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.