage overall. 20-30 miles a week to 30-40 miles a week. Fitting it around other responsibilities is a challenge. I may have to get up earlier in the morning. Thank you for sharing good things people do for each other.

[@racheld1844]

Hi Steve. Well done on upping your mileage and continuing the strength work. It can be a real juggle to fit extra training in when time is tight already. I found sometimes having less time gives me more motivation to squeeze a session in. A couple of early days or later evenings along with the usual times meant I could fit it in. But this is only for my spring marathon. It’s good to be disciplined sometimes and it’s also good to come off that pressure and just relax because too much pushing, for me makes me not want to train at all. I’m on the ‘train how ever I want phase’ 😊 Have you got a race in mind or happy working on improving fitness/strength?

[@stevestinger9153]

@@racheld1844 We have several 5k races in September and October at Northwestern State but the one I’m after is the Monroe/West Monroe 1/2 or Full Marathon in November. I can try the beat my last 1/2 time or try a first ever Full Marathon. Increasing my mileage will help prepare me for that hopefully. My trouble is slowing my long runs down to get more distance.I always want to kill it.

[@racheld1844]

@@stevestinger9153 The 5k’s will help your half (and even your marathon) speed and you still have a good amount of time to tailor your training towards a marathon, if that’s the distance you’d like to aim for. I’m a bit the same with my easy runs. I’m like ‘well I ran my easy pace at xx:xx last week/month, that’s what I should be able to do now’ It also doesn’t help me running the route as I know what the splits usually are. At least when I run trail it’s almost impossible to set off too fast because there’s always obstacles along the way to slow you down 😀

[@BenNotley]

That was awesome Rach! That race looked right up my street. Some epic views and some lovely looking trails. Such an incredible performance too you never disappoint Rach! Great running! Huge kudos!😎🤘

[@racheld1844]

Thanks so much Ben. This has been on my yearly plan for a few years. I love that I have no expectations on performance and turn up purely to enjoy the day. The fact that I did run well was an added bonus 😀 Hopefully I can have some more runs like that 😊

[@alan3179-n1r]

Wow, you made that look easy! 💪🥳

[@racheld1844]

Hi Alan, I don’t think at any point I felt like I’d had enough, which means when I look maybe to book a longer race at the end of summer/autumn I know I should hopefully be strong enough to get round in one piece 😀 Just have to decide which one to do now 🤔

[@huongtoituonglai24]

So cool nice video keep up the great content.. Thank you…🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

[@racheld1844]

Thanks so much 😀

[@broatwin1115]

hello how are you my good friend..I came from malaysia to give this very good content. keep the spirit in creating .. I always support it,,

[@racheld1844]

Hi 👋 I’m very well thank you! Hope you are good too. Thanks you stopping by to watch my video 😀

[@marathontrainingwithivan]

Yes I enjoyed it for sure: Such beautiful trails, hills and fields! Nice job on this run and very nice that you felt fine still after these 42 kilometers! I hope I can say the same in a few days 🙃

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Ivan! One thing the Malverns have is a bit of every kind of trail, all compact into a small area of Worcestershire. Good luck with your marathon, I’m sure you’ll do great. The hardest part is committing to the training and race day is the icing on the cake 🧁 all the hard work is done 🏃🏻‍♂️

[@marathontrainingwithivan]

@@racheld1844 I see what you mean! It's so much different landscapes. Thanks for giving me trust in my training again!

[@markg99]

Yes, the fitness and strength are definitely there! Well done. I'm sure it was worth it just for all that yummy cake 😄👍🏻🏃‍♂️

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Mark. The cake eating is one of my favourite parts 😀 Apparently if you like running a long way and you also like picnics, then ultras are the perfect combination 😉

[@discopot]

Well done Rachel great job looked so much fun, we’re you the First Lady???

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Stuart. No results are out yet but I think I was. It was hard to tell because some started early but I only think there was 1 guy who was in front 😀

[@AgawDraftsMangForeMan]

a nice trail run ma'am keep safe its agood vid

[@racheld1844]

Thank you 🙏

[@PoetWithPace]

Looks like far too much fun, but i would 100% end up getting lost....but all that food :-).....btw, is there such a thing as tail winds? ;-)....Chase End Hill is such a bugger to get up! You should do the croc running in Gloucestershire cheese rolling race next time?

[@racheld1844]

I think the state of my hair says there was definitely a tail wind 😂 I did a training run on the trails a few weeks ago and I did wonder if it would be possible to go off road in crocs, but by the end of that run, I’d made the decision it would not be sensible 😀

[@PoetWithPace]

@@racheld1844 gotta look after our feet first. the youtube content can wait for crocs lol

[@Mack.Tracks]

Just did the Old Wyche Road climb… What on Earth have I gotten myself into?!

[@racheld1844]

It’s a beast of a hill ⛰️ How far did you run today?

[@Mack.Tracks]

@@racheld1844 I did 18 miles on road and then finished with 2 miles up Old Wyche Road to the Beacon, just to get the vibe on tired legs. Not sure how Andy managed to get any running pace up there!

[@racheld1844]

@@Mack.Tracks sounds like a great training run. Hilly trail marathons are easier than flat road ones. Walking the hard bits is absolutely the best thing 😁

[@Mack.Tracks]

@@racheld1844 I’m really looking forward to not looking at pace during the run. Will be a refreshing change!

[@bilaltahir9978]

The LDWA events look they are really great value for money. Do you know any other organisations that also organise long distance trail walking/ running events at such good prices?

[@racheld1844]

Hi Bilal, I think the LDWA by far give the best value for money. I always look at the price of an event before I decide whether to enter or not. It can get quite expensive. One way I’ve found to get a free entry is to volunteer at an event. Often companies hold multiple races through the year and if you volunteer at one you can enter another of theirs for free. Also I run with Beyond Marathon where they allow you to build your race. You can enter just the race, for the lowest cost or you can add a tshirt, add a medal and if the race is point to point then add a coach trip to the start. If you just go for the run option you can save a bit of money. Also How Hard Can It Be Events are not too bad for the pricing but still not on a level with LDWA. I’m always on the look out for the best deal so I can enter more events 😊

[@bilaltahir9978]

@@racheld1844 many thanks that's really helpful. I am planning to attend some of their events over the next year, particularly in the Peak District. Did you sign up to be a member of the LDWA?

[@racheld1844]

@@bilaltahir9978 - you can do it either way. I’ve run with them for several years, but this is the first year I’ve run as a member. Joining cost me £15 for the year and that gives me discounts to the events (Malvern was £10 for members/£15 for non members and another that I’m running in 2 weeks is £15 for members and £20 for non). You’ll also receive 3 free copies of their magazine that has all of their events listed and they write up lots of interesting articles that I enjoy reading. These are posted out for free. It’ll give you discounts to some stores and also open up new features on their website, like gpx files etc. Either way it’s a hidden gem when it comes to a brilliant organisation 😊

[@mytraart]

video so beautiful my friend a44t

[@racheld1844]

Thank you 😊 I’m glad I was able to capture the views from the top of the hills. I could see for miles 👍

[@Mack.Tracks]

Back again on a Rachel video for intel 😂

[@Mack.Tracks]

I suppose I’ll need poles…

[@racheld1844]

Are you thinking of entering Mack? It’s a brilliant event! Probably one of the hardest trail marathons out there but if you can get over the thought of not walking down stairs for a few days after then I’d definitely recommend it. Yes, poles would be a massive help, especially on the last section where you complete the ridge line from Chase End Hill to the finish. I think the start has moved as they couldn’t get the same school this year. I don’t think the main route will change though. Hopefully Rory and I will be heading there as part of ultra training for the summer/Autumn. Best value poles are probably Harrier Running carbon fixed poles. If you use FRIENDS20 you can get 20% off (I’m nothing to do with their company, just love their products) 😁

[@Mack.Tracks]

@@racheld1844 Yep, I’ll sign on up. 2000 finish time is nice, if things go wildly awry!! Ah, thanks for the code! Will check out those poles. Cheers again!