Author Alexander takes on the Dragon’s Back Race and shares the four lessons about running and life that he learnt along the way.
TRIPLE CROWN
Alvaro de la Camara
Wake up. Coffee. PB&J. Drive to nearest hill. Warm up. Hill reps.
I feel like I have jumped on a wave where things are on repeat. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
My name is Alvaro de la Camara and I have been doing sports/activities outside since I can remember. Originally from Spain but have been in the UK for the last 10 years. I started in the world of long distance/endurance doing a ride from London to Paris in 23 hours in temperatures under -5 degrees, probably the worst idea I’ve ever had.
I then moved to triathlons, iron distances and even managed to Win Ultraman UK, breaking the course record!
I’m also the co-founder of a platform called Cycling4Soup which uses sports as means to raise awareness for different charities I support and help during my free time.
Some people try this in the space of a year, however the only window I have is 2.5 months
IT’S YOUR ROUND
Starting on the 1st of June I will be attempting to run the Three Big UK Rounds: the Paddy Buckley in Eryri, Charlie Ramsay in the Highlands, and the Bob Graham in the Lake District). Each one of them is around 100km with over 8,000m of height gain.
Some people try this in the space of a year, however due to family commitments and another trip to Cycle from North to South America a month after the last Round; the only window I have is 2.5 months, which means that recovery times and logistics will be something I have not dealt with before. We like to take a break when we do a big challenge don’t we? Well, not for me until I’ve done all three of them.
I wanted to mention that running was not my forte and that I never though in a million years I would be covering the distances and elevations during training that I do these days, but it’s become the norm and I have found a sense of belonging and peace whilst doing it. Same as when I’m on my bike in the woods.
If I don’t look at my diary, I can’t really remember the timeframe of when I did this or that. Everything feels like it was yesterday
DAWN PATROL
Most of the days I wake up at 3-4am, train for up to 2 hours during the week (or up to 7 on weekends) back for brekkie with the girls, work, then spend time with my family. I am on the rhythm of things, however, if I don’t look at my diary, I can’t really remember the timeframe of when I did this or that. Everything feels like it was yesterday and, in a way, feels kind of cool!
For those who don’t know who I am, which is probably 99.9% of people reading this, I come from a cycling background. Which cycling you ask? All sorts! Anything with two wheels! Especially if it can go off-road. This means that trail/fell running only made sense, it’s just that I never got so much into it until now, and boy do I love it!
For the Three Big Rounds I am training smarter. I’m focusing on my entire body; I’m listening to it and making sure that I’m in sync with it, so my mind is where it needs to be too. Which for the last years it has been difficult. After years of Freestyle BMXing and multiple injuries and broken bones, a couple of years ago I suffered a serious setback leaving bedbound and putting me in the tricky situation to have to learn how to walk properly again.
Being out there in the mountains when you know you are absolutely remote and on your own...the first time I did an overnight run I looked back a couple of times to make sure there wasn’t actually somebody behind
FINDING MY FEET
Different game when it comes to nutrition compared to the bike eh! But as a guy who loves food, I have learnt how to feed myself during all types of runs. Finding very pleasant to enjoy a good feast in the middle of nowhere just listening to nature and my thoughts. Especially when I do hills reps. Going up and down for over two hours no longer can be done without snacks, especially when the hill is over 500m long and has a 25% gradient.
Graveyard shifts have taught me a new way to focus. Being out there in the mountains when you know you are absolutely remote and on your own, listening to your steps and the rubbing of your clothes…not going to lie, first time I did an overnight run I looked back a couple of times to make sure there wasn’t actually somebody behind.
COMING HOME
Running for me always was a gateway to get through triathlons. Enjoyed the old 10k and told myself I would never run long distance after finishing the 84k at Ultraman UK. But running in the mountains, it’s become such a special thing for me. For the last 2.5 years I’ve found a new love for a discipline that allows me to clear my head and come back from every session feeling refreshed. even when I look muddy, grubby, and like a shell of a human.
Wake up. Coffee. PB&J. Drive to nearest hill. Warm up. Hill reps.
I feel like I have jumped on a wave where things are on repeat. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
My name is Alvaro de la Camara and I have been doing sports/activities outside since I can remember. Originally from Spain but have been in the UK for the last 10 years. I started in the world of long distance/endurance doing a ride from London to Paris in 23 hours in temperatures under -5 degrees, probably the worst idea I’ve ever had.
I then moved to triathlons, iron distances and even managed to Win Ultraman UK, breaking the course record!
I’m also the co-founder of a platform called Cycling4Soup which uses sports as means to raise awareness for different charities I support and help during my free time.
Some people try this in the space of a year, however the only window I have is 2.5 months
IT’S YOUR ROUND
Starting on the 1st of June I will be attempting to run the Three Big UK Rounds: the Paddy Buckley in Eryri, Charlie Ramsay in the Highlands, and the Bob Graham in the Lake District). Each one of them is around 100km with over 8,000m of height gain.
Some people try this in the space of a year, however due to family commitments and another trip to Cycle from North to South America a month after the last Round; the only window I have is 2.5 months, which means that recovery times and logistics will be something I have not dealt with before. We like to take a break when we do a big challenge don’t we? Well, not for me until I’ve done all three of them.
I wanted to mention that running was not my forte and that I never though in a million years I would be covering the distances and elevations during training that I do these days, but it’s become the norm and I have found a sense of belonging and peace whilst doing it. Same as when I’m on my bike in the woods.
If I don’t look at my diary, I can’t really remember the timeframe of when I did this or that. Everything feels like it was yesterday
DAWN PATROL
Most of the days I wake up at 3-4am, train for up to 2 hours during the week (or up to 7 on weekends) back for brekkie with the girls, work, then spend time with my family. I am on the rhythm of things, however, if I don’t look at my diary, I can’t really remember the timeframe of when I did this or that. Everything feels like it was yesterday and, in a way, feels kind of cool!
For those who don’t know who I am, which is probably 99.9% of people reading this, I come from a cycling background. Which cycling you ask? All sorts! Anything with two wheels! Especially if it can go off-road. This means that trail/fell running only made sense, it’s just that I never got so much into it until now, and boy do I love it!
For the Three Big Rounds I am training smarter. I’m focusing on my entire body; I’m listening to it and making sure that I’m in sync with it, so my mind is where it needs to be too. Which for the last years it has been difficult. After years of Freestyle BMXing and multiple injuries and broken bones, a couple of years ago I suffered a serious setback leaving bedbound and putting me in the tricky situation to have to learn how to walk properly again.
Being out there in the mountains when you know you are absolutely remote and on your own...the first time I did an overnight run I looked back a couple of times to make sure there wasn’t actually somebody behind
FINDING MY FEET
Different game when it comes to nutrition compared to the bike eh! But as a guy who loves food, I have learnt how to feed myself during all types of runs. Finding very pleasant to enjoy a good feast in the middle of nowhere just listening to nature and my thoughts. Especially when I do hills reps. Going up and down for over two hours no longer can be done without snacks, especially when the hill is over 500m long and has a 25% gradient.
Graveyard shifts have taught me a new way to focus. Being out there in the mountains when you know you are absolutely remote and on your own, listening to your steps and the rubbing of your clothes…not going to lie, first time I did an overnight run I looked back a couple of times to make sure there wasn’t actually somebody behind.
COMING HOME
Running for me always was a gateway to get through triathlons. Enjoyed the old 10k and told myself I would never run long distance after finishing the 84k at Ultraman UK. But running in the mountains, it’s become such a special thing for me. For the last 2.5 years I’ve found a new love for a discipline that allows me to clear my head and come back from every session feeling refreshed. even when I look muddy, grubby, and like a shell of a human.
Alvaro de la Camara is an endurance fanatic, needing sports and being outdoors as a way of meditation. Co-founder of the platform Cycling4soup which uses sports as means to raise awareness of different organisations and causes that needs more attention, as well as support by fundraising on each of the projects.
Alvaro de la Camara is an endurance fanatic, needing sports and being outdoors as a way of meditation. Co-founder of the platform Cycling4soup which uses sports as means to raise awareness of different organisations and causes that needs more attention, as well as support by fundraising on each of the projects.
If you have a story to tell, whether it’s from the OMM, another race or challenge or just how you use our kit, get in touch! Just pop an email to james@team-ark.com and who knows, you might just earn yourself some free kit!
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