Cape Breton Cabot trail adventure 2021

Being relatively new to ultra running, this was my first what I would call big challenge. It's been a tough learning curve with some big early failures in my ultra running career. My first big wake up call was a race called the Wasscally Wabbit. Foolishly thinking I could 'wing it', over 80ish kms of rugged trail with limited training, was a smack in the mouth as I suffered through the first quarter of the race and pulled out before half way. This ended up being the kick up my backside that I needed. New adventures awaited and I'd not take them so lightly.

2019 was going to be my year! Finally I'd get a plan together to tackle a 100 miler and get the belt buckle I dreamed of having. Then covid hit and race after race got canceled - first Capes100, then Riverlands, then Capes100 again, and then my final hope a 100 miler in new Brunswick which I was certain would go ahead got canceled. I started to get the feeling I was cursed.

In-between, I managed to get a solid training block completed over the winter of 2020/2021. I put in a solid effort at a distance event held by a local trail running group the hfxhares, managing 63km in snowy conditions and ending up in first place. Then in April 2021, I did my first solo 100km run which took a solid 15 hrs. Two weeks later, with a tough 50km at Cape Chignecto which went really well and boosted my confidence, and trust me confidence is ALWAYS an issue with me as I always doubt my abilities.

A short back story on this Cape Breton challenge/adventure. My good running buddy, Chalmers Blinkhorn, who I met some 3 years ago at a local gym doing daily boot camps, I think I'm fair in saying running or ultra running was not on either of our radars at that point. We built a pretty good friendship and started doing some small runs, an 8km run that goes down in history early on that deserves a blog all to its self. Short story it was horrible, everything hurt we were both wrecked and had no idea what we were doing. This was to be the start of some great adventures. We both went on to complete shorter races, and then, Cape Chignecto which all ended successfully. This is where our journeys took us in different directions. Chalmers got the 100mile bug, me not so much as i mentioned before I have huge doubt issues and didn't believe it was a target that was achievable for me. So I went on with just enjoying running trying to stay fit and Chalmers went on to achieve incredible things, including an 100mile buckle at Capes100, completing a Marathon smashing PB'S along the way.

Anyway back to present time, early in 2021, Chalmers looking for a new challenge asked if I'd be interested In joining him in his challenge of biking the Cabot trail while stopping to run every single provincial trail along the way. First, I was just supposed to run the first part, trails 1-16. This then turned into running the entire thing with him as his pacer ha! That's a laugh as he's always infront of me on our runs. I figured the biking kms would be the great equalizer and I'd actually be a legit pacer while at the same time having a great adventure myself. And here is where I had the greatest internal battle with myself for this adventure. First and foremost, this was Chalmers challenge. I was joining to try and help him achieve his target. All well and good when chatting around a table drinking a beer planning all the details. Honestly, all I could think about was how the hell am I going to be able to run 130+km of trails with over 3000m of elevation without being a burden to him - let alone trying to increase his odds of getting it done! This was a time to finally put on my big boy pants and suck it up. I knew I had to go into places I'd likely never been before. The pain cave was a story I'd heard about but never really experienced. I knew it would come and then I would have to deal with it. Now was not the time for doubt, now was the time to get shit done and help my buddy achieve his goal and smash some of my own self doubt along the way.

This is my first ever race/adventure recap so here goes nothing!

Day 1

Starting at 1am. We got off to a good start watching a beautiful sunrise early on. It was a great boost to the spirit. Chalmers covered the 140ish km with no issues and we arrived at the first trail head Freshwater Lake. We were ready to get the running parts of this adventure underway. Tracy, Chalmers wife, who would crew and feed us along this adventure was ready and waiting for us with some hot oatmeal. This seems a good part to mention not only did Tracy crew us for the trip but she also ran 50+km as well!! Amazing!

The first few trails went by easy. By mid-afternoon, as the heat of the day hit home and the trails added up shit got real as we headed to Franey Mountain. It wasn't helped by the fact thst we got lost finding the trail head and added an extra 3km to the trail. The climb was brutal and hot! Did I mention it was hot? The first doubts entered my head that just maybe I had bitten of more than I could chew! I entered the first mental battle of the trip and sucked it up and kept moving forward. We continued on and smashed the next few easier trails out of the way and things progressed well. As we hit Warren Lake, I knew the heat was getting to Chalmers a bit. We finished up and after a few minutes cooling down with some ice he was off and ready to go again. At this point, I was feeling good. Day 1 was in the bag and on schedule.

Day 2

Started off with some easy trails knocking off - Jake Pine and Jigging Cove were completed with no issues. We arrived back at the van where Tracy was cooking up a now famous eggs & pancake breakfast, wow!! Up next Mica Hill!. I was looking forward to this trail as I had heard great things about it. Sadly, for me, it coincided with my low point on day 2. I was struggling as the weather turned wet and windy and I had a tough time in this 8km trail. As a side note, Tracy ran and totally destroyed both of us on this trail. She was amazing!

Next was Aspy, a 9.6km trail straight up the side of a mountain. I could sense Chalmers panicking a bit after a tough ride to the trail head and the 60 hour target for this adventure was now at the forefront off our mind. I told him not to wait for me and if he dropped me just to push on. I absolutely did not want to be the factor in him not meeting the 60 hr target time. As it happened, this was my turning point of the entire trip. Something I can't explain happened and suddenly I was running and climbing better than ever - the energy and strength I was feeling gave me a new extra boost of confidence that I could get this done. Aspy was done faster than we expected and we left on a high.

Next up, a few easier trails with Lone Shieling and MacIntosh Brook getting done in easy fashion. Chalmers was still strong on the bike at this point after some mega climbs we both arrived at what I think we both knew would make or break the entire trip. Fishing Cove was straight down a mountain for 6km then a brutal climb back up total 12km. We had a possibility of 4hrs for this trail but in reality we knew we didn't have that time available to us. I felt amazing on this trail! Fueled by my confidence from Aspy I got to the bottom of the valley in super fast time and then started back up. I had planned to wait half way up for Chalmers to catch up - because I knew he may be getting low on water and I was carrying extra. As it turned out, I didn't need to - as he caught up and after a quick refill of water he was off like a rocket. We made it out of this trail in half the time we had predicted and now it seemed nothing could stop us.

Skyline Trail was soon up and I was looking forward to this one. As I was starting to feel the load of the day - I was suddenly energized by the sunset. It was almost perfect timing to hit this trail. A great way to end the day.

After our only dark run of the trip at Corney Brook, we were treated to some hot pasta that Tracy had waiting for us and we proceeded to try and get a couple of hours sleep in the car. Sadly, for me, with the wind and cramps in my legs sleep wasn't to be had.

Day 3

Started out well with a beautiful trail Le Vieux Chemin Du Cap. It was almost like running over rolling mountains in a musical movie! Soon it was apparent that there were only 2 trails left between us and the finish line. Although Chalmers still had a big ride left. Salmon pools was a Rollercoaster. First, we expected a 7.8km run. Then, the trail head said 12km, this changed everything! Suddenly, we were in a time crunch at the worst possible time. We headed in. I was struggling. Then, about 5km in, I saw Chalmers and Tracy standing waiting for me. I suddenly noticed the trail was not 12km but just over 10km! Not a big deal you think? Well, when your 55hrs and 120km into your run - that 2km makes it a huge deal! Suddenly, I was energized and ran the last 5km out in super fast time. I used an old trick that I'd been told about. Chalmers told me that he did this with his 100mile races. I would run ahead about 50 yards then force him to catch up, I repeated this 5 or 6 times and it seemed to work and he kept trying to catch me and we all got out really fast.

The last trail!

Acadian Trail - another 8.4km of a brutal climb out of a valley. Adrenaline pumping I gave it everything I had on this last trail. Excited by knowing I'd completed my part of this challenge and knowing I did it without hindering Chalmers in his. I finished up and waited for Chalmers to arrive at the end of his challenge. He arrived inside of his 60hrs - challenge accomplished. I felt a sense of satisfaction at being apart of this great adventure. I missed out on writing about many great moments from this challenge as I could gone on forever!

P.S I'm not a writer and give no apologies for spelling or grammar errors! 😉 I hope you enjoyed the story as much as we enjoyed doing it.

Final stats for me 133km

Elevation 3678 meters

This was by far my greatest adventure to date.

Massive thanks to Tracy and Chalmers for an amazing time, memories for a lifetime.

Livelifeintents for great accommodation amazing hospitality

Highlandhostel unbelievable hospitality this place has to be visited

Now!

Now on to the next adventure.