Wildhorse200 South
Start to Checkpoint 1 @ 28 Miles
The start of the Wildhorse200 Race
The start was buzzing, all of us excited and ready to take on the event. Rhys gave out some final encouragement and we set off at 06:00.
I fell into the middle of the pack keeping nice and steady, buoyed by the moment.
A little into the race I noticed the leaders had seemed to have ran past the left turning needed, a quick shout and double check and they turned around. For a km or so the group I was with now led the race whilst those who missed the turn soon caught us up and strode easily by.
Our group of five soon turned to 3 as two managed to break away.
We reached the point overlooking Monmouth and the sight was amazing. As we ran into Monmouth I knew I needed to refuel, I’d been up half of the night with bad guts, a quick stop in a shop for some nourishment and we were all off again. It wasn’t long though before I was unable to keep up so I settled into my own rhythm and planned to catch up later.
Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2 @ 50 Miles
I was alone for most of this leg, I enjoyed it but my feet were starting to ache in my Vibrams. The ground underfoot steadily got worse and towards the end of the section I was just hobbling along. Friendly runners made sure I was ok as they passed even offering to lend me trainers at the next CP.
I’d slowed considerably and made it to the checkpoint as the last of the light was fading. The volunteers at CP2 were fantastic. So much so, it was suggested to Rhys at the end that he should just copy them and have them at all the check points.
My Garmin reset itself too which was a pain as there was no phone signal which meant the map wouldn’t load correctly, luckily, I also had a copy on my phone on another app.
Checkpoint 2 to Checkpoint 3 @ 67 Miles
Llanthony Priory
Gladly, one of the shortest legs. It was my first night leg and tiredness was creeping in. Having no signal, my Garmin wouldn’t load the map correctly and this made navigation a little difficult. The ground was mostly soft / boggy underfoot and I remember startling some ground nesting birds a few times, enough to give you a scare. I bumped into two other runners and decided to stay with them to the next checkpoint. Cheers lads.
Checkpoint 3 to Checkpoint 4 @ 86 Miles
A hilly view
I arrived at CP3 at 05:30 so had covered a little over 100k in 24 hours. I managed to get an hour or so broken sleep before giving in and setting off after having some coffee and jam on toast.
The walk through Crickowell whilst I waited for my legs to warm up was very pleasant, especially as I had changed into my G270S and I was soon into a steady walk run. I had some rough moments during this section but every step forwards was a PB for distance outside. There were some bleak moments, the biggest being a hill with so many false summits, Tor Y Foel?
Towards the end of this section my mood lightened again, perhaps it was lack of sleep but I was singing as I was running, making up random nonsense as I trundled along.
Checkpoint 4 to Checkpoint 5 @ 96 Miles
The Loop! Sitting in CP4 I chatted with a guy who was having to withdraw due to extremely bad blisters and hearing of some other runners who had taken the wrong turn or been pointed in the wrong direction and as such did a loop of the wrong reservoir.
I set off to do my 10 mile loop, it was the fastest Id run over the event, I felt like I was flying, my mood had lifted and I enjoyed running through the dusk and into my second night.
Arriving back at the start the checkpoint changed to a sleep station and after getting changed into clean kit I got my head down for as long as I could.
Checkpoint 5 to Checkpoint 6 @ 118 Miles
I was awoken at 02:05, my time was almost up and I was due to leave at 02:35. This was the stretch I was probably looking forward to more than anyone else. I know a few hated the thought of running along a canal path but I looked forward to it, especially as this route would take me to the Story Arms at the base of Pen Y Fan. I’d always said that if I reached this point my spirits would lift and I wasn’t mistaken.
Attempting to run along the canal was a no go, my legs just wouldn’t work. I was still extremely tired and was falling asleep walking. This is obviously dangerous when there is a body of water nearby so as the dawn chorus started I rested on a bench, set my alarm and had a quick 20 minute power nap.
At 6 am I rang Amanda, I’d missed her a lot, this was the first time she hadn’t been near me during an event and I was starting to feel it. I think we chatted for a good 30 minutes whilst I marched on. I think it was this as well as the micro sleep I’d had that allowed my legs to move a little easier and I was soon running again, or “ultra shuffling”
I was hoping to hit Brecon itself and be able to get a breakfast from a café but this wasn’t to be and it was just a case of keep heading forwards to the checkpoint.
Checkpoint 6 to Checkpoint 7 @ 142 Miles
Brecon Beacons
I hit CP6 is a state, my body was shutting down, tiredness, the earlier warmth, the now cold wind, had all taken their toll on me. The wind had really picked up at the checkpoint and Chris the volunteer there was struggling to keep the gazebo grounded. Instead of fighting a losing battle he setup his own station using his Landover and its own shelter. This worked so much better and after a nausea inducing salty coffee (don’t ask) from the burger van I couldn’t face the burger I’d bought. I had a few snacks and a normal coffee with Chris before loading up my bag and heading off. Garmin had done its thing again and not warned about discharge levels, and the phone signal being as patchy as it was, again it wouldn’t load the map. I set off with the intention of stopping once I had a decent signal and whilst the map loaded I sat and enjoyed the view and ate some snacks. My mojo had returned, I swear even the sight of Pen Y Fan is magical.
It was quite a roundabout route, designed mainly to take in the sights and on the last trig point I stopped to call Amanda as I knew a photo wouldn’t do the view any justice. It was whilst on the phone to her that I had my first surprise of the day, some friends from the gym who were staying in Brecon for the Easter weekend had headed out to wish me luck.
As I reached the bottom of the hill another surprise was to be had. The Welsh ladies from my online running club were out in force, I think they’ve adopted me as their token English person. I was exhausted and yet felt as great as I’d done at the start after seeing them. It’s amazing how such a small gesture can do so much.
This high wasn’t to last though, I still had some mountains to climb and darkness was coming in fast as well as low level cloud. I reached the first summit and everything started to discharge at the same time. This wasn’t an issue I had a battery pack to recharge things but it meant removing my jacket and backpack. Just sitting still for a few moments was enough to start me shivering like a wreck. I won’t say I was panicked but I was wary of hypothermia and was making plans of where to hunker down if need be. Luckily for me two others competitors saw me and helped sort me out and point me in the right direction, alas for them, they were heading the wrong way, they’d already been to CP7 something I didn’t realise until they’d left me. I met them again at the checkpoint and we laughed at their mistake and how lucky I was for it.
It was the CP that my “crew” would meet up with me. Vic and Gav had decided to come down and support me through the final legs. Vic planned to run alongside me and Gav was going to keep us stocked with coffee and fuel at various location throughout the route.
Checkpoint 7 to Checkpoint 8 @ 165 Miles
It was dark again as we set off and the scenery was very uninspiring. It was almost as though we were walk/running through a barren / alien landscape. The dawn broke as we finished up and started our descent and we could see that the surroundings were definitely better than we’d first given them credit for in the half light.
This route would take us past the castle and it dominated our view for most of the morning. After a stop off for some food and another quick nap it was time to setoff for the CP and another meeting with the lovely ladies from CP2.
Walking through the town I noticed so many takeaways, my mouth was soon watering, my belly rumbling and my mind dreaming of all the filthy goodness I could have, chips, KFC, Kebab, Pizza?
Reaching the CP, the ladies again were like protective mother hens, this time with a gaggle of kids with them all wanting to look after us. Was this celebrity or was this the petting zoo? I didn’t care, the kids were great and the ladies as fantastic as ever. All thought of a takeaway vanished as I got offered a cheese toasty and a coffee although Vic suggested I give the coffee a miss as I’d be getting some sleep again so we opted for a peppermint tea, it was lush.
The Welsh ladies appeared again to wish me luck, regaling me with stories about how they’d tried to find me at the castle earlier in the day.
A rough plan of a way forwards was made, again I changed into fresh clothes and headed to the car for two hours sleep whilst Vic and Gav headed off to get pizza to fuel the onward journey.
Checkpoint 8 to Checkpoint 9 @ 183 Miles
So close, yet so far. Gav had re taped my leg which enabled me to move a little easier but it still wasn’t at any great pace. Right now with the end in sight it was just a case of continual forward motion to get it finished.
I don’t remember much of this run through the night other than struggling with navigation and generally having a laugh with Vic. Whether it was the excitement of being near the end, the sheer exhaustion taking over or the overdose of caffeine, journeying with such a wonderful human certainly kept me going.
Just before dawn we met up with Gav again to replenish our caffeine levels and it turned out I had another welsh visitor. It was decided I would catch a few minutes needed sleep and then run with her for a while as I was only allowed one pacer. This would give Vic a chance to catch some shut eye whilst waiting for me at the penultimate check point.
Checkpoint 9 to the Finish Line @ 200 Miles
Gav had ran out from the checkpoint to meet me, I said good bye to Lisa and she headed off home as Gav guided me in. Upon arrival I think every emotion hit me. I was tired, I was sore, I still had 17 miles or so to go but I had reached the end. In the write up of the course Rhys said that this leg would be “a mixed bag” I’d done the hard work and in theory had almost 20 hours to do the distance.
I filled my face with some fresh eggy bread fried in bacon fat, almost broke down whilst doing a quick thank you video for the ‘gram and got myself ready for the run.
I was buzzing!
Vic decided to do this last leg barefoot (she’s mad like that) and we set off through the town and onto the coast. The tape on my leg had finally worked its wonders and I was managing to tick off the first few miles much faster than previously. I was enjoying the run, speeding up, slowing down stretching my legs, laughing with Vic about the joys of Fartlek, it felt great!
As ever, this wasn’t to last, whether it was the extra exertion of faster moving legs or added sweat, the tape started to fall away and when we next met Gav I had him redo it. This is when my bubble burst. Something wasn’t right with the tape or my leg had finally decided it had done enough and didn’t want to do the last 10 miles. Gav tried to retape me again, it was a little better but the speed had gone so it was back to the lurch forwards and get it finished.
It wasn’t long before we hit the dunes, yes I use the plural version of the word unlike Rhys who clearly stated we’d see “A” sand dune! He lied!!
Trying to just push forwards on the dune wasn’t working so I gritted my teeth, dug in and ploughed my way up, I imagine I was quite a spectacle, grunting like a cross country skier as I dug my pole in and dragged myself up.
My final phase with Vic was along the beach and when we reached the next caravan park she headed off with Gav and left me alone for the final 5km. One last park run!
Being left alone again gave me chance to reflect on my journey and just how far I’d come. I’d not met any of my own targets but it didn’t matter, I’d beaten the course with time to spare.
Reaching Rhossilli and the finish I could see the banners awaiting me and Rhys smiling, waiting patiently as I trundled in to the finish. A brief wash of relief, regret it was over and joy almost took over me but then I felt numb. A hug, a hand shake, a belt buckle and lots of smiles followed by the map of my route and a cold beer.
What an adventure!
I’d like to wax lyrical about how much I learned about myself but if I’m honest I’m not sure I did. Other than it has proved to me that the last times I’ve done these distances haven’t been a fluke. Yes the distance hurts, yes it does take you to some dark places but I think I learned most that persistence and a will to carry on will continue to drive me forwards.
Many thanks to all that supported me throughout this journey, you certainly lightened the load.