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ADVENTURE

Tales from the Trails – Edition 3.

  • 8th January 20239th January 2023
  • by ClaudiS



Tales from the Trails – Edition 3.

“I grew up spending about 3 months a year in the Eastern Pyrenees. My family moved away in 2016, but now we are back, 7 years later and it is delightfully unchanged! There is a lot of joy in exploring an old familiar place through the eyes of a ‘new’ hobby or new person to the area.

During 2 weeks of remote working, I ran all around the house, exploring the incredible (and totally unrunnable) trails on offer.

I am a complete wuss on my own in the mountains, facings fears of

  1. Stray dogs
  2. Wild boar or
  3. Hunters hunting said wild boar.

This led to a few turnarounds and bailing on some more ambitious solo plans. However in the end, although I met many dogs, most of them just wanted to say hi and a head stroke! One even decided to accompany for a 3km stretch of downhill road…

With James turning up, I was incredibly excited to show him these mountains and this region that hold such a large place in my heart. Adventures with your other half are always a fun balancing act…

‘Stop running so fast and look at the views!’

Fuelled by baguettes of jambon et fromage, we got to take in the rugged coastline of the Languedoc-Roussillon as well as the steep and never ending climbs up some bigger mountains.

Check out these routes on their Strava

TO SPAIN AND BACK

MONTFERRER

After 3 weeks in the south, bags are packed, next stop the Alps. We leave full of anticipation and plans for future Pyreneean adventures: definitely some bikes needed (road? Gravel? Both?), ropes for some fun scrambling, and friends, we’ll definitely need to bring some friends out here with us!”


~ Alex with James, December 2022 / January 2023, Eastern Pyrenees. Give them a follow, both are always adventuring – climbing, touring, running, cycling and skiing.

Follow Alex
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ADVENTURE

What if… A return to racing and a deep…

  • 27th June 202227th June 2022
  • by ClaudiS



What if… A return to racing and a deep dive into being patient with yourself and life.



~ Words on life by Claudi.

NOW (2022) AND THEN (2019).

Two Maverick Race Peaks Ultra races. Two wins. Two course records.

The only thing that is actually the same: I’m still wearing those sunnies, still smashing my way through all food groups and I wanted a beer at the finish 😅

Then (at the finish)
Now (CP 3, 25k in)


The Long Read – (author’s note: it touches on grief)

2019: THE CLIMB. 

71km / 2500m. A lot hillier, remote and technical. A training run on tired legs. Just back from the mountains and back to back racing. Gearing up for UMTB® TDS (145km / 9100m around Mont Blanc, Alps) in a few weeks.

Life:
Well… as always going hard and fast, on top of the back and forth to Germany; with bad and worse news (three years on the bounce, a long depleting lead up). Trying to take it all in my stride and keep some normality. I already knew that I was preparing for something much tougher and bigger. I tried to retain some naivety around it, it’s just so unimaginable. You don’t really want to go there. Imagine not just the life without, but the moment you live through their last breath. Nothing will prepare you for it, that much I can tell you now. I DNF’ed (did not finish) TDS. My body sent me signals loud and clear (not injured thankfully). My whole being was elsewhere but not in it. I rushed home. We had some more time to spend together. It all feels very hazy, now looking back. I was tired. Exhausted by life.

Thoughts on running long distances (then)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz7fki2Hn7G/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
The finish line (then).
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3lC68n-Ns/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y==

2020 – 2022: THE PAUSE.


Worlds colliding.

The end. The shock. The grief. Straight into the pandemic. The earth underneath me breaking away. That free fall felt endless. Best was not to try hold on to something but to let it all unfold. Fighting it versus accepting it – it truly was the hardest to do. It took me a while to understand this and then to actually practise and do it (or do nothing for a matter of fact). You’re floating in a space of deep uncertainty and questioning, it knocks your confidence for six. Running long distances gave me glimpse of it: the surprise challenges, the feelings attached to it, the powerlessness to go on, standing in your own way, finding a way around it and so on. Yet it wasn’t enough to prepare me for it, let alone see me through. 

I eventually landed somewhere rock bottom. Hey. But on my feet. Papa always said; you have the talents and the right work-attitude. Do something with it. Make them work together. So I started to put one foot in front of the other (you know it!). Moving forwards, keeping our run community going virtually, then back IRL offline, outside, together. Holding space. Getting so much back in return. After all, WE ARE DAYBREAK is all about life… with some running alongside. Rooted and brought to life by the people in it.

The world and races opened up (briefly then some more). I wasn’t ready. I let go of years of continuous strings of GFAs, BQs, all the points (now stones) and my ITRA score. I promised myself to only race on curiosity and with the aim to have fun (for most of it). Not on anger, worry, sadness, grief or trying to fill a void. There is of course curiosity linked to those emotions, but it’s coming in too hot and from an angle that can overshadow the good work that can be done. I also refrained from burying (distracting) myself in work and commitments. I learned to say no better in that time, yet gone beyond a few thresholds here and there, of course. Taming some of that work-hard ethos is hard sometimes 😬 Pulling back. Letting go.

I had to stretch between London and home. I had to learn so many new skills fast. We all had to step up. Trying to fill my father’s shoes. Life went on at full throttle, even if it was nothing like the life as we knew it. You all have lived through the pandemic, too. And have your own version of it. I took strength in many things. I kept learning, turning page after page. I wrote. I kept my heart open, even when it was still shattered in so many pieces. I’ve reached out to old and looked for some new mentors. Mind, heart, soul, business. Found inspiration in my friends discovering their depth and strength on their respective running journeys far and wide. Gold dust. I spent a lot of time outside. I loved the miles and I also loved rest days. Going slowly. Steady. Never too fast. Sat down when I wanted to. Contemplated a lot. Of course I cried some: it’s really near impossible to cry, breathe and run at the same time. Mind. A lot of time I spent alone in solitude and sorrow. Kept my independence. I had to figure this out in my own head. And I needed to learn to appreciate time in a different way.

I stayed present. Connected back to myself. To my core values. I did open up and had many conversations. I didn’t seek professional help (I was close enough though). Instead explored the options with those close to me. After all everyone is proficient in life, right?! And everyone could potentially have different insights to share. I’ve listened. I’ve leaned. They stood and held. Every rock has a rock in their life ❤️ No one wants to be a burden. Include family dynamics into the mix, all of us grieving differently on different timelines. I got to know myself, my family and my support network on such a deep and different level.

Thoughts on optimism and support during tough times (the pandemic edit)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-W0fbSn_id/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Since TDS (34 months ago) I covered close to 10.000km on foot 😅 Most of it set to private or only written down on paper. I didn’t want to be seen, liked or commented on. Shout out to my followers: you all keep a positive and encouraging tone over the years; I know this is rare and I’m grateful we meet exactly there 🙏 I didn’t want to curate or share. Let alone explain, to provide the necessary context. Digitally placed and consumed means we’re taking away many essential nuances of communication. Everyone is fast to make assumptions based on their own experience… I also ran a good chunk without even recording anything. They say ‘miles make you’ –  I say: make sure you truly move yourself with them. Nothing else really matters.

So those miles had to go somewhere eventually.

2022: THE RETURN.

54k / 1400m. Peaks Ultra take two, on a new course. So much more runnable. Yikes. I had to change my fuel strategy. Cheese wasn’t cutting it (IMAGINE). There weren’t enough (slow) climbs to do the hike up and eat. Still processing it all of course. We signed up less than a week before. A moment of courage… or insanity, that’s your call 😂 Training was far from specific. I knew the strength and miles were there. I can head out and play – and discover. Going in with no expectations whatsoever. Of course you don’t just turn up to ultras aimlessly. I’ve gone between ‘you probably DNF that one or you actually might win it’. I think that spectrum of extremes genuinely keeps me humble. Definitely dream big (without being too cocky), still also be ok with knowing when to say no and walk away with that decision. I can be ok and happy with either. ‘Failure builds success.’ And success is also only just another stepping stone.

The finish (now).
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfPH04Fte2L/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I wasn’t thinking too much about the race, didn’t rehearse stuff (forgotten all basically). Learned anew how to pack my mandatory kit. Remembered it’s a lot to carry 😅
Found calm and confidence in these during my time out there running:

  • Really it’s just one foot in front of the other. Nothing has changed.
  • Stay present, take everything in your stride. Bring the curiosity and vulnerability.
  • Pace it somewhat sensibly (by all means, I don’t even know myself what that means anymore. Where’s my ‘race effort’ at?! No clue. Chatting to other runners en course is a good start, non?!)
  • Eat. You’re good at that. Keep pushing the calories.
  • Run the race in-front of you. Run your own race. Always. If you get overtaken (by another woman), that’s still just the race in-front of you.
  • Keep it simple. Stop the faff. Move through the aid stations swiftly. (Nothing has changed).
  • Have some fun.
  • What if…
  • Soak it all up. Wow. The cheers, smiles, encouragement at aid stations and marshal points (‘You’re first lady!’ 😳😭), hugs and high fives, jokes. The shared miles. The solitude. Being happy being in your own head. I admit, I’m so happy I came back to this.
  • The kicking and punching of your body to urge you to stop (20k in). The fire and passion in your heart to go on. Until that gets you into more trouble (25k in). The mind towering above all. The trick is to make all three sing in unison. Eventually they did (35k in). It’s the best feeling when you stop self-sabotaging and start excelling. Those feels may not be reflected in pace. Knowing you’ve experienced the shift, is what’s integral.
  • Follow your mantras: I’ve written on my arm: The next 5 minutes (‘Excellence is the next five minutes or nothing at all.’ ~ Tom Peters). And on my hand: KDS ❤️
  • If you want to do well, get into the front row. Then hold on. For dear life. (Nothing has changed here either).
  • During the toughest miles I found this in my heart: what weighs you down, makes you stronger. What makes you fly, makes you faster. It’s a win win, really. (Stunned by my own thoughts sometimes ha).
  • Grit & grace. Make sure you celebrate when you come home. (And let those emotions roll freely 😬)

That’s it.

On to living a new day in this life… (hobbling about on sore legs is still moving forwards, right?! 😆)


Take good care of that life of yours. Sincerely, Claudi x

*Race pictures by Maverick Race (then and now) Jake Baggaley / myself and the family.

WE ARE TRAIL

Concrete x Jungle

  • 24th August 20207th September 2020
  • by ClaudiS

CONCRETE x JUNGLE

How lockdown helped me to discover the hidden green spaces in London and ignited my love for trail running.

by May Edmondson

On 23rd March 2020 – the ‘one outdoor activity per day’ rule was introduced as part of the UK-wide lockdown in the fight against coronavirus. You were permitted to run or walk within the local area, alone or only with members of your own household – spending your one ‘token’ of exercise per day meant we had to make every run count. Trudging the tarmac worked for a while, but after a few days of pounding the same few pavements I became restless for something more adventurous – yet the public transport ban made the North Downs Way just a tad too far to be accessible, let alone the idea of beginning to tick a few peaks off the Bob Graham round, so I instead turned all my attention to searching for the best trails on my doorstep. Here is a roundup of my 5 favourite trails in London and the lessons I have learned in the process as I took my first few tentative steps in the world of trail-running.

1. Parkland Walk

Situated on the old railway line between Alexandra Palace and Highgate woods (Parkland Walk North – 750m) and Highgate Woods and Finsbury Park (Parkland Walk South – 3km), this 5km total stretch of protected green-space provides a very different kind of rush-hour commute. Look out for the bat sanctuary in the old Holmsdale road tunnels, the scary Spriggan sculpture which is said to have inspired Stephen King’s horror novel, ‘Crouch End’ and the old platforms which used to belong to a station of the same name.

Difficulty level: 1/5 – a great beginner trail
Optional add-ons: Combine with the New River Path, extending to Hackney and Islington in the South or as far as Hertfordshire in the North
Lessons learned: Avoid between 9-10am (dog-walkers’ rush hour)
Find out more about the Parkland Walk here

2. Beverley Brook Trail

Did you know that just beyond the bars and boating houses of Putney riverside there is a gentle stream stretching 10 km south of the Thames? Nope, neither did I until Lockdown! This picturesque trail takes you from New Malden, through Wimbledon common, across Richmond Park and Barnes Common, closely hugging the Beverley Brook, all the way to meet the Thames. The trail is mostly within green spaces, with a few crossings in between (including level crossings at Barnes, which is an added bonus if you are a train geek like me!) and is mostly flat, making it suitable for beginners. The route is way-marked with a red circle with a deer inside, which are mostly easy enough to follow and is particularly beautiful now the autumn leaves are beginning to shed. Since the trail encompasses so many green spaces, there is plenty of room for optional extra exploration, such as the Tamsin trail in Richmond park or the Thames path itself, where the brook empties out into the river at Putney.

Difficulty level: 2/5 – easy trails, mostly flat, some turnings difficult to spot when overgrown
Optional add-ons: The Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park, the Thames Path at Putney
Lessons learned: Take a moment to stop and enjoy the views – my favourite reading tree was found here.
Find out more about the Beverly Brook Trail here

3. Capital Ring

Ever spotted signposts with those little green circles with the big ben symbol in the middle? If you have, chances are the mega 75 mile (120km) Capital Ring orbital route passes through your local area. The route is divided into 15 sections, meaning it is possible to complete 1 or 2 sections in a day (although there is a popular ultrarunning challenge which involves completing the entire loop in one go!). Since it is owned by TFL, the route is well-maintained and sign-posted, meaning it’s hard to get lost. My favourite sections of the Capital Ring are section 12 (Highgate to Stoke Newington), which features the beautiful Abney Park Cemetery, and section 4 (Crystal Palace to Streatham). You can even download a certificate once you have completed all 15 sections (and it looks pretty on your Strava Heatmap!)

Difficulty level: 2/5 – mostly flat trails with some hillier sections
Optional add-ons: Richmond Park after section 6, or the South East London Green Chain Walk after section 3. Alternatively, follow the Lea Valley Walk north from Springfield Park, instead of south towards Hackney Wick as part of section 13.
Lessons learned: The same trails look completely different depending on the season, which is all the more motivation to come back!
Find all GPX files of the Capital Ring here

4. London Loop

The big brother of the Capital Ring, this second orbital route is larger (at 150 miles, 242km) and surrounds the outskirts of London, encompassing some of the most beautiful green spaces and historical sites of interest in the capital. Divided into 24 slightly longer sections, you could easily complete a section in a couple of hours, or  spend a whole day on the trails. My favourite section so far is the stretch between Elstree and Cockfosters, which took me through the stunning ancient Scratchwood in Barnet and Monken Hadley Common in Hadley Wood. Be prepared for some slightly more technical trails and hidden wayfinder symbols – I have been caught out a couple of times  after climbing over the wrong stile, traversing a farmer’s field in the middle of nowhere when the heavens have opened and I have had to abort mission. However, the rain, the cowpat mishaps and the getting lost are all part of the trail running adventure!

Difficulty level: 3/5 – Some more technical trails and wayfinders not always easy to spot.
Optional add ons: The Pymmes Brook Trail at Monken Hadley Common, which travels through Arnos Grove and Southgate, before finally merging with the River Lea Navigation at Tottenham
Lessons learned: Plan for things not to go to plan. You never know when you will get caught out on a run. Even the most seasoned trail runners get lost sometimes, or become injured off the beaten track. In the event that you do need the emergency services, giving your current location as ‘a big green field off the M25’ isn’t particularly helpful, so I cannot stress enough the importance of downloading the ‘what3words’ app, which has divided the world into 3m x 3m squares, all given a unique 3 word address, to help the emergency services find you faster when you dial 999.
Find all GPX files of the London Loop here

5. Dollis Valley Greenwalk

If you want fields, hills, cows, dipping your toes in a stream, jumping over stiles, wading through long grass, this trail has it all. The Dollis Brook (a tributary of the River Brent), stretches 10 miles from Moat Mount Open space in the north all the way down through Totteridge and Woodside park towards Finchley and Hampstead Heath. It is virtually untouched by civilisation in sections, and you have to pinch yourself to remember you are in London. Sights include Barnet Gate Woods, Totteridge Fields Nature Reserve, and the towering Dollis Brook viaduct near Mill Hill. Because of its location in the North London greenbelt, there are dozens of smaller trails spanning off from the brook, including local Totteridge Village Heritage walks and the newly landscaped Folly Brook trail, meaning you could easily continue your exploration on the trails for an entire day, all within easy reach of the high streets of Whetstone and Mill Hill (and 2km from my house!). The well-trodden paths can become boggy after it has rained, so trail shoes are recommended, but the route is well demarcated and not too steep, making it suitable for beginners and veteran trail-runners alike. 

Difficulty level: 2.5/5 – Some more technical and slippery trails, particularly in Winter
Optional add-ons: Folly Brook Trail (at Woodside park), London Loop (at Moat Mount), Capital Ring (at Falloden way) Brent River Path (at Henley’s corner), Mutton Brook (also at Henley’s corner), Totteridge Village Heritage Walks (at various points along the Dollis ascending to Totteridge Common).
Lessons learned: I have absolutely fallen in love with trail running! There is always something new to discover, even on your doorstep.
Find more info on the Dollis Valley Greenwalk here

May is a ball of energy and has been running with us for some time now. She’s only taken her first steps off-road at the beginning of the year and has carried that initial spark all the way to this. When she’s not running she’s a healthcare assistant (HCA) at Great Ormond Street Hospital working for the wonderful NHS here in London.
Follow her on Instagram and Strava.

Join our community. No matter where you start – new to running or trail running, looking for likeminded people to run with or ask questions. Or are you a mountain goat legend and long distance runner?
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