The Big Wales Thing

It is time to come clean. I have been planning and pondering a long hilly run for months. Longer than 13.1 miles. Longer than 26.2 miles. In fact 212 miles! But although I was thinking about it a lot, I wasn't sure if I could actually do it, so was hesitating about turning the plans into reality. Well I still don't know if I can do it, but my running over the last few weeks has convinced me to get off the fence and just go for it!

In my mind it has become The Big Wales Thing, and, as you might guess from the logo, it is a run of the length of Wales.

I plan to run from the South Coast (Breaksea Point, near Cardiff) to Great Orme, running off-road wherever I can and taking in all the major mountain ranges (Pen y Fan (Brecons), Pumlumon, Cadair Idris, Y Llethr (Rhinogau), Snowdon Horseshoe, Glyderau, Carneddau). That's some 40,000 feet of ascent (and of descent).

I'll also visit a few favourite places from my history and hopefully squeeze in a visit to the distillery at Penderyn to speed me on my way!

I shall be travelling (more or less) unsupported (though I may spend the odd night in a B&B). That means carrying everything I need: food, shelter, sleeping bag, clothes, stove, etc.

The route takes me through a few towns (Hirwaun, Brecon, Builth Wells, Machynlleth, Dolgellau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy) so I can stock up on food and supplies and calories and have a meal cooked by someone else every few days.

I plan to do it in 10-14 days. It is hard to be certain, as I may be delayed by bad weather, might find it harder that expected and might need the odd rest day here and there. The route is a total of some 212 miles, which means an average of 18 miles over 12 days. Approach will be to run 12-14 miles each morning, and then rest for a few hours before running another 6-8 miles in the afternoon/evening.

I have never done anything this hard, and actually don't know if I am up to it. I have run in Mountain Marathons, and am happy with my navigation and outdoor skills. I know I can manage 20 miles in a day, but only time will tell whether I can do it day after day after day. I have another three months or so of training to get myself into the right shape (and mindset!).

There'll be much more on this blog as I prepare for the run, choose kit and food, and plan the route.

Suggestions on anything to do with the run would be welcomed. Feel free to add your comments below, or email me.