Kinder Scout, Clwydian cloud inversion

Gradually trying to regain some strength and fitness. Still affected by my flu bout, even though it was three weeks ago, and now seem to have developed some kind of hamstring injury to make matters worse. A few runs last week, including an intervals session, went OK - but mileage still well down. Met my old friend Pete in the Peak District on Saturday, and we traversed the Kinder Scout plateau to the downfall via Grindsbrook from Edale. Back over Kinder Low via the Pennine Way in classic Peak conditions of low cloud, high wind and knee-deep peat bog. Most enjoyable. Yesterday I ran from Pantymwyn in fog up to the Clwydian ridge where I popped through the cloud into perfect still winter sunshine. I sat near Moel Dywyll watching the cloud bank gently creep up to the ridge, before running up Moel Famau pursued by the bank of cloud: quite beautiful. Then, on the top of Moel Famau, enjoyed a 20 minute long 'glory' - my silhouette reflected on the cloud below the summit with a rainbow halo: the sun above the Vale of Clwyd, the cloud bank just east of the top. Only the 2nd or 3rd time I've seen this famous phenomenon in nearly 20 years of mountain activity. I then ran down to Pantymwyn in thick mist.

Post-flu border league nightmare

A disastrous performance in the third race of the Border League season in Prestatyn yesterday. Had a really bad dose of flu in early December, confined to bed for nearly four days, and had only done two or three mild runs to prepare (and had lost form even before the flu). But even my weakened state after the flu didn't prepare me for the struggle I had and the massive loss of speed. I was OK up to half way near Splash Point but lost it completely on the return along the prom, losing dozens of places to finish around 100th - nearly 60 places down on race 1 in Capenhurst when I was 45th! I can only hope that I will gradually regain strength and form over the next month. I'm not planning any races, just hoping to recover (24 races this year).

Bangor XC race

Made my debut for Buckley in the cross country league on Saturday. Had a disappointing race, although it was hard for me to do anything other than run conservatively, since I had never done the Bangor course before. It was around 5.5 miles of predictable mud, short hills and waterlogged fields. All quite enjoyable, but I finished in a poor 74th place - which compares badly to my 58th place at Penmaenmawr (from 238, which is OK for me in a fell race) and very badly to recent road results. All in all, I'm suffering from a dip in form at present - haven't really felt sharp since the Snowdonia marathon, and have struggled to do intervals and long runs. I feel relatively comfortable at all times, but am lacking a bit of speed for some reason.

Penmaenmawr fell race

Had a great day out on one of my favourite races, the Penmaenmawr fell race, last Saturday. It's a cracking event which last year was run in perfect cold, still conditions. This time round the wind howled - gale force gusts, head-on and distinctly unhelpful for most of the race, becoming side-on for the bog and rocks beyond Bwlch y Ddaefaen. Great fun, though. My time of 1:38 was only 4 minutes or so up on last year, but the conditions were much harder so my position was a lot better. Think I finished in the top quarter, but didn't really push it, just enjoyed the elements and scenery. It's not really a true fell race, but is none the worse for that: more like a very long cross-country race in a hostile mountainous landscape. The big climb comes at the beginning, then it's undulating with a few bogs, rocks and streams thrown in. Runnable all the way to the excellent finish past the stone circles. Had a recovery mountain bike ride on the Sunday, in nice cold sunshine, up to Rhosesmor.

Caernarfon 10k border league

A slightly disappointing performance in the second border league fixture at Caernarfon yesterday. I'd had a streaming cold the day before and hadn't fully recovered, although I felt reasonably clear at the start of the race. The course followed the Caernarfon 10k course along the Menai Straits then inland over a series of hills, so wasn't particularly fast, but it has a splendid finish past the castle. My time of 39:18 was only good enough for 61st place in a strong field of 261 club runners, 14 places down on race 1 and a disappointing 50 secs slower than the Mold 10k six weeks ago. Still, glad I did it and an enjoyable race.

Clwydian fell run

Just back from a blustery but exhilerating run from Pantymwyn up to the main Clwydian ridge, then over Moel Dywyll, Moel Famau and Ffrith to join the bridleway down to Cilcain and back to Pantymwyn. Felt good in the wind and drizzle, although this was a longer run than I was planning - the second border league fixture is less than 48 hours away. A tough Buckley intervals session on Tuesday was good preparation, and I followed this up with a 6-miler on Wednesday.

Bryn Alyn run, Pot Hole bouldering

I seem to have recovered reasonably well from the two marathons. Now focusing on shorter events again. Enjoyed a beautiful run over Bryn Alyn above Llanferres yesterday. Perfect autumnal sunshine and nice Clwydian scenes. Quite a steep pull up from Pot Hole Quarry, where I did a bit of bouldering to finish: nice to be in the rock shoes again.

Snowdonia marathon

Found yesterday's Snowdonia marathon considerably tougher and less enjoyable than last year. I took 26 minutes off last year's time, which might have something to do with it - but think it more likely that I am still recovering from Cardiff two weeks ago, and had a tough training session with Buckley on Thursday. My tapering was not as thorough as usual. The weather was perfect, unlike last year, and I went over Pen y Pass comfortably within the first 100 runners. Glorious running down to Beddgelert, although unlike Cardiff I never felt entirely comfortable. Kept it going until I met with the family and Dave in Waunfawr, and then suffered on the final climb to Bwlch y Groes, although passed quite a few runners on the fell race decent and had a dreadful time after finishing, throwing up and very cold. Finished in 3:44 in 194th place, out of a big field - supposedly 1500 entrants, but there can't have been that many on the day. No more marathons for me until next spring at the earliest, after my triptych of great events over the last 7 weeks: Jungfrau, Cardiff, Snowdonia - a memorable trio. I intend to concentrate on shorter, faster stuff this winter, with maybe a few fell races, until I up the mileage in the New Year.

Clwydian fell run

I've been taking it fairly easy since the Cardiff marathon, conscious that I've got the tough Snowdonia marathon next Sunday (29 Oct). Ran from Pantymwyn up to the main Clwydian ridge via the footpaths south of Cilcain yesterday. A nice run - cool and damp, finally starting to feel like autumn. I felt reasonable off road, but don't think I'll be ready for the Clwydian fell race one week after Snowdonia, so might as well give the marathon everything I've got - I'd certainly like to improve on last year's time.

Cardiff marathon

Recovering from yesterday's Cardiff marathon - my fifth race over the distance. The plan was to do this simply to get a good time, but in the end we decided to make a family weekend of it - stopping at Gilfach farm and St Fagans on the way down and enjoying the city. It was a nice event and a good course for decent times - the two laps weren't as psychologically tough as I'd thought. I can't decide whether I ran the perfect race or failed to push it enough. Virtually every mile was 8 minute pace, to within a few seconds. Went through the half way point with Dave exactly as planned - just under 1:45. Slowed very slightly along the windy barrage, but then picked it up again and maintained the pace right through to the fantastic millennium stadium finish (the north face of the Eiger made a superb finish to the Jungfrau marathon and this was a great, but almost equally exhilerating, contrast). Managed 3:27, and at least I now have a non-embarrassing marathon time. But I'll have to push a bit harder next time, moving towards the sub-3 hr. I still have to concede that I'm more suited to 10k distance.

Capenhurst Border League opener

It was the first race of the new Border League road running season on Sunday. I want to give this a proper crack this year, having only managed the final two races last season. Happily, my recent form gains continued with a time of 32:56 for the 5.5 mile course (essentially two laps of the Capenhurst 5k circuit so knew the route well). Enough for 47th place in a strong, club-runners only field of 250. I was passed by 5 or 6 strong finishers in the last 300 metres, inexcusible really - just didn't have the finishing kick and will have to do something about it as the season progresses. Still a good competitive race and a good start (my team Buckley are second in division one behind Wirral, but early days yet).

Flintshire 10k

Ran my first race since the Jungfrau marathon yesterday. By way of (rather extreme) contrast, it was the Flintshire 10k about a mile away from my house. A fine event, very well supported, nice atmosphere - and I was pleased with my performance. Finished in 38:29 for 20th place in a field of around 400, I think recent marathon training has increased by endurance and combined well with some recent intervals sessions. Paced it reasonably well and managed to hold on up the Ruthin Road hill. Pleased to smash my June Penny Lane PB by almost a minute. Next target has to be sub 37 mins, but I think that might still be some way off. Cardiff marathon is now less than 2 weeks away but, apart from the Jungfrau, I haven't done many long runs - just one run of around 17 miles, and about 12 miles last Thursday.

Merida mountain bike marathon

A change of event yesterday, as I completed my first mountain bike marathon. I rode Merida's Ruthin event, which is close to home and therefore lacked surprises in terms of the route - but it was really a matter of curiosity. I wanted to find out what these events are all about, and enjoyed it a lot. I went for the 75k course, with around 2400m of climbing: quite enough to be getting on with, particularly as I could still feel last week's Jungfrau marathon in my legs. But it went well - an amazing start with 1000 mountain bikes heading through Ruthin. The rest of the day was an epic blend of hard climbing and exciting descents, almost all of which I'd done before but never in such a long day (didn't stop me going over the bars above Cilcain and breaking my helmet). Finished in just under 6 hrs. Some running last week, recovered OK from the Jungfrau - which is still fresh in the memory. Now I need to start upping the running again for the forthcoming Cardiff and Snowdonia marathons, as well as some local 10k's.

Jungfrau marathon

Back from the Jungfrau marathon which was, as expected, a stupendous outing. I had high expectations, but they were exceeded by the magnificent scenery, support and organisation. Got round in less than 5 hours - 4.56, which almost put me in the top quarter of finishers for a race with 1829m (6000ft+) of climbing. The weather was superb - it had started to clear up the day before when we (Dave, Neil and myself) went up the Schilthorn (3000m) for superb views of the Bernese Oberland in a classic cloud inversion. But the day itself dawned crystal clear and stayed that way - couldn't have been better. The course is wonderfully varied and challenging - flattish to 25k, then very steep zigzags to Wengen where the atmosphere and crowd is like nothing I've ever experienced. There follows a gently inclining section to the incredible denouement on the very steep Eigergletscher moraine ridge, the glaciers towering above topped by the Monch and Jungfrau, followed by the steep downhill last 1km to finish at Kleine Scheidegg at the base of the north face of the Eiger. Quite a day.

Sychdyn to Moel Famau and back, Clwydian MTB trailquest

My last long run before the Jungfrau marathon was home (in Sychdyn) to the top of Moel Famau and back - about 75mins each way. Two days later, did the Moel Famau race in 35mins (finished 35th) and last Friday did a final 10 mile run by way of fine tuning for the Jungfrau. Yesterday, rode the first Clwydian trailquest, around 50km around what is essentially a mountain bike orienteering course spread out across the Clwydians. A fascinating blend of hard riding, route planning and navigation. Being local helped, but we were still only able to get around 17 of the 27 checks within the 5 hour limit.

Lake District weekend, Eryri scrambles, MTB Clwydian killer loop, Race the Train, Pie and Peas race

A sprained knee (stag night injury sustained in Newquay!) put me out of the Snowdon race. But a gradual recovery and a weekend in the Lakes (including the Mosedale horseshoe with Wistow Crags scramble, and the long Buttermere round over all the peaks) saw me regain some fitness. Did the superb Race the Train in mid Wales in appalling but fun conditions - about 1:54, missing the train by 5 mins or so. Also the multi-terrain Pie and Peas near Winsford Cheshire, the Capenhurst 5k (18:33) and the Moel Famau fell race yesterday. Also enjoyed Main Gully, an easy scramble, on Glyder Fach last Saturday - and the Llechog ridge in the rain the week before that. Mountain biking also coming along, a few good circuits of the Clwydians including the 40km, 1000m+ ascent killer loop.

Provence, Maritime Alps, Penny Lane 10k

Back from a fortnight's family holiday in France. Splendid time had by all - lots of snorkelling, swimming with the children. But also a few interesting trips. Left the caravan at 4am on two seperate days to drive to the Mercantour (Maritime Alps). The first trip saw me up Mont Ponset (2900m or so), with a sharp summit tower scramble and superb views, followed by a beautiful circuit via the smaller summit of Mont Caval over the Lac des Prals. On the second day I went up the Gordolasque valley to ascent Mont Clapier (3045m), one of the area's major peaks - wonderful. Also ran/walked up Robion in the Castellane Pre-Alpes and had a good run up Mont Vinaigre in the Esterel (where we stayed, excellent trail running throughout the massif). The day before going on holiday, I ran 39:23 in the Penny Lane 10k - but went through 8k in 30 mins so lost a lot of time on the final hill...

Cilcain 'over the top' MTB

Deliberate attempt to up the mileage this week, as conditions have been a little cooler and more suited to harder training. Good longish trail/road runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a decent mountain bike outing yesterday from Cilcain 'over the top' of the ridge to Llangynhafal and back via Moel Arthur. The steep but grassy descent from the ridge is always a joy - very exhilerating - and this was no exception.

Capenhurst 10k, Cyffylliog MTB

On a hot and humid day (26c) yesterday, I failed by an infuriating 3 seconds to dip under 40 minutes in the Capenhurst 10k outside Chester. That said, my time of 40:03 was enough for 10th place in a field of over 100, so there was some compensation. The heat was undoubtedly a factor, conditions were far from ideal - there was a slight breeze at times, but it was very sticky and humid. I'm not sure whether Thursday's 42km mountain bike ride from Cyffylliog up to and round Llyn Brenig was particularly sensible preparation either. Those are my excuses anyway...

Llanwrthwl

Spent the weekend staying with friends in Llanwrthwl, Powys. Apart from enjoyable Hay festival, myself and Steve walked from Cnwch to Llanwrthwl via ancient sessile oak woodland and the open moor of Carn Gafallt. The weather was perfect - not a breath of wind, deep blue skies - and the land is devoid of people. A superbly diverse habitat with lots of pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler, whinchat and even a goshawk. There is apparently a breeding pair of hen harrier around here, but we couldn't find them. A few runs this week, mainly on local trails, as preperation for this weekend's Capenhurst 10k, which looks like being a hot one. Some bike rides too: one around the excellent red circuit at Llandegla, which has some new fun bits added, and a few around the Gwysaney tracks.

Cader Idris fell race

Spent the week recovering after the Cader Idris race on Saturday. It was tougher than usual this year - all the way to the summit after last year's truncated affair. And the lakeside path was an appalling quagmire - several runners went in waist-deep as they tried to negotiate the meadow, which was comprehensively flooded. Odd the think there's a hosepipe ban in southern England. The rest went well, though - clammy mist made the going cool. I was up in 1:15, down in less than 50 mins - but seriously delayed by the Gwernan path. I'd persuaded my pal Dave to do the race a week before he runs the Blackpool marathon - not the best form of 'tapering'. I've been recovering this week, with an 8 mile run around Hawarden on Tuesday, and a very pleasant evening run with the Sychdyn crew around Gwysaney last night in glorious (but cool) sunshine.

Moel Famau run

Ran up Moel Famau from Cilcain (the August fell race route) yesterday, intended as woefully inadequate preparation for the Cader Idris fell race on Saturday. Exhileratingly blustery conditions as I then ran along the ridge over Moel Dywyll and down past the reservoirs, where a cuckoo took flight as I descended via the woodland edge. A reasonably comfortable outing, but I am sorely lacking in recent hill training so not expecting a great performance on Saturday. Weather looks awful too.

Chester half marathon

Ran the Chester half marathon yesterday in good cool running conditions: continuous rain helped a lot. As such, a bit disappointed not to break 1:30. Ended up with 1:31:29, largely because I blew up on the final tiny hill into Handbridge. Lost a lot of time here, which meant I couldn't get under the 90 min barrier. Still, a PB and an enjoyable race. Loosened up with a mountain bike ride in the evening, thinking the rain had stopped. It hadn't, and gave us a real drenching as we forded streams on the tiny lanes north of Rhosemor.

Sychdyn runs

Training going reasonably well this week - all set for the Chester half on Sunday, although I fear I've concentrated too much on speed and haven't got enough long runs under my belt. Pleasant outing last night with the Sychdyn crew in gusty wind and intermittent heavy rain. The night before (Tuesday), I unofficially matched my Christleton 5k time on the Buckley 5k route - to the second...

Christleton 5k, South Stack

Dipped under 19 mins in the Chrisleton 5k, which was quite pleasing (18:56). Not really my kind of distance - bit too intense for my tastes with little time to think about tactics or anything else. A 10 mile run around Gwernaffield and up to Rhosesmor on Sunday morning was a tranquil antidote - not too muddy underfoot, sun peeping through, dozens of willow warbler and blackcap to serenade. Followed by a family trip to South Stack in low cloud, icy wind and heavy drizzle. The usual thousands of guillemot, along with razorbills in the sea, a few puffin visible on the lighthouse side and one chough - which Morgan managed to spot. Short bike ride in the evening damp, when the rain had finally stopped.

Dinas Bran fell race, Wrexham border league

After running the Dinas Bran fell race and the final border league fixture of the year (Wrexham), within two days of each other, I felt a little tired - and a little traumatised by my poor performance on the hills. But now, a week on, I feel ready to enter the fray again with the Christleton 5k.