Runners On Trail

There's no champagne at Sandwood Bay, but Day 8 of the Cape Wrath Ultra, 25km from Kinlochbervie to the famous lighthouse at Cape Wrath, does feel, in many ways, like the last day of a cycling Grand Tour. Hear all about it, as well as what Race Director Shane and Assistant RD Graham said when asked to sum up the race in 3 words, as well as Antony's  thoughts on the best and worst bits of the Cape Wrath Ultra.

The 7th day of the Cape Wrath Ultra is the last long day of the race, taking the runners from Inchnadamph to Kinlochbervie. In this episode, unofficially entitled "COME ON, ANNA!!", we explore motivational techniques, Antony's potential gephyrophobia and illicit aid stations.

Guess what happened on Day 6 of the Cape Wrath Ultra 2022? If you didn't guess "rain" you clearly haven't been paying attention! On Day 6 the race went from Inverbroom to Inchnadamph. Antony said something that he shouldn't have and once again poor nutrition comes to bite.

The adventure continues as Antony runs the 27 miles from Kinlochewe to Inverbroom through the Fisherfield's. It was once again a day of very changeable weather. And we talk about the food and medical support that you get in the race. 

For the first 3 days of the Cape Wrath Ultra it had rained. Or so Antony thought. On day 4, as the runners went from Achnashellac to Kinlochewe, they found out what rain really is. And wind. And more rain. And more wind.

Day 3 of the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra, from Kinloch Hourn to Achnashellach, is purported by the organisers to be the toughest day of the race. It was to be another day of steep climbs, boggy terrain and poor weather.

Day 2 of the 2022 Cape Wrath Ultra, from Glenfinnan to Kinloch Hourn, revealed the true, boggy reality that would face the runners for the remainder of the race. And it rained again. Lessons learned today - shoe choice is important and so is eating.

In May 2022 Antony took part in the 250 mile, 8 day Cape Wrath Ultra. In this episode we talk about the race in general, getting there and day one. If you want to know more about the race check out the official website (https://www.capewrathultra.com/) and some brilliant content put out by other runners: Paul Manson - The Random Runner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAutQJzg4Cs David Barry - Film My Trail Run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqlYcppE1hQ Anthony Stevens - https://www.oldiesultras.com/post/to-the-lighthouse-cape-wrath-ultra-2022-22-29-may-2022 Kit: Salomon ADV 12 vest Waterproofs - OMM Halo jacket, Alpkit Balance jacket, Inov8 Ultrapant, Alpkit Parallax trousers Compass Headlamps - Petzl Atik Core (running), Petzl e+LITE (camp) Hill food - Jelly babies, High5 gels (caffeine and non caffeine), peanut butter sachets, beef jerky Synthetic layers - deMarchi Contour winter cycling top (running), military Norwegian top (camp+running), Arc'teryx Atom Lite hoody (camp), Ronhill pertex shell (running) Hats - InoV8 Ultra cap (running), buff (running), beanie (camp) Gloves - Ronhill convertible gloves with pertex mitt (running), Buffalo gloves (taken sometimes for insurance) Race number belt Survival bag 2 x Salomon 500ml soft flasks, one with XA filter Shoes - Brooks Cascadia 15 (running), Altra Lone Peak 6.0 (running), Salomon Excursion TR14 GTX (camp), Crocs (camp) £100 cash Sharpie iPhone 12 mini Garmin fenix 6X Pro Map Orlieb 79l PS490 drybag Running tshirts - various - 7 Runderwear briefs - 7 Skins 1/2 tights – 2 Ronhill running shorts (camp wear) Thermal long johns (camp wear) Ronhill tights Sleeves First aid kit - running (blister kit made up of K tape and fleecy web strips of various sizes, nail clippers, toilet paper and bag), camp (paracetamol, K tape, fleecy web, scissors, Imodium, suntan lotion, anti-fungal foot spray, foot cream, tick remover, Smidge) Sleeping clothes – long sleeved merino wool tshirt, cotton shorts, cotton socks Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F quilt Sleeping mats – Alpkit Cloudbase + thin, foil backed closed cell mat Pillows - Sea to Summit inflatable pillow + Ikea infant pillow Knife, fork, spoon Titanium plate and mug Sponge and towel for washing and drying dishes Midge head net Ourea Blister Kit Coffee bags SIS Rego recovery shake Lots and lots of drybags Eye mask Ear plugs Anker 20000mAH power bank FOSPower 10000mAH power bank Charging cables Thigh + calf compression (recovery post each run) Toothbrush + toothpaste, deodorant, sponge for washing, towel, soap Electric razor Small foam roller

Looking for race recommendations for 2022 and beyond? We've got you covered

In this episode we talk about Antony's running of the very excellent Ring O' Fire 3 day stage race around the Isle of Anglesey. Having run the Green Man Ultra only 6 days before, pacing would be key…

In this episode we look at the things we wish we'd known before we ran our first ultras. Spoiler alert – ultras are not like chocolate.

If you run hard and / or long then ultimately it's going to hurt. In this episode, while Antony makes Thane hurt, we talk about how to cope when the pain strikes.

It's coming up on Spring and what better way to put a spring in your step than to get a new pair of shoes. Or several new pairs. But we know how baffling it can be trying to work out which pair is best for you, so in this episode we break down the different elements of a running shoe and talk about what does, and doesn't, work for us.  And we're (sort of) sorry for the awful punning...

IT’S CHRISTMAS!!! Not sure what you or the runner in your life might want Santa to bring? Never fear, because we’ve got 10 ideas that cover most budgets. But only if you’ve been good.  

In this episode we explore the pros and cons of running a looped course as Antony takes on the Dartmoor Trail Running Challenge Ultra. It’s a bit loopy.

With help from Green Man Ultra Winter 2020 women's winner Ellie Bates and the man, the beard, the legend that is Gary Robbins, we look at how a midpacker can become a better runner.

In Jan 2020 we travelled to Cornwall for the Arc of Attrition. Thane was running, Antony was crewing and so we thought this was an opportunity to talk about an ultra from the perspective of the crew. This is NOT an episode on how to crew an ultra. Unless you want to learn how to forget your runner’s kit. Or how to exchange their supplies for other people’s biscuits.

In this episode we talk about Antony’s running of the Autumn 100 and use it to examine what we think are some important things to consider when running a 100 mile race. Despite Antony’s best efforts, there is no poo in this episode.

In June 2019 we headed down to Devon & Cornwall to run in 2 of the Tsunami races – Antony in the marathon and Thane in the inaugural, and very daunting, 75 mile / 24 hour race. Sound race management would be the key to achieving a good result over a very hot and tough course. But it’s us, so you can probably predict what happened…

In this second of a 2 part special, following James Scott's Bob Graham Round, we join James as he approaches the climb to Scafell. Will he finish this immense 66 mile, 42 peak challenge in under 24 hours? Let's hope so - no one likes an unhappy ending! 

In May 2019, Thane & Antony headed to the Lake District to support James Scott’s Bob Graham Round. Hear how James got on undertaking this iconic fell running challenge in the first part of a two part special.

The Fellsman is a fantastic race. But if you enter it you might just want to take an umbrella with you. Hear how Antony got on when he took part in this historic event in April 2019, including why he really should have taken more Vaseline with him…

In March 2019 we went to the Lake District to recce the Bob Graham Round route. It didn’t go to plan. But there are nearly always positive things you can take from a not-so-good situation. Just don't forget your waterproofs.

The suffering continues in this second episode of a 2 part special on the 2019 Montane Spine Race (you might want to listen to Part 1 – Ep 14 – first, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. You’ll just be wrong if you don’t). Listen to find out how Thane and his fellow mid-packers got on over the second half of this brutal 268 mile slog up the Pennine Way in the middle of the UK winter and how Thane’s socks would, ultimately, provide an insight into his mental state…

In January 2019, with waterproof socks in hand (well, on his feet actually), Thane set out to conquer the brutal Montane Spine Race, a non stop 268 mile race up the iconic Pennine Way National Trail in the UK. This is the first episode of a 2 part special with interview content from other racers he travelled with on his journey through the cold, dark, wet and windy wilds of the British winter.

You’ve smashed in the miles - you’re race ready, right? Wrong. When it comes to getting ready for many trail races it’s about much more. With Thane about to run the notorious Spine Race we talk about the other things we think you need to factor into your preparation to make sure you get the most from your races.

In this episode, with help from runners from the Green Man Ultra, we explore why has there been an explosion in the number of people participating in ultra marathons in the last few years. Apologies for the poor sound quality in some of the clips – we’re looking to sort that for future episodes!

What could make a 50 mile race with 3,500m of climb more fun?  Going back the next day to run a 50 km race with 2,500m of climb, of course!  Find out how Antony got on in the formidable Squamish 50/50 and hear some great tips on how to be a better runner from the man, the beard, the legend that it is Gary Robbins.

A year ago we published our first podcast. It was all about what could go wrong on a trail run.  You would have thought we would have learned from that…

In June Thane attempted the 268 miles of the Pennine Way as he took on The Montane Spine Fusion – the summer version of the classic Spine race. He bought new trail shoes the week before. What could possibly go wrong?!

The Thames Path 100 mile race is pretty flat, but that definitely does not make it easy.  Hear how Thane and Antony fared on a blisteringly hot weekend in May 2018.

What motivates us to train and race? Is it for fitness, for the personal challenge or for something else? Thane gets all geeky about it and Antony exposes the truth about Thane’s alleged mid-pack status. Plus there’s trail talk from Thane’s running of the Green Man Ultra.

This episode we're talking kit: what we wouldn't want to be without & what we think is brilliant. And you'll get to hear an unrealistic Thane ask for a gin & tonic at an aid station during a cold and windy Weston-Super-Mare Two Bays Tough Ten.

The Transvulcania Ultra is amazing! Amazing views, amazing people, amazing trails. Hear our thoughts on training for it, travel to and from it, and running it. And did we mention that it’s amazing?

Hear our thoughts on getting ready for races, from training plans and what to do if you get ill or injured, through to making sure you have the right footwear & kit, nutrition, post run recovery, and a little more besides.  And we chat to some people as we run up and down a big hill in Somerset.

There are some amazing races around the world. Find out the top 10 we'd like to do before we pop our clogs.

In September 2017 Thane ran the 102 miles of the Cotswold Way Century. Hear about his experience of the race and from some of the people that he ran with. This episode is sick!

It’s about what happens when it doesn't go so well on the trail, from blisters through to upset stomachs, and how to keep motivated. It's truly full of poo.

A short ep to tell you about our podcast. Basically, it's about trail running & it's by mid-pack runners, for mid-pack runners. We might mention that once or twice.