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0:00:18 > 0:00:20- Running is instinctive.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- It's natural - and an integral part of my life...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- ..that pulls me back - over and over again.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- It's something - that makes me feel like me.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- A lot of people don't understand - why I do what I do.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46- Why do I put myself through - this physical and mental torture?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- But running makes me happy.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- My name is Lowri Morgan.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- I've been incredibly lucky to have - travelled the world on adventures.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- I'm like a lot of people...
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- ..of not appreciating - what we have on our own doorstep.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18- Ever since I was a child, I've - enjoyed some sort of adventure.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22- I've spent hours in - the adventure playground of Wales.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- I've learnt that you get - a special type of euphoria...
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- ..after completing something - that truly challenged you.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- This time, - I wanted a home-grown adventure.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- This isn't a competitive race - but a personal challenge.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- Many have completed - the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge...
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- ..so I wanted to try and run - from one to the other.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- I'd run from Llanberis, at the foot - of Snowdon, to Cader Idris...
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- ..a total of 50 miles - or an ultra marathon...
0:01:54 > 0:01:59- ..and 100 miles in two days to reach - the end at the summit of Pen y Fan.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- That's 150 miles in three days.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- The 3/3/3 is three peaks, - three ultra marathons in three days!
0:02:09 > 0:02:14- I didn't want to break records - so took the opportunity...
0:02:14 > 0:02:20- ..to run alongside some of our - inspirational endurance athletes.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- I've never met anyone - as determined as Lowri.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- She gets into the zone and there's - no stopping her once she's in it.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- There's something about her - and she has this inner strength.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- I'm told that I could run - before I could walk...
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- ..and sought adventure - at every turn.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- That desire has never gone.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- But these challenges - are never easy...
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- ..and every day life - often gets in the way.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- Hello and welcome to Ralio!
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- I've been working with Lowri - for 15 years...
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- ..on Ralio and her challenges - around the world.
0:03:03 > 0:03:09- She works full-time - but still finds the time to train.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- She isn't a professional runner - and just like one of us.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- One of the biggest challenges - in life is being a parent.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- In 2015, our lives totally changed!
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- There's three weeks before - I give birth to my first child.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- I'm walking into the unknown.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- I don't know how I'll cope - with the birth...
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- ..or how my body will react - and recover.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- As soon as Gwilym arrived...
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- ..it was a shock to the system - to return to my original fitness.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- I'm now the mother of Gwilym Seth.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- He's now six weeks old.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- I started back running - a fortnight after the birth.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- It was a very tough - training session...
0:04:04 > 0:04:10- ..but I've almost rediscovered - my running legs.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- I'm back up to speed but - my endurance has gone completely.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- It frightens me - as I've got to start all over again.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- And I started to question - if I was pushing myself too much.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- At one time, - I could run 350 miles non-stop...
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- ..but was now struggling - to complete three miles!
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- How on earth was I going to run - 150 miles in three days?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- This was going to be - a massive challenge.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- I had new responsibilities now...
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- ..and I couldn't spend - ten hours a day on the mountains...
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- ..as I did in the past.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- I had no choice but to squeeze - in my training during the day.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- The training sessions - were shorter...
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- ..but they were more intense - and a race against time.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- If you fall, you get back up.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- I had to do those miles quicker...
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- ..because I had to get home - to feed Gwilym.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Who's going to win this race?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- When Gwilym was one...
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- ..the desire to push the boundaries - was stronger than ever.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- I chose to race every month - in the build up to the 3/3/3.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- I decided that my first race - would be the Vale Ultra.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- It's 32 miles along the coast - of the Vale of Glamorgan.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- This is the ideal way - to prepare for a race.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- I'm changing a nappy!
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- The preparations were unlike - anything I'd done before...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- ..but my motive was just the same.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- I'm really nervous but excited too.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- I can't wait to start so I can see - where I stand with my fitness.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- In ultra marathons, you want to - get to the start and reach the end.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- I've got myself to the start.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- Today's challenge - is to cross the finish line...
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- ..so fingers crossed!
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- I expected that competitive streak - to surface...
0:06:39 > 0:06:45- ..but I was also worried - about my fitness levels...
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- ..and how I would cope if - I wasn't able to complete the race.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- What would I do if I had to pull out - of the race?
0:07:03 > 0:07:09- I felt totally driven - because I had Gwilym now.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- I'm alright at the moment.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- I wanted to show him - that I was taking part.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- I might not win and I might not even - finish the race...
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- ..because I had no idea where - I stood in terms of my fitness.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29- I was totally adamant - that I wanted my son to grow up...
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- ..knowing that the race position - isn't important...
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- ..but it's about doing your best.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- I might be taking a risk by going - too quickly but I feel alright.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41- Go on, Lowri!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- This is when the race starts.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- The runner in third place - is just ahead of me...
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- ..but there's another climb to go.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- I finished in fourth.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- It was a massive shock.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- I didn't think I was going - to finish the race at all.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- I'm really, really happy with that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23- Yes, that's it.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- It's the start of the challenge.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- There's very little time left - for me to train.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- Most of my training is spent pushing - the pram so I'm feeling stronger.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- I wasn't sure about my endurance - until today.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- I'm really happy...
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- ..to have been able to run 32 miles - relatively comfortably.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- One thing that stood out - is that I felt mentally strong.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- I had so much more - to give to the race.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58- I felt sick.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05- My body had gone into a massive - state of shock after finishing it...
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- ..because I hadn't run as quickly - or as far in two years.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- My next biggest challenge - was something very foreign to me...
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- ..which was running in a team.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- If I'm honest, I'm the sort of - person who enjoys running on my own.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- It allows the soul to rest.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- But this time, - I joined four other women.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- Two of us were runners...
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- ..and the other three were sailors.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47- The challenge was - to sail from Barmouth to Snowdon.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- Jo and I would run to the summit - of Snowdon and back...
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- ..which was 25 miles.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Next, we'd sail to Whitehaven - and cycle and run 40 miles...
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- ..before finishing the journey - at Fort William...
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- ..and run 20 miles - to the summit of Ben Nevis.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- We ended up winning the race - and I'm so proud of that fact.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- I enjoyed the experience - more than I expected...
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- ..because I'd made - an incredible group of friends.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- We all shared the same mentality...
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- ..and worked so well together.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- That was the secret to our success.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42- I think that I coped well - with the summits...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- ..and felt strong - throughout the race.
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- I returned to Wales - with a massive smile on my face.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- But why have millions upon millions - of us started running?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- It's a question that gives you - a host of various answers...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- ..from different runners.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Some want to be the fastest.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Others want to better themselves, - to inspire or help a cause.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- There's people like me - who challenge the elements.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- We take the mind and body to places - they have never been before.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- It's an incredible feeling.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- It was hard work but I've done it.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- I couldn't have given any more.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- There's 175 miles to go...
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- ..and my feet are in pieces.
0:11:45 > 0:11:51- Running, no matter the distance, - is a roller coaster of emotions.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- With every low, there's - always an incredible high!
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0:12:03 > 0:12:03- Subtitles
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- One of the reasons - that people take up running...
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- ..is to raise money for charity.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- I'm very passionate about that.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- It's important that I use - the fact that I can run...
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- ..to help those - less fortunate than me.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33- I was invited to join - Steven, Phil and Alan...
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- ..to run around Anglesey.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- The challenge was 100 miles - in 24 hours.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- I couldn't turn it down.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44- Go on!
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- Running 100 miles - is an incredible way to train.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03- You go through so many highs - and lows in a long period of time.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09- It teaches you to cope - with those mental pains...
0:13:09 > 0:13:14- ..and the little voices in your head - that are telling you to stop.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Oh, I'm trying to stay positive.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- I'm feeling fine, I'm feeling fine.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- My body shuts down as soon as - my thoughts become negative.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- When you spend hours - with a group of runners...
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- ..you develop - a real sense of comradery.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- It's tough when the group splits up - as a result of illness or injury.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- This happened to Alan and Steven.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- Four became two, - leaving Phil and me.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53- My legs really feel - as if they're covered 89 miles.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- I crossed that finish line - and felt very strong mentally.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- That 100 miles was very important - for me psychologically...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- ..for my training...
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- ..because it's a similar distance.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- Running 100 miles was training - for my mind as well as my body.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- Staying on my feet for 30 hours - was a real confidence booster.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22- The saying goes...
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- .."by failing to prepare, - you are preparing to fail."
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- I sought the advice of my friend, - Matt Ward.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Matt has great credibility - in this field.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38- He's worked with the world's best - runners and running teams...
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- ..and was ready to help me - to fulfil my dream.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- I don't know how you would describe - the challenge to an ordinary person.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- You're running from Snowdon - to Cader Idris and to Pen y Fan...
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- ..in a timescale of three days!
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Um... most people would say - that you're bonkers!
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Yes, I agree.
0:15:01 > 0:15:07- The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge - is something iconic in itself.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- Most ordinary folk would think - that it's a tough challenge.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- But Lowri is running between - each summit in three days...
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- ..and it's truly incredible.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- I didn't think she was totally nuts - because I knew Lowri could do it.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26- It's possible.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- But it's a really tough challenge.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- A recce is important - with any long-distance challenge.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- Viewing some of the climbs - will settle the nerves...
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- ..whilst other climbs - could make me more unsettled.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- But knowing about the areas...
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- ..that are awkward - and challenging...
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- ..is very important for the mind.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- I need to familiarize myself - with the sections.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- The last thing I want to do - on a 150-mile challenge...
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- ..is to get lost - and add more mileage.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07- I'll follow you.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- We won't get lost.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- I'd be amazed if Lowri doesn't have - moments where she wants to quit.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- It's part of the challenge.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- It's easy to start...
0:16:19 > 0:16:20- ..but difficult to stop.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- That's another section to tick off.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- We're making headway - down to Machynlleth.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- There will be demons - no matter what she does.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- She's going to have dark - and emotional times.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- She'll be thinking about her family - and Gwilym...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- ..and yet, - in these sorts of challenges...
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- ..when the body gets tired, you - think about the strangest of things.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Lowri will complete this challenge.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- I have no doubt about it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- The challenges - Lowri has faced over the years...
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- ..inspires people - to do their very best.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- That's the great thing about Lowri.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- There isn't a bar - that everyone has to reach.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- There isn't a level - for competitive athletes to reach.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- You set your own level - but try to do better every day...
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- ..and you might even enjoy it!
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- In the other massive challenges...
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- ..I always stop about five miles - before the end to thank my feet.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- I thank my body for holding together - and carrying me along.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32- You'll do it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- There will be ups and downs.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- I don't just mean the mountains - but psychologically too.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Good morning.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48- Um...
0:17:49 > 0:17:55- It's the morning of the - 75-mile Pen Llyn Ultra Marathon...
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- ..and I spent the night - sleeping in the car!
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- It isn't the best of preparations...
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- ..but I'm worried - about the way I feel.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- I've got a cold - and it's in my chest.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- I've been suffering with it - for a fortnight...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..and there's only three weeks - until the 3/3/3...
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- ..so I'm feeling a bit unsettled.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- I don't know how I'm going - to get through today's race.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- I don't know how I'll cope - with 75 miles.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- I have to think about my health - and the challenge in the long-term.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- I don't want to give - too much to this race...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- ..so that I can't complete - the 3/3/3.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- That's important.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- Three, two, one...
0:18:46 > 0:18:47- ..go!
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- I knew straight away - that I wasn't in good health...
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- ..and I really struggled - with this race...
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- ..but I kept going.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- I literally just put one foot - in front of the other.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- This is the first checkpoint.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- I've been running for an hour - and a half and I'm losing my voice.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- I feel tight-chested - and get light-headed in the climbs.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- I'm just trying - to look after myself.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- I feel comfortable at the moment.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37- I don't feel very strong.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- I'm in good company - so am enjoying the chatting.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- It's ten miles - to the next checkpoint.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- I've done 27 miles to get here.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- I'll try to make it - to the next checkpoint.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- At the moment, I can only focus - on reaching the next checkpoint...
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- ..and we'll see how far I get!
0:20:18 > 0:20:23- A mile into the race, I told - the runners that I couldn't do it...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- ..but I managed to reach mile 45.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- It was a hot day.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36- I was suffering and starting - to lose patience with myself...
0:20:36 > 0:20:42- ..so I decided that the wisest move - was to keep my energy for the 3/3/3.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- I've never had a DNF mark - next to my name before...
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- ..but those three letters - can now be found in my running CV.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- I've run 45 miles - in nine and a half hours...
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- ..and there's nothing left - in the tank.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- I had a huge battle with myself - before I stepped down...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- ..because I've never given up - on anything in my life.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- But I had to think about - the situation in the long-term.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- I also had to think about my family - and my health.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- I have a heart defect.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- When you start - to question things like that...
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- ..you have to back out.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- There are more important things in - this world than completing a race.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45- I'm currently in Ulster working - on the television programme, Ralio.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- I feel awful.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- I haven't shifted the cold - since the 75-mile race.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- The most frightening thing - at the moment...
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- ..is that my mentality - has changed quite a lot.
0:21:59 > 0:22:05- I'm currently wondering if I should - withdraw from this challenge...
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- ..and I'm starting to question...
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- ..whether I can complete - all the miles that lie ahead of me.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- And I really don't like - having these thoughts at all.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Not completing - the Pen Llyn Ultra Marathon...
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- ..makes me very nervous - as I travel to Snowdon.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- I've started to question myself.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Am I healthy enough?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Are my legs strong enough?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Have I done too much running?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- I need to believe in myself.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40- I know that.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46- But I can't ignore that uncertainty - that's in the back of my mind.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- How many times have I looked in the - mirror and thought I can't do it?
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- But I have to listen to that - tiny voice in the back of my mind.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- The one that tells me to dig deep...
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- ..and find those reasons...
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- ..that will help me to climb out - of this hole of uncertainty...
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- ..and get me back - to where I want to be.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- That's what I've got to do today.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- I've got to do my very best.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- I need to try and be brave.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- If tomorrow is anything like today, - then I won't finish in three days.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- I'm serious!
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis
0:23:52 > 0:23:52- .