Beacons Way Ultra 100km (ENG)

Hard to believe that it’s almost 4 years ago that I pinned on my race number for a ‘longer’ trail run.

Although I had done embarked on some projects together with my brother (Sam) such as running the Belgian coastline, Gr126, Charlepoeng Trail,… Appearing at the start line for an ultra run requiring you to get from checkpoint to checkpoint within a certain time limit was something different.

To enjoy a run in the high Alpine mountains you need a good few ascents and descents in the legs, which was not the case for me.

So I thought why not pick a race on British soil? Lower than the alps, certainly higher than Belgium and with a nice selection of challenging peaks.

I chose 'The Beacons way ultra': the most beautiful 100 km of the famous Beacons way where you cross from one side of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales to the other (usually hiking over a few days rather than running in one shot).

A race of 100km that starts at 11am takes quite some preparation -  not only will you most likely arrive sometime during the night, you’ll also be in a completely different place from which you left earlier that day (or actually the day before). But if I get to the start on time, rested and in a good mood, those are all worries for later :).

In addition to all the usual compulsory equipment such as raincoat, whistle, water, some food, ... we were also obliged to bring a topographic map and compass. GPS is also allowed and the route is indicated 'here and there', but apart from a few signposts, nothing extra was provided by the organisation. Welcome to GB ultra running : )

With a map, compass and GPS route all set in my Suunto sports watch, I completed step 1 by making it to the start on time.

Waved off by Carrie, Oskar and Margo, I left with fellow enthusiasts in dry weather and pleasant running temperatures.

With only 56 people at the start, almost everyone was in the front row. I was therefore amazed that I was able to run in a nice third place for the first kilometres.

My 'moment of fame' didn't last long (actually it didn't even involve much fame without supporters on the route :)). Because with the first ten runners I took the wrong turn... Luckily after a few 100 metres we realised and dodged back to be able to rejoin the group.

What I didn't know then was that this wrong turn was already a sign of things to come...

Although there were no alpine cols to brave here, with 3100 meters of altitude gain spread over 100 kilometres the hills here are still higher than at home. The climbs can be long enough to embrace the lactic burn in the legs.

Already during the first climb, the pleasant weather at sea level turned out to be different up here: the rain fell horizontally from the sky and visibility was limited to 20 to 30 meters.

Fortunately, we were able to leave that bad weather behind on the mountain and continue the journey in a drier area.

Everything went well: I followed the route on my watch, my feet and legs worked well together with the rest of my body, my (nose) breathing was still under control, and I was now two checkpoints and a good 25 kilometres further.

Pretty soon came the first insight of the day: 'Just because the road is flat doesn't mean you can easily run it….'

From a distance, it usually seemed easy run able. In reality, it was sometimes hopping from stone to stone, walking interspersed with a few short bursts of speed and staying alert to choose the best track (read: where most of the sheep had passed).

We walked from east to west and apparently there was more wind and rain in the west than on the more sheltered eastern side of the Brecon  Beacons.

My raincoat became a staple item and I was glad I had my running hat with me (otherwise only used in freezing temperatures).

No problem, we are in Wales, this is what we came for.

The weather did not improve. Due to strong gusts of wind and dense clouds above 400 meters, the race was diverted. Instead of the 'high route' - where you run from mountain to mountain at an altitude of 800 meters via ridges - it was decided we should follow the 'low route'.

Second insight of the day: 'Just because it's the 'low route' doesn't mean there won’t be any steep climbs and descends'. But ok, we persevered and two hours later I could rest and refuel with pasta, put on dry socks, change my shirt and unpack my head torch for the dark. For the time of year, the night took over from the day very quickly.

Along with the daylight, my certainty of following more or less the right route disappeared.

Just as your own personal fuel tank empties faster in the second half, apparently the Suunto watch also goes from 50% to 0 faster than from 100% to 50%.

Due to the persistent wind and rain it was not an option to walk with a map and compass.

Sometimes it was completely off-road, just rocks, high grass, deep ditches, or a nice mix of all of this.

Other times it was a plethora of possible paths, sheep tracks, and boggy ground from runoff water.

Standing still equals getting cold. A summer night in Wales looked suspiciously like an autumn in Belgium.

In the distance I saw headlights of other runners. I decided to step it up a notch and catch them up.

It was Peter and Michael, and I was very grateful to them I could follow their tracks. They still had a GPS signal, but due to the persistent rain and bad weather, the screen was difficult to read and in the end it was anyway a case of ’guess the way’ .

Fortunately there were now three of us. And because we were about the same pace, together we were able to make up for some of the lost time searching the route. A stroke of luck.

Past the last checkpoint - with a good 15 km to go - it was game over for the GPS signal. My new friends still had energy in their legs but no longer in the watch, cell phone or other digital device.

It became a game of searching, going wrong, turning back, sometimes even walking in circles, repeat. Until finally the rain and wind died down and we got closer to the finish.

Fortunately, closer to the finish we could find some more arrows from 'The Beacons Way' and with the help of the map, the approaching daylight and new energy we still made it to the finish.

The euphoria of 'victory' reached its peak when Carrie, Oskar and Margo also burst in minutes later. For a moment I thought I was seeing delusions from exhaustion, as I had never seen my daughter awake at 5am like this before :)

After 17 hours of racing and probably at least 10 km more than the set 100 from unplanned detours, I arrived across the line in a shared 13th place. In the end it turned out that only 29 participants had made it to the finish.

Trail running is more than just running. This race had a high adventure content and ticked all the boxes for a fantastic trail experience.

When technology lets you down, you need to dig deep within your own reserves and experience:

- Running Technique: Save your energy by using a high cadence to run fast over hilly terrain.

• Breathing: Ensure good circulation to keep the mind sharp and the nerves in check.

• Natural Movement: Clambering over a stile after 90km feels very different to one after 10km

• Cold exposure: Having a different cold perspective can keep you calm and focused

• Mindset: Keeping a smile, 'Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable'

And one final insight: 'Just because you have stuck close to someone for 17 hours, shared joys and sorrows, joked and finally reached the finish together, don’t expect to recognise them without a raincoat, colourful running shoes and muddy calves.’