The love affair continues
Stoked to be heading back to the @salomonrunning Skyline Scotland weekend for the 3rd consecutive year next week, following the series of races including the UK round of that @goldentrailseries
@mattward.mc asked me, on the PA last year would I return next year with a camera, as I basked in my PB & I couldn’t say either way. I know I can take that time down further
But yes Matt, I will. This year I’ll be exploring the courses with cameras, in an official media capacity. It’s true I’ve been doing less of it this year, but being able to capture runners traversing the complexity of mountain running, fighting the mental battle, discovering where their limits exist, provides a buzz similar to racing
Here I’ve crossed the river, up to my knees, staring at the final 1000 meter climb of the @ringofsteallskyrace that stood in the way of descending to the finish. And yes, there seemed a never ending series of false summits along the way
A week till I cross the border, to my surnames homeland
Excited
#skylinescotland
As the dust settles on a week of @utmbmontblanc festivities, performances start to sink into those who put one foot ahead of the other, challenging their body & mind on the mountain
Whether they DNF’d or won, found new inner strength or discovered an area to double down on & strengthen further, it’s all experience
Well done to @tomowens100 & @beth_pascall on stand out first races, flying the British flag high above the mountains
Regardless of distance or outcome, everyone walks away a more complete person
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📸 from 2016
#utmb2019
Fresh fallen trees
Metal
Muscle
We discovered a gully, which after digging 2 foot down almost swallowed 5ft of spade when one of the guys leant on it
Digging down wasn’t an option, especially when we’d have to dig a larger pit somewhere else to find material to fill it
Finding freshly fallen trees, the wood still green meant a solution that would take a long time to break down
Cutting & chiselling it to size, we carried this over, creating a natural platform for the hoggin, a blend of rock provided by the land management company, which would set on top, provided a platform to ride on year round
#woburnbiketrails
The BIG SHOW is tonight
UTMB kicks of at 6pm European time tonight & the moment that remains with me most vividly is hiking Grand Col Ferret by head torch, being met by Italian Mountain Rescue, dressed in full down onsies, with me & @24tom in running shorts n T, scrambling to put on the limited kit we had in our packs, as day broke waiting for the elite runners of @utmbmontblanc back in 2016
Hiking through an epic cloud inversion, watching the valley for signs of life, chasing @zachmiller38 when he appeared at full gas shouting ‘can you see anyone’ & meeting @ultra_damo @pyllon @mikewardian on the hill
This was a significant part of my UTMB media experience in 2016, created a friendship & etched a memory few witnessed
Good luck to everyone embarking on their race tonight 🤙🏻
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#utmb #goprohero3
