Training while making a 2,700 mile journey across the American west coast is not easy. There are vast distances to cover, and it’s far more tempting to grab some cider and watch the Pacific’s waves crash over the black rocks while the sun sets.

However, train I must. After some indulgent sunset watching with a growler of craft cider from Portland, the next day I get up and take on the Cape Kiwanda sand dune. Located in the surf town of Pacific City on the Oregon coast, the dune gives some spectacular views of the surrounding capes.

I’ve not been able to find how high the Cape Kiwanda dune is, but it’s one of the biggest I have ever climbed and running up it was hard. In fact the running part was a bit of a fail. I walked up it. I was out of breath almost straight away and my calf muscles felt like they wanted to snap. Of course Rob (co-founder of Sea to Sky) managed to make it up without so much as a drop of sweat.

The view from Cape Kiawanda sand dune.

The view at the top is worth every painful step. The beaches sweep into the horizon and sandstone has been eroded to make dramatic natural sculptures. In the distance, sea stacks stand proud resisting, for now, the force of the ocean.

Knowing how hard I found that short but sharp climb, I am dreading the vertical kilometre during Man V Mountain.

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach

The beaches of Oregon have been the perfect place to train. On Cannon Beach I ran three kilometres along the beach to a sea stack, which becomes accessible at low tide. A natural marine garden, there are star fish, sea anemones, puffins and cormorants. The coastline is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It’s easy to forget the pain of running when you have such scenery to concentrate on.

Marine life in on Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR

However, even with the cool temperatures and National Geographic standard vistas, I still have trouble with my breathing while running. When I trained for the Vancouver Sun Run I had the same problem, and it eventually went away on its own accord. This time it’s taking a long time get under control. Any tips anyone?