Shane Ohly said, or something similar. " True adventure begins when the outcome isn't guaranteed "
Day 2 Dragons Back Race 22.
Wind the clock back 0720 pm approx Monday Sep 5th. Day 1 Finish..
I'm across the line! Dib in stop the clock ! Where are the Chips? I've been thinking about chips for a few hours.
Relief I'm in , relief I've avoided the rain which feels heavy in the air, relief I'm in one piece.
A wave of deep tiredness hits, tired to the core. I'm greeted with a shoe wash and a smiling volunteer. Race number ? 269! Tent 21. Rightyo!
First things first find my tent. 21 . It's starting to rain . Brilliant. Arriving in I find some of the guys back , Paul, Sam, Guto and Migsy. Not bad 5 of 8 already in. I step in to greetings, handshakes and smiles all round. The rain turns heavy, really heavy. Big fat soak you in seconds rain. 3 tent mates are still on the hill, plenty of competitors still on course. I feel blessed and concerned in rapid succession.
There are 3 still out are Tom, Kevin and Eliot. Nothing to be done it's time to grab my camp gear and eat/wash and prep for tomorrow.
DBR has a great life support system, kitchen, communal tent , drying and charging tents. Also a medical and physio team.
Right now all I want is food. CHIPS. A plate full and a main on top and a pudding plus cup of tea. All the volunteers are super helpful, nothing is too much bother, most are runners and know what you've been through.
I amble to the communal tent to eat and pick up dragon mail. A print out of messages from family and friends. Flop into a seat next to Ben Potts and realise I've left my glasses in the tent. ' Ben mate can you read these for me?' He does, shattered and emotionally drained I listen to each one maintaining a stiff upper lip. Each message a congrats, you got this , love ya.
Meal done. Time for a wash, foot admin, readying kit for Day 2. ( I'm getting there dear reader!).
Wash, easy , over to the stream. Clamber in. It's raining and dark. I can see people descending the final hill on torches. A great sight but equally I know too well how they must be struggling as I did in 2021. I opt for the easy wash face , armpits and feet. Mainly feet. The cold feels magnificent. Scramble out and back to the tent.
This year all my daily kit is in 6 bags clothes and food. Subdivided into morning/afternoon race pack food and support point meal. I'm organised. Replen of my vest and support bag takes minutes. Feet next. Shoes and socks off. Skin, blisters, sore spots. None. Good excellent. .
Sleeping system out and small rucksack ready for admin in the morning.
I'm the mean time more Tent pals arrive, Tom and Eliot. We are now up to 7 of 8 and all in before the 10pm cut.
Later I learned Kevin Munt had taken a bad fall on Tryfan. He'd made it to the support point at Pen Y pass with a smash up face within cut off. You can hear all about it on his excellent Aid Station Podcast.
Mean while bed time! Race kit on , sleep.
Except I don't really sleep. Leg pain, constant noise , Sam waking up and shouting ' anyone else got shooting pains in their Legs?!?!'
Yes!! Shut the f%£k up!
Then the 0400 alarms begin.
It's dark, cold and just a painful start. Everyone is moving. Migsy in my pod is waking. I'm up after a few groaning minutes and fling open the pod flap. A figure is lying in the communal area.
'Kev!!!! Your here!'
Kevin is back from the hospital. Looking a shocking
sight but at least back. Everyone is moving. Eliot declares he's out. Finishing in time last night but his knees are shot.
Kevin's injury on Tryfan
I'm lubing my feet, no tape just tons of lube before socks and shoes. Time to eat.
As we scramble around he wishes us all good luck for the day ahead. 1 down, 1 non competitive and 6 still in. Already the race is taking its toll.
Breakfast, I see Steve Evans, he has joined the volunteers having had to pull out of this year's event due to Injury. He congratulates me on Day 1 , we have a laugh.. parting he says
' I'll see you tomorrow...'
Breakfast routine runs along the lines of , eat, wash up, teeth clean, bottle fill, toilet. Each item needed in my little rucksack to cut down on wasted time.
Back to the tent. Vest on . Remaining kit away then off to kit check. It's about 0540.
This morning we are asked for 3 items. No idea what , probably map, compass and insulation layer. Kit checked and finally my main bag and support bag are taken away. 0550 I'm now ready for Day 2 with 10 minutes to spare.
Time enough to get over to the start tent, read the briefing board and go stand ready at the start dibber.
Day 2 Cnicht, Moelwyns, the mighty Rhinogs. A day I have been looking forward to.
Summiting Cnicht.
0600 start and I'm away. Weather is OK, everyone is in good spirits. The first section is an easy road section for a mile or so. I'm aching badly and trying to put everything into a neat tidy package. You aren't injured just stiff. Get on with this! Paul Jenkins is just ahead moving impossibly well. I pass the Lake I see Kate Worthington just before the turn onto the first hill. I think I may have smiled and said all was well. Still the first time I've seen Kate and a welcome friendly face from RAW Adventures.
The route out towards Cnitch goes fine, it's funny how the mind forgets the distance and detail despite reccing this day, I remembered the wood section- but not the subsequent part leading onto a short road, nor in fact the gradual climb before you eventually head off across grass/moor land towards the scramble up Cnicht. Cnicht was busy. Busy busy! lots of fellow competitors on the scramble and climb to the summit. Surprisingly I'm feeling pretty bad, I elect to use poles to negotiate the climb. Its a beautifully clear day. Just as I summit Tim Laney passes me.
I'd learnt a lot from Tim during the RAW recces, he has previously finished the 5 day DBR and was back to conquer the 6 day. Tim asks how I am , I respond I'm ok and in a flash he is gone. Dib Dib Cnicht - Tick done! 1hr 58min 162nd.
Off to the Moelwyns, just a matter of descending Cnitch. Its steep, its slippy, there is alot of loose scree. I opt for the bum slide. Save the knees, try not to tear the seat of my pants out. Whoosh! Down no problems and away over the small lake/dam wall. The Moelwyns come up in rapid succession. Both steep, both busy again. Up Mawr, descend in a long queue, not much room to move, that's ok its a tricky descent in my opinion. Next up Moelwyn Bach. Again busy and difficult to pass, competitors going up and streaming down. It's windy and cold. As I approach the top Migsy passes me going down, then I meet up with Bev Tucker. Bev's just ahead dibbing in. She is having a faff with the dibber. I don't realise its Bev and she turns away saying its broken and begins to descend.
I have a quick look, flip the box over a dib in, Beep! it chimes.
'Oi Oi you! come back its working!!'
Somehow Bev hears me from about 100 metres, the wind carrying my voice. She turns and rushes back. I realise its Bev. ' Hi Hi!' pleased to see her. Bev is another recce pal I have met during RAW recces.
Off the Moelwyns, I've gone through both in just over 1 hour since Cnitch. 3hr 46 min total and 173rd. A quick descent towards the lake/Dam cutting the corner and heading off piste directly down hill. I'm not great on descent, I'm slow and tend to fall over a lot, so I tumble along but make ok time. Half way down Guto passes me like a rocket, I watch him fly down towards the dam. He makes maybe 100m on me in no time and shoots over the dam wall heading for the concrete bollard that we learnt to head for during the recces at the far side of the low black wall. I'm in hot pursuit. As I reach the post I see Guto one final time, he looks up at me, smiles, thumbs up and is gone. I don't see him again today.
Now a really easy pleasant run down into the Vale of Festinog. I really like this bit. Easy trail type running, Just at the bottom before the river people are milling around in the high ferns. They can't find the path to the bridge.
'This way!' excellent they follow, I must look like I know what I'm doing.
I catch Bev here as we meander along the railway and off towards the water point/cutoff at CP5. Once again the crazy gang are here. All happy and cheery. I've arrived at 11:02. One hour 18 minutes ahead of the cutoff. Here I meet Alun (another RAW recce mate). we had spent a bit of time together earlier in the day, I'd thought he was looking so strong.
'Get going paul, I'm out, injured' disappointed for him we part company.
As I leave I ask the Support crew team how long to the SP at Cwm Bychan, 2 hrs 30 mins. Water replenished I set off, that seems ok I should be there by 1.30pm. A gentle trot along flat ground towards Maentwrog, I see Bev again and pass her ' Come on Bev! lets get this done!' Bev's talking but I'm moving at speed and loose her quickly. Across the busy road into the village, a small crowd is cheering us on. Very welcome. I dash out in front of a car ' I was hoping that would run me over' I joke. A steep tarmac climb out of the village and onwards to the magnox reactors Trawsfynffdd.
Paul Tucker is here waiting for Bev, 'shes just behind me paul!'
Paul encourages me on in his own unique style inclusive of some noisy cowbells. Just as I get to the dam Simon Roberts comes flying past moving impossibly quickly, I cheer him on and he is quickly gone.
The next mile or so costs me a massive chunk of time, I dither on a section that passes you between a well marked path ending and a bridleway higher up the valley. You have to navigate a rockface/ heavily ferned area. Despite reccing this area I chose an unknown route following the GPX line. It wastes time, not a lot but enough, the only saving grace I know exactly where I need to be. High ferns and unfamiliar ground slow me down and I'm forced to battle to the track I know is just ahead. Regaining the route I'm working now make the Support Point cutoff.
Along the way I meet up with Jane Gould. This is our first meeting during the race. I'm fixated on catching the chatty pair just ahead, as I close them down and begin to overtake Jane exclaims ' Hey its Paul!' I Realise it's Jane and we fall into a loose 3 heading for Cym Bychan.
Again this section I don't know well, the area around the Lakes unfamiliar despite recent recce. I elect to follow my GPX, trods and the obvious DBR path when it presents itself. Time is ticking away. I'm aware we are passing the 2 1/2 hours mentioned at the Water point. It's taken far longer than expected. Finally a familiar site, a V in the landscape that I know leads to a stile, and the final approach towards Cym B.
One more dib at a crossing point to warn the staff ahead and shortly we are on the steep approach . As I start the descent I see my pal Mike Hogan on the road below. He shouts encouragement and is gesturing to the left ( my right). I realise I've turned early and am making life harder than necessary, I correct course shouting at Mike 'How long ?', how long?!?'
I know time is short but sense it's OK,
'40 minutes mate, plenty'
So I'm in, I've made the final cutoff and I'm in with time to spare.
Quick run into the SP. All the volunteers begin to sing... I'd forgotten today is my 48th Birthday, unbelievable... I smile and wave and thank them , its bordering on being too much, I'm tired, stressed and now these lovely folk are all singing away as I come in for my support bag, food and a water replen.
40 minutes , time to quickly eat. I take 5 mins, eat my main meal , check kit and then head out onto the Roman steps and the approach to Rhinog Fawr.
The climb up to the lake just below the scramble onto Fawr is pretty easy, I know it well. The weather is starting to change with rain clearly on the way. Down at the SP the team had mentioned heavy rain likely for the next hour or so.
I'm moving ok, critically I'm ahead of the cutoff, in a reasonable position, maybe 30 mins behind where I'd ideally want to be. As I approach the lake I see a familiar face, it's the young guy I'd seen right at the end of day 1 who'd missed the last CP. He is sat looking glum. I ask if he's OK, 'no not really, think I'm done '.
I stop, it's a starting to rain so I don my waterproof. I feel deeply tired suddenly. Really unexpected, I spend a few mins with my fellow DBR competitor.
For some reason I'm suddenly unsure. Can I make the end of the day in time? I don't know. Parting company I head to the lake , the heavens open just as I reach the lake and see the event photographer. I'm really having a moment now, unsure if to carry on. Trying to get control back. Eat and drink. Talk to the photographer 'Not sure I can finish today, what do you think?'
Time ticks on, maybe wasting 20 minutes. I can see others toiling up the scramble in driving rain. I'm guessing Bev and Jane must have passed although I didn't see them.
I really really hate mountains and bad weather, I know once I summit I'm committed. I know this last 13 miles well.
I'm still not in control of my thoughts, no idea. Finally I elect to abandon the day. On reflection I still don't 100% understand it. At the time it felt real, I let a momentary indecision drive my actions. Better to return than become a casualty on the Rhinogs. Weak.
Pictured just before my fateful decision.
I've come to realise its something I cannot accept.
So I turn back and begin to trudge back to the SP.
Baby Dragon trophy now gone.
On the way down I meet Mark Griffths and a couple of other guys heading up. They ask me what I'm doing. ' Heading down to the SP, I'm done'
We chat, Mark decides to follow me down having just made it through the cutoff time, the other 2 guys press on. I wish them well but suspect they won't make it.
Mark and I chat on the way down. It's a welcome distraction from the maelstrom raging in my head. Mark's a great companion and we discuss jobs, politics and various American and UK isms.
Back down the sun comes out, SP crew are surprised to see me. I flop into a chair. I don't really want to talk.
Time passes and suddenly Kevin Munt and and one of the other guys returns. Kev got lost and had an watch failure, the other guy had been navigating off his phone that had packed up. The event team tell us another is also coming back in.
So day two becomes for me a total disaster. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Ridiculous. I'm at a all time low in a very dark and angry place.
Time to return to camp. 30 mins drive back. I don't talk. Into the finishers tent by about 6pm. The great volunteers all see me and start singing Happy Birthday.
Finishers print out with 4 CPs missing. Shoe wash, trying not to cry/scream, keep smiling at all these people trying to be helpful whilst singing away to me.
I want to find my tent and eat. Get away for a few minutes. Unsurprisingly Kev and I are first back.
I go into auto mode and begin the routine, food, mail, wash, kit. At some point I get away for a few minutes waking well away from camp. It's dark and I have a good scream at the sky.
Time to return to the tent. Guys are coming in now, Paul, Sam, Migsy, Tom, Guto. I'm really pleased they are all back. They in turn can't believe what I've done. All try to lift my black mood. 7 now remain, 5 competitive. Dragons Back continues its relentless march stamping its authority on us all.
Bed time 10pm . The guys I think sense I want to be left alone.
Adventure only begins when the outcome isn't guaranteed...
Sleep doesn't come, I lay awake quietly raging. Day 3 beckons.
Day 2 stats: DNF at SP (CP7) 8 hrs 21 mins 166th. 27 miles 7800ft. 4 CPs missed., approx 13 miles short. Now non competitive within the race.