Ultra Mad Lizzie

Ultra Mad Lizzie

Ultra Runner | Hen Keeper | Cake Eater

Ultra running tips from a woman who fell into the sport on a last minute whim and is now absolutely hooked on it! Pick up some ultra advice by learning from Lizzie's many mistakes, thoughts and race reports.
41 - 79 miles
80+ Miles
Backyard Ultra
Beacons Way 100
Dragon's Back Race
FKT Routes
Gwynne-Harris Round
Rownd Mynydd Du
Running Club
Ultra Running Tips
Up To 40 Miles
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Trailhead Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra 2024 – Race Report

The route promised beautiful views and a trip up the Devil’s Staircase, a steep zig zaggy incline with a gradient of 25%, notorious in the cycling world. There was also talk of a 2 mile bog, sounded ideal to me. 

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Beast of the Blacks 2024 – Race Report

This was a last minute decision to enter the race, I actually entered on race morning, having contacted RD Ellen the day before to check that would be ok. I had wanted to see where I am with my fitness and as I had done this race last year thought it would be a good way to measure.

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The S.F. Experience The Fan Dance Winter Edition 2024 – Race Report

The wind was something pretty special, we were battling against 45 mph of it, it was so much fun and I think it is the only time in my life I wished I was fatter, it was a struggle to stay upright at times! I did one faceplant into the side of the mountain, my laughter gone with the wind.

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Day 3 Dragon’s Back Race recce – Dolgellau to Ceredigion over two days

I could see on my map that I was to pass through a farm and then head along a track, it was 11:55am, time for my vegan sausage roll! I saw an option of either a hill or a lovely flat path, I headed up the hill. I then checked the route and realised this was wrong. It is definitely ingrained in me to see a hill and head up it!

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Wild West 40 miles 2023 – Race Report

The fact that this event was exactly a week after the Lake District 100km and immediately after a cheese and gin fuelled girls’ holiday to France, didn’t bother me. I had an epic Friday which involved travelling home from France, spending 3 hours at home and then heading to Pembroke Dock on a 4 hour journey (luckily no traffic!).

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Day 4 Dragon’s Back Race recce – Ceredigion to Llandovery over two days

Not for the first time that day I felt I was following behind in someone else’s footsteps. I ended up trotting behind some sheep on the road and wondered why sheep often just run in a straight line in front, why don’t they just dart off to the side? My pondering meant that I sailed past the point that I was supposed to turn, opps! I went back and this tiny little hill is perhaps the steepest of the whole route, I actually had to put my hands on my knees for the ‘climb’!

Goring Gap 50km Ultra

Goring Gap 50km 2023 – Race Report

I must spare a moment to mention the massive obstacle facing Lynne’s ultra challenge and that is until a few months ago, she had a complete inability to drink any water or take on board any food without vomiting. Lynne certainly put the miles in throughout her training – including back to back days so I knew the running would not be an issue at all.

Dragon's Back day 1

Recce of the Technical Section of Day 1 Dragon’s Back Race

Since the moment I found out about Dragon’s Back Race I’ve been drawn to it. I first watched the videos and was blown away by the skills, stamina and endurance of those who took part, and completely inspired by Nicky Spinks. I’ve avidly followed it throughout the years and always looked in awe at those who took part feeling that it would never be something that I could be capable of. Something that certainly would forever out of my reach.

Beast of the Blacks 40 miles

Then the strangest of things happened… it was as though the banana I gave Andrea had boosting powers, similar to the boost on Mario Kart! She steamed past me, powered on up he hill and I thought never to be seen again! I could not believe how quickly she put a gap between us and I started questioning what was going on, had she gone faster or was I going slower? What could I do to catch up with her? I didn’t have an answer so just pushed on. Andrea had disappeared from view before I reached the trig at the top.

Winter Cross 50km 2022

Winter Cross 50km 2022 – Race Report

I was making people smile with my Santa hat bobbing around and my constant “hello’s” and “well done’s” in-between squealing with excitement. I spotted my Hardmoors friend and gave him a whoop.

Cyfarthfa Castle 30 miles 2022 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 5th November 2022 Official miles: 30 miles Elevation: 4,360 ft / 1,329 m Weather: raining – a lot Start: Cyfarthfa Castle Route type: circular Conditions: wet Website link: Off the Tarmac Describe the route in three words: lots of rain OTT 30 Miles – Race Report Rain was forecast all day but driving […]

BigSky New Forest Ultra 2022 – Race Report

Date: Sunday 25th September 2022 Official miles: 38.5 miles Strava says: 37.45 miles Elevation: 3,232 ft / 985 m Weather: Ideal Start: Hyde Common, Frogham, New Forest Route type: Circular Conditions: Dry Website link: BigFeat Events Describe the route in three words: Debbie’s first ultra BigSky New Forest Ultra 2022 – Race Report When Debbie […]

Abergavenny 3 Peaks – The Blorenge, Sugarloaf and Skirrid

Date: Monday 17th January 2022 Strava says: 22.14 miles Elevation: 5,348 ft / 1,630 m Weather: Sunny and bright Start: Fairfield Car Park, NP7 5SG Route type: Circular Conditions: Frost on the ground, dry Website link: Abergavenny 3 Peaks Describe the route in three words: Marvellous day out Abergavenny 3 Peaks – Route Report My […]

Black Mountains Circular – New FKT (Fastest Known Time)

Date: Tuesday 12th October 2021 Official miles: 34.76 miles Strava says: 35.35 miles Elevation: 6,338 ft / 1,932 m Weather: a perfect 9°C, cool and sunny Start: Llanbedr, Wales Route type: circular Conditions: dry Website link: Black Mountains Circular Describe the route in three words: glorious mountainous scenery Black Mountains Circular – new FKT I […]

Maverick Adidas Terrex Frontier North Downs 2021 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 18th September 2021 Official miles: 54 km / 33.6 miles Strava says: 34.06 miles Elevation: 4,336 ft / 1,321 m Weather: hot and sunny Start: Tillingbourne Route type: circular Conditions: very dry trails Website link: Maverick Race Describe the route in three words: hillier than expected Maverick North Downs fourth lady Lizzie Gatherer […]

Dragon’s Back Recce – Day 2

The thing is with getting to the top of a mountain, you then have to go straight back down again, it seems like a huge amount of time is spent getting to the top to admire the views for around 15 seconds before heading down again! Initially the decent of Rhinog Fach was an easy one, we passed a herd of mountain goats and then happened upon a rock fall field, only one route available, and that was straight down. My word this took FOREVER to get down!

A Run With No Witty Name 2021 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 10th October 2020 Official miles: 32 miles Strava says: 32.68 miles Elevation: 3,823 ft / 1,165 m Weather: sunny Start: Tisbury Route type: circular Conditions: moist underfoot, occasionally slippy Website link: A Run With No Witty Name by Crooked Tracks Wiltshire Describe the route in three words: stunning scenery, undulating A Run With […]

The Fox Ultra 2020 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 19th September 2020 Official miles: 38 miles Strava says: 40.01 miles Elevation: 2,319 ft / 707 m Weather: very hot and sunny Start: Godalming Route type: circular Conditions: dry, hard ground Website link: The Fox Ultra by ATT Events Describe the route in three words: mostly flat, fast The Fox Ultra – Race […]

Surrey Hills Challenge 2019 – Race Report

Date: Saturday 22nd September 2019 Official miles: 38 miles Strava says: 38.77 miles Elevation: 1656 m / 5433 ft Weather: dry, cool and sunny Start: Haslemere Finish: Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking Route type: A to B Conditions: dry trail mix including hard, stoney, sandy Website link: Surrey Hills Challenge Describe the route in three words: […]

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