Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 2022 | UTS 50 | My First Mountain Adventure!

[@michaelmcdonald180]

Loving your content at the moment. I've worked up from couch to doing half Ms no problem, got a marathon in 3 months but videos like this inspire me to look further forward. Would love to do this sometime down the line, looks incredible.

[@ChrisBranch]

Hi Michael, thanks so much for that wonderful comment. I hope your training is going well for the marathon, and it'll be exciting to see where you go after that! Completing the marathon is a big milestone mentally, so you'll be able to decide where to go once the achey legs die down 😂

[@bev9708]

WOW!!!! AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! BRAVO Chris!! Makes me wanna run it all alone actually, just me and nature ... but still with the aid stations please!!😂 Yeah we've all of us made those mistakes, and also of not layering up soon enough, it feels like it takes too much energy, our brains work kinda silly under extreme effort. LOVE that smile too Chris, something I learned very early is one of the most important things, and saying thanks to supporters too!! I gotta get myself some Altra Olympus ... I'm tossing up between them and the Vaporflys for Christmas!😂 THANKS for the Leki suggestion too 'cause I'm gonna start hitting the Alps here in France next summer and I haven't bought poles yet!

[@ChrisBranch]

Ah I'm jealous! I wish I was starting my pole-buying journey. My Salomon's are 'okay' so I can't justify getting rid of them, but I wish I had Leki. One day maybe... Good luck with you training ☺️🙏

[@wildgingerruns]

Cool, thanks for this Chris, watching this ahead of the 2023 50k trying to decide which shoes to take... see you on the start line my fellow ginger runner? :)

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! I saw you at Chester too, at registration. I thought I recognised you because I've watched some of your videos, but it was only half way round the race that I remembered where from 🤦‍♂️😂 Shoes for Snowdonia is so tricky. There is every possible terrain you can imagine, so my approach is to have an allrounder, but try to limit the worst case scenario. Last year I used the Altra Olympus which were great, but I did slip down the steep wet grassy bits. I've just ordered some La Sportiva Akasha 2, but not sure if I have enough time to wear them in, so I may be back in the Olympus sliding down grass 🤷‍♂️. My friend wore Hoka Speedgoats and he said they were useless - he normally loves them! It's such a tricky decision and I don't think there's a right answer. See you in a couple of weeks! 😊🙏

[@zara_lenoir]

This was such a lovely watch - I had a smile on my face the whole way through. 😊 It’s great to see someone genuinely enjoying such a physically tough challenge. Well done to you! I’ve never participated in a race at all, but I’m working on it, fitness and courage-wise. This race is definitely now on my ‘one day’ list! Thank-you for the inspiration and for sharing your fantastic experience. 🙏 X

[@ChrisBranch]

This is such a lovely comment, thank you. It really was an amazing race and had me smiling the whole way. Good luck building up your fitness; lots of small little steps forward and amazing things can happen 🙏

[@Alyssa684]

I have my first 50k ultra on Saturday. I’ve loved your videos and watching your races now for some inspiration and last minute advice! Cheers!

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing!!! Best of luck with it! My best advice comes from making all the mistakes myself 🤦‍♂️😂 - Go out slow. Super slow. I now try to stick to the low 130's on HR (I do most of my training based around HR, so I know that this is my 'very easy' pace). - Start fuelling within 30-minutes, and make sure you are getting a certain level of fuel in every hour. I have been using calories (300 - 400 calories per hour), but in my recent video on long-run nutrition, Julie convinced me to focus on macros from now on. Don't worry too much about this, just make sure you're eating within the first hour and you keep it up every hour thereafter. Honestly, this is _magic_ . - If it's hilly, take it easy on the downhills. It's easy to think that you want to make up time on the downhills, but your quads won't thank you for that later in the race 😂 - Smile! Smile at the beginning, smile in the middle, smile at the end. Smile when you're happy. Smile when you're suffering. Thank the volunteers, particularly when you're suffering. Hearing your own voice will make you realise you're not as bad as you thought. Best of luck with it, it will be great! 😊🙏

[@Alyssa684]

@@ChrisBranchI did it! 31.27mi, 4887ft gain, in 7:46:35. Since it was my first one I just wanted to finish but I was shocked to find out I was 5th female and only 1 minute behind 4th and 5 minutes off 3rd. There were some technical descents and I've learned from you to take those slow so you don't blow up your quads early or get injured. It was a 3 loop format and by the 3rd lap I wanted to send it but I also knew that spraining an ankle was the only thing that could stop me from finishing so I kept holding back and thinking "don't break!" I loved your video with Julie. I already had a really solid nutrition strategy but she actually influenced me to tweak how much Tailwind I was drinking and I think it helped. And yes, I smiled so much! It was a really great time and I'm stoked to be part of the community. Thanks for all the videos and inspiration, I truly appreciate you!

[@ChrisBranch]

@@Alyssa684 Yessss! I LOVE this!!! I had a little chuckle when you said you wanted to send it on the final descent 😂 I know that feeling all too well. In fact, I did send it on the final downhill in one of my ultras last year, and it's an amazing feeling to have clocked 30+ miles and to still hit some good speeds, but you made the right choice in your first one. Now you trust yourself over that distance, you can play around with this next time. I'm so pleased you let me know how you got on, it's made my day. Well done, and happy training 😊🙏

[@andrewgraham5080]

@@ChrisBranch This is wonderful advice Chris. Absolute gold!

[@2spoons]

Great video on the UTS Chris.... I ran the Xterra Trail Marathon Snowdonia last year 35+ºc and I'm in this years Trail Ultra - interesting to listen to you regarding your footwear as I ran last years in my Altra Lonepeaks and loved them and the flat (zero drop) slowed me down enough to tackle the trail... I picked up a pair of Inov8 G270 and might try these but may be I'll grab another of Altras.... This year I won't be hitting it hard (as last year I blew both quads) and I'll be taking Tailwind too.... as I do all of my training using it Any tips ??: Alway carry spare dry clean socks (nothing worst that a long run in wet socks) and I carry a Poncho too I carry the mandatory waterproofs but nothing worst that stopping and digging out clothes (as they get wetter and wetter.... when a poncho just pulls on in seconds on the top of your hydration kit

[@ChrisBranch]

Hi Stephen, thanks for the comment! I tried the Inov8's but my feet are so used to a wide toe box (I wear Vivos for work and strength training, and run in Altras mostly), that I found my little toe rubbed and would definitely blister. With the combo of Altra + Injinji toe socks, I've never had a blister in any of my long runs, so I'll be sticking with it. Good idea about the poncho, I"ll pop to Poundland! 😂 Good luck in your runs this season 😊🙏

[@jakejames6994]

Well done mate awesome to watch 👏 ❤

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Jake, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, it was an epic race!

[@emlyngriffith5846]

Great video. Good effort and well done!…..made me homesick…..👍🍷

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Emlyn. It’s such a beautiful part of the world, I’m looking forward to running there next year too :)

[@cathyhazell3592]

Wow, wow,wow - I am so jealous. That looks absolutely amazing!!! Great video, thanks for sharing!!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Cathy! It was pretty epic ☺️🙏

[@dtg5909]

What an informative, positive and calming video. Going to do my first this year and nervous, I’m doing the 25K. Well done Chris thanks for filming 🎉

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! You'll love it! It's so good they've started the 25k because it'll be a perfect intro to mountain running. They called the 50k an intro to mountain running, but it was SO hard! 😂🤦‍♂️ Get some good training in and you'll have an amazing day ☺️🙏🏼

[@anton364094]

Well done Chris! This was excellent documentation and your enthusiasm is contagious. I’d love to do ultras one day, but so far I haven’t done more than a half marathon.

[@ChrisBranch]

If it's a goal of yours, you can make it happen. Have you watches my 'Become an Ultrarunner' video? It outlines the approach that got me there. Good luck with your training ☺️👊

[@richt3993]

Outstanding work Chris

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much Rich, I appreciate it ☺️🙏

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much Rich, I appreciate it ☺️🙏

[@daverichardson7244]

Cracking video Chris! Having recently signed up for next year’s UTS 50 next year, I really enjoyed this. I ran the Snowdonia Trail Ultra this year, which was the weekend after your race and the weather was very different! I’m looking forward to the the more technical route of the UTS - especially now that I feel like I’ve had a recce watching this 👍.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Dave! I follow some people on Insta who did that race the week after - the weather looked brutal! I would much rather have what we had. I think you'll love UTS - hopefully see you there 😊🙏

[@tomaszgawron5513]

Well done Chris. If you're there again this year, I'll see you:)

[@ChrisBranch]

I’ll be there! Really looking forward to it ☺️

[@Toad963]

Love the content!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that 😊🙏

[@ASMRaphael]

Such an excellent and wonderful video my dear friend :) I loved it to bits! :)

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! I appreciate that :) Are you a runner too?

[@FilmMyRun]

Well done Chris. Great work!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much ☺️🙏

[@andybennett2036]

Really well done buddy. Got my 1st 50k in October,... Suffolk! Turned 49 yesterday and gave myself the challenge of doing 50k by or near my 50th birthday. Must say I'm feeling nervous. Well done again.

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing!!! Well learn from mistakes - take it slower than you think at the beginning, and keep fuelling. You'll be fine - it will be a great adventure ☺️👊🙏

[@DanielPaton-l8e]

Nice vid, thanks dude. See you at the UTS 50 (55)km on Saturday :)

[@ChrisBranch]

Can't wait! I'm getting excited now 😬 I hope your training has gone well and say hi if you see me ☺️🙏

[@fatherdamo2]

Olympus 4's and injinji toe socks were my choice too, no foot issues here, gaiter users here and recommend them. This was my first Ultra and you brought back memories of that last Snowdon ascent, my thighs were done for! Was about an hour behind you at mid checkpoint and experienced no rain throughout event. Guess I was lucky there. I blame the second section, the bog and mud used a lot of leg strength. Well done on completing it and managing to film as well!! I'm already signed up for next years and will concentrate training around building thigh strength.

[@ChrisBranch]

Love it, thank you. And yes, I'm definitely getting gaiters. The race was so beautiful, but so tough! I focused so much on running in my training plan, but for next year I'm going to do more leg strength too. My skinny Essex legs struggled! Thanks for the comment and see you there next year ☺️🙏

[@Gez-C]

Great video, looks like an epic race! Its one that I really fancy doing, though with a slight fear of heights, will be an tough one to do!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you liked it :) Although there are scrambles, I never felt like I was ‘climbing’. And they weren’t too exposed, but this is easy for me to say because I don’t have a fear of heights … other than a healthy fear of falling off a cliff, of course! Everything felt manageable, and it was always just another step or clamber over a rock in front of me, but there were no ‘edges’. I heard that in the 100k and 165k there was a ridge walk that is very technical and exposed (can’t remember its name), but it wasn’t in the 50k. Some of the downhill scrambles were tough, but again, each step was manageable and it wasn’t like we were looking down big drops. Get signed up, you’ll love it 😊

[@catherinemarriott7566]

Great video. Really inspired to tackle an ultra now, albeit maybe one with less elevation!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Catherine, you could totally do it. It sounds strange, but you may even find it 'easier' than the marathon (obviously neither are easy at all, but relatively you might). I know it sounds weird, but the mindset is totally different - with an ultra, you walk when you need to, have a nice chat on the way round and stop and eat when you're hungry. It's basically just an epic day out with some running thrown in ☺️ But yes, this elevation was a bit nuts. Maybe build up to it... 😉

[@danbeasley8465]

I’m in this video it was an amazing race, 4.32 and 12.45

[@ChrisBranch]

Nice! It was an epic day that's for sure. ☺️🙏

[@tomfrench5455]

Awesome video. 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Tom! ☺️🙏

[@markcameron3]

Black diamond carbon poles also good, those hand straps are massive on the Salomon poles

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Mark, I think I may end up selling the Salamons and I'll have a look at the Black Diamonds too. Thanks for the recommendation

[@cherries4life387]

Great video Chris! I've also booked again next year as like you, I went out too hard, which meant I couldn't eat any of the solid food I had with me. I relied on energy drink and coke basically the whole way.

[@ChrisBranch]

It's so hard to get pacing right isn't it? I was running along the Southwest Coast Path last week, and I was paying attention to my HR practicing my pacing. On the steep uphills I couldn't keep moving without my HR going into the mid 160's - I honestly don't know what the answer is other than to get much fitter, or maybe much stronger legs so going uphill is easier so that I can keep my HR down and not burn out later in the race. Those hills just get you! So cool that you've signed up again 👌 say hi if you see me ☺️🙏

[@cherries4life387]

@@ChrisBranch Yes, pacing is a difficult one to work out in a race with so much climbing and terrain variety. I had a race plan as I had recce'd the course. I knew the 1st half was more runnable and so I wanted to "get ahead" there, but I simply overcooked those early climbs. But now I know my splits (from Opentracking) and so the way I see it, is if I am fitter next year and go through the 2nd Aid (halfway) 15 or so mins slower, I think I could gain more time in the 2nd half. As for HR, being fitter and practicing steep climbs would definitely help, but even the fastest runners would have high HR's going up mynydd mawr for example, so then I guess it becomes a matter of relative intensity, i.e your HR relative to your fitness level/max HR. I think I may also benefit from a warm up run in the morning before the race, like 1/2 mile or 1 mile. I wouldn't normally do this, but because the race climbs almost immediately, I feel I'd be able to control my breathing better on those early climbs.

[@ChrisBranch]

@@cherries4life387 all great points 👌. I. I'm sure I could make up quite a chunk of time from the second half of the run if I took it easier in the first half, but you're right, it probably only needs to be 15 mins longer to the second checkpoint. I'm definitely going to get a bit stronger for next year though. My skinny Essex legs were in shock! I think that will help, along with more conditioning. I'm genuinely interested to see how a different strategy plays out next year ☺️

[@Dmountaingoblin]

The 165 was my biggest race of the year got 37 miles in before it was cancelled 😭😭 weather was horrendous though 👍🏻 are you doing the 100 next year 🤔

[@UnforgottenTales1]

How does the camera follow you at the end without holding it? Drone ?

[@ChrisBranch]

That's the Insta360 X2. They've just brought out the X4 which looks amazing 👌

[@No_Words_Needed]

I did this event in 2021 (different course) and had serious FOMO this year, so have signed up for 2023 already!

[@ChrisBranch]

Nice, I'll see you there! ☺️🙏

[@Andymckenzie72]

Great video Chris , have enjoyed a lot of them inc the abstaining videos. Which watch do you wear for training ?

[@Andymckenzie72]

Ive answered my own question 3.45 minutes in, lol

[@ChrisBranch]

🤣 yep, Garmin Fenix 6 Pro. I'm someone who is always looking for the next gadget, but I'm totally happy with this watch and haven't felt the need to upgrade at all. Thanks for watching my channel, I hope the videos help ☺️🙏

[@jamstaa69]

Great video.. I did the Snowdon marathon this year 27 miles that took us around and up over the top, and whilst it was the hardest thing ive done due to under training the vert gain and unexpected 25+ temps all the way round.. I was left wondering whether to do it again or a half… now I’ve seen this event on another channel, and now on your very good video.. probably making it look way too easy, I definitely want to attempt this next year. Well done.. may even see you zooming passed me at some point. One question.. I think my shoe choice Saucony Peregrine ST, we’re on the limit of comfort for the marathon distance and whilst great crossing the small amount of mud on what was a very hot dry day, left me like bambi on damp smooth rock, luckily wasn’t much and thankfully it didn’t rain. How did yours do on the damp rock? And do you think the gators would keep out bits of mud, even in the deep stuff?

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much for your comment. I saw a few people post on Instagram about the Snowdonia Marathon; the weather looked brutal! Well done for completing it. I’m not sure I made it look easy, or if I did, it was a lie! It was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I’m not broken and I’m back out running with no niggles at all. My training worked :). What race you choose comes down to your goals - I would be interested in doing a mountain half marathon to have a good blast and not worry too much about pacing and nutrition etc, but for me, I wanted a test of endurance and to see how I coped over the long distance. This definitely ticked those boxes for me. The thought of doing the 100k still terrifies me, but if I can rectify my mistakes next year and get a better time, I will probably do the 100k in 2024 … maybe 🤔. As for shoes, the terrain was so varied it’s hard to say what the perfect shoe is. If you like Saucony, they have just brought out the Xodus which is an ultra distance shoe and gets good reviews. I did slip on rock and I properly fell over in the mud in my Altras, but they have a Vibram Max Grip outsole which is one of the grippiest soles out there, so I don’t know what could have been better. I’m going to do much more leg strength training for next year to help cope with the big steps and falls, because I think they are inevitable. And lastly, a friend of mine wore gators and she said they really helped. The mud was deep, but they would have helped a bit, and every little margin helps! It was a fantastic race though, I’m sure you will love it, just put in the training :)

[@davidfunnell3083]

Great video Chris & was wonderful to meet you at the race. I also made the exact same mistakes, so we live & learn. What distance have you signed up for? I’ve entered the 100km

[@ChrisBranch]

David! I was hoping to find you in online land ☺️ it was great to meet you too - we'll have to have pre-race dinner again next year. I'm only doing the 50. Honestly, the thought of the 100 terrifies me! I want to do the 50 in a much better time next year with more training and better strategy, then I'll do the 100 in 2024. Those mountains are tough, I need to build up to it!

[@brummierunner]

Is the route marked the whole way?

[@ChrisBranch]

Yes, it's a very well marked course and the GPX is accurate if you have maps on your watch 👍

[@kbourne1386]

Hi Chris. Brilliant video thanks for sharing. I’m thinking of doing UTS next year and this gave some good insights. Just curious as to what kind of training plan you followed in the run up and whether you’d had prior experience of a trail Ultra? I’m yet to breach Marathon distance on the trails, nearest I got was 37K with about 1200m elevation so this will be a massive step up. Cheers, Karl

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Karl! You'll love it, and I totally think you should sign up. I've never run a trail ultra before, but I didn't feel like I needed to start with an easier one first; this was a good first adventure 😊 If you've run 37k with some half-decent elevation, you'll definitely get through this with a bit more training. You just need good cardio, strong legs and the ability to keep moving all day - but most of the latter is in the mind. I followed a training plan on Training Peaks by the authors of The Uphill Athlete (an amazing book btw!), but for next year I'm going to do less running and more strength training. I was running 6 days a week, but the mountains require resilient tissues in the legs, so I'm going to run 4 days and gym 2. Tomorrow I'm going to release a video outlining the training I did, so watch this space! Oh, and let me know if you sign up 😉

[@kbourne1386]

@@ChrisBranch cheers Chris thanks for the reply. Yeah I’m pretty sure I will do the 50. Aiming for an Ultra in Ireland in March but it’s only (only 🤣) 1900 elevation. Lucky enough to live near the Wicklow Mountains so lots of training courses around my way! Interesting to hear the viewpoint on strength training. Definitely don’t do enough of that. Are you talking about squats, deadlifts etc? Sounds obvious when you say it. Cheers, Karl

[@ChrisBranch]

@@kbourne1386 I've got a video here showing some of the exercises I use, but I'm going to make another video soon about the specific sessions I do for what I call 'mountain legs'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5uxlHqFfJKse7s If you live near good hills, some of the best training is hill sprint intervals. This would be classified as both 'anaerobic conditioning' and 'skill-specific strength training'. My problem living in Essex is that it's so flat! I need to do more strength because there are no good lumps to storm up. I was reading in Trail Runner Mag that Kilian was doing a ton of elevation in his training before UTMB - he was running 120 - 230m elevation per mile, which is insane! But that was getting him strong as well as fit. Oh, and the ultra in March will be good training! Treat it as a 'B-race' and take it relatively easy, and it will be the perfect primer for UTS a couple of months later. 😊👊

[@andrewstorm8240]

Have you signed up to 2024?

[@ChrisBranch]

Sure have - the 100k 😊

[@mattcarr3798]

Great video 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Matt, I appreciate it 😊🙏

[@Dmountaingoblin]

The 165 was my biggest race of the year got 37 miles in before it was cancelled 😭😭 weather was horrendous though 👍🏻 are you doing the 100 next year 🤔

[@ChrisBranch]

Honestly, the thought of the 165 in that terrain TERRIFIES me! Amazing work for being prepared for it, you must have been gutted with the weather. I think it was the right decision to call it off, but how did you feel? Would you have preferred to go on? I'm only doing the 50k next year because I have the Centurion SDW100 4-weeks later. I'll do the UTS100 in 2024 I reckon. Are you aiming at the 165 again?