by Mollie Millington | May 21, 2019 | travel
Wow! Part of my recent feeling low was not having any trips to look forward to. I love to travel (maybe due to the escapism of real life?) but in the last few weeks a plethora trips have firmed up making 2019 look pretty darn adventurous.
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| Hoping this is actually a photo of Cornwall |
Our first trip is to Cornwall on southwestern coast of the England. We are going to a wedding for the Bank Holiday weekend. I have never been to that part of the UK and I miss being near the ocean. Plus I am looking forward to exploring a new bit of Britain. It seems like in the last eight years, I have been limited in the places I have visited in England because Europe and Africa are also close. This year, I hope to visit a few new corners, far and wide. Back to Cornwall though! All of my fingers and toes are crossed for sunshine while we are beach side. Aside from the wedding, we have booked on to a sea life cruise to see grey seals and puffins in the wild, a SUP session (will the water be chilly?) and James is packing his bike. I decided I can ride my bike in London anytime but I can’t sit by the sea.
A few weekends later, I find myself back in Cornwall. Freewave Surf Academy has kindly invited me down for a weekend of surfing and yoga (#gifted). It will be my first attempt at surfing and I am not feeling confident as I can’t do a burpee or squat thrust. I should probably start some sort of burpee challenge between now and then to ensure I succeed. Anyone care to join me?
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| Marshes in the tidal zone at Love Trails 2018 |
In July, I am headed back to the Gower Peninsula for Love Trails Festival (and James is coming along too!). Last year, I had the best time (the weather definitely helped) and I can’t wait to do it all over again. Once again, I am volunteering to lead a few runs. The organizers have also marked trails to the Blue Lagoon so people can go on their own and also arranged a free shuttle bus around the peninsula to help people explore.
Somewhere between now and November, I will be joining No Boundaries (NB) for a three-day hiking tour in Italy. A few friends and I have bought our trip credits and are waiting to hear on the possible dates. Back in February, I went on a three-day ski trip with NB (which I still need to write up) and had a blast. It was lovely being away with people with common interests (skiing, being in nature, and of course, wine). Hiking will be a bit of change (aside from Kilimanjaro) in terms of an active holiday. I have no idea how rigours it will be but I think being outdoors with my friends will make it unforgettable.
My day job is sending me a week-long training course in Maine, USA in August. To take advantage of being stateside, James and I are spending a few days in Boston and Philly before I head to Maine. I went to university in Boston and can’t wait to take my nephews to the New England Aquarium (where I worked part-time during uni) and dine with old friends (as in I have known them for a long time, not that they are old LOL).
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| View of Edinburgh beach |
My mom arrives for her annual visit in September, along with her friend, Donna. They have visited us twice now. Each time we explore somewhere new. Their first trip we went to Bath and the next one we did an Irish roadtrip. This year, we are spending a few days in Edinburgh for a change of scene. I see castle tours and whiskey tasting in our future! If it isn’t too far, I would also like to visit Loch Ness and St. Andrews, but I need to consult with the geographer before booking anything.
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| Hiking on mountain tops |
My big adventure for 2019 is the Orbis Challenge in October. 2018 spoiled me bit between Kilimanjaro and Jordan. My lack of mojo at the start of this year was partly due to lacking a sense of adventure. Just like Kilimanjaro, I saw a tweet that sparked my interest and I was quickly connected to the team. Slowly, I am being introduced to the team and helping sort out brand sponsorship. This is an amazing opportunity to train/travel with Dame Kelly Holmes and interact with local people in Malawi, while learning about their plight with malnutrition. There are three spaces left if you want to join me. We are also gathering sports kit for the local school and monetary donations for feeding the local children. (I totally get that I fund raise a lot. What can I say? I like helping people!)
Finally, we are dreaming of powder ski days in Colorado for Christmas. A few ducks need to be put into a row so stay tuned for this one. Let it snow!
by Mollie Millington | Mar 25, 2019 | product review, recovery, travel
As you saw from my post earlier this month, I have had a reoccurring injury with my Achilles (yup, both of them) and have tried various therapies to get better. I have seen osteopaths, physiotherapists, sports rehabilitation specialists, and doctors and all of them have had different ideas on how to get better. With these appointments, I would usually see the specialist and then come back a few weeks later to check in. It was up to me to do my homework (strengthening exercises to sort out imbalances) or rest until my next appointment. I might not see the same person at each appointment, which would make it hard to have a continuity of care.
When I heard about Restore and Reform’s (R&R) concept, their program immediately appealed to me. R&R is a medically accredited retreat offered in the UK, Portugal, and France. Founded by Michelle Lewis and Lucy Nifontova, R&R offers three or six day programs while include reformer Pilates classes, soft tissue therapy, mat Pilates classes and physiotherapy assessments. The holidays can offer treatment themes based on your needs- such as back pain, recovery, post natal, and more.
In January, I was invited to their first retreat at Fair Oak Farm, just outside London. My primary interest was sorting out my Achilles. My injury wasn’t as severe one as some of the others who were recovering from back injuries or hip replacements. Former clients were at the retreat too and gave testimonials about how their week long experience in Portugal enabled them to touch their toes or sleep without pain. I had high hopes that the weekend retreat might provide some relief for me too.
With only three days at Fair Oak Farm, I was able to fit in a 60 minute soft tissue therapy, a 60 minute assessment with Michelle, and six mat classes. R&R offer their uniquely designed Stretch and Restore mat classes, which are used to educate clients on how they can continue to care for their bodies at home. Both classes were relaxing and small. With a maximum of nine people per class, each recipient received individual attention throughout the class. We learned about foam rolling, pressure points and stretching to release tension and stiffness.
During our weekend, Lucy’s mom prepared wonderful breakfast and lunches which clients would attend around their morning classes and sessions. Dinners were catered by and included free-flowing wine and amazing cheese. It was wonderful to enjoy a delicious meal with everyone around a large farm table. The conversation never dulled and I think if the retreat has been longer, we would have had even more time to connect. The week long programs have much more free time to spend with the others or relax on your own.
Fair Oak Farm offered a variety of accommodation, with many different outbuildings. I stayed in the Cow Shed, which has a large double bed and bath. It was also close to the farm house (which is where the kitchen and dining room are) and the Barn where the classes are held. The farm was so beautiful and quiet, and even has peacocks walking around. Michelle had her physiotherapy assessments in the Beauty Bar, Abi gave her soft tissue therapy treatments in the Cinema Barn, and Lucy lead Reformer Pilates classes in the Hay Barn with the doors wide open to allow in the fresh air and sunshine.
The three day weekend program is a little intense. In order to fit everything in, you have a mat-based class just before or after breakfast, then some free time before having a Reformer class. There is a window to eat lunch before having another mat class in the afternoon. Dinner was served around 7pm. Also included in there are soft tissue therapy appointments and physiotherapy assessment. I enjoyed the down time to nap, take a hot bath, read my book, work on my blog, and explore the farm.
Meeting with Michelle on Sunday for my physiotherapy assessment, she took me through a few different physical tests to look for imbalances, weaknesses, and possible causes for my Achilles inflammation. Before the retreat, she obtained my medical records from Function360 to see what they had observed in the past and what my current treatment regime was. Michelle also had feedback from Abi who gave me soft tissue therapy on Saturday. The R&R team share their notes on each client every evening during the retreat to make sure the team is aware of any symptoms that need extra attention and/or any improvements.
Although the retreat didn’t solve my Achilles issues, I did leave feeling stronger and stretched out. Having time to relax and switch off was exactly what I needed. Michelle sent notes back to Function360 about what R&R observed during my classes and treatments, as well as recommendations on further treatments I may need to treat my Achilles. In my particular case, both R&R and Function360 agreed on my condition and future treatment plans. For previous clients, the intense treatment for a week’s time allows R&R to tailor daily treatment plans to see significant improvements. This gives attendees hope and motivation to keep working hard after the retreat.
While I am very lucky not to have an injury that impacts my life on a daily basis, many of the clients R&R treat do. On the weekend of my retreat, several surgeons and nurses who have referred their own patients to the retreat spoke about the improvements made by their patients in the retreat’s short time frame compared to care given by the NHS and private insurance. The R&R team truly care about their clients and enjoy the challenge of getting their clients well enough to not need major corrective surgery.
If you have an injury that limits your movement or ability to live pain free, I highly recommend looking into R&R as an investment in your health and well-being. It is a way to receive a second opinion on your condition, a personalized rehabilitation program, and a time away from life to focus on your own health. If you want to give the weekend retreat a try, their 12-15th April retreat at Fair Oak Farm in East Sussex is now on offer from £550.
by thinkmarsh | Mar 1, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel, WMM
Completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) has been my goal since 2016. I have been lucky enough to win ballot entries with Berlin and Chicago. For London, I obtained a charity place from Plantlife. With the WMM increasing in popularity, it is becoming harder and harder to win a place in a ballot and the fundraising targets are reflecting the demand. I decided to book a tour with 209 Events to run NYC in 2018 (which is why you are reading this). My last two races will be in Tokyo and Boston. My goal is to run Boston in 2021 but I have a lot of work to do before then!
Let’s focus on NYC Marathon though as the ballot results were released on Wednesday this week. Congrats to everyone who got it! You will soon read how much I enjoyed this race (even though I had to use the bathroom five times. So much for a Personal Best). It was a very short trip to the USA, less than a week, due to limited annual leave. My mom even convinced me to flight home to Rochester, NY for two days to see my family at the start of my run-cation. I then had to fly back to NYC to visit the race expo and catch up with friends before running 26.2 miles. Easy, right?
Here is the nitty gritty about the 2018 race. If you have any additional questions though, please a comment below and I will do my best to answer you. I will also be working on a short YouTube video of my trip too.
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| Finish line of shake out 5K which is also part of the official marathon course |
Entries and fees: For US residents the entry fee is $295 in 2019. For international runners, the cost goes up to $358. My tour with 209 event was about £1200, which included flights and entry but not accommodation. I stayed with a friend in Queens to save on expenses, which helped keep the trip affordable. The only downside was being very far away from the start line.
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| Runners waiting to get on the ferry to Staten Island |
Course and bogs: Course starts in Staten Island and runs through all 5 NYC boroughs (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan). The course is more hilly than other WMM races because there are many bridges. In fact, the start of the race, you climb the steepest bridge/hill.
At the start line, there were several areas for runners that split you by your wave. Each area had a bunch of toilets, a small shaded seating area, and bag drop. Even though there were lots of toilets, there were lots of runners so you had to wait in line. Out on the course, there were toilets every mile at the water stations. I stopped to use them 5 times. There was always loo roll and most of the time only a few people waiting (primarily runners but sometimes spectators).
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| One of the port-a-loo areas |
Location: All over the Big Apple. We started on Staten Island and finished in Central Park.
Atmosphere: Electric. The crowds lining the streets were amazing! So much cheering, an abundance of snacks, and my favorite part- pure elation when a spectator sees someone they know running past. I was lucky enough to have my friends from university at mile 16 waiting to give me a hug and cheer. Americans are not afraid to make some noise. In 2018, the sun was out but the temperature wasn’t too high, making it perfect running weather.
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| Another medal for my collection |
Race bling and goody bag: The medal was great. Goody bag had usual snacks and water. I can’t remember anything else so must not have been anything crazy. You get a foil blanket when you finish to keep you warm until you collect your bag. My bag was at the far end because I dropped it off late (see “tips for next time” below).
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Eat well early because you start late. I ate porridge at 4:30am and didn’t start running until 10:30am. By the time I got on the ferry, I was hungry which lead me to eating all of my post-race snacks at the start area and then having to use bathroom five times during the race.
- Learn the course profile. It is very hilly, which I knew but it was different to experience it. I suggest adding hill reps into your training plan to prepare.
- The expo wasn’t that impressive to me. Maybe the space was too big, but there didn’t seem to be very much to shop for outside of the official store.
- NYC involves a lot of walking. Keep that in mind if you are going to sight-see before or after the race. For Chicago and NYC, I went to the movies the afternoon before the race and treated myself to a reclining chair to keep my feet up.
- Know where the airport is! The day after the race, I headed back home. Unfortunately, I went the wrong way on the subway and arrived only 1 hour before my departure instead of the suggested two. I was sweating but so tired and sore I couldn’t move any faster!
- Sign up for shake out 5k (even though you don’t get a medal). After enjoying the shake out 5K in Chicago, I knew I had to do it in NYC too. I ran with friends and enjoyed the landmarks along the route. We were given bobble hats instead of medals, which was disappointing but what can you do? Book a table for brunch if you plan to go after the race because everyone will be trying to do the same thing.
- Check your bag on time! As I was eating and waiting for the toilet, I didn’t manage to check my bag in time. That was a lot of stress to find the ‘everyone else’ van which also meant I had to walk further from the finish line to find it.
- Keep tampons on hand. Of course, my period started that morning but I didn’t realize it until I got to start pen. I had to bum one off a Spanish lady but it didn’t have an applicator so I didn’t quite get it in position right. Luckily, it wasn’t a disaster in the end.
Did you run NYC in 2018? What was your favorite part of the race? Leave a comment below and let me know.
by Mollie Millington | Mar 1, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel, WMM
Completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) has been my goal since 2016. I have been lucky enough to win ballot entries with Berlin and Chicago. For London, I obtained a charity place from Plantlife. With the WMM increasing in popularity, it is becoming harder and harder to win a place in a ballot and the fundraising targets are reflecting the demand. I decided to book a tour with 209 Events to run NYC in 2018 (which is why you are reading this). My last two races will be in Tokyo and Boston. My goal is to run Boston in 2021 but I have a lot of work to do before then!
Let’s focus on NYC Marathon though as the ballot results were released on Wednesday this week. Congrats to everyone who got it! You will soon read how much I enjoyed this race (even though I had to use the bathroom five times. So much for a Personal Best). It was a very short trip to the USA, less than a week, due to limited annual leave. My mom even convinced me to flight home to Rochester, NY for two days to see my family at the start of my run-cation. I then had to fly back to NYC to visit the race expo and catch up with friends before running 26.2 miles. Easy, right?
Here is the nitty gritty about the 2018 race. If you have any additional questions though, please a comment below and I will do my best to answer you. I will also be working on a short YouTube video of my trip too.
|
| Finish line of shake out 5K which is also part of the official marathon course |
Entries and fees: For US residents the entry fee is $295 in 2019. For international runners, the cost goes up to $358. My tour with 209 event was about £1200, which included flights and entry but not accommodation. I stayed with a friend in Queens to save on expenses, which helped keep the trip affordable. The only downside was being very far away from the start line.
|
| Runners waiting to get on the ferry to Staten Island |
Course and bogs: Course starts in Staten Island and runs through all 5 NYC boroughs (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan). The course is more hilly than other WMM races because there are many bridges. In fact, the start of the race, you climb the steepest bridge/hill.
At the start line, there were several areas for runners that split you by your wave. Each area had a bunch of toilets, a small shaded seating area, and bag drop. Even though there were lots of toilets, there were lots of runners so you had to wait in line. Out on the course, there were toilets every mile at the water stations. I stopped to use them 5 times. There was always loo roll and most of the time only a few people waiting (primarily runners but sometimes spectators).
|
| One of the port-a-loo areas |
Location: All over the Big Apple. We started on Staten Island and finished in Central Park.
Atmosphere: Electric. The crowds lining the streets were amazing! So much cheering, an abundance of snacks, and my favorite part- pure elation when a spectator sees someone they know running past. I was lucky enough to have my friends from university at mile 16 waiting to give me a hug and cheer. Americans are not afraid to make some noise. In 2018, the sun was out but the temperature wasn’t too high, making it perfect running weather.
|
| Another medal for my collection |
Race bling and goody bag: The medal was great. Goody bag had usual snacks and water. I can’t remember anything else so must not have been anything crazy. You get a foil blanket when you finish to keep you warm until you collect your bag. My bag was at the far end because I dropped it off late (see “tips for next time” below).
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Eat well early because you start late. I ate porridge at 4:30am and didn’t start running until 10:30am. By the time I got on the ferry, I was hungry which lead me to eating all of my post-race snacks at the start area and then having to use bathroom five times during the race.
- Learn the course profile. It is very hilly, which I knew but it was different to experience it. I suggest adding hill reps into your training plan to prepare.
- The expo wasn’t that impressive to me. Maybe the space was too big, but there didn’t seem to be very much to shop for outside of the official store.
- NYC involves a lot of walking. Keep that in mind if you are going to sight-see before or after the race. For Chicago and NYC, I went to the movies the afternoon before the race and treated myself to a reclining chair to keep my feet up.
- Know where the airport is! The day after the race, I headed back home. Unfortunately, I went the wrong way on the subway and arrived only 1 hour before my departure instead of the suggested two. I was sweating but so tired and sore I couldn’t move any faster!
- Sign up for shake out 5k (even though you don’t get a medal). After enjoying the shake out 5K in Chicago, I knew I had to do it in NYC too. I ran with friends and enjoyed the landmarks along the route. We were given bobble hats instead of medals, which was disappointing but what can you do? Book a table for brunch if you plan to go after the race because everyone will be trying to do the same thing.
- Check your bag on time! As I was eating and waiting for the toilet, I didn’t manage to check my bag in time. That was a lot of stress to find the ‘everyone else’ van which also meant I had to walk further from the finish line to find it.
- Keep tampons on hand. Of course, my period started that morning but I didn’t realize it until I got to start pen. I had to bum one off a Spanish lady but it didn’t have an applicator so I didn’t quite get it in position right. Luckily, it wasn’t a disaster in the end.
Did you run NYC in 2018? What was your favorite part of the race? Leave a comment below and let me know.
by thinkmarsh | Feb 21, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
I never thought I would complete a race that was longer than a marathon. (In face it wasn’t too long ago that I thought I would never run a marathon). Rather than do things half-ass, I decided my first ultra should be a multi-stage race abroad and be in the desert. For this who don’t know, any ultra marathon is anything over 26.2 miles (although some say over 30 miles). Since I completed the race in October 2018, the Wadi Rum Ultra has re-branded to be Ultra X Jordan as part of the Ultra X Co’s strategy to become the World Championship of Ultra running. This year they are hosting races in Sri Lanka, Mexico and Jordan. Next year, new locations (Bolivia and Azores) will be added.
There is no way my normal race review format can cover the complexity of this race. I am working on a vblog to show you the landscape and also have lots of kit to tell you about. To hold you over until then, here is a brief overview of the race.
 |
| What you will see along the route |
Entries and fees: In 2018, Ultra X Jordan registration fee was £895 for accommodation in Amman and during race, transport to/from race plus Petra and race entry, Jordan visa, a celebratory BBQ and beer on day of finish. In addition, there were three doctors on the team to administer medication and treat wounds (mostly foot blisters) and two osteopaths to offer daily treatments such as massages, assisted stretching and foot wound care. The 2019 registration fee is £995 for individuals or £890/pp for teams of three or more.
Course and bogs: The course was 250km through Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley. It varied from day to day (and slightly year to year) with multiple campsites along the way. We ran: 40km, 55km, 70km, 50km and then 37km over the five days. No toilets along the course but two of the three camps had toilets and showers. Nights one and two were at the first camp which offered canvas shelters, light bulbs (but no outlets to charge anything) and running water in the bathroom and showers. The next camp was affectionately called ‘Rock Camp’ because we slept on a giant boulder without electricity, water or toilets. There were blankets and cushions to sleep on but it was quite windy and therefore chilly. Camp three was a magical 1980’s oasis. Proper beds (two per canvas cabin), tables, chairs, a cash bar, and running water in toilets and showers. I have never been so happy to see a can of full fat Coke in my life.
 |
| Day 1 start line |
Location: The idea behind Ultra X races is to offer an amazing five day race experience so you only have to take one week off of work. Jordan’s desert valley did not disappointment. Many of the other runners added a few days to their itinerary to explore the country further. Temperature were 30 degrees plus during the day.
Atmosphere: Due to the location, there isn’t anyone to cheer for you along the course but the crew made up for this. It was ace seeing a friendly face every 10km. You also would occasionally get a 4×4 Toyota truck with tourists shout at you as they drove by.
Race bling and goody bag: Sadly, no medal this year but we did get a branded cotton t-shirt. I had lots of time to think along the way and will probably get a custom necklace off of Etsy that says “Grit”. Everyone was sad there was no medal and I sure Ultra X has taken that feedback on board. No goody bag either but we did get cold beers and dinner after the race.
 |
| Sunset stretch class after Day 1 |
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Learn about the local culture and what to wear: It is a conservative Muslim country and you need to be aware of that. When we were in the desert, we were a bit isolated, which allowed the cultural rules to be relaxed but in Amman and Petra, we were Amman, we needed to be respectful.
- Learn about how the toilets work and carry your own toilet paper: I am still not exactly sure what the ‘bum gun’ was officially for but I do know not to flush the toilet paper. Be prepared and keep some toilet paper or tissues on your any time you leave the hotel.
- Make sure to strength train to combat the shifting sand effectively: It was extremely hard to train for running in shifting sand while living in London. The best thing to do is to strength train and make sure you have strong ankles and supportive shoes.
 |
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
- Wear sweat-proof sunscreen: I was shocked to spend £13 for 77g of sunscreen at My Race Kit (It is special stuff that the sand won’t stick to). However, I didn’t get a sunburn, nor did I have to carry around a sunscreen bottle to re-apply so it was worth every scent.
- Book a few extra days if you can: It is a beautiful part of the world and there is lots to see (think Petra and the Red Sea). It will also get you time to acclimatize or recover.
- Come with a plan B: Not many of the participant’s races seemed to go to plan. There were injuries, food poisoning, muscle pulls, and blisters galore. Approach the race with the flexibility of a Plan B in case your situation changes so you won’t be too disappointed.
- Pack a variety of food. Nutella is a good chocolate substitute: I met Steven via a Whatsapp group as five of us were arriving one night early. The day before we set off for the desert, Steven and I were discussing our concern for the lack of chocolate in the desert (chocolate and high temps don’t mix). We soon discovered that Nutella is an excellent compromise.
- Don’t drink the water but don’t be wasteful either: If you are not a local, it is not advisable to drink the tap water in Jordan. During the race, you are provided with bottled water. There are a lot of resources that goes into bottling the water, transporting it to the race camps, and then disposing of the bottles that I encourage you to drink what you need in a eco-conscious and responsible way.
 |
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. This race was number three of four.
by Mollie Millington | Feb 21, 2019 | race review, running, sponsored post, travel
I never thought I would complete a race that was longer than a marathon. (In face it wasn’t too long ago that I thought I would never run a marathon). Rather than do things half-ass, I decided my first ultra should be a multi-stage race abroad and be in the desert. For this who don’t know, any ultra marathon is anything over 26.2 miles (although some say over 30 miles). Since I completed the race in October 2018, the Wadi Rum Ultra has re-branded to be Ultra X Jordan as part of the Ultra X Co’s strategy to become the World Championship of Ultra running. This year they are hosting races in Sri Lanka, Mexico and Jordan. Next year, new locations (Bolivia and Azores) will be added.
There is no way my normal race review format can cover the complexity of this race. I am working on a vblog to show you the landscape and also have lots of kit to tell you about. To hold you over until then, here is a brief overview of the race.
|
| What you will see along the route |
Entries and fees: In 2018, Ultra X Jordan registration fee was £895 for accommodation in Amman and during race, transport to/from race plus Petra and race entry, Jordan visa, a celebratory BBQ and beer on day of finish. In addition, there were three doctors on the team to administer medication and treat wounds (mostly foot blisters) and two osteopaths to offer daily treatments such as massages, assisted stretching and foot wound care. The 2019 registration fee is £995 for individuals or £890/pp for teams of three or more.
Course and bogs: The course was 250km through Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley. It varied from day to day (and slightly year to year) with multiple campsites along the way. We ran: 40km, 55km, 70km, 50km and then 37km over the five days. No toilets along the course but two of the three camps had toilets and showers. Nights one and two were at the first camp which offered canvas shelters, light bulbs (but no outlets to charge anything) and running water in the bathroom and showers. The next camp was affectionately called ‘Rock Camp’ because we slept on a giant boulder without electricity, water or toilets. There were blankets and cushions to sleep on but it was quite windy and therefore chilly. Camp three was a magical 1980’s oasis. Proper beds (two per canvas cabin), tables, chairs, a cash bar, and running water in toilets and showers. I have never been so happy to see a can of full fat Coke in my life.
|
| Day 1 start line |
Location: The idea behind Ultra X races is to offer an amazing five day race experience so you only have to take one week off of work. Jordan’s desert valley did not disappointment. Many of the other runners added a few days to their itinerary to explore the country further. Temperature were 30 degrees plus during the day.
Atmosphere: Due to the location, there isn’t anyone to cheer for you along the course but the crew made up for this. It was ace seeing a friendly face every 10km. You also would occasionally get a 4×4 Toyota truck with tourists shout at you as they drove by.
Race bling and goody bag: Sadly, no medal this year but we did get a branded cotton t-shirt. I had lots of time to think along the way and will probably get a custom necklace off of Etsy that says “Grit”. Everyone was sad there was no medal and I sure Ultra X has taken that feedback on board. No goody bag either but we did get cold beers and dinner after the race.
|
| Sunset stretch class after Day 1 |
Tips if you want to take part next time:
- Learn about the local culture and what to wear: It is a conservative Muslim country and you need to be aware of that. When we were in the desert, we were a bit isolated, which allowed the cultural rules to be relaxed but in Amman and Petra, we were Amman, we needed to be respectful.
- Learn about how the toilets work and carry your own toilet paper: I am still not exactly sure what the ‘bum gun’ was officially for but I do know not to flush the toilet paper. Be prepared and keep some toilet paper or tissues on your any time you leave the hotel.
- Make sure to strength train to combat the shifting sand effectively: It was extremely hard to train for running in shifting sand while living in London. The best thing to do is to strength train and make sure you have strong ankles and supportive shoes.
|
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
- Wear sweat-proof sunscreen: I was shocked to spend £13 for 77g of sunscreen at My Race Kit (It is special stuff that the sand won’t stick to). However, I didn’t get a sunburn, nor did I have to carry around a sunscreen bottle to re-apply so it was worth every scent.
- Book a few extra days if you can: It is a beautiful part of the world and there is lots to see (think Petra and the Red Sea). It will also get you time to acclimatize or recover.
- Come with a plan B: Not many of the participant’s races seemed to go to plan. There were injuries, food poisoning, muscle pulls, and blisters galore. Approach the race with the flexibility of a Plan B in case your situation changes so you won’t be too disappointed.
- Pack a variety of food. Nutella is a good chocolate substitute: I met Steven via a Whatsapp group as five of us were arriving one night early. The day before we set off for the desert, Steven and I were discussing our concern for the lack of chocolate in the desert (chocolate and high temps don’t mix). We soon discovered that Nutella is an excellent compromise.
- Don’t drink the water but don’t be wasteful either: If you are not a local, it is not advisable to drink the tap water in Jordan. During the race, you are provided with bottled water. There are a lot of resources that goes into bottling the water, transporting it to the race camps, and then disposing of the bottles that I encourage you to drink what you need in a eco-conscious and responsible way.
|
| Photo by Ben Tufnell |
Thanks to Simplyhealth for sponsoring my 4×4 Challenge. This race was number three of four.
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