In 2026, I was turning 40, so I decided to set myself a challenge. Having been around the Nobbler running group since Spring 2021, which is full of amazing and inspiring runners, I started to believe that maybe I could run an ultra.
Having helped out a couple of times on the 40-mile Wild West event, I thought I would sign up. However, true to Nobbler form, they changed things up and introduced a new event – the Marreg: 53 miles over the Preseli Hills and the amazing Pembrokeshire coastline, with over 10,000 feet of elevation.
I am an average runner at best who hates hills and has a nickname of “Glass Ankle”. I am stubborn, though, so I wanted to give it a go.
I started my training from a place where I knew very little about preparing for a run of such distance. Between Zone 2 training, VO2 max, cadence, speed work, hill work, nutrition, and kit, I had a lot to learn. Combining this with an onslaught of running influencers on social media was the perfect recipe to leave me confused and overwhelmed.
So I went to the people in the Nobbler group who had done this sort of thing many times before and sought their advice and guidance. I also signed up for Drop Bag!
After six months of brutal winter training, whilst juggling full-time work and two small children, I managed to get to the start line. I was filled with a mixture of excitement and fear.
Off we went!
With the first climb into the Preseli Hills, everyone was smiling, laughing, and full of anticipation for what lay ahead. The sun was shining and there was a light wind to keep us cool. The weather was perfect after weeks of rain – most unusual for Pembrokeshire!
As a true first-time ultra runner, I set off too quickly. I managed to slow it down and made my way through the Preselis to Fishguard, arriving feeling surprisingly OK. I changed my socks, took some food on board, and set off on the next leg.
I headed towards Strumble Head, which was where things started to go downhill. Having recced the course, I knew what was ahead and felt overwhelmed. I cried, but got myself together and powered on.
My food and water intake was declining. Despite knowing this, I struggled to take food and water onboard. I made it to Strumble Head to be met by Martin, who offered me water and received a grumbly response as I staggered on. He told me I had over an hour to get to the next checkpoint.
I kept going and got to the base of Garn Fawr with about 30 minutes to get up and over. I did not think it was possible, and after coming to that realisation, my whole body relaxed.
I don’t know what happened, but somehow I found the energy, got up and over, and arrived at the next checkpoint with 10 minutes to spare before the cut-off.
I could not believe this had happened, and after some encouragement from Matt Badger and Kara, I decided to continue.
With newfound energy and determination, I pushed on. However, this only lasted for another five miles before the negative thoughts started to creep in again. It got to a point where I sat down on the grass and stared out to sea.
I came to the realisation that I wasn’t going to make it to the next checkpoint in time for the cut-off, but felt that was OK because this would still be my longest-ever run.
A few miles from Porthgain, I was met by Kara and Sam, who were a massive help, distracting me from the negative thoughts. One mile from Porthgain, Kara asked me if I wanted to make the cut-off. I laughed, but she wasn’t joking and pushed me on!
I turned the corner into Porthgain to be met by cheers, which I can only describe as emotional. I had made the cut-off.
How?
I did not understand. It should not have been possible as I had walked so much.
Everyone at the checkpoint was amazing, making sure I took on water and food (although I don’t recommend salted watermelon!) and helping me restock my vest.
I soldiered on.
The next 10 miles are a blur of Kara reminding me to eat, trying to stay on the path and not fall over a cliff in the dark, and dealing with burst blisters on my foot. Confusion set in to such an extent that I couldn’t tell the difference between headlands and clouds.
I finally made the last climb over Carn Llidi, where I caught up with Chris, and we both pushed on to the finish line to be met by cheering friends and family.
I could not believe I had made it to the end.
Unfortunately, I was six minutes outside the official cut-off, but I didn’t care.
A year earlier, I could barely run 10 miles, and here I was at the end of a 53-mile run/walk/crawl/cry.
This would not have been possible without the support of the Nobblers, both prior to and during the race, and my amazing husband.
The biggest lesson for me was the mental aspect of ultra running. It is true when they say that you give up mentally long before you are physically done.
Would I do an ultra again?
Of course.
Kiri Day.
