Trail Running

Trail running is one of the most demanding yet liberating, exhausting yet rewarding, and amazing sports that I have found. I started racing a few years ago, and trail running has become a passion. I may not be the fastest, but I certainly enjoy my trail running a huge amount, and this page aims to give you an insight into this sport. I certainly spend a lot of my time discovering my limits, perhaps too much, as shown in the collection of photos below...

 

 

 

This photo gallery contains photos from the following trail races...

 

Mont Blanc Marathon: 2009, 2010, 2011 (42km, 2500m+)
Mont Blanc Cross: 2011 (23km, 1500m+)
Trail des Aiguilles Rouges: 2009 (53km, 3500m+)
Zermatt Marathon: 2011 (42km, 2000m+)
Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc CCC: 2010 (98km, 5500m+)

Lancaster Half Marathon: 2009 (21km)

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc UTMB: 2011 (170km, 9700m+)

 

 

... as well as a whole host of days out trail running in the hills

 

 

 

 

Of all the mountain races that I have run, none come anywhere near to the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), in terms of distance, height gained, or the huge emotional journey involved. The short film above provides a small insight into what the UTMB is like in terms of the terrain, the landscapes, and the number of runners, but it cannot provide any idea of what the race is and means to each competitor. It isn't captured in the film here, but I know of no other event that I have seen so many crying with emotion before they even cross the start line.

Anyone who has not run in a race such as this can never fully understand what is involved, and so over time, I will try and expand this page so that you get a brief insight. This year the race took me 45 hours. I damaged my tendons, but it didn't quite stop me. Yes, 45 hours is a long time, but there wasn't one minute where I could switch my brain off, where I wasn't thinking or focusing on something. Memories and the decision making process seem like photo stills in my mind, and that's how I'm going to share them.

• The roar of 'Conquest of Paradise' by Vangelis, thundering through the speakers
• Sheets of rain illuminated in the spotlights, spectators under umbrellas
• Feeling lonely at the start, but not an emotion I felt for one second during the race
• Not hearing peoples voices, feeling detached from the event in my own world
• The surge of bodies across the line
• Panic as I struggle to get running due to the crush of runners battling for position
• Faces in the crowd lining the barriers
• Slipping on the metal sheeting covering the gutters
• Turning the first corner, annoyed at people stopping to wave at supporters
• Getting a break through and the road opening
• Hearing my name cheered as I passed the pub on the high street
• Settling into a fast good rhythm, checking my breathing and pace
• Too fast, but happy to open up after the wait, the brakes are off
• Switching my head torch on and sweeping out of town
• The streetlights reflecting the rain in the puddles on the road
• Suddenly onto rough ground, and into the darkness
• Adjusting pace to feel the ground beneath my feet
• this list is unfinished work - I'll build on it later on.  KJ

This list will grow as I have time to update it, and the brain regurgitates the memories...