Long time, no update. I feels like an age since I last wrote on my blog. I’ve struggled to find time among work and life in general. I now find myself ‘reset’ in a way, after having arrived in Sunny South Africa for a 2-3 month stay visiting family. This year I have a bunch of personal adventures on the cards, and I thought I would jot them down, similar to how I did for last year.
Writing down goals and challenges is a great technique I use personally to hold myself accountable in a way, but also to give myself targets to head toward as the year goes on.
13 Peaks
The first I would like to try is the 13 peaks challenge. It’s around 100km in length, with roughly 6400 meters of vertical elevation.
I will quote Ryan Sandes direct from the 13 peaks site where he explains what the route is:
13 Peaks was born from the idea of me wanting to link up some of my favourite peaks on Table Mountain and in the Cape Peninsula area
Ryan Sandes / 13peaks.co.za
I haven’t yet found a date that works well, although I do know of someone taking the challenge on over 48 hours in the next 1-2 weeks, so if I can find some time free I might see if its possible to join and support. It might be a good way to get a feel for the terrain myself, as well as set expectations for timing.
It’ll also help a lot to know where potential support points are along the route, and get a feel for what sort of times I would expect when it comes to planning out my own attempt.
Back to the UK
In early July I am going to try the Rollin’ 100 ultra, which is a 100 mile ultra marathon which includes running the Shropshire Way, Mortimer Trail, Offa’s Dyke and other connecting trails.
It should be a fairly small event, being the first time it will be held, but I know the hosts Alan and Katie from Running Monk Events, and I’m sure it’ll be a wholesome and well-supported event.
Circling the Alps, Tour du Mont Blanc
Then at the end of July and running into August I will be taking on the Tour du Mont Blanc, which is around 103 miles. I’m fast packing it with some friends over 4 or 5 days. The route itself circles the Mont Blanc massif and is a popular one. Last year, two sets of friends in my running circles completed the full route. Catrina over at keeponrunning.net blogged about her adventure completing the Tour du Mont Blanc, as well as running friends Ben, Cassie, Wilf, and Amy.
We’ll be stay in a number of refuges along the route. I spent time around the area with family last year, and we absolutely loved it, so it’ll be great to do the entire route on foot and really take in all the scenery.
Back to Wales, and the Coast Path
Next up I had a decision point. I was entered into the lottery to hopefully get a place in UTMB CCC. However, I wasn’t lucky with the draw this year either, so I have a place now in the Sirona 100, which will be a 100 mile ultra along the Wales Coast Path, further up from where we live in Pembrokeshire, mostly along the Ceredigion coast path.
The plan was roughly to take a camper van back to the Courmayeur area with the family and spend some time that side, with me diverting for a day or two to do CCC. Maybe next year!
My calendar has a bunch of gaps between all the events, which feels good in a way. I’ll be able to look for other spur of the moment challenges or events to pick up on if time allows.