Side Quests Log

The good, the bad, and the ugly BTS of my travel blog. The diary behind the diary.

[raissaruns]

Still haven't wrapped my head around this. . Yesterday at 8:57am, I crossed the finish line at SW100, after being out on course for nearly 38 hours (no sleep!). I had zero expectations when I signed up for this race, except that I may have either just made a huge mistake, or I have just committed the next 6 months to a grand adventure. . It's obviously the latter. . Thank you to everyone who cheered me on, and for all the messages of support. I really appreciate it! Massive thanks to my heroes; the most amazing friends anyone could ask for: Uliana @ulianak012 , Helen @hellsbells7900 and Clint @rrrrunner, who all came out to the middle of nowhere to crew and pace me from the second night to the very end. To super coach Matt @running_bucky, who called me in the middle of my climb at Tor Y Foel (aka the soul crusher; DNF maker; Devil's tit), and kindly said I sounded like I was just out for a Sunday stroll. And finally, big thank you and congratulations to the marshals and race organisers at Run, Walk, Crawl @rwcraces for such a brilliant day out! . • 106mi covered (had to get my money's worth) • 6240m elevation gain • 7600 calories burnt • Nearly 38 hours of running, hobbling and climbing • Only female to cross the finish line at this year's edition (still floored by that!) . Forever grateful that despite all this, I can still somewhat penguin my way to the fridge for that pint of ice cream that has my name on it. . #SW100 #100milerace #medalmonday (at Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzFSHk4nHiw/?igshid=11lg4nxhl9hqe

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It's finally here! 🙌🏼 I've been waiting for this moment since last year, training hard since January, and have given everything I've got to prepare for this. Down to the very last detail (yes, there's a note in my pocket with all the CPs and the food they have on there that I'm looking forward to 😂). I'm hoping with all this prep I'll still be this happy after the night stage. . We've just had our briefing, and now I'm just waiting to start. . There are more runners this year than in the previous years, so more people to chat to! It's also summer solstice so not as much time in the dark as in my previous adventures. And finally, on the bright side of having only 2 other ladies doing this race with me, it's a guaranteed podium finish 😁. . The stars seem to be aligning for this one, and I hope I pull through 🤞🏼. . Thank you everyone for your lovely messages! 🤗 I appreciate every single one of them and I'm starting this race with such a full heart. . Let's do this! 👊🏼 . #sw100 #100mileracing #itstime (at Cardiff Harlequins RFC Limited) https://www.instagram.com/p/By-yAlUnTD6/?igshid=1ddgbjrgmagmn

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Lush views, anyone? 😍 . Spent some time out running around Leith Hill and Rhody woods for my penultimate run before the big race this weekend. I had such a mood boost; everything was better after being outside, playing on the trails. . Add to that the fact I was out with one of my besties @katyjoc! We visited my favourite pub after the run and had some delicious ice cream in the car as it was cold and raining outside (ice cream is life, no excuses). What a way to end the week! . I never really understood how much spending time in nature affects your well-being, until I went from running outside all the time, to staying in for most of the week. I welcomed the break, but towards the end of it I started feeling pretty crappy. . Suddenly out on the trails again, and just like that it was like happiness gave my mood a good washing. . Got 3 sleeps to go, and it'll be time to toe the line at SW100! . . #TeamRunningAdventures #100miletraining #justkeepgoing (at Leith Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/By14rtmHhVG/?igshid=e0mvgnd92sxl

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8 days 😬. . This section sees us finally getting into Treorchy, one of the bigger towns we pass through the race. After this ... The towns pretty much get smaller and smaller until we have no more! . Last night, I had a mini meltdown when I saw that the route had been changed in some parts. I should have been happy, as they culled the part that was not nice- but I guess a lot of it is just race nerves 😬🎉. . There's also less checkpoints this year (11 instead of 14), which means I need to update my food strategy too. It's a good thing I ordered lots of food ahead! . #sw100 #100miletraining #CantWaitForRaceDay https://www.instagram.com/p/Byq-9DkHbfj/?igshid=1mn50m23nl34e

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10 days!! . Getting pretty excited and it's starting to wash over the nerves. I've still got lots to do prep-wise. I'm currently in the process of calculating how much food to take (loads), nailing how to pack my kit so I only need to pop my bag off for a layer, and writing out my plans and notes from my recce so there are hopefully very little surprises! . In trying to mentally prep myself for this route, I thought I'd put up a photo of what's interesting to see, roughly every 10mi... That is, if I'd stopped to take a photo during my recce (which is highly likely). . We're treated to Castell Coch and a nice gentle run along the Taff Trail for the first 10mi. We start at 7pm, so hopefully I can be here before it gets dark! . #sw100 #100miletraining #trailrunning (at Castell Coch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byj4vPGnIw2/?igshid=sczviwdfoqa4

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Taper time! 🥳 . At last, it's time to bring down the mileage and cruise my way into race day! I've been waiting for this day since I stepped out of the house to do my first training run for SW100. . Went to see my physio for my usual check-up-before-I-do-something-silly. To his surprise and amusement, all he found was a tight tendon under my foot. WIN! Credits to the coach @running_bucky for a great training plan for this race. . And now it's down to me 😳. . #sw100 #100miletraining #running (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUhczLHDNn/?igshid=13o8d8xtakms7

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Just about managed to pull myself together for an epic birthday run after kicking off the celebrations last night 😬🎉. . Got treated to a luxe journey to Dorking with @hellsbells7900, followed by a series of existential questions (mostly around "why am I here?") as we kicked off our run on the all too familiar Ranmore. I've run these trails in all four seasons, during the day, during the night and right before sunrise. I know it better than our own living room sometimes. . We carried on towards Shere where we had some ice cream, down to Peaslake and onto Hurtwood to explore some trails. Unless my map is lying (and it isn't), there is a section called Van Gogh's Missing Ear, and I wasn't going to pass up running that today. It led to a beautiful single track trail in the forest before hitting Greensand Way. . My trail highlight for today was visiting Rhododendron Woods. I remember seeing this in @runsurreyhills photos, and since then I've been itching to see this place. The giant redwoods were incredible! There were also so many beautiful flowers everywhere, I didn't know where to look. I kept telling everyone I had a trail surprise for them, and they thought it was some new massive hill I hadn't dragged them to before (I guess I have a reputation). To their relief and delight, it was just flowers. 💁🏻‍♀️🌺 . We carried on to Leith Hill to finish off our legs, before heading down to my favourite pub @ploughinncoldharbour for some BBQ and cake. . Epic way to celebrate, and I'm glad I got to spend it with some of my favourite people! . #birthdayrun #running #100miletraining https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLTRzwnyB8/?igshid=m41jvwe51qz6

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Still buzzing from my 2-part mini-adventure! 🙌🏼🤩 . A couple of weeks ago, I won a spot at a ladies-only adventure in the Cotswolds with @salomon to test their OUTline kit, as part of a campaign to promote that line. I'd never been to the Cotswolds before, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to do a little bit of exploring and to meet new people :D. Plus I'm a sucker for trying out new kit so why not!! . I plotted a 10mi run along the Monarch's Way which ended at the event venue, packed my kit and set off in the afternoon. Jam-packed adventure on a school night at its finest. . I don't think I've ever seen so much variety in views and terrain in such a relatively short distance. I ran through a forest, crop fields, along a river, loads of different fields of flowers and rocky paths, a few old farms and a couple of decent little hills. It was a fab place for exploring! . The highlight of my run was definitely my encounter with a small herd of young cows. They were all chilling out until one of them heard me approaching; it stood up and rallied its fellow troublemakers to start running at me. No idea where the knee-jerk reaction to tell them off came from (maybe from raising a naughty chihuahua 😂), but that's what came out of my mouth and it worked!! #CowWhisperer . I managed to get to the event venue in one piece, meeting such a cool group of adventure ladies and kicking off the evening with a little picnic. We then went off on a hike after getting kitted up (loved the fit of the OUTline bag!), enjoying beautiful views and the last rays of the sun for the day. . Many thanks to @salomon and all the organisers of the event (and to @steph for the lift to the station 🤗)! It was a great way to end the day, and to meet other like-minded ladies. I may even have found another kindred spirit to do a multi-stage race I've been eyeing for next year 🤫. . @salomon #salomonWMN #SalomonOutline #timetoplay https://www.instagram.com/p/ByISRSwn6E6/?igshid=tr7bqrh64inf

[raissaruns]

Still buzzing from my 2-part mini-adventure! 🙌🏼🤩 . A couple of weeks ago, I won a spot at a ladies-only adventure in the Cotswolds with @salomon to test their OUTline kit, as part of a campaign to promote that line. I'd never been to the Cotswolds before, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to do a little bit of exploring and to meet new people :D. Plus I'm a sucker for trying out new kit so why not!! . I plotted a 10mi run along the Monarch's Way which ended at the event venue, packed my kit and set off in the afternoon. Jam-packed adventure on a school night at its finest. . I don't think I've ever seen so much variety in views and terrain in such a relatively short distance. I ran through a forest, crop fields, along a river, loads of different fields of flowers and rocky paths, a few old farms and a couple of decent little hills. It was a fab place for exploring! . The highlight of my run was definitely my encounter with a small herd of young cows. They were all chilling out until one of them heard me approaching; it stood up and rallied its fellow troublemakers to start running at me. No idea where the knee-jerk reaction to tell them off came from (maybe from raising a naughty chihuahua 😂), but that's what came out of my mouth and it worked!! #CowWhisperer . I managed to get to the event venue in one piece, meeting such a cool group of adventure ladies and kicking off the evening with a little picnic. We then went off on a hike after getting kitted up (loved the fit of the OUTline bag!), enjoying beautiful views and the last rays of the sun for the day. . Many thanks to @salomon and all the organisers of the event (and to @steph for the lift to the station 🤗)! It was a great way to end the day, and to meet other like-minded ladies. I may even have found another kindred spirit to do a multi-stage race I've been eyeing for next year 🤫. . @salomon #salomonWMN #SalomonOutline #timetoplay https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIQ1e9n-k4/?igshid=t447qew1dbd9

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I'll be heading out on another little adventure again today, and I can't wait!! . 10 points and a packet of Haribo if you can guess where. . (And no, the photo is not a hint 😂 this was in Exmoor with @runningadv). . #adventuretime #runtotheromanvilla #timetoplay https://www.instagram.com/p/ByE6Se1HTS6/?igshid=z8x72u49tv8c

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Woohoo! Excited to officially join team Running Adventures! . Which is pretty handy since that's what I put down on my race registration 😬. . Keep an eye out on @runningadv page to see who else is joining the team. I'm keen to find out myself! . (Photo 2 from my little run yesterday, where I nearly fell in Regent's Canal while reading the announcement 😂.) . #runningadventures #ambassador #trailrunning https://www.instagram.com/p/ByCTEysnY05/?igshid=j5ltwb5f1nc9

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Midnight marathon challenge done and dusted!! . After a failed attempt last week, I was determined to complete the challenge this time. Changed the route up a bit so that the toughest section (i.e. Box Hill) would be after 10 breezy miles. I figured I'd at least be able to convince a soul or two to plod along that one with me, and it worked 😂 #suckers. . We started with a party of 5 people. After the first section, the London contingent (except me) decided to be sensible and call it a night. The rest of us suckers for punishment carried on with 8 gnarly miles on Box Hill. It was a long and tiring plod, and I was definitely getting fairly acquainted with the pain cave. . We paused at some point to watch the sunrise, and though I felt pretty happy cause the sky looked beautiful, it was finally bright and the birds had started singing, I was internally screaming at how bad an idea this was. I was tired, I had been awake for more than a day and I wanted hot food. . The boys eventually tapped out after Box Hill. With 7 miles to go and left to my own devices, I hatched a plan to leave my drop bag in the hotel where we had parked (which they kindly held for me till I got back), and carry on solo. I rode the struggle bus for all those miles; feet ridiculously sore, every single muscle aching except the muscles on my face, with which I took a very unimpressed selfie to send to the boys. . Managed to finish with a huge smug smile on my face, pretty chuffed that I had finished what I set out to do. . The challenge in numbers: • 30 hours awake • 26.2 hilly miles (+ some bonus steps) • 2 @chiacharge flapjacks devoured • 2 @snickers bars gone • 1/5 success rate . I'm proud of what we all accomplished- staying up for that long is a feat in itself! . #midnight2morning #challengeaccepted #100miletraining https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_sauhH-fc/?igshid=9ijdxn1wjrac

[raissaruns]

I was a little fish out of water this afternoon, running the @westminstermile. The first event I've ever done where it took me longer to do my hair than to run. Where are the aid stations? The buffet in the middle of nowhere? Where are the hills? I don't have to dodge cow poo?? . But it was so nice to catch up with my chica @agata.be.running and hang out with @dai_twice 😊. . It was also cool to meet some people on here for the first time! @fitcetera @ianrunsldn @matt.runs @themightysingh1. And to see some familiar faces @chrispayne82 @novicetoelite. . Thank you, @therunningworksldn and @newbalanceuk! . Now I get ready for something a bit more up my alley tonight: midnight marathon in the trails!! 🎉 . #running #londonrunners #westminstermile (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx8GejznXCb/?igshid=11z6sh0msd9z1

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Happy FriYAY! . Pretty excited to be running with @newbalanceuk on this Sunday's @westminstermile! Many thanks to @therunningworksldn for offering me a spot x. . Gonna be interesting trying to do a fast race, I hope I don't cough up a lung! . Who else am I gonna see there? 🙆🏻‍♀️ . #running #londonrunners #imroadrunningwhat #100milesto1 (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2yOUhH5Vg/?igshid=jt09kxlr79vz

[raissaruns]

One month to go until SW100!! 😱 . Actually it's less than that, but I thought if I don't say it, it won't be real. . So, quick prep update! . Training: There's not a doubt in my mind that I've given it my best. It's been super cool working with @running_bucky to prep for this big adventure; knowing my training plan is sound means one less thing to worry about. Also, having someone who has a lot of experience to chat through the crazy shit that happens in the process (and just shit tbh sometimes) helps a lot! . Kit: New shoes are arriving next week (@salomon customer service on point with replacing my sense rides- they have holes the size of my toes!). I've decided to use my @ultimatedirectiondeu Adventure Vesta to hold my kit in the end, realising that I've now got a pretty established system for packing my bag. I know exactly where things are and I'm pretty efficient with it. So I'll just patch it up cause it's got holes in places too! . Nutrition: I've got a whole feast planned for the race. @chiacharge, pot noodles, doughnuts, dried mangoes, sausages, plus food at the aid stations. @pocariid when I need a break from food and would prefer to drink calories. @caffeinebullet to keep me on my toes when I start flagging during the evening stages and @willysacv for recovery. Boom. . Route recce: I managed to cover over 90% of the route in my recce trips. It still blows my mind that I struggled to do this over an accumulation of 6 days- how to run it in 40h?! 😂😭 . Environment prep: it was good to do a midnight run last weekend, as I'd learned a lot from that one run. We're having another go at it this Sunday and I can't wait! . Bonus: CREW AND PACERS! My amazing friends Uliana (@ulianak012), Clint (@rrrrunner) and Helen (@hellsbells7900) are coming to crew and pace me on the 2nd night. I'm very excited for them to come join me on my adventure! I can't believe they're giving up Saturday sleep to slog it out on the trails with me. So lucky to have the best friends. . And now, it's time to enjoy the next few weeks of wind down. 💆🏻‍♀️ . #sw100 #100miletraining #running #getready https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx1lI-inbSC/?igshid=plf3cw1nbarn

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So, apart from petting lamb, stuffing my face with cake, swatting flies off my face and frolicking in the forest, I only went and ran a little more than a marathon with my mates yesterday! . The best part is, I got home and felt like I could keep going. We ran the whole route in what I'd like to think would be my race pace for SW100 (ok, maybe we ran a little faster). It gave me confidence that my legs will hold up throughout the race. I guess it's just my mind that needs a little bit more work. . Some days I feel like I will do really well and maybe finish top 5. Other days I feel like I'll be pulled out at the first checkpoint. This whole process is a roller coaster (or the elevation profile of the race itself). There are some good days and some bad days, though I always feel like I come out stronger either way. . And I guess that's what keeps me going :) . #sw100 #100miletraining #running (at South Downs Way) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxrQHYJHZ0k/?igshid=1gx1082td7duz

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I'm still tired and I'd much rather crawl back in bed and sleep, sleep, sleep. (If you haven't seen the highlights of our midnight running madness, check out my last post!) . But today is a new day for training, and today I'll be at @southdownsnp. . Shame it won't be as glorious and sunny as it was in this photo! At least there won't be as many creepy crawlies out today (I hope!) . Looking forward for some nice treats in Alfriston and @7boneburgerco deliciousness in Eastbourne. . #100miletraining #running #justkeepgoing (at Seven Sisters, South Downs National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxofbDtnAF3/?igshid=9jshhfkuix6q