The Fan Dance in the daylight this time!
Our final training race before "City to summit" on 2nd July 2017
We started our training with a "night time" Fan Dance back in January and decided to finish our training with a "day time" version. This time we were accompanied by three Elite Conditionng ladies Anne, Jo and Kate
THE FAN DANCE
THIS IS A 24KM ROUTE MARCH IN THE BRECON BEACONS WHICH IS INFAMOUS WITHIN THE RANKS OF ALL UK SPECIAL FORCES.
It is now over 50 years old and still today forms the first major hurdle on Selection and an indicator as to whether a potential UKSF soldier has the physical and mental determination to complete it within the cut off time set by the D.S (Directing Staff).
The challenge begins as soon as the race does with an immediate ascent of Pen y Fan which is 2,907 feet (886 m). The route then descends on the other side of the peak with a pathed route to the halfway point before turning around and reversing the route. The return leg provides an even tougher challenge with the evil ascent back up the Fan known as Jacob’s Ladder.
This is where 5 ladies and including myself attempt to complete this route in the daylight hours full sun of 25 degrees plus heat.
We all arrive the night before and stay in a hotel just 10 mins from the start line. A 7.30am registration has us all up early the next day, just love these early starts!....... but today I knew it was a must with weather predicted to rise above 25 degrees out there in the full sun!
The start was delayed by almost an hour will very long, long instructions and sniffer dogs search around everyone's bags for Semtex etc so safety was paramount due to instances on the news in previous weeks.
So we start from the Red Phone Box..... its that "hill" infamous hot and hard at 9 am !
Up to the top and done and the next peak is soon seen looming above us. Up and on wards its not long before we reach the summit but then its "Jacobs ladder" which coming down seemed a breeze and we head on through check point upon check point. They check our hydration and ask how we are at each check point
Eventually we reach the turn-around point and group together for snacks and hydration. Its hot and we are all thirsty and I am hungry!! I eat two packets space Raiders they have provided and my jam sandwich and down 3 kiddies drinks they have provided which are pure sugar and water but make feel great :0)
After a little respite from the sun and heat we all fill our water bladders to the max and extra carriers if we had for the return up over Jacobs ladders in the 1pm sun full sun.
The return was tough it was hot and long but it was also great to see such beautiful scenery. A tough simulation of a SAS training hike.
On finishing our 15 miles training run over Pen y Fan we head straight for an ice-cream.
Photos are are a mixture from Anne, Jo,Karen and only few from me. I forgot in all the excitement!
