Coked-up & stoned in Merthyr

Brecon to Cardiff Ultra

Arrived Christ college Brecon for a swift check-in, with the race briefing at 7.30am thought I better join the queue, only to discover there was one toilet for the men and one for the women. There were 250 runners and the caretaker had slept through his morning alarm! So I missed the briefing and headed straight for the start line at the theatre canal side. The start was delayed due to the toilet situation.

The first part of the race was along the canal towpath to Talybont - checkpoint No1 - where I made good time kept things relatively relaxed as I knew there was a long climb ahead. Once through Talybont, the climb started and then the mud, it was very muddy but with the scenery to take your mind off the hard work so was enjoying the run. The weather was damp but not too bad! Made it to 2nd checkpoint relatively comfortably. Next, more lovely scenery running between, above and along reservoirs, viaducts and steam trains. The next checkpoint was in Merthyr Tydfil. I managed to confuse myself thinking that the cut off was 5 hours and knew I would just make it with 30mins, the cut off was in fact 7 hours! I made it there in 4.5 hours. Mike (my hubby) met me at this point. A quick change of shoes and socks and was off again. I have to say I was pleased to have the company of 7 other runners at this point, I later learnt that some runners who arrived later were ‘stoned’ running through Merthyr. What followed was a real mix of social deprivation, do they not have bins! - lovely scenery, fast running rivers another viaduct. There was also several more checkpoints which were now merging into one but knew was comfortably ahead of schedule. At the last checkpoint they were serving hot chip butties - only in Wales! Sadly did not have the stomach for it and at that point my flat Coke I had drank nearly reappeared. The finish line was growing closer and battled to just make it in before darkness which I’m pleased to say I did. 9hrs 33mins and minus one toe nail! (ouch).

more checkpoints which were now merging into one but knew was comfortably ahead of schedule. At the last checkpoint they were serving hot chip butties - only in Wales! Sadly did not have the stomach for it and at that point my flat Coke I had drank nearly reappeared. The finish line was growing closer and battled to just make it in before darkness which I’m pleased to say I did. 9hrs 33mins and minus one toe nail! (ouch).