Sierra de Chiva

Running 40 miles across the Peak District used to be a challenge that seemed near-impossible and would have me giddy with excitement. However, it was now becoming a normal Saturday, so I went looking for the extra dimension. Speed? More mountains? No, I decided I'd race in Spanish! :-)
One gloomy December morning, I stumbled upon the Sierra de Chiva website and booked my flights straight away! The route description didn't fare well on Google Translate, the map looked like a cartoon and my Spanish was limited to 'hola!'...it was going to be a great adventure! Free accommodation was provided at the translated 'retirement home'..I had visions of smiling geriatrics playing gentle songs on their guitars before tucking up to bed early, ready for the race. On arrival in Chiva, it transpired there was no retirement home (I spent a while asking around for one!) but after following the more athletic part of the Chiva population, I found the 'old peoples pub' - success numero uno! Impressive race goody bags were handed out already (local wine, chocolates, tshirt, a book on the local dialect(!) and the most ingenious race number ever!) and I attempted to mingle with some runners before retiring to my sleeping bag. I ended up staying up late, eating my goody bag chocolates whilst the local oldies tried to communicate to me that I was nuts!

Best race numbers ever: when you look down at your stomach, the landscape profile is the right way up, with all the checkpoint info :-) ...just don't try to read this on a rocky section! Thanks Rafa Carrion for the photos :-)

In the dark of the next morning, I lined up at the start and watched the race director make some very important points, in Spanish (I was the only non-Spaniard attempting to race!). He wafted some orange things around with importance (I soon realised these were the life-saving route markers!) and some tags (for the headtorch drop bag that I didn't realise existed) and then we were off!

The descents required some concentration!

At one point, a friendly guy ran alongside me and said 'dolmo'. I recognised this was the name of the local wine which was named after the local tree. He was pointing at a tree, so this was all good and made sense. I nodded. He repeated, 'dolmo'. I repeated my thanks for the local tour and we continued in this circle of nodding and dolmo-ing for several minutes...it struck me, there was about 35 miles to go and they could well all be spent like this. It was one of those moments when you wonder what everybody else in your life is up to (probably drinking tea and discussing the weather) and compare this to your situation (pretty random!). We reached the first check point, where obviously everyone was dressed as Minnie the Mouse(!) and then the real tracks began. It was very dusty with loose rocks, the heat was starting to rise rapidly and the mountains came into view. The ascents were tough, sweat dripping into my eyes, fixed ropes guiding the way up - at this point, the language barrier evaporated, everyone just grunted and made noises of effort. Everyone around understood. The downhills were fast and furious, very loose and with the occasional roped/jumping section. In the midday heat, we passed some really magnificent, huge caves then began the ascent of the largest mountain. At the top, we were rewarded with lovely breeze before it was time to dive down into an arid gorge which would sweep us back to Chiva. The checkpoints were stocked with luscious tomatoes and lots of cola, the marshalls (wearing jackets and hats in the heat!) were filled with endless support and many friendly faces popped out of the quiet desert-like landscape to give us a cheer. As I reached the final hill and saw the view down to Chiva, I didn't want it to end! I was having such fun attempting to learn Spanish and practise my French, soaking up the non-Peak-District views and enjoying being warm in December!

Loving the band!

The finish was fantastic! There was a live band, free massages with no queue, food (although black pudding and boiled chicken wasn't super veggie-friendly but thankfully there was a pizza shop open, nom nom nom) and I was handed some super comfy socks and a rose too! :-) The atmosphere was great and everyone had a little dance with the very enthusiastic band. An even better adventure than I had hoped for! I will definitely be back :-)

If anyone knows any other great races abroad, I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Posing at a checkpoint with some friendly guys :-)