taking a tour...next event Grand tour of Skiddaw Ultra 2015

Hi
So nearly a week since Snowdonia has passed and the urge to book next event overcame to today, next up is The Grand Tour of Skiddaw is a 44 mile trail ultra race taking in the beautiful Northern Lake District.

This is in a month and has a more lenient time cut off than Snowdonia, still its going be hard going and its another step up in distance for me. So next few weeks will be hard training again but looking forward to first official Ultra!

if anyone else is interested this is the site for the event: http://www.pureoutdoorsevents.co.uk/index.php/the-grand-tour-of-skiddaw

hope all having a great weekend

Gareth (TheTryAth)

Scott Snowdonia Trail Marathon 2015 - Event Review

Hi
as I have now recovered my ability to think this is my review of the first Scott Snowdonia Trail Marathon.

The Race HQ was great it was in the Electric mountain visitor centre in LLanberis so nice to have a HQ with café facilities etc, it was open till 6pm on the day before the race too. On registering you got your bib number, a tech t-shirt and a High 5 trial pack, the HQ also had a good set up showing the route for the half and full marathon plus a stand from Scott the sponsor and one from Always Aim High the organiser.

On the day!

Race start was in the field next to the HQ, they also opened a hall as a bag drop which was handy, the weather was terrible so most people huddled in their prior to the race. At the start a safety briefing which repeated required kit list (full waterproofs) which caught a few people out, but in fairness to the organisers they had sent out an email confirming the kit list, a good reminder always read up on final race instruction email!

They also gave the option of those who had entered the full marathon switching to the half as conditions were to terrible, I think there must have been a few who did and a lot more who considered it( me one of them).

The Course

Brutal...truly brutal, first few miles a cheeky ascent, then at 4 miles the break for the full or half marathon. The full marathon course was really difficult lots of climbs, the terrain was hard going thanks to conditions either slippy rock or boggy mud, I had to stop and help out a guy who went over and I think broke his leg(it made a noise like a popping sound!) then get him a race marshal, then on I went.

the feed stations were plenty and well provided energy drinks/gels etc, there was a cut off at mile 20 if had not got there by 5:15, at the Pen-Y-Pass car park from the it was the Snowdon ascent.

The route was up the Pyg track in high wind and rain, with mist coming in at the top, I really struggled up this my legs had just gone by mile 20, and no strength for the climb. Once get over the top there, it was a stumble, jog down the tourist track then veered of back onto trails for few miles to the end and coffee and biscuits as well provided end feed station.

Conclusions

A great event, there was some debate over the actual distance as on pretty much everyone I spoke to their GPS had it as 29 miles.I would run it again but would like be fitter and better prepared, though in all fairness I would have been this time if not for injuries.

worth entering if you want a real challenge of an event, now to start thinking of my next event.....

thanks for reading.

Gareth (TheTryAth)

Scott Snowdonia Trail Marathon....emotional!

Hi
wanted to write this yesterday but was too exhausted! I eventually managed to get around the Scott Snowdonia trail marathon in 7:12. I have never done anything so hard before as this, I knew I was not really fit enough after injury and had not had enough time training on mountain trails, but still this course destroyed me.

horrendous rain and wind, I saw too casualties one injured his leg and I had to call a marshal and another went down with Hypothermia on the pyg track up Snowdon, but there was a group already treating him. I want to and will run this race again but I will make sure had more time to prepare correctly.

I am going write a separate event review soon.

hope all had a good weekend

Gareth (TheTryAth)

Snugpak Jungle bag +snuggy pillow over at the POLIMIL LTD facebook page

Hi
 another good prize on offer on facebook, the folks at POLIMIL Ltd are giving away a Snugpak Jungle bag and snuggy pillow.  here is a link to their facebook page Polimil Ltd  the page says the winner is being picked on the 29/07/2015 so get in quick! I have :)


just sharing a competition this one is not run by me or has no connection to me, just thought a good prize lots of people would use :)

good luck all
Gareth (TheTryAth)

Amazon discount 20% off selected Camping gear - ends at 23:59 GMT on Sunday, July 31, 2015

Hi
I'm looking at picking up a new tent and noticed that Amazon are offering 20% of selected items of camping gear, there seems to be some pretty good kit on offer so might be worth a look, Amazon page states its £50 minimum spend to get the 20% discount and ends at 23:59 GMT on Sunday, July 31, 2015,this is a link to the page with the details on AMAZON  


This discount and Promotion is nothing to do with me, I'm just sharing what I've read so check terms yourself at the page :)

hope its of some use to someone
Gareth (TheTryAth)

Lifesystems are running a Facebook competition.

Hi
the Folks over at Lifesystems are running a giveaway for a bundle of goodies, the bundle includes an Adventurer First Aid Kit, a bottle of SPF25 Active Suncream, a bottle of expedition sensitive insect repellent, and a portable mosquito killer according to their Facebook page. I've entered it as I purchased some Lifesystems gear recently and its top stuff. so get over to their facebook and enter its at https://www.facebook.com/LifesystemsUK/photos/a.116940994999093.17228.115511938475332/1163473370345845/?type=1&theatre



good luck everyone including me! just thought I'd share if anyone else is interested.
(so before anyone asks the giveaway is NOTHING to do with me I'm just sharing the info)

Gareth (TheTryAth)

Bronco Billy aka Jeff Browning - great motivation and advice

Hi All
 One of the great things I've found since starting using Running/The outdoors to cope with my depression/anxiety, is the amount of truly motivational people out there on social media. I've found running and event tips and advice but also just reading race reports and about their training inspires.

I think one of the best Blogs by an Ultra runner I've read is by Mr Bronco Billy aka Jeff Browning, this guy  is motivational and good at what he does, thirteen 100 mile race 1st places takes some doing! but also his blog posts with race reports are educational, funny and make you want go run. He is also a nice and modest guy who is also trying give something back by trying help build trails in the Patagonia national park.

so feel free to head to http://www.gobroncobilly.com/ and  read about a positive and nice guy, doing what he loves and doing it well!

have a great week all
Gareth (TheTryAth)

New Goal - an International Event. updated

Hi
 So as the Snowdonia Trail marathon is a week away... I've been thinking about goals, not just running but social ones too, I really am trying to work on depression and anxiety to lessen them enough to increase social confidence and be able return to work for the social interaction and self worth, but also it would be nice to not struggle financially!

I would also like give myself a goal outside of this and I want to compete in an another country ideally a marathon/ultra, the Scandinavian countries appeal and I have seen the Fire & Ice Ultra Multi day but at £2000! that might have to wait a long time....unless anyone wants to sponsor/support me in the event! :)

It has been a long time since I travelled anywhere abroad so this would be a HUGE step but its one to set as a long term goal...

UPDATE
found a few possible events now, will take some planning but I want to take this step forward eventually

wishing all well and happy
Gareth (TheTryAth)

Stay Hydrated!

Hi folks
a quick post the hot weather gets lots of people running again for first time or making a comeback...its seriously hot out there folks in the uk (and lots of other places), so stay hydrated make sure your drink regularly through the day not just before you run and carry water, if just starting good chance you'll be walking part the way home in the heat so do it comfortably and safely.

yep its a pain carrying water but there are lots of different handhelds/waist packs and backpacks so be nice to yourself and look after yourself!

if you think carrying a bottle/belt pack is embarrassing, then imagine how embarrassing getting carted off from the side of the road by a friend or relative or even emergency services would be.....:)

me preaching over,
happy running all
Gareth (TheTryAth)

down day, GPS faults and a long run...

ok
 First off last few days have been horrible...just not been able get a grip on my depression it spiralled out of control, sometimes the slightest thing triggers a memory and that starts the ball rolling. I am trying get better at being aware but it does get me still before I can try use methods to help cope and prevent it getting out of hand.

anyway after spending pretty much the whole day shut away from everyone, tried interact a little with others but there were problems going on and just ended up feeling worse, sometimes when you need help people are just not able to give it as they have their own problems to cope with (I understand when I'm down I can be difficult to be around).

anyway was about to shut myself off again but dragged myself out the house using all the tricks (just see how it goes etc) for a run, pace was not fast just needed to do something ended up running 17 miles roughly, I know the routes so know distance approx. as of all days GPS watch chose today to have an error and freeze at 14 miles...really could have done without that! there was an update on the website when got back and checked as turns out they know about an error from last update.

So I still do not feel great but the run has helped give me a break and try break the depression cycle, running does NOT cure all problems but it helps give that breathing space sometimes to let you start being able to cope.

Wishing everyone well
Gareth (TheTryAth)

getting out what we put in

Hi
firstly this has been a good week for me, I've managed to run more a 4, 6 and 12 miler plus a couple of walk and runs with a relative who has started running, that's been great as I usually run alone. Plus I've managed get to the gym a couple of times including a circuit class I find this hard to do as social anxiety kicks in (I spend more time trying find reasons why I cannot/should not go then actually at the gym!).

So I've managed to do some more  things and its been an easier week mindfulness wise, I've managed to read for longer periods and concentrate on the moment more. This is why I HATE depression because it stops doing the things that can help us so often, when we desperately need positives it does and often confines us from anything that gives us them (I speak from experience).

I am grateful for this week and I hope for many more...and I hope I can remember these times in more clarity when the bad times strike and try pull me down. I thought for a long time there would never be good days but they do come now....and I try make the most of them when they are here, to get a little store of positives to cope when they are not here.


I wish all well, sometimes we cannot and that's ok but when we can lets take advantage and build up that store of good for when we need it.

Gareth (TheTryAth)

the Joy of starting out

Today  I had no intention of running, I've done a couple of runs this week, pushing pace up and some hard circuit and cross trainer sessions with a cross trainer session for today too. I finished a good session on the cross trainer got home had something to eat and an hour later got a call from a family member who has decided to start running...would I go with them on first run & walk.

So running gear on and went for an enjoyable 22 mins over 2 miles its great to see someone starting running and we all need a bit of help when were starting, I was grateful to be asked as I rarely run with anyone else (due to my mental health problems my social circle is very small) and also the enthusiasm from someone just starting is a good reminder about why I started running.


I'm glad I started running and I'm glad I got the chance to be part of someone else starting out too today.

Gareth (TheTryAth)