My 2019 Race Calendar

Good morning Ferals!

I know I haven’t posted an ultra-training update for quite some time, but that’s because the long, wet runs in the dark are rather uninspiring. I’m already looking forward to the longer evenings and bright early mornings and I’m well aware that the tough dark miles now will make for a more enjoyable summer.

To help keep the hype up and hopefully force me into some sort of structured training plan I have booked myself into a whole plethora of races for next summer – and I am really excited! I really enjoy reading what everyone is training for so I thought I’d share my plans for next year too.

Cardiff Bay 10km – Sunday 31st March

Kicking off my race calendar is a little jolly around Cardiff Bay. Road running usually isn’t my thing, but Sophie and I will be running it in Aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. I can never pass down an opportunity to raise a bit of money for them!

The South West Coast Path Marathon – Saturday 6th April

Officially my first ever marathon! I am really excited about this one – I love running on the coast and I haven’t seen nearly enough of the South West Coast Path. The race starts just south of Salcombe and heads west along the Coastal Path from there. 45kms of gorgeous coastal scenery?! Yes please! We will also most likely make a weekend of it and

The Brecon Beacons Half Marathon – Saturday 11th May

I really wanted to sign up to the ultra for this event, but with the BBMC the following weekend I decided against it. I did still want to take part in some way, so I signed up to the Half Marathon. I’ll pace it slowly and treat it as a ‘training run’ before my taper week for the BBMC.

LMRT Big Black Mountain Challenge 30 Mile Ultra – Saturday 18th May 

The one that started it all! I’ve walked the BBMC event two years in a row, but on the much shorter course. After the last one, I started thinking about what it would take to run the big route. That’s when I vocalised my dreams to Siobhan and the rest is history. I am really looking forward to this event. The terrain is familiar and it’s all to raise money for a good cause! If you haven’t looked at it before, this should certainly be on your to-do list for one of the best walking events in South Wales!

CF Great Strides 65km Ultra Marathon – Saturday 8th June

This one is a little closer to my heart. The CF Trust actually do a Great Strides event really close to home, but it’s predominantly aimed at walkers and so has to be completed in teams of 3+. This one gives you the freedom to run on your own! Plus, there are fully stocked aid stations every 5-6 miles – yes please!

Brutal Events Midnight Mountain Marathon – Saturday 29th June

Now this one is a little different cus you start at 5:30pm and the cut off is midnight. 6 ½ hours to run 42km of brutal Beacons terrain. This isn’t my longest race at all this summer, but it’s actually the one I am most nervous about! Living in Crickhowell means I train in the Beacons quite often, and I know how tough they can be – the unforgiving terrain, the sideways rain and the technical ascents and descents means that 42km can take you a lot longer than anticipated. BUT there are fully stocked aid stations with ALL the calories at miles 7.5 and 19 – so I think we’ll be okay.

Montane Lakeland 50 Mile – Saturday 27th July 

Oh my Goodness – I have never been more excited for anything in my life! I adore the Lake District and I can’t think of a better way to see it! Plus, it’s run by Montane who are a collection of my favourite people ever! Hopefully, the year after I’ll be able to put myself down for the Lakeland 100 and then The Spine Challenger! Big things are coming!

 

And that’s all I currently have booked for next year BUT if I get in I will be running the Ultra Trail Cape Town at the beginning of December next year and turning it into a two week holiday to catch up with friends and family – But tickets don’t go on sale until 1st April, so hopefully I will know soon after that! Trust me, if I get in, you won’t be able to shut me up about it!

Thanks for reading this far, folks – I am so excited to take you on this super crazy, long journey with me!

Have a great weekend, Ferals – and Happy, Happy New Year!

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