When I first saw the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail on my internet travels, I knew immediately that it looked like my kind of race - small field, family vibe, beautiful but brutal landscape and LOTS and lots of lovely miles!
With approx 230km to cover over 5 days in 35°C to 40°C, it wasn't the distance or heat that concerned me but the 6,600 metres of ascent. I love hills but hills plus heat plus distance I find very tough.
I am a run walker so wasn't sure I could meet the race cut offs. I pinged a few questions over to the AAUT team then decided to go for it, knowing I would do my best but there was a chance I wouldn't complete the full race.
SPOILER ALERT - I didn't complete the full race! But I am philsophical about it and not emotionally beaten up like I was with a previous DNF in a previous multi-day (Ultra X Slovenia, 250km & 10k + metres of ascent).
It was a risk signing up to AAUT so I was really happy to complete 196km of the 226km total. Officially a DNF for the overall results (no medal) but if you don't complete a stage in the AAUT you can still participate in other stages as long as you are fit enough to. I did four full stages and 20km of stage two which was 49km.
Having the option to continue with other stages played a huge part in not dwelling on what I didn't do as I could focus on what I could still do. I had to keep a positive mindset to continue.
STAGE ONE: Loja to Alhama de Granada, 38km
- Total Ascent: 1,320m
- Finish Time: 7:11:08
- Female Position: 12 of 14 starters
- Overall Position: 46 of 50 starters
Notes: As you can see from the elevation chart above, the first 11km was uphill all the way to CP1. That's a hardcore start to a race when you're kicking off at 10:45 am in extreme heat. Felt ok but got taste fatigue early on from the Precision Hydration electrolyte tablets and Flow 300 gel I was using. I was carrying other fuel just in case but just struggled to get enough in and that carried on right through the evening.
First 11km climb on Stage 1 - Game face on
Feet in a bucket of cold water at the finish - bliss!
STAGE 2: Alhama de Granada to Játar, 49km
- Total Ascent: 1,670m
- Finish Time: N/A
- Female Position: DNF
- Overall Position: DNF
Notes: I had a decent breakfast but having not eaten enough calories the day before, I was severely depleted in energy. This wasn't the only issue. During the stage briefing the previous evening we were told that if we didn't feel on good form, CP2 would be the place to pull out as the stretch between CP2 and CP3 was a tough, single track for 10km or so with no vehicular access. Having a major issue here would leave you vulnerable and would entail a difficult rescue if needed.
There was also a lot of chatter from people who had done the race before that this was a tricky stretch of the race. I think I had mentally already decided I was going to stop at CP2 before I really got going. Unlike me really but perhaps the lack of energy and good sleep plus a lack of confidence and knowledge of what lay ahead sealed the deal.
While I was plodding onto CP1 I figured I may as well just quit there. What was the point in pushing myself to CP2 if I was going to stop anyway? I thought I may as well finish earlier, get some good rest, fuel, hydrate and come out stronger on Stage 3.
I sat down on a rock at CP1 and declared I was out!
How happy do I look on that rock?
One of the three doctors supporting the race, Dr. Jonny asked me if I felt ok, did I have any specific issues, injuries, headache etc. All I could come up with was that I was very hot and very tired which I was. He suggested I should carry on until CP2 and see how I felt there. At first I said no as I was convinced I was going to time out anyway but he had a chat with Eric, the Race Director who said it was ok for me to carry on so carry on I did! I was basically kicked up the backside and told to get on with it :)
Unfortunately my head had checked out and by CP2 I was just even more hot and even more tired. I didn't have the energy to fight my lizard brain so I refused to go on despite more encouragement.
Logic told me to protect myself and live to fight another day so that's what I did. 20km of 49km completed.
Cooling off in the stream at El Nacimiento campsite
STAGE THREE - Játar to Jayena, 39km
- Total Ascent: 1,020m
- Finish Time: 6:16:30
- Female Position: 7 of 13 starters
- Overall Position: 33 of 45 starters
Notes: Today was a good day. A great day! I felt strong, ran well, hydrated well and ate well. Came in 1:15 under cut off so was very happy. Managed to eat pretty well in the evening though still in a calorie deficit and the long stage was the next day. Very little sleep was had as we were in a campsite with a couple of huge (shy but not dangerous) dogs wandering about. After dark was playtime and they ran aroung the campsite barking, growling and generally making a racket. Kind of funny but not ideal!
One of two very hungry stray dogs at the campsite :(
STAGE FOUR - Jayena to Alhama de Granada, 63km
- Total Ascent: 1,500m
- Finish Time: 12:43:52
- Female Position: 9 of 12 starters
- Overall Position: 39 of 46 starters
Notes: The looooong day! And boy did it feel long. As you can see from the elevation chart it also had some killer ups and downs. As with every other day, it was extremely hot. Aside from day 2 this is the only day where I had to rest my bottom on the trunk of a tree for a few seconds respite and / or just stand in what little shade there was to steel myself before carrying on.
Each CP had ice available so when I was struggling a bit up the longer hills I'd hold an ice cube in my ice bandana to my neck behind my ear and use the poles in one hand to help push myself up the climbs.
Long, brutal but I did it. Last back of the finishers so had very little time to eat and recover for the final stage. I was ecstatic though!
My Stage 4 finish made the local news, featuring in an interview with race director Eric Maroldo:
STAGE FIVE - Alhama de Granada to Loja, 37km
- Total Ascent: 940m
- Finish Time: 6:57:02
- Female Position: 12 of 12 starters
- Overall Position: 44 of 45 starters
Notes: The final stage was pretty much Stage 1 in reverse with a tweak at the beginning as the stage before had been altered. So this meant 26km or so uphill with the final 11km down.
I knew I had this in the bag unless something went badly wrong so I allowed myself to chill out, take some photos and really take in the views and the whole vibe before it was all over.
Spent quite a bit of time with Simon Halliday on this stage and I was really pleased for him as he would be gaining his well-deserved medal and finisher shirt despite having a bit of a rocky road in the run up to the race.
Had one myself really having only achieved medical sign off about 12 days before the race. Long story but it involved an exercise ECG and two heart MRIs. I am fine thankfully but it was stressful and very expensive! Thanks to Professor Aneil Malhotra and the team at Manchester Institute of Health & Performance for helping to get me to the startline and ultimately, the finish line, 196km later!!
With Paul Bateson, one of the original AAUT founders
Huge shout out to my team mate (Worst Pace Scenario) Simon Halliday. We really had such a good time. Would not have been the same race without him. Really great to spend time with Chris (Kip) Patterson, another of Rory Coleman's gang - congrats to Kip for coming 4th in the overall rankings for the five stages.
Kip, myself, Simon and Kevin
Big love too for Kevin Webber who was also a finisher. Such a great guy. Honoured to have a mention in Kev's Sunday Mirror column that he writes weekly. Kev is living with terminal Prostate cancer, has done countless multi-stage races and is an all round nice chap!
And finally....
Congrats to everyone that stood on the startline of AAUT, no matter what the outcome. It's a truly awesome, beautifully difficult race. The fact that 28 of the 50 participants were returning runners tells you everything you need to know.
Thanks to Michelle, Eric, Paul, Dr Jonny, Dr Jon, Dr Maddie and all the volunteers who make the race happen.
I am planning a return in 2029 to celebrate my big SIX ZERO birthday so please keep the show in the road until then 🧡
Photos: Thanks to Simon and AAUT for some of the above pics. Lots more to follow!