The trails have been calling, and after ten years, I've finally answered. It's been a decade since I last posted on Trailrunner, back when I was flying down the rocky paths of Table Mountain and slogging through the muddy tracks of the Drakensberg. Now I'm a 39-year-old dad based in London with a new dream taking shape: completing the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in 2030.
The Running Hiatus
Life has a way of shifting priorities. Moving from South Africa to the UK, building a career, starting a family – suddenly, those weekend trail adventures became memories rather than regular activities. My running shoes gathered dust, and this blog sat untouched.
But something about turning 39 got me thinking. I found myself watching trail running videos late at night, feeling that familiar itch to get back out there. The mountains were calling again, and this time, they were speaking French, Italian, and Swiss – the languages of the UTMB route.
Why UTMB?
If you're a trail runner, you know what UTMB represents. If you're not, imagine this: 170km around Mont Blanc, passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland, with roughly 10,000m of climbing (that's like going up Everest from sea level). It's the pinnacle of trail ultra-running – the race that tests not just endurance but courage, persistence, and adaptability.
For a South African guy living in flat London, targeting a race like this is ambitious, maybe even a bit mad. But that's precisely why it's worth doing. I've got five years to transform myself from an out-of-practice road runner to someone who can tackle alpine terrain for 30+ hours straight.
Starting From Scratch
I'm writing this from Dubai, where I'm spending a month for work. Talk about a challenging place to kickstart trail training – it's flat, hot, and the only "trails" are in air-conditioned malls. But we work with what we've got, right?
This week I managed 65km, mostly along the beach in the early morning before the heat becomes unbearable. My weekend included back-to-back longer runs: 20km on Saturday and 18km on Sunday. My legs are feeling it, but there's something satisfying about that familiar soreness.
The plan is to build to 80-90km weekly by year-end. Not impressive by serious ultra runner standards, but a realistic target for someone balancing running with family life and work.
The London Trail Challenge
When I return to London next month, I'll face the challenge of training for mountains in a city that's famously flat. My strategy includes:
- Weekly hill sessions at Hampstead Heath (not a mountain, but it's what I've got)
- Monthly trips to the Surrey Hills or North Downs
- Quarterly weekends in the Peak District or Lake District for more serious elevation
- Stair workouts in high-rise buildings or anywhere I can find them (less scenic, but effective)
I've mapped out some urban routes that maximize whatever incline London offers. It's not the Alps, but with creativity and persistence, I'll make it work.
Family, Work, and Mountain Dreams
The biggest challenge isn't finding hills – it's finding time. With a young family and work commitments, training for something like UTMB requires careful balancing.
My current approach involves:
- Early morning runs (5:00 club, every day)
- Weekend long runs planned around family activities
- Planning family holidays in hilly areas
The Five-Year Plan
Breaking down the journey to UTMB:
- 2025: Build consistent base, complete first trail half marathon
- 2026: First 50km ultra, focus on vertical gain
- 2027: Step up to 100km races, gain UTMB qualifying points
- 2028: More mountain-specific races, enter UTMB lottery
- 2029: Final preparation races, altitude training
- 2030: UTMB
Am I being realistic? Time will tell. But having a long-term goal has already transformed my daily motivation.
What I'll Be Sharing
This blog will document the entire journey – the good runs, the disasters, the gear discoveries, the family juggling acts. You'll get:
- Training updates and stats (for the numbers geeks)
- London and UK trail recommendations
- Gear reviews based on actual use, not sponsorships
- The reality of balancing ultra training with family life
- The mental side of returning to running after a long break
I'm not an elite athlete or coach – just a regular runner with an immodest dream. If you're on a similar journey or just enjoy following along, I'd love to connect.
First Steps
Earlier this month I ran 8km – my first proper run in years. It wasn't fast or pretty, but it felt like coming home. My lungs burned, my form was terrible, and today my calves are reminding me that running muscles are different from "chasing the kids around" muscles.
But I'm back. And this time, I'm documenting every step of the way.
You can follow along here, on Strava, or Instagram (@trailrunnerZA). Drop a comment to share your own goals or advice – I could use all the help I can get on this journey.
Here's to dusty trails, burning lungs, and the mountains that await.
Happy trails,
Kyle
