5,500ft of ascent up Welsh hills,down again,up again,down again,up again,....are you getting the picture yet??

Intro....

So where on earth do I start? this was always going to be a massive adventure and a massive challenge for me. I had had enough of road marathons after breaking the sub 4 mark finally last year, and as I run to raise money for charity now as my priority it was obvious I had to set the mark higher in order to tempt donations in.

Vast amounts of people had obviously recently run the London marathon, and vast amounts of friends and family had obviously sponsored them. Now was the time for me to get out there and plug my next big challenge and one of the fourteen charity runs I was doing this year to raise vital funds for THHN (Torbay Holiday Helpers Network).

That run was to be the Claire House Children's Hospice Excalibur Marathon, a grueling beast of a marathon I had been told by many, and one I was confident I could get round without too much of a problem. I mean all marathons are hard aren't they? how much harder could it be? (you may see a pattern of stupidity forming along the way of this blog).

My first mistake, although deliberate, was not to look too closely at the elevation profile for this event (actually I didn't look at all..oops). I was fully aware it had 5,500ft of ascent (ups to you and me), and I figured that it would be fairly well spread out over the entire course, and I could easily walk up the difficult hills as a rest from the running (I'm an idiot) and that there would be plenty of flat bits up top and along the ridges, and then lovely gentle downhills (I'm a deluded Idiot).

All the physical training had been done after months of running in the dunes and multiple 20+ mile runs to get the legs ready, and mentally I thought I was ready, so next was the day itself.

An early start....

So I had set my alarm for 5am, which was a challenge for me as I usually work late and stay up to 3am on a regular basis, so my body clock was definitely confused.

Quick shower and then the best bit....putting on your running gear for the event itself. Is it just me that sometimes feels like it's a superhero costume? or that it has magical powers that will transform you into a super athlete capable of mighty challenges?... no?...just me then (told you I was an idiot).

Breakfast for the day was toast and peanut butter, and a coffee and plenty of snacks to have on the way like banana's etc as it was going to require a lot of calories over the course of the day.

My  stuff was packed including all my carefully checked and packed kit list which was a necessity as we could end up in a dangerous situation out on the hills if the weather took a turn for the worse. It was for this reason we had to carry full waterproofs, hat, gloves, compass, map, whistle, spare food and water and one or two other things.Efficient bag packing had never been so important.

The journey there....

6.30am arrived and my very helpful fellow running competitor for the day Annie arrived promptly outside. We also picked up another friend and fellow competitor Michelle on route to Moel Famau.

Sat nav was our friend today, and Moel Famau isn't actually that far away from Southport and Liverpool etc and we were there within an hour and a half, even with a few sat nav blips involving talking in the car and not listening to the very polite sat nav lady telling us when and where we should be turning (or not in our case, several times).

Moel Famau....

So we arrived safely at Bwich Penbarrass car park (as opposed to the farmhouse on a back country lane we first arrived at lol) and promptly decided to get out and have a wander around the well organized event start and finish area, which thankfully had multiple portaloo's for are convenience, and relief.

The Bwich Penbarrass car park and for today Excalibur start area.

The official start and finish area

After a bit of sitting around and wandering around it was time to line up amongst the others and register at the start and get our kit officially checked to ensure we definitely had it all.

As mentioned earlier the kit list was vital and we had to show all the items in our kit list was definitely in our bags before we were indeed safe to be let loose out on the Welsh hills (now who's the idiots? fools).

The registration and kit check was extremely efficient and it was good to see people nicely queuing up without pushing and shoving and waiting, and not getting your heels rammed by someones family member like you do at city marathons.

Look at that, how dignified are we?

Starting to get busier as the countdown to the start is on.

Vital bit of kit, the compass and map. (I've got a story about mine, but that's for another time)

The big start.....

So now it was time for a little safety and route briefing from two of the organizers Nigel and Mark (I think). We amassed in the start area looking like we had all got dressed in the dark in the sports section of a charity shop (or is that just me?) and listened intently to the race and safety instructions given, unlike the city marathons were most people are too busy with their faces buried in their smartphone telling all their friends what useless crap they had for breakfast (Didn't I just do that earlier??).

Final instructions from the guys in the know.

Starting to get busy around the start, final nerves anyone?

See what I mean about us dressing in the dark?

And we are off...

A few best wishes and good lucks to fellow competitors and friends and we were off.....and straight into an upwards forest fire road. So it was going to be like this was my first thought, as I had pictured a slow gentle sloping road winding around the mountainside and forests of Moel Famau and it's glorious country park etc..etc..how wrong was I.

This was no gentle slope, not to me anyway and not to a lot of others behind me as we runners always get carried away in the first few kilometres or miles of races/events and tend to run a slightly speedy pace as we try and gauge the course. This slope was never ending and when we rounded a corner it suddenly went down again? what? .....you mean we are going to be climbing up and then going back down again and going up again back to the same level we were at a hundreds yards ago? too right we were.

This was no ordinary stroll in the park forest road, and it zig zagged around the hillside for many a mile and eventually thankfully up to a nice checkpoint, checkpoint no.1 to be precise. And lo and behold a friendly face by way of Rachel from Penny lane Striders who was on the half marathon of the event and they had a slightly different route to us so where further ahead into their run when our paths crossed at this checkpoint.

A quick chatter and of I went again onwards and upwards towards the top that never felt like it was in sight, and to be honest it was never going to be because we were cruelly diverted off the hillside at checkpoint no.2 and over towards the next hill before we even got to it.(mind games were being played clearly).

Off we went galloping off down the hill on nice smooth grassy fields and meadows etc until we hit checkpoint 3 which had water and sweets etc and was a welcome little break for a breather if needs be.I was on GU salted caramel flavoured gels so was keeping to one every hour as opposed to the on pack advice of every 45 minutes to start to see how I felt and I had a handheld with water and a little bit of HI5 Source 4:1 powder in which usually serves me well.

From the start at the bottom of the map, to checkpoint 3 at the top right of the red route line.

From checkpoint 3 it was off along solid paths for quite a while and past several little reservoirs and onto the hills again and slowly slowly up the next hill. this was tiring and it was warm so was also tiring because of that, but we all obviously plodded on and upwards.

We did soon come across the friendly face of an official event photographer from Sportsunday Event Photography who offered us encouragement and well dones as he snapped a picture of us approaching and crossing a little plank over a little stream (see pic). I swear he was trying to put us of by talking to us so we would fall in lol.

I wasn't falling in today.(Photo credit : Sportsunday Event Photography)

A rare smile for the friendly photographer (Photo credit:Sportsunday Event Photography)

We carried on upwards from there and I for one was starting to walk a lot of uphill sections no matter how short they were because it was so tiring, but others around me were doing it was well, so it was a good marker that we were indeed all in the same boat and not competing against each other but rather alongside each other.

We soon hit checkpoint 4 which was on a ridge and at this point we actually saw front runners retuning on their return section of the race...unbelievable pace and endurance.

We now headed out on a long downhill section down and along a very long and often steep grassy section with sheep and sheep **** everywhere (note to oneself, potential slip hazard) and it apparently is known affectionately as 'telly tubby land'? can't think why. although I did feel a bit Dipsy and needed a Tinky Winky pee after seeing all the sheep  Po(o) but  I happily ran on singing silently to myself Laa Laa la.(still an idiot).

The happy Laa Laa attitude soon disappeared when I saw the next mammoth never ending hillside we now had to walk straight up. Although walking feels like a welcome relief, when you actually try and walk up this stuff straight up the lactic acid build up in your legs is unbelievable, and my calves felt like they were going to explode it was that painful.

The only solution on these type of inclines was to walk until you couldn't anymore and then have a little breather while the lactic acid levels flushed out of your leg muscles a bit so you could actually carry on.

I had a good chat with another runner who was on a return to fitness and mentioned he hadn't done any hill walking for a while due to this, I quickly pointed out I hadn't done any at all as I live in a very flat area and this was indeed a challenge.

Eventually we hit the top of the ridge and indeed checkpoint 5, and this was also were the full and half runners split off into different directions, left for us and right for the halfers who would then head back towards Moel Famau and the finish.

Of along the ridge I went after having a 5 minute break to take some pictures of the surrounding views, and onwards towards Moel Llys-Y-Coed and then a very very steep downhill down  rock steps and worn path to the car park for Moel Arthur and checkpoint 6 for a bit of welcome refreshment.

Looking down to checkpoint 6, and upwards toward Moel Arthur, our next climb.

From checkpoint 3 on the bottom right of the red route line and up to checkpoint 6 in the valley just below the top of the map.

Up we all had to go again and I tried a little run up the hill path but after only 50ft my muscles were burning with lactic acid again so it was walk with hands on knees to get up the steep bits and then a little run when I could.

Checkpoint 7 (according to race directions) was actually a friendly marshal pointing the way to the top and offering an encouraging "it gets a little easier from here" Wohoo I thought, as I sure as hell knew I couldn't do all over again if the rest is like this up to that point.

I had serious doubts on several occasions on my ability to make it if my legs carried on screaming at me like this, although I was getting through it with the little walks I wasn't sure how bad my legs would get further on or whether they would just stay the same as now.

Moel Arthur was a nice viewing point and another opportunity for more pictures, which by now I was using as an excuse to stop for a rest. Onwards I went after a few people passed me and I became conscious I was losing places so I ran on and this time it was another downhill section.

The problem I was discovering was there was not a lot of flattish or ridge crest running opportunities so you couldn't make up for lost time whilst walking, and the downhill were not runnable at speed. I also become fully aware that trying to slow myself down coming downhill was putting a lot of pressure on my toes at the front of my running shoes and I was vary that I may get bad blisters and again hinder my journey even more.

Soon it was the bottom of the hill and again several people around me who I got past again at some point and then we went through the car park for Penycloddiau and past a crowd of people in the car park, I can't for the life of me remember if it was checkpoint or supporters, I don't remember stopping before then yet again climbing upwards alongside some nice forest scenery towards the top of the next hill


This was another steep walk up on tired legs and this one was never ending..You would go up for several hundred feet towards the top of the ridge and then discover when you got up there that there was infact another 100ft+ climb to the next top, and again and again this went on.

Eventually it tops out at Penycloddiau which is the remains of an ancient fort. I'm guessing this was the circle of stones with a pile of rocks in the middle that I stopped at for yet another rest and more pics.

The remains of the ancient fort at Penycloddiau, plus hill top marker and surrounding views.

Checkpoint 6 at the bottom and Moel Arthur and up to checkpoint 8 and then Moel-Y-Parc at the very top of the route.

Onwards again and slowly down and eventually we hit checkpoint 8 manned by several members of the mountain rescue etc by the look of it. I took a single cube of flapjack and struggled to eat it as I carried on upwards again up the next section of hill toward Moel-Y-Parc and the furthest point out on the route. By now it was also passed the halfway mark.

The approach to Meol-Y-Parc again was a long steady climb followed by climb after climb, but not as steep as others and running on the flatter sections was again possible.

I peaked Moel-Y-Parc and had a little breather and then spotted another runner further behind so it was time to go again, and down hill this time.This section was nice and a fairly steady downhill past yet another marshal making sure we didn't go the wrong way at a major turning point.

Top of Moel-Y-Parc, the furthest point on on the course, all homeward from here on.

It flattened out now and we were on the return leg of the route and heading back towards check point 8 again as we were running a loop out and back. My pace grew as it was a lot flatter and I passed a few people who were walking at that point or possibly just getting a breather, as I did several times.

In no time after a few knackering ups again and a few more people passed it was checkpoint 8 again. Unfortunately they had just run out of water and I was pretty much out myself so after being told it was several miles to the next check point and that some is on it's way, I decided to have an extended sit down and rest, I lost major time but it wasn't worth the risk and at the end of the day I rested while i waited.

At this point several people went past and several also decided to stop and sit, and at this point I also saw the friendly faces of Gillian and her boyfriend Adam from Liverpool Running Club who asked if I was OK as they thought I was lying there injured. I told them I was fine and advised them to check their water before carrying on due to the water situation.

The water finally arrived and after being refilled I carried on off down the fairly level route towards checkpoint 6 again, although by now I hadn't remembered 6 was the check point at the bottom of a big hill.

The 'couple of miles' to the next checkpoint was clearly in Welsh mountain miles because the miles passed and nothing was in sight.At several points on this stretch I chatted briefly to another runner who had his  dog with him and we too and fro'd position as we ran the muddy track.

I had at this point slowed on the regularity of taking my gels and was often forcing myself to take one as I didn't particularly feel like one. I stupidly went 10-15 mins over the one hour intervals and as I was running towards mile 20 thinking I would stop there and take one, or that the next checkpoint is probably around the next corner. I suddenly had an energy crash and felt drained and hungry. The sudden feeling of being hungry is my marker for the fact that I have gone through my energy stores and any energy from gels that was in my system, at that point I have to eat as it is physically all downhill for me from there if I don't eat, I go weak, feel hot and can go lightheaded and slightly dizzy.

I decided there and then that I was going to have to walk the flat for a while and see if I could recover. I had my gel and luckily as I was carrying 2 full size flapjack bars as a back up I had a full one as I walked. I actually covered a full mile in 16 mins while walking which wasn't too bad as the terrain often dictated 11-12 min run miles on some sections.

After a mile and a half I felt better and started running again and managed to catch back up with the two runners in front of me who I had lost sight of earlier.

Check point 6 for the second time finally arrived around a very long upward road section, and they had a nice selection of snacks. I only had 2 Jaffa cakes as I had had my flapjack and gel, and I topped up my water as I wasn't risking running out anywhere.

Sadly checkpoint 6 was infact at the bottom of Llyn-Y-Coed and indeed the very very steep decent that we had come down. Which meant we had to go back up it to get out of the valley again (mind games again by the organizers I reckon lol).

This was a horrendous climb up big stone steps and rocks and worn bits of path, and again my calves were screaming at me every 10 to 20ft, it was a long slow climb and may well of been part of one of my 20 min miles in my Garmin/Strava statistics.

Checkpoint 6 on the return journey and the climb back up to Moel-Llyn-Y-Coed.

Looking back down on checkpoint 6 and across to Moel Athur fro the top off Moel Llyn-Y-Coed.

Once over the top it was a long welcome run over fairly familiar territory as we ran along the top/ridge etc.It was still up and then down at times but nice little ones so didn't require a walk or rest stop.

I could now see the infamous by now Mount Doom in the distance as I realised that Moel Famau was at the final stage of our run at mile 24 (seriously dudes, that was cruel) this filled me with dread as it slowly got nearer and nearer and looked bigger and steeper as I approached.

I passed quite a lot of families out on a walk with kids at this stage and the puzzled looks on their faces was priceless as they gawped and then smiled as the mad men passed with a cheery 'Hello'.

Moel Famau was now within my grasp and again it was one last gel time at least to aid the last couple of miles and then upwards I went towards the top, several leg muscle bursting sections later and I was finally approaching the top along with all the walkers and tourists who had merely walked up the path from the easy side.

Mount Doom (Moel Famau) in the distance, I still had to run to that before climbing up it at mile 24.

Back to Moel Famau from the top of the route map and then down towards the finish.

From the top of Moel Famau Southwards down to the finish at Bwich Penbrras car park.

Checkpoint 9 was indeed at the top of Mount Doom...sorry...Moel Famau and at the base of the Jubilee Tower, and was manned by possibly Mark who was part of the race briefing team (not sure for definite). He promptly assured me it was all a nice run down from here, although looking at the steepness of the first bit I wouldn't be running anywhere down there.

Off I went after a water refill and pounded by the bemused and puzzled walkers wondering why these mad people were hare arsing down the path. By now I felt great as I knew I was on my last mile and again runners in front were becoming within sight. I managed to pass one called Nick, who had passed me along time earlier and as I flew by he recognized me from earlier and commented that I could do another loop at the pace I was going, in which I replied "it's only because there is only a couple of hundred yards left".

Once I know where the end is I don't mind giving it my all and some extra on top, and I was gaining on the bloke in front but stopped behind him because no-one likes people who flash past you on the last couple of feet on a hard run as though that one place matters so much.

The finish line...

The finish line was finally there and I had excelled myself with a final mile pace of 7 minutes 40 seconds for mile 26 (admittedly downhill lol) and I was extremely happy to get over the line in one piece in 5hrs 42mins. It was made all the better by being greeted by the friendly smiling face of Annie who had given me the lift there in the first place. She had finished earlier after having a cracking run on the half marathon version.

Medal awarded and water and Lucozade offered and it was onto the food mobile for a nice free hot cup of coffee and stew ( I had to go back for the stew as I can't eat straight away). A quick chat and well dones to a few people who had finished before me who I had seen out on the course and then a first time hello and handshake to the winner Charlie Sharpe,who I had chatted to a few times on Facebook within the running forums but had never met in person.He had kindly given me valuable advice about the course and my ability to complete it months earlier while I was in training, so I am thankful to him for that.

Now Annie and myself waited for our other friend of the day Michelle who came in roughly 45 minutes or so  after me which was a great performance by her.

Fellow friends Eamonn from Penny Lane Striders came along as well with his friend Lisa and we all gave mutual well dones, and then it was time to go.But not before picking up a custom labelled Excalibur Welsh Pale Ale as a memento.

Fellow runner and car companion of the day Michelle finishing.

Fellow runners and friends Eamonn and Lisa finishing.

Rewards of the day.....

Well what can I say? the rewards of the day are the great memories of the day which will be lifelong memories, and a tremendous sense of achievement and new found confidence in my abilities to endure hard times. Put that together with a smashing Excalibur running top, a medal and a special bottle of real Welsh ale, what more could you ask of a great event such as the Excalibur Marathon? well nothing really other than an email reminder as soon as next years entries open.

Memento's of the day.

Final words....

Well a big and massive well done to everyone who completed the event, and to all the marshals, volunteers and people behind the scenes who put all the hard work in to make it possible.A big thank you to the Mountain Rescue Teams who were there on the day. Thank you to TDL the chip timing company on the day, all the caterers and a massive thank you to Sportsunday.co.uk who generously offered free use of a selection of photo's from the day to use in this blog.

A big thank you to everyone who has donated to my fundraising page so far and don't forget I have many more runs to do and still some tougher ones to go.

The Excalibur is a fantastic event and is extremely well organized, and is for a fantastic charity Claire House Childrens Hospice who I raise money for via another project of mine.

Donate to them direct if you can on their web page at the link provided above , and for those who haven't sponsored me yet, as I said I have many more charity runs to go as part of my 14runs campaign on behalf of THHN Torbay Holiday Helpers Network so please donate when you can to my fundraising page at the link provided below.

Thank you all and God Bless..

Les Jackson.


My fundraising page....

https://www.justgiving.com/14runsthesequel/