SC-Neston run

If yesterday had been an attempt to regain sharpness after the injury, there is also an urgent need to increase the mileage if I am to have any chance at Marathon Eryri. As such, this was an equivocal success: the heel wasn't too bad, but I was aware of it most of the time, unlike yesterday. The idea was to get at least 15 miles in, a shorter northbound version of the full Wirral traverse I did in early 2020 (the 'north' version of the four long compass point runs I occasionally indulge in). It was very hot and humid, which didn't help, and I was already tired through Hawarden to Queensferry. This got worse through the Deeside industrial estate, which is psychologically tough at the best of times. Then came the nicer marshland near Burton but it was a real struggle to the Harp in Little Neston where I called it a day after a little over half marathon distance, badly dehydrated and generally depleted. I then walked the two miles to our meeting point in Neston and we did a picnic walk from Moreton. Only a partial success: minimal heel discomfort but a weird tiredness which may have a range of possible causes.

Hope parkrun

'Race': Park in the Past parkrun

Time/Position: 18.30 (2nd from 257)

After shockwave therapy at the physio on Wednesday, and a couple of cautious runs, I felt it was safe to try the local parkrun in an attempt to retain some sharpness. It went very well, and for a while it looked like I was going to record my third 'win' at the event (which isn't a race!). At the end, the very young lad in the little group of four front runners turned on his youthful finishing kick, which the old man couldn't match. All very encouraging after being barely able to walk less than three weeks ago.

Wirral ride

As with my Heswall run, this took advantage of the Borderlands train as an easy day was in order. From home I rode through Hawarden then down to Queensferry Sports to pick up a hat. At the blue bridge, I followed the Wirral cycling path through to Neston which I haven't done in its entirety for years, not since riding with Morgan and the cubs! I do run this route a couple of times a year, however. After Neston I went down to Parkgate for ice cream at Nicholls, something of an institution. After a cloudy start, some sunshine peeked through as I climbed up towards Heswall. There was an annoying headwind throughout, courtesy of the high pressure easterly that has kept the weather dry for months. This became so annoying that I abandoned plans to cycle east along the tip of the Wirral and stayed sheltered for the inland route to Arrowe Park and then Upton. As I wanted an easy day, this was a better option anyway, and I got the train back to Penyffordd from Upton then cycled back: only around 50k in total.

Ogwen-Orme 100k

Two weeks since the injury but some signs of improvement, and with more cycling now in my legs I decided to up the mileage on a stunning morning of perfect clarity. This is quite unusual for August, but given the time of year an early start was necessary to minimise the traffic so I slept in Hod and left at 7.30am. Beautiful riding south down the west side of the Conwy valley with numerous sharp climbs and steady drags through Tal y Bont and Trefriw to Betws. A bacon bap and mocha for breakfast by the bridge, and it was still relatively quiet for the very familiar road to Capel Curig, which I don't remember ever cycling before. Stunning views of Siabod and then Yr Wyddfa, searing clarity. I pushed through Capel and then upped the pace through Ogwen as the road finally starts to descend at the lakeside. The descent down Nant Francon is superb, really quick. I have run this in the past, but again I'm not sure whether I have ever ridden it. Less than 10 minutes from Ogwen Cottage to Bethesda: and a 16.40 10k from Gwern Gof, which by my abysmal standards is quick. A short water break and then up and along the very narrow Ffordd Coetmor. This is more like a path than a road but leads all the way down and over the A55 with Penrhyn Castle ahead. Then comes a superb cycle route (5) all the back to Conwy. Next to the A55 at times, then inland through Llanfairfechan before hugging the coast from Penmaenmawr. A nagging easterly breeze but not too bad, and then I encountered the crowds for the first time at Conwy Morfa. A short break for milk and snack in Conwy, and then a 20k extension round the Conwy half marathon route: 20 minutes for the loop of the Orme round Marine Drive with the sea glistening deep blue below.

Wrexham-Chester 70k

First major injury for many years (last one may have been 2011) which reared its ugly head towards the end of a longish run on the 3rd. Looks likely to be insertional achilles so it has been straight back onto the bike (which is completely pain free) in an effort to maintain some kind of fitness. On Friday, an interesting double loop from Conwy over Sychnant and back along the coast before Pabo Lane to the Little Orme and back. Yesterday, a 45k Aldford loop for coffee in Chester with Peter. Today, a longer outing, up the 'Steps' from Cefn y Bedd to Bwlchgwyn (a horrible, uneven climb which I have always disliked). Fast descent through Coedpoeth to Wrexham. Through town and out to Marchwiel and Bangor on Dee. Over the old bridge and then the delightful lanes through Shocklach to Farndon. I was getting hungry here, but held on along the Aldford road until the Coop in Huntington. I finished along the Dee to Saltney Ferry than back home via Sandly Lane: 70k with 700m or so of ascent, mainly at the start.

High Raise loop

Peaks: Sergeant Man, High Raise

Area: Central Fells, Lake District

Probably the dullest hill in the Lakes, High Raise famously occupies a very central position. After yesterday's race, and a poor night's sleep in the van, the legs were unwilling this morning. Shame, as this terrain was mostly new to me, indeed I'd never even been up High Raise. For that matter, I don't think I've ever visited Easedale Tarn either, so incorporated it into the day, first taking the road towards Helm Crag that E and I did a couple of years ago. At Toddle Howe, a delightful track along the banks of Easedale Beck leads gently towards a short climb along Sour Milk Gill to gain the hidden cwm containing the tarn, which is very pretty. The sun came out at this point and the dappled landscape back down to Grasmere and over to Fairfield and yesterday's race route was lit to perfection, still fairly early in the morning. The climb up towards Belles Knott and the upper valley was tiring, my legs really suffering after yesterday. But eventually I got to the main watershed (with Langdale on the other side) and the terrain was kinder to my legs up to the rocky outcrop of Sergeant Man. The entire district is visible from here. Some peaks were a bit claggy, especially Helvellyn across the valley. But Scafell Pike, Bowfell, Coniston and the Langdales were clear, bringing back many happy memories since my first Lake District hillwalking trip in 1988! An easy plod over dull moorland to the vague top of High Raise, just a swelling really, with this area feeling more like the Pennines. I took a direct line back over pathless terrain (awkward around Birks Gill) to eventually gain the main path down Far Easedale which is the valley below Helm Crag and Gibson Knott. I trotted down this to pick up the lanes back down to the hostel.

Rydal Round fell race

Race: Heart of the Lakes Rydal Round (16k/3300ft)

Time/Position: 1.55.27 (40th from 108)

You don't look a gift horse in the mouth, and it was pure fluke that my end-of-leave-year micro break coincided with the famous 'Ambleside Sports' on the last Thursday in July. I only found out about it at the last minute, just before I left home: a special day that celebrates traditional Lakeland events like Cumberland wrestling and, of course, fell racing. So although I was planning three relaxing days in the hills as a break from all the recent road running, I couldn't let up the opportunity to do such a classic race. This was partly also because one the few gaps on my 'classic Lakes race CV' is the Fairfield Horseshoe, which this is a version of. I've walked and jogged it a lot, in fact I first went round it way back in 1988! Normally, I wouldn't have done 11 miles in the hills the day before a big race, but I wasn't bothered as the last thing I wanted was to hammer a hard fell race given all my current road running priorities. After a full breakfast at the Grasmere hostel, I enjoyed the leisurely bike ride down to the sports field and had a coffee while I waited for the race, the first event of the day. A great atmosphere, and more or less perfect conditions, warm but not too hot with a light westerly over the tops. We left the field and headed to a level track that leads to Rydal and from here the main climb up and over Nab Scar begins. This was a bit hot and stifling, and is steep and hard throughout. I felt fairly good, however, although I was inevitably miles off the pace given the obvious fact that I have been focused on short, flat road races for several months. From Heron Pike, I really enjoyed the entire ridge up to Fairfield. I got all the right lines, the views are superb, and I felt comfortable, reaching the summit in a little over the hour. The descent was a different story, sadly, tricky and rocky over Hart Crag and then fast running down to Dove Crag led me to think I was on for a decent time. But the descent then becomes awkward over High and Low Pike. It's been decades since I did this bit of the ridge and I had forgotten it. There are a few tricky rises and some awkward ground, including the bad step and some rocky tracks. I was also caught by a familiar face, Neil from Warrington, and we had a grand old battle down to the sports field, which I lost! We had a pint in the sunshine as the other events took place, and I then cycled back to the hostel for a relaxing evening. A great way to conclude an eventful month.