Day 2 of the 6-in-6 Ultra: Chasing Joy, Outrunning Cows, and Building Community on the Howum

A Quirky Start in Mid-Wales

After a night in a “luxury shed” in a random garden in mid-Wales (where the toilet was basically a tent with a bucket), Dan and I kicked off day two by heading to the start of the Howum. My parents were there, camping and ready with a bacon sandwich as we arrived. Despite hearing that this course was “too much fire road,” “underwhelming,” or “boring,” I was genuinely excited—not just for the route, but because I had a whole squad joining me for the day. Dan brought the party vibes, and Paul, Joanna, and Jenks were all stepping up. I was feeling great!

The Slowest Start—and Settling Into the Challenge

This was probably the slowest start to an ultra I’ve ever had. I was ready to go at 7 a.m. sharp, bacon sarnie in hand, but my running crew were still lacing up and sorting their packs. I started my watch at the official event time, but no one moved. Eventually, we set off, taking it easy on the road sections. Paul shot ahead, Joanna took a few wrong turns (giving us all a laugh), and I started to loosen up as we hit the forest trails—especially after I put my own music on for the first time. The boost was incredible, shaking off the previous day’s fatigue and making the technical trails pure joy.

Finding My Flow—and My Freedom

As we moved onto a slight incline through the woods, I felt myself opening up, running strong and leaving everyone else behind. Joanna kept up for a bit, laughing as I hurdled stiles and gates. I genuinely felt like a kid again, playing in the fields and forests. For me, running isn’t always about loving the act itself—it’s about what movement allows me to do. This challenge was as much about expressing myself and exploring as it was about pushing my limits.

Music, Mishaps, and the Joy of Movement

After a sheep-filled field, a phone call from Joanna (who was lost) interrupted my music. She was just out of sight, and as I tried to guide her, she tripped over a tree root—luckily, she bounced back up and carried on. The others caught up and suggested I slow down to save energy for later. I agreed, reluctantly.

The Cows Are Coming! A Legendary Mid-Run Moment

Then came the highlight of the week: the cows. We entered a field of seemingly calm cows—until they started chasing us. The group scattered: Joanna screamed, Jenks tried to film, Paul was unfazed, and Dan—music blaring, dressed in bright pink—stood his ground, yelling “MOOOOO” before sprinting at the cows. It was an absolutely iconic moment, and we were all in hysterics as we escaped.

Fireroads, Friendship, and Fuel

A few more fields and cows later, we hit the infamous fireroad section. I love a good uphill fireroad: steady, runnable, and a great place to find your rhythm. Alone for much of the climb, I put my head down and grinded out the kilometers until Paul caught up. We reached the second checkpoint—only to find it was just a picnic bench. I’d packed my food and water for two checkpoints, not one, so I was keen to get moving and refuel at the next stop.

The Source of the Severn—and the Power of Community

After a quick reunion, we set off for the out-and-back to the source of the River Severn—my favourite running section of the day. Dan was still blasting music and giving his “10% updates.” We ran together on the downs, split up on the flats and ups, and entered a forest bustling with families out for a sunny Wednesday. We may have ruined a few picnics with our blaring Prodigy and dancing on benches, but it was all part of the fun.

At the boardwalk—a course favourite for many (but not for me)—I picked up the pace, dodging families and hitting a 4 min/km split. We waited near the next checkpoint for Joanna, who was struggling with energy and recovering from injury. When she arrived, upset and apologetic for slowing us down, I reassured her: she wasn’t holding anyone back, and her presence made the day even more special.

Pushing Through Fatigue and Finishing Strong

At the checkpoint, I tried to refuel, but by then it was too little, too late—I was running on empty. Joanna and Jenks called it a day, joining my parents to wait at the finish, while Dan, Paul, and I pressed on. Fatigue hit hard, and conversation faded as I focused on just moving forward, occasionally sitting to regain energy. Dan and Paul chatted about their plans for future races, and for the first time in the challenge, I really felt like I was bringing people together and building community.

We pushed through to the finish, but I hadn’t quite hit 50km—so I carried on for an extra 800m to round it up. Finally, I could sit down and soak in the buzz of another day completed. As the group dispersed, my parents drove me to Hoppo’s house for a well-earned relaxing evening. Day 2 was done!

Day Two in Review

TL;DR:

• Best moment: Turning a corner and seeing Dan raving on a park bench

• Worst moment: Being shouted at for running

• Message of the day: "You. Are. A. Legend. It will hurt. Sometimes you'll want to stop. Sometimes you might even want to cry. And that's all part of it."

• Quote of the day: "Why are you gay?"

• Hurts: my stomach from lack of food and water

• Favourite Snack: Watermelon and Salt

• Crew of the Day: Dan

• Overall: Amazing day with amazing people. Some ups and downs, but so many stories.

Call to Action: Support Sport In Mind

Every mile of this challenge is about more than just running—it’s about raising awareness and funds for Sport In Mind, supporting mental health through the power of movement and community. If my story inspired you, please donate to my fundraiser for Sport In Mind, share this blog, or spread the word. Your support makes a real difference!