O'r Amazon i'r Artig Ras yn Erbyn Amser


O'r Amazon i'r Artig

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-The last three years...

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-..have been mentally, physically

-and emotionally painful.

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-Yet, it's been one of the most

-unbelievable journeys of my life.

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-I don't regret a second of it.

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-Over the past three years,

-TV presenter Lowri Morgan...

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-..has competed

-in the world's toughest races.

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-Two ultramarathons

-that were totally different.

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-This is her heroic story.

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-It all started in 2008

-with the Jungle Marathon.

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-A 140-mile event

-of six stages over seven days.

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-I was totally self-sufficient

-in the heart of the Amazon jungle.

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-To say it was tough

-is an understatement.

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-They only supplied me with water.

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-This was my first ultra race...

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-..and I'm just

-a typical presenter from Wales.

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-I spent 18 months of my life

-preparing for this race...

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-..and I was so nervous

-for those 18 months.

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-It was like walking

-into the unknown.

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-I've learnt that there is no need

-to fear the unknown...

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-..because the most difficult step

-was the first one.

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-The momentum carried me

-through the last three years.

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-Come on, Lowri.

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-I lived, dreamed and had nightmares

-about this race for 18 months.

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-I was determined

-to work hard for it.

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-But where do you start

-preparing for such a race?

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-I trained with the Royal Marines...

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-..and ran along the beaches

-of the Gower.

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-I walked the 60-mile coast

-of Ceredigion in 24 hours.

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-It was difficult.

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-I had good days,

-but I also had truly bad days.

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-I've been running for five minutes

-and I'm already soaking.

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-It'll be worse in the jungle.

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-When I reached the jungle....

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-..my fitness levels

-matched those of an Olympic athlete.

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-I'd worked so hard.

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-I knew that I wouldn't be

-the strongest or the fastest...

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-..or the most experienced,

-but one thing was certain.

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-I knew that I could work hard

-and that is just what I did.

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-When I reached the jungle...

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-..I felt like a student

-facing an exam without revising.

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-Something odd happened

-the night before the race.

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-It was as if someone had turned on

-the light switch in my head.

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-I was ready for the challenge.

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-I was ready to step up and face

-all that the race could throw at me.

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-Five minutes to go. The big moment

-has arrived and my heart's pounding.

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-I'm so nervous and I'm sweating,

-but there's no turning back now.

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-The race started with 126

-of the world's best athletes.

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-There were professional runners,

-world champions...

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-..and experienced soldiers

-from the special forces...

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-..and I was there with them.

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-I'm trying to keep up

-with the natives.

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-The first day was a ten mile stage.

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-It was already 25 degrees Celsius

-at seven o'clock in the morning.

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-We were warned to take it easy

-on days one and two...

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-..and not to overexert ourselves.

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-They didn't want the humidity

-and heat to be too much of a shock.

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-As soon as I was under the canopy

-of the jungle...

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-..it was quite suffocating.

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-The humidity was unbelievable

-and I struggled to breathe.

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-I was sweating so much.

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-I remember thinking

-that it was unnatural.

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-I learnt from the experiences

-of other runners...

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-..that I should drink salt water

-that contained electrolytes.

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-At the end of the day,

-that was what kept me going.

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-That's nice. It's hot.

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-Many of the better competitors

-had to retire from the race.

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-Unfortunately, some didn't drink

-enough salt water....

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-..while others drank too much.

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-As a result,

-four people ended up in hospital.

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-Two of them

-were fighting for their lives.

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-I'd never seen

-anything like it before.

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-At the start of day two, I remember

-telling myself to be very careful.

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-I looked at my watch and I'd been

-running for 22 minutes, 46 seconds.

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-I was soaking.

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-I felt as if I was standing

-in a shower, so I slowed down.

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-I had been warned prior to the race

-about my heart defect.

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-I remember day two very clearly.

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-Just as on day one...

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-..we had to run

-through about ten swamps.

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-That was horrible.

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-I was worried about the ticks

-and the anacondas.

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-I kept telling myself,

-"Take one step at a time, Lowri.

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-"If you expect the worst,

-things won't be so bad."

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-My feet were feeling the effects

-of being wet all the time.

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-I was developing trench foot.

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-There were bruises

-on the soles of my feet.

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-My toes were hurting...

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-..because they kept striking

-obstacle after obstacle...

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-..and root after root.

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-It was awful. I didn't know how

-I was going to survive the race.

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-The pain in my joints

-made my eyes water...

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-..because they were so swollen.

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-I'd spoken

-to an ultramarathon expert in Wales.

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-He compared feet to car tyres.

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-He said,

-"You have to look after your feet.

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-"It doesn't matter if you're quick

-or physically and mentally strong.

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-"If your feet aren't right,

-you won't go anywhere!

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-"It's like a puncture. A car

-won't move if it has a puncture.

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-"You must look after your feet."

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-As a result, whenever I was

-in pain, I would check my feet.

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-The Amazon is dirty.

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-It's so humid and so warm.

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-Even the smallest cut

-can turn septic.

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-I tried to clean my body

-as often as I could...

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-..and to the best of my ability...

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-..to prevent anything

-becoming septic.

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-Come on, Lowri.

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-Good job, lady!

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-Good job, lady!

-

-Well done.

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-Two down

-and that was far more difficult

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-The twigs are awful.

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-I've fallen so many times

-and I'm covered in cuts.

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-There's one here

-that's small but painful.

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-The bag feels as though

-it's getting heavier.

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-My toes are really hurting.

-I couldn't get down those hills.

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-I've always suffered with them.

-You might have to burst a few later.

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-The trouble is that the skin

-is coming off with the tape.

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-Have I got a blister?

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-Have I got a blister?

-

-No, I don't think so.

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-They look as if you've been

-in a bath for a week.

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-I was feeling strong

-at the end of day two.

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-I had taken it very slowly

-during the stage...

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-..and I finished

-with a smile on my face.

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-But I was shocked to see people

-lying down all over the place.

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-They were crying,

-some struggled to stand...

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-..and others were attached to drips.

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-This race was biting back.

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-It was a shock to see five people

-leave yesterday.

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-Two of them are seriously ill

-in hospital.

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-It underlines how dangerous

-and how tough this race is...

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-..and the importance

-of caring for one's body.

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-The doctors called a meeting.

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-Everyone had to sign a contract...

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-..stating the race doctors weren't

-responsible for our personal health.

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-They have given us the chance

-to end the race here.

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-I don't know what to do

-at the moment.

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-At the end of the day,

-you only get one life.

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-If this jungle

-is too dangerous, so be it.

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-I've been forced to ponder

-an important question.

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-It was a great excuse...

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-..for me and many other runners

-to pull out.

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-A lot did just that.

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-I thought about it

-for a little while...

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-..and realized I could never

-hold my head up in Wales....

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-..if I'd known that I'd used this

-as an excuse...

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-..to turn my back on one of the

-biggest challenges of my life.

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-After no more than a minute

-of considering the options...

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-..I signed the contract.

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-I was back in the zone,

-and 100% back in the race.

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Three, two, one...

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-Day three's stage was 26 miles,

-the distance of a marathon.

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-Almost a third of the runners

-had pulled out by this point.

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-I could cope with running a marathon

-because that's what I do in Wales.

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-However, it was so frustrating...

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-..because it takes seven hours

-to run a marathon out there.

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-At home,

-it takes just over three hours.

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-Those seven hours were torture.

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-This was the day that I started

-to lose patience with the race.

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-I was questioning whether I really

-wanted to do this race.

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-It's never-ending.

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-I've fallen

-and hit my foot on a stump.

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-I'm sure I'll lose a nail tonight.

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-It's quite painful,

-so I've taken painkillers.

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-It's now a mental battle.

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-We're only halfway through.

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-It's just really difficult now.

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-I had been climbing

-for three days...

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-..and it was going on and on and on.

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-It's difficult to imagine

-the high mountains of the Amazon...

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-..because they are hidden

-by a canopy.

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-I'd reach what I thought was the top

-and see yet another peak.

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-I had to keep going in this heat.

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-I was losing patience.

-I hated the race.

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-I also hated myself

-for agreeing to do it...

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-..and for putting myself

-in this situation.

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-I remember Eurwyn pouring chilled

-water from the fridge over me...

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-..and it was painful

-because my body was so hot.

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-The water almost burnt my body.

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-It's terribly hot.

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-I can't find words strong enough

-to describe the true conditions.

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-There's three miles

-to the next checkpoint.

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-I ran past a school...

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-..and all the children looked at us

-in pure amazement.

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-It was great to see them.

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-Some of them cheered at us

-to keep going.

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-That was so uplifting...

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-..especially as my spirits

-were very low.

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-I remember finishing that day

-with a frustrated smile on my face.

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-I was glad to see the finish line,

-but I was in pain and felt sick.

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-I was hurting.

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-The small cuts were turning septic.

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-How are you feeling?

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-How are you feeling?

-

-Terrible. That was difficult.

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-I tried to keep mentally positive.

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-I told myself

-that I'd finished stage three.

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-I was halfway through.

-There were only three stages left.

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-Then, Eurwyn

-totally broke my heart...

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-..by correcting me.

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-He said that I had only covered

-a third of the race distance.

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-That really hurt.

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-How do you feel knowing you've

-covered a third of the distance?

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-Pardon?

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-You're a third...

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-You're a third...

-

-Oh, yes. I know that.

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-I know exactly what I've got to do.

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-I feel sick so I've got to go.

-I need sugar.

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-I walked away in a sulk.

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-That was a roller coaster

-of emotions.

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-I was in pain, I felt sick,

-I was tired, frustrated and angry...

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-..and then Eurwyn told me

-that I was tenth and I didn't know.

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-Tenth? Yeah.

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-You look more tired tonight.

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-I am very tired today

-and I feel really dehydrated too.

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-My mouth was really dry.

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-I also felt light-headed.

-I had to stop to put my head down.

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-I'll patch you up tonight

-then you're away to go tomorrow.

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-Go for it!

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-I'm totally fed up with this race,

-I must admit.

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-I'm missing home comforts

-such as a toilet.

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-I haven't looked in a mirror

-for five days!

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-I'm tired

-because I'm not sleeping.

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-The hammock isn't very comfortable

-and the camp is noisy.

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-We can also hear monkeys

-screeching all night...

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-..but the race is about to start.

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-Day four starts with a 200m swim

-across the river...

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-..followed by a 15-mile run.

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-I consider myself

-to be a strong swimmer.

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-I've competed in Ironman races

-and swimming is one of my strengths.

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-But swimming in fresh water

-carrying 15 kilos on your back...

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-..is horrendous.

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-It's awful.

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-It sucks every ounce of energy

-out of you.

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-On top of this, you try

-not to think about the piranhas...

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-..and the other wildlife

-that lives in the water.

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-You also try to keep your head

-above the water...

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-..so that you don't swallow

-the dirty water.

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-I had to keep kicking

-and keep moving.

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-That's just what I did...

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-..but I wasn't smiling

-when I came out of that river.

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-My feet were soaking

-before the stage had started...

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-..and my rucksack was much heavier.

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-The water was trapped inside

-and I was trying to empty it.

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-I was constantly falling

-during the race...

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-..because there was one obstacle

-after another.

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-I finished the day smiling

-because I'd run through villages.

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-The locals were busy

-going about their daily lives.

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-Children were taking baths in pans.

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-It was very humbling

-to see their way of life.

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-Despite the smile on my face

-at the end of day four...

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-..my heart was pounding

-and my stomach was churning...

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-..because I knew that my feet

-were in agony.

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-Great. Thanks, Gus.

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-Thank goodness, I had some company.

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-I'm halfway through

-and I enjoyed that.

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-It was difficult, but I enjoyed it.

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-At the start of the stage,

-I followed the two American women.

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-They both hold world records

-in their fields...

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-..so I stayed with them

-for a third of the way.

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-I knew I couldn't keep up with them,

-but I picked up a few tactics...

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-..and I enjoyed it.

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-It has been a good day.

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-I can relax now and prepare

-for the very big day tomorrow.

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-The penultimate stage

-was the most terrifying.

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-It was 55 miles in 48 hours.

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-There were only 75 people

-left in the race.

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-I had to pick my head up

-and keep going, but I couldn't.

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-It was as if someone had attached

-huge stones to my trainers.

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-I started to think

-that I'd overdone it...

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-..and had been too quick

-over the previous days.

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-After running by myself

-for five hours...

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-..the race literally bit back.

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-I stood on a hornet's nest...

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-..and they chased me

-for about 100 metres.

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-I'll never forget the pain

-of being stung.

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-It was at this point

-that I was starting to lose it.

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-I was light-headed,

-I was feeling sick and getting lost.

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-I was starting to cry.

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-I didn't want to stop

-or sit down anywhere...

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-..in case a snake was hiding nearby.

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-I picked my head up and thought...

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-Oh, I'm getting emotional now.

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-I thought

-that I could reach the end.

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-Um...

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-It's odd, because when you reach

-rock bottom...

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-..and you think that there's

-nothing left in the tank...

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-..an amazing strength comes

-from somewhere deep in your soul.

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-It pulls you

-out of this depression.

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-It was a very spiritual experience.

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-I can tell you this

-with my hand on my heart.

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-This was the point that my body

-gave up, but my mind carried on.

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-Pure determination

-carried me to the end of the race.

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-It was an amazing feeling.

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-Go on, Lowri. I love you.

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-Go on, Lowri. I love you.

-

-Thank you, and you.

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-As I left the jungle behind...

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-..and started running

-on the sandy tracks...

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-..the magnitude of the event

-struck me and I cried for hours.

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-I'll never, ever forget that.

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-I was pushing my personal boundaries

-and finding new ones.

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-As darkness fell,

-I joined a man from Brazil.

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-I'd never spoken to him before...

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-..but somehow or other,

-we kept each other going.

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-I crossed the finish line...

0:21:120:21:15

-..after 17 hours

-of walking and battling away...

0:21:150:21:19

-..but I was smiling.

0:21:190:21:21

-That was difficult.

0:21:220:21:23

-There isn't an ounce of energy

-left in my body.

0:21:240:21:27

-I've hit my lowest point

-and this is the high point.

0:21:280:21:33

-I'm so happy that I've finished,

-before midnight in particular.

0:21:330:21:38

-The morning of the final day.

0:21:410:21:44

-I felt sad.

0:21:450:21:47

-I was looking forward

-to crossing the finish line...

0:21:470:21:50

-..but I knew I was going

-to miss the atmosphere.

0:21:500:21:54

-I would miss the camaraderie,

-and I still miss the Amazon.

0:21:540:21:58

-I remember packing my hammock

-for the last time...

0:21:590:22:03

-..standing on the start line...

0:22:030:22:06

-..and realizing that this

-would never happen to me again.

0:22:060:22:10

-Right, here we go.

0:22:100:22:12

-I ran the final stage,

-which was 22 miles...

0:22:130:22:17

-..in just over three hours.

0:22:170:22:19

-When I think about the miles

-I had already covered...

0:22:200:22:24

-..the temperature

-and the weight I was carrying...

0:22:240:22:27

-..it's unbelievable to think

-I did it in about three hours.

0:22:270:22:32

-It shows how much I wanted

-to reach the finish line.

0:22:330:22:38

-When you think that you're about

-to give up on something, then don't.

0:22:390:22:44

-This is what I've learnt.

0:22:440:22:46

-There was a small voice

-inside me that was saying...

0:22:460:22:50

-.."Keep going, Lowri, keep going."

0:22:500:22:54

-I'm so glad

-that I listened to that voice.

0:22:550:22:59

-Some 126 runners started that race.

0:23:010:23:06

-Only 50 completed it

-and I finished in tenth place...

0:23:060:23:11

-..the third woman

-and second amateur across the line.

0:23:110:23:17

-I'd kept my emotions bottled up.

0:23:170:23:21

-They had been churning away

-for a whole week.

0:23:210:23:24

-When I crossed that finish line...

0:23:250:23:30

-..they all came out.

0:23:310:23:34

-Well done, Lowri.

0:23:340:23:36

-Well done, Lowri.

0:23:370:23:38

-Give me a hug.

0:23:410:23:43

-Brilliant.

0:23:450:23:47

-Brilliant.

0:23:480:23:49

-Are you OK?

0:23:500:23:51

-Let's take this off.

0:23:520:23:54

-I've been thinking about this moment

-for the last 18 months...

0:24:010:24:06

-..and now it's here.

0:24:060:24:08

-It's such an amazing feeling.

0:24:090:24:11

-After all the hard work,

-I've succeeded.

0:24:110:24:14

-I couldn't have given

-any more to this race.

0:24:150:24:20

-There's nothing left in the tank.

0:24:210:24:23

-.

0:24:240:24:24

-Subtitles

0:24:280:24:28

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:24:280:24:30

-It took about five months

-before I started running again.

0:24:310:24:35

-I lost all my toenails.

0:24:350:24:39

-I literally

-couldn't wear my running shoes.

0:24:390:24:42

-I was also suffering

-with depression.

0:24:420:24:45

-I missed the jungle.

0:24:450:24:47

-I'd worked so hard for it...

0:24:470:24:50

-..and sacrificed 18 months

-of my life for this race.

0:24:500:24:53

-I also got married.

0:24:540:24:56

-On the way home

-from our honeymoon...

0:24:570:25:01

-..I turned to my husband and said

-I was ready for another challenge.

0:25:020:25:06

-I'd experienced

-one of the world's hottest climates.

0:25:100:25:14

-I wanted to see

-how I would cope...

0:25:140:25:17

-..in the world's coldest conditions.

0:25:170:25:20

-I knew the organizers

-of the 6633 Ultra race.

0:25:200:25:25

-I also knew that only five people

-have ever completed it.

0:25:260:25:31

-It's a 350-mile, non-stop race

-over eight days...

0:25:310:25:36

-..within the Arctic Circle

-in northern Canada.

0:25:360:25:40

-I had to be totally self-sufficient.

0:25:400:25:43

-Temperatures could drop

-to -92 degrees Celsius in the wind.

0:25:430:25:49

-We had to prove that we were ready

-for the Arctic conditions.

0:25:490:25:54

-I knew the toughest,

-most experienced soldiers...

0:25:590:26:02

-..and the best ultra runners

-in the world would be competing.

0:26:020:26:07

-I lacked speed, experience

-and the strength of character.

0:26:070:26:11

-I ran 4,000 miles in a year.

0:26:110:26:15

-It's the equivalent of running from

-Wales to the start line in Yukon.

0:26:150:26:19

-Once again, I was nervous.

0:26:230:26:25

-I was worried that my body

-couldn't last the course...

0:26:260:26:30

-..on such little sleep.

0:26:310:26:32

-I was worried that my mind

-wasn't strong enough...

0:26:320:26:36

-..for the monotony

-and solitude of this race.

0:26:360:26:39

-I was worried the extreme conditions

-would get the better of me.

0:26:390:26:44

-I hoped my body could function

-on just sheer determination.

0:26:440:26:50

-I'm shaking due to the magnitude

-of this moment.

0:26:530:26:57

-I can't believe that the race

-is about to start.

0:26:570:27:00

-It's a personal achievement

-to reach this point.

0:27:000:27:04

-It'll be painful and unbearable

-but also amazing.

0:27:040:27:08

-That's why I'm doing it.

-It makes me feel alive.

0:27:080:27:12

-Everyone has a dream,

-everyone faces various challenges.

0:27:130:27:17

-This is my challenge.

0:27:180:27:19

-Yahoo!

0:27:190:27:21

-I started the race

-with Diane Van Deren.

0:27:250:27:27

-She's a North Face athlete

-and famous in the ultra race world.

0:27:280:27:33

-I learnt a lot from her

-during the early hours of the race.

0:27:330:27:38

-I remember feeling anxious

-because I'd started to sweat.

0:27:380:27:42

-Sweat is one of the main dangers

-in these races.

0:27:430:27:47

-It freezes

-and develops into frostbite.

0:27:490:27:53

-When you remove a layer of clothing,

-the body cools down very quickly.

0:27:560:28:01

-I'm going to change this top...

0:28:030:28:08

-..and replace it with a jacket.

0:28:080:28:11

-Gosh, my body has got so cold.

0:28:110:28:15

-Dear, dear, dear, dear.

-Oh, it's cold!

0:28:150:28:19

-I really hope that I'm not making

-a stupid decision...

0:28:190:28:24

-..and ruining my chances.

0:28:240:28:28

-I arrived at the first checkpoint

-in fifth place.

0:28:340:28:37

-I'd completed 26 miles

-in about six and a half hours.

0:28:380:28:43

-I'd reached the Arctic Circle.

0:28:440:28:47

-I'm totally humbled to be here,

-surrounded by nature.

0:28:490:28:54

-There isn't any pollution,

-just sheer beauty.

0:28:540:28:58

-I'm moving on to the next stage,

-which is about 45 miles.

0:28:590:29:05

-They say that this next stage

-is the most challenging.

0:29:060:29:11

-I'm currently gazing

-at this stunning sunset.

0:29:210:29:26

-It's wonderful.

0:29:270:29:28

-However,

-it's a bitter-sweet feeling...

0:29:310:29:35

-..because it means

-I'm about to face my first night...

0:29:350:29:40

-..on the Dempster Highway.

0:29:410:29:43

-It fills me with fear...

0:29:430:29:46

-..because I know

-that Wright Pass is next.

0:29:460:29:52

-I reached Rock River and learnt

-that Diane had pulled out.

0:30:010:30:05

-The surface was too hard

-on her ankles.

0:30:060:30:09

-I could empathize with that...

0:30:100:30:12

-..but it was a shock to hear

-that she had retired after 50 miles.

0:30:120:30:17

-Everyone in front of me

-had chosen to sleep for a few hours.

0:30:190:30:24

-The temperature was -35 degrees

-Celsius with winds of 70mph.

0:30:250:30:30

-That's a wind chill factor

-of about -70 degrees Celsius.

0:30:300:30:34

-It was too cold to stop.

-I was in the zone.

0:30:350:30:37

-I preferred

-to tackle the mountains...

0:30:380:30:41

-..that were twice as high

-of Snowdon, in the dark.

0:30:410:30:44

-It was colder

-and windier at night...

0:30:440:30:46

-..but I preferred not to be able

-to see the enormous mountains...

0:30:470:30:51

-..and the never-ending highway.

0:30:510:30:54

-It was mentally easier

-to do it that way.

0:30:550:30:58

-It was a long night,

-a very long night.

0:31:000:31:04

-I really struggled that night.

0:31:050:31:08

-I had to wear four layers

-around my head...

0:31:080:31:12

-..and made sure to cover

-every millimetre of my face.

0:31:120:31:18

-After 24 hours, I was so happy

-to reach the second checkpoint.

0:31:200:31:25

-On my schedule,

-I had four hours to sleep...

0:31:250:31:29

-..but I slept for two hours.

0:31:290:31:32

-I woke the film crew and told them

-that I was going to continue.

0:31:320:31:38

-I knew that I was taking a risk.

0:31:380:31:41

-I'd never done a race that involved

-so little sleep before...

0:31:410:31:45

-..but I knew that if fatigue

-got the better of me...

0:31:450:31:49

-..all I had to do was take out

-the bivvy and sleep on the roadside.

0:31:490:31:54

-I remember being

-pleasantly surprised...

0:31:540:31:58

-..by the scenery

-that surrounded me.

0:31:580:32:01

-I wasn't homesick

-for my husband and family...

0:32:010:32:06

-..but I wanted them to be with me.

0:32:060:32:09

-I was very happy out there.

0:32:130:32:16

-I had settled into a rhythm...

0:32:160:32:19

-..and was getting used to the pulk

-that was dragging behind me.

0:32:190:32:24

-I was happy.

0:32:240:32:26

-I led the race at this point,

-but that wasn't important.

0:32:260:32:30

-It was important

-for me to control my mind...

0:32:300:32:34

-..and ignore the pain

-in the soles of my feet.

0:32:340:32:40

-Each time the support team

-or film crew caught up with me...

0:32:400:32:45

-..I'd hear that another competitor

-had pulled out or had fallen.

0:32:450:32:50

-It was like a game of dominoes.

0:32:510:32:54

-By this stage,

-fatigue was starting to set in.

0:32:570:33:01

-I was getting impatient...

0:33:010:33:03

-..and the clock

-was moving very slowly.

0:33:030:33:08

-I was having

-some very dark hallucinations.

0:33:090:33:13

-I was seeing dead bodies

-on the side of the road.

0:33:140:33:17

-I knew they were hallucinations,

-but I had to turn my back to them.

0:33:170:33:23

-That showed my mental state

-at the time.

0:33:230:33:28

-I was really struggling.

0:33:280:33:30

-I reached checkpoint three

-after 44 hours...

0:33:320:33:36

-..and only two hours of sleep.

0:33:370:33:39

-Looking back, I still can't believe

-that I managed to do it.

0:33:390:33:42

-I covered 120 miles in 44 hours

-with only two hours of sleep.

0:33:430:33:48

-It's unbelievable.

0:33:480:33:50

-I woke up

-after four hours of sleep...

0:33:510:33:54

-..and heard that only three of us

-were left in the race.

0:33:540:33:59

-Tony Kelly, Matt Davies and me

-- three Welsh people.

0:33:590:34:04

-Thank you very much.

0:34:040:34:06

-I knew that there was

-a straight road ahead of me...

0:34:070:34:11

-..for 70 miles.

0:34:120:34:13

-I asked Tony Kelly

-if he wanted any company...

0:34:130:34:18

-..for the next stages...

0:34:190:34:21

-..and luckily, he agreed.

0:34:210:34:23

-However, when we arrived

-at Tsiigehtchic...

0:34:240:34:27

-..we learnt that we were

-the only competitors left.

0:34:270:34:32

-When we left checkpoint four...

0:34:330:34:36

-..Tony and I had been together

-for 30 hours.

0:34:360:34:41

-We had got to know each other

-very well.

0:34:410:34:44

-However, it was at this point...

0:34:450:34:48

-..that I realized our attitudes

-were very different.

0:34:480:34:52

-Tony spoke about the finish line...

0:34:520:34:54

-..and how the pair of us

-would cross it together.

0:34:540:34:58

-Yes, I wanted that to happen...

0:34:590:35:02

-..but I couldn't cope with the idea

-of finishing this race.

0:35:020:35:08

-I found it very, very difficult

-to think about the finish line...

0:35:080:35:13

-..because we still had

-175 miles left.

0:35:130:35:18

-This was the point

-that I started to get emotional.

0:35:190:35:22

-I'm struggling, because Tony and I

-are the only ones left.

0:35:230:35:29

-It's heartbreaking to think

-that we're not even halfway yet.

0:35:310:35:37

-We've completed 175 miles...

0:35:370:35:40

-..and there are still

-175 miles left.

0:35:400:35:45

-My feet are in tatters.

0:35:460:35:48

-That was a long night -

-one of the longest of my life.

0:35:500:35:55

-If I'm honest, my frustrations

-were getting the better of me.

0:35:550:36:01

-I could see

-that Tony was getting tired...

0:36:020:36:05

-..and so was I...

0:36:050:36:08

-..so we stopped

-at the side of the road.

0:36:080:36:11

-I wanted to sleep on the other side

-of the bank of snow...

0:36:110:36:15

-..but Tony was too tired

-to climb over the bank...

0:36:150:36:19

-..so we decided to sleep

-on the roadside for an hour.

0:36:190:36:22

-When I woke up an hour later

-and saw where we had slept...

0:36:240:36:30

-..I was furious.

0:36:300:36:33

-I was so angry, not with Tony,

-but with myself.

0:36:340:36:36

-In the morning,

-we chose to separate...

0:36:370:36:41

-..because Tony and I

-were running at different rhythms.

0:36:410:36:44

-Go, Lowri! She's incredible.

0:36:450:36:47

-The aim was to meet

-at Caribou Creek...

0:36:480:36:52

-..and restart the race together.

0:36:520:36:55

-But when I arrived...

0:36:560:36:58

-..I learnt that Tony

-wasn't going to make it.

0:36:590:37:03

-I could have easily given up

-at that point...

0:37:030:37:07

-..and still held my head high.

0:37:070:37:11

-When my husband and family learnt

-that I was the only competitor...

0:37:120:37:16

-..they thought the pressure

-would be too much for me.

0:37:170:37:20

-However, it was the exact opposite.

0:37:200:37:23

-I felt stronger and happier.

0:37:240:37:27

-I felt as if I was carrying

-the hopes of the other competitors.

0:37:270:37:33

-I could feel the support

-of everyone at home.

0:37:330:37:38

-I started my journey

-from Caribou Creek...

0:37:380:37:42

-..with a massive smile on my face.

0:37:420:37:46

-.

0:37:490:37:49

-Subtitles

0:37:530:37:53

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:37:530:37:55

-If anyone was to ask me about

-the happiest part of the race...

0:37:560:38:02

-..I would have to say

-that the happiest section for me...

0:38:020:38:06

-..was when I left Caribou Creek.

0:38:060:38:08

-My pace had increased

-and I was happy.

0:38:090:38:12

-The energy had come back to my legs.

0:38:130:38:15

-The pain was still there,

-but I could live with it.

0:38:150:38:20

-However, ten miles

-from the end of the stage...

0:38:200:38:24

-..fatigue came calling once again.

0:38:240:38:28

-I well and truly hit rock bottom.

0:38:280:38:33

-The pain was too much.

-I was sleeping on my feet.

0:38:330:38:36

-Thankfully, David Smale joined me

-and kept me going.

0:38:390:38:45

-Thank you very much.

0:38:450:38:46

-He gave up a night's sleep

-to help me through this.

0:38:520:38:56

-It's just so humbling.

0:38:570:39:02

-I don't know why people

-are willing to do it...

0:39:050:39:09

-..but I'm so grateful to them.

0:39:090:39:11

-I came very close to giving up

-at this point.

0:39:120:39:16

-I had to remind myself

-that the pain of failure...

0:39:160:39:20

-..would last much longer...

0:39:210:39:23

-..than the pain I was experiencing

-at that moment.

0:39:230:39:27

-I also tried to remind myself

-of my reasons for doing the race.

0:39:300:39:34

-To put it simply, I enjoy pushing

-my mind and body to its limits.

0:39:340:39:39

-I enjoy travelling the world

-and seeing these amazing countries.

0:39:390:39:44

-I enjoy meeting people

-who encourage me...

0:39:440:39:49

-..who inspire me...

0:39:490:39:51

-..and make me search

-the depths of my soul.

0:39:520:39:55

-When I explained this to myself,

-it made the race easier.

0:39:550:40:01

-Give it some stick, Lowri.

0:40:010:40:04

-I reached the final 120 miles

-of the race.

0:40:040:40:08

-I never expected to reach

-that point of the race...

0:40:100:40:13

-..but I was preparing to walk

-on the frozen Mackenzie River.

0:40:140:40:19

-The film crew told me

-how difficult it was for them...

0:40:220:40:27

-..to watch me struggling

-as I started to walk.

0:40:270:40:30

-However, they could see my body

-build and grow.

0:40:310:40:36

-My head would lift up

-and I'd find my rhythm.

0:40:370:40:40

-Within 30 minutes,

-I would be back running.

0:40:400:40:43

-When I reached the next checkpoint

-at Swimming Point...

0:40:450:40:49

-..I could see why I was experiencing

-so much pain in my toes.

0:40:500:40:55

-The blisters had worked their way

-under my toenails and were popping.

0:40:550:41:00

-If I hadn't ripped

-those blisters open...

0:41:000:41:03

-..I couldn't have completed

-the final 50 miles.

0:41:030:41:07

-Ouch!

0:41:070:41:09

-I've got a massive blister

-all the way around my big toe.

0:41:090:41:15

-Oh, that's nice.

0:41:160:41:19

-Relief!

0:41:190:41:22

-My feet were in so much pain

-on these stages...

0:41:220:41:25

-..because the road

-was frozen solid.

0:41:260:41:29

-Every time I reached a checkpoint,

-I would check my feet.

0:41:290:41:33

-They were black with bruises.

0:41:330:41:35

-Imagine striking your hand

-with a hammer non-stop for a week.

0:41:350:41:41

-That'll give you an idea

-of the agony I was enduring.

0:41:410:41:46

-Amazingly,

-with only 50 miles to go...

0:41:480:41:52

-..I felt as if I was

-on the home straight.

0:41:530:41:56

-I found a new energy from somewhere.

0:41:560:41:58

-My head was up.

0:41:580:42:01

-I felt positive.

0:42:010:42:03

-I had found new energy

-from somewhere.

0:42:030:42:07

-I was smiling from ear to ear

-as I approached the finish line.

0:42:080:42:14

-I remember phoning home...

0:42:140:42:18

-..and saying, "I'm almost there,

-I'm almost there!"

0:42:190:42:22

-I said, "I love you,"

-and they said they loved me.

0:42:230:42:26

-I was so proud of myself

-that I'd overcome all my fears.

0:42:260:42:31

-As I put the phone down...

0:42:310:42:33

-..I realized

-that I was very emotional...

0:42:330:42:38

-..because this was the end of one

-of the best adventures of my life.

0:42:380:42:42

-It was an adventure

-that I'll never experience again.

0:42:430:42:49

-Only six people, including me,

-have ever reached that point...

0:42:490:42:55

-..and looked into the eyes

-of the Arctic and succeeded.

0:42:550:43:01

-I feel very honoured.

0:43:020:43:06

-I thought of everyone at home.

0:43:060:43:09

-I wanted them to be there with me...

0:43:100:43:13

-..so that they could see

-everything that I could see.

0:43:140:43:17

-I was in pain, but I was happy.

0:43:170:43:21

-I was surrounded by nature,

-only me and the pulk...

0:43:220:43:26

-..walking hand in hand.

0:43:260:43:29

-I knew how lucky I was

-because I had survived this race.

0:43:310:43:36

-And that I was on my way home.

0:43:390:43:42

-I learnt a lot about myself.

0:43:450:43:48

-It taught me to look at life

-from a new perspective.

0:43:500:43:54

-To appreciate what we have at home

-and take for granted.

0:43:550:44:01

-I want to remember that feeling.

0:44:010:44:03

-I paused for five minutes

-to look around...

0:44:060:44:10

-..and thank the Arctic

-for looking after me.

0:44:100:44:16

-Then, I thanked my feet!

0:44:190:44:23

-It sounds stupid now

-but at the time...

0:44:240:44:27

-..I was so grateful to them

-for carrying me all the way.

0:44:270:44:32

-Woo-hoo!

0:44:480:44:50

-CHEERING

0:44:500:44:53

-# The day will come when the meaning

-of your life becomes clear

0:44:560:45:01

-# We'll extract the juice

-from the fruit

0:45:010:45:04

-# We will all be free #

0:45:050:45:09

-I worked so hard for it.

0:45:100:45:11

-I spent three years of my life...

0:45:120:45:15

-..preparing for the jungle

-and the Arctic.

0:45:150:45:18

-And there I was,

-fulfilling my dreams.

0:45:190:45:23

-# Simple philosophy

0:45:260:45:31

-# I've got an easy philosophy #

0:45:320:45:37

-To this day, the Jungle Marathon

-and Arctic race...

0:45:370:45:42

-..stir up so many emotions

-within me.

0:45:420:45:45

-# To exist is the meaning #

0:45:470:45:50

-I've failed so many times

-in my life...

0:45:500:45:54

-..but I think failure

-makes us stronger.

0:45:550:45:59

-Failure makes success

-taste all the sweeter.

0:46:010:46:06

-I had prepared myself

-for failure in this race...

0:46:070:46:12

-..so crossing the finish line

-was even sweeter.

0:46:120:46:17

-# What about regret?

0:46:170:46:20

-# What about, what about?

0:46:200:46:23

-# Simple philosophy

0:46:230:46:28

-# I've got... #

0:46:280:46:30

-There are two rules

-in these ultra races.

0:46:300:46:33

-You reach the start line

-and cross the finish line.

0:46:340:46:37

-All you have to do between them

-is take one step after another.

0:46:370:46:43

-It sounds simple,

-but that's all it is.

0:46:430:46:46

-One step at a time.

0:46:470:46:49

-# Never-ending

0:46:500:46:54

-# Joy

0:46:540:46:56

-# Joy

0:46:570:47:00

-# Never-ending

0:47:000:47:04

-# Never-ending

0:47:040:47:07

-# Joy

0:47:070:47:10

-# Joy

0:47:110:47:14

-# Never-ending

0:47:150:47:18

-# Never-ending #

0:47:180:47:24

-That's the end

-of another chapter in my life.

0:47:260:47:29

-The question everyone asks me now

-is what's next?

0:47:300:47:35

-Yes. What is next?

0:47:360:47:40

-S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis

0:47:550:47:57

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