Cader Idris Fell Race - 30 May 2009

Standing in a pen of fell runners in the central square of Dolgellau, North Wales, I had that feeling of impending doom in the pit of my stomach. I was about to participate in my first official fell run, an annual race that is run from Dolgellau to the summit of Cadir Idris and back again- 10.5 miles and nearly 3000ft of ascent. The people gathered around me were a very different breed from the normal road runners who do half marathons etc; they were older, grizzlier and leaner. There was no sign of hi-tech, smart running gear, most wore a faded club vest (indeed despite the bright sunshine many were bare chested), a pair of skimpy shorts and battered fell running shoes caked in dried mud. These were hard men and women. However everyone was very friendly but it was clear no quarter was to be given to this interloper from the low country.

Once the race got underway it was a case of falling in at the rear and hanging on, trying all the way not to let the lungs actually burst and just keep moving upwards. About two thirds of the way up the leaders had already started to come hurtling past at seemingly breakneck speed displaying amazing bravery and sure footedness. At the top a friendly marshal checked your number and politely insisted that you had to climb to the top of the rocky mound on summit and actually touch the cairn. Then it was down hill all the way; a great relief for the lungs but bad for the legs as, with far less grace and agility, I descended in the hope that I wouldn’t fall over or twist an ankle. After 2hrs 32mins I arrived back in the central square; hot, exhausted but elated- I had done it and didn’t even come last! For the record I was 203rd out of 246.

The Mont Blanc Marathon is only 4 weeks away now and as I was travelling back home I couldn’t banish the fearsome thought that I will have to do more than twice the distance and four times the height.

Ummm……I never thought it was going to be an easy challenge.

Thank you to everyone who has pledged sponsorship and sent me words of encouragement. They are very much appreciated and after the personal doubts after doing the Cadir Idris run they will play a crucial role in keeping me motivated and focused over the final month’s preparation. For those who have asked: the “young lady” in the photograph is my lovely daughter Holly. The picture was taken at the start of the infamous mountain marathon which, you may recall, was washed out in the Lakes last year and was featured on the national news. You would think I should learn!