Jo Meek
By Jo Meek
When I was running this race it dramatically dawned on me that my whole running history was preparation for this one event.
My training was consistently at about 60miles/ week with 3000m of ascent for the previous 16 weeks but I could draw on many more miles and years of experience to rise up to the challenge of this epic stage race.
The start of the journey in Conwy Castle ©No Limits Photography
It was 6 days from Conwy Castle in North Wales to Cardiff Castle in the South, covering 238miles/ 383km, 58251ft/ 17755m.
To pack for the week all participants were limited to one dry bag 59l / 15kg max. Everyday we had to carry what we needed on the hills and this included a strict compulsory kit (warm clothes, survival blanket, map/ compass, waterproofs etc) and fuel. There was a support point each day where you could meet a small drop bag (10l/ 2.5kg max) so you didn’t even have to carry your fuel for the whole day. In the evenings, once the finish line had been crossed; tents were already up, soup and chips were on offer, there was a drying room tent, an electrical recharge point, a medical tent with superb medics in, there was a river nearby for washing and a warm evening meal and hot drinks available whilst you could be in receipt of your morale boosting dragon mail (messages sent in via the live tracking). All of this courtesy of the amazing army of volunteers (a massive thank you).
Enjoying the journey ©No Limits Photography
So why was it so hard? All we had to do was run!
It begun with Day 1 Conwy to Nant Gwynant (32miles, 3977m, 10hrs 6mins for me) at 0600 to the atmospheric sound of a Welsh choir. Leaving Conwy it was straight into the mountains covering more or less the Welsh 3000’s (all peaks over 3000ft); the Carneddau (the largest stretch of mountain land over 2500ft in the UK), the Glyderau which includes Tryfan and its rocky friends and then onto Crib Coch and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) peaking at 1085m. Navigation was key as line of sight was obscured by mist and clag. I used my Garmin watch and also memory as I had recced parts of this day. I had to keep an eye out for where the checkpoints were because we needed to touch the orienteering kites/ tracking devices to have our location acknowledged.
Laura O’Driscoll set off at a cracking pace. I kept asking myself is this too quick as I had been repeatedly warned not to go off too fast. Initially there was a group and it was nice to be with others as I found my feet on the terrain and route but we soon got spread out and lost into the misty murk. I really felt the pressure of racing without knowing where my competition was in relation to me and consequently trying to choose the best lines in order to be efficient on course and make sure I didn’t miss a checkpoint; I thought of not much else unless it was of pushing forward. I have memories of falling repeatedly on slippy wet rocks and telling myself to slow down. I was pleased to pass through the Ogwen valley and later on Pen y Pass as these were both familiar places to me and being lower down meant no mist so I actually saw people!!
The ever-changing Welsh landscape ©No Limits Photography
Tryfan was my warm up for Crib Coch, a grade 1 ridge scramble. I hate heights and am certainly not practised at scrambling. It was 4 points of contact the whole way which meant finesse and speed were completely lost to deep breathing, swearing and sweaty palms. I was pretty shattered coming off the top of it, with nervous exhaustion!
A challenging first day! ©No Limits Photography
I feel my week got off to a reasonable start. I learnt lessons; I set my watch to beep every 40mins as a fuelling reminder; and I listed all the check points on my iPhone as a screensaver to count them off. I got into camp and established my routine; food, wash, food, stretch, look at map for the next day and go to bed. I was in a tent with 8 others; 3 doing the hatchling and 5 doing the full- although even at the end of day 1 one had dropped down to the Hatchling. I finished day one with a 8min lead over Zoe Murphy.
Day 2 (37.75miles, 3528m, 10hrs 28mins) was from Nant Gwynant to Dolgellau through the Moelwynion and Rhinogydd. The route seemed mainly devoid of civilisation except the Roman Steps from Cwm Bychan towards Rhinog Fawr which felt as if I was following in some epic footsteps. The cloud cleared a little but the wet conditions under foot made up the extra effort. There were some good shortcuts to be had today but not by me. I had recced the route but the weather was so foul all I knew was the recommended GPX. My lead was wiped away from me with some superb navigational choices and Zoe took the lead by 3mins. It was spectator entertainment in both the men’s (Simon Roberts and Max King) and the woman’s race.
360° views ©No Limits Photography
By the start of day 3 (40miles, 3176m, 9hrs 56mins) Dolgellau to Ceredigion, I had scanned the map for short cuts and spoke to Shane Ohly, the event director, for advice. It was another misty start heading up Cadair Idris and I sat in behind Zoe and two others guys she was running with, Ryan and Marc. It was nice to be near others for company but it was hard work. They were all chatting but I had to concentrate so hard on the rocky terrain and uphill work. Eventually we reached the summit and I left the group enjoying the descent. I braved a great shortcut …. well it was good up to the point I couldn’t find the connecting trail from field to fire track and had to leopard crawl under a baby pine forest. It’s the only time I have been grateful to Wilfred, my terrier, who in the past has shown me a way through impenetrable undergrowth- I thought ‘think like Wilfred and the fox he’s chasing’. I emerged cut to shreds by brambles, stung by nettles and covered in pine needles (only just finished getting them out of my pack with some tweezers!) but I did emerge!
I ran into the support point near Machynlleth and left at the same time as a chap called Mark and we ran together for the last few hours climbing Pumlumon Fawr, highest point of the Cambrian Mountains. It’s the most company I’d have all week. On descending the finish line, with a 30min lead, camp routine commenced. Every night I couldn’t believe my legs would recover enough to run the next day but it was a miracle; they always did!
It took me ages to warm up after my river wash and then the weather temperature dropped so it was cold night and cool early start.
Challenging terrain ©No Limits Photography
Day 4 (42.7miles, 2343m, 10hrs 16mins) through the Elan Valley was wet and boggy but I managed to maintain my lead.
Then highest summit in Mid Wales was Drygarn Fawr on this remote moorland plateau of the Cambrian Mountains. I felt emotional labile today and perhaps a bit lonely being in my head all day everyday so I called home and asked Jon for some reassurance. My face was beginning to swell (for some reason- perhaps my inner animal is Pug and it emerges when under physical stress) and he couldn’t actually tell whether I was laughing or crying. Definitely crying!
I had developed a blister under a big toe nail and it was time to put a scalpel under it to release the pressure. I headed to the medical tent to grab gruffalo Georgina whilst fabulous medic, Nikki, did the honours. It didn’t even hurt but the anticipation was too much for my wacked brain and god did I squeeze that toy! I had also fallen over and thrown my arm back so hard I’d hurt my shoulder. It hurt to run so I got it taped up and had to run with it tucked into my pack for the majority of the rest of the miles.
Day four of the 2024 Dragon's Back Race ©No Limits Photography
Day 5 (45.1miles, 3394m, 12hrs 58mins) into the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.
The route undulates eastwards before traversing the six main peaks, including Pen y Fan. This was the longest day of relentless up/ down. I got to the support point and restocked on fuel, ate my pot of rice pudding and suddenly my stomach ballooned. It was so distended that after a while I tried to vomit it back up. In hindsight I think it was the start of my virus arriving not a divine miracle of conception as I looked pregnant.
I was getting slower and slower on the ups which was pretty frustrating especially when not knowing if I being caught by the chasing women. I still ran the flats and downs but it was uncomfortable. I was pleased to have knowledge of this day from my recce because it meant I knew what was coming up but even then I forgot there was so many climbs after Pen y fan heading towards Talybont Reservoir. I tried to keep up with people passing me but it was a struggle.
I finished late and it was my first experience of washing, eating, preparing for the next day in the dark. I was relieved to have kept my lead. Total respect to those who had been doing it day after day and still finishing within the cut off.
Enjoying the scenery ©No Limits Photography
Day 6 (40.1miles,1337m, 9hrs 43mins) to Cardiff Castle. Only 40miles and I was done! God what a long 40miles it was through more murky mist. I even had friends (thank you Emily, Kelly and Catrin) pop out on course to cheer me on but I couldn’t up my pace. I was in a sorry state; my stomach had really retaliated by now and even my quads thought sod this! I played mind games to count the hours down and my tent mate, Jenny, even made up a poem to spur me on as I passed her as she was battling her own Herculean efforts (sadly she got timed out by just 5mins on the penultimate day but still completed half of the final day with a very sore knee!);
There was a warrior woman called Jo,
Who never could be described as slow,
When she came past
Running so fast
We all shouted GO JO GO!!
Day five of the 2024 Dragon's Back Race ©No Limits Photography
I crossed the finish line, quickly asked if I’d won (first female and 20th overall in 63hrs 30mins; but definitely not the day- Elsa Morgan had a great run in and took 2nd woman! Congratulations!), passed out and promptly puked and pooped myself. That was it- my finale!! I moved from there to the medical tent (thank you for all your care) to regroup my bodily functions.
The following week was written off fighting a virus. I was angry with this despite the result because I wanted to enjoy my success but I know it’s not a right; the body had other ideas. To be honest the mind did too; I was jaded after concentrating and pushing day after day. I am in a strange transition period where I’m processing the race, and its effects on me, and yet trying to fit back into my daily routine.
Crossing the finish line in Cardiff Castle! ©No Limits Photography
These opportunities are incredible; I am approaching a certain age which possibly makes me more reflective; I love racing and challenging myself; I’m not ready to give up just yet but I’m certainly enjoying time away from running.
It’s always worth remembering we are ALL capable of so much so keep aiming and reaching for whatever goals you set yourself.
Feeling inspired to take on the Dragon’s Back Race in 2025?