My Dragons Back Race Adventure

“Caz. It’s Morag. Can you come outside please? It’s about Carz!”

I was in the camp tent, on the morning of day 5 of DBR, and Carz was in the med tent. I was being told by our medic friend that Carz was not allowed to carry on due to a possible stress fracture! Morag wanted me to come and emphasise this seriousness to Carz!

The tears flowed like the streams of day 1. Not the trickle like they’d been in Aug, but in full torrent. Our dream was ending, but it was totally the right thing to do. As hard as it was. There was no choice. And it wasn’t just us bawling our eyes out!

The problem being is that I really didn’t want to carry on without her. This was our adventure. Not just mine! My feet were painfully swollen, but not only did I have Tash on my back, I also needed to get Carz to the finish now too!

We had already said before starting that if either of us had to drop out, we would carry our little teddy bear me’s which Rach had made. But I always thought that it was going to be me stopping, not her. Carz took hers off, and handed it to me. And told me to go. I didn’t want to leave, but off I went to catch the first MPV before I had too much time to think. I hate goodbyes, and this was one of the worst. “Carz, I’m gonna get you a f***ing baby dragon!”

At some stage here, I’d said to Shane, “Stupid f***ing race!” He was a bit shocked, but realised the meaning of it! Phew!

The MPV took me to Llandovery, and more importantly the bakery. I needed something to cheer me up from this daze. The many staff there were like a well-oiled machine, and I was out in a jiffy with proper coffee, pork pie, chicken bacon bake, and a ‘chocco pan’!

As I came out I met Lani Paul. A guy I’ve sort of known from his attempts in ’21 and ’23. He was back for his third try! We chatted like we were long-lost friends, and we gave each other a massive long hug. What a guy! He never did make the cut-off at Storey Arms! Absolutely gutted for him, and for his mate Gus!

Quick bus to the support point, and I was one of the last to get going as I got busy talking to Sy and the lovely Ourea crew. It was a painful climb up Gyhirych, as my feet were in agony. I got going a bit more over the top, and eventually came across a young teary-eyed female runner. “Do you need a hug?” I asked. “Yes please.” I crawled to the floor, and we hugged, and both bawled our eyes out for what seemed like 10 minutes as other runners passed by!

I eventually carried on, and somehow felt at times that I was being carried by the wind. I shouted at Carz and Tash when I found it hard. I could hear both of them, and others, shouting and willing me on.

Seeing Glenn and Sy at the Storey Arms waterpoint was like the Waterboys reunion tour, and we bantered our way up to Corn Du and Pen y Fan like it was last year’s DBR. This really spurred me on, and I managed to pass a few other runners on my cheeky little shortcuts.

The last day run-in. Well, I could talk all day about this!

More hugs and tears while waiting for the bus.
A pint and a roll with Mair at the White Cross Inn, and seeing Simon and Ann……again!
The getting lost on the Taff Trail, as I really didn’t have a clue where I was going!

The listening and singing to Radiohead with Martin Clark.
The finish line! The emotions. The tears. The hugs. The support. The seeing of those I’ve got to know finishing this goddamn journey! They’re absolutely shamazing!

And why? My why was an adventure with Carz. And boy did we have one, which I still did to the end. She was with me all the way. Woop woop! And so was Tash. And so was everyone else I felt I was carrying who hadn’t made it thus far. That’s my why.

Will I be back? Yes, in fancy dress, on the waterpoint! But who knows?

Thanks to the family, the friends, the runners, and the amazing Ourea team, for all the support and love.

Love you. xx