Mynydd Llantysilio morning run

Possibly unwisely, I followed up a good intervals session last night (3:21-3.27 pace) with a morning run from the Horseshoe Pass over Moel y Faen, Moel y Gamelin, Moel y Gaer and Moel Morfydd. Cold, damp, misty and unpleasant (contrary to the weather forecast) and I was rather tired from the previous evening. Ran down to the lonely road at the western end of the ridge, then climbed back onto the ridge at the summit of Morfydd by mistake (no map - had been trying to locate the bridleway that runs east), gradually running out of energy at this point and feeling vulnerable in shorts and t-shirt, no jacket, hat or gloves. My error proved a blessing in disguise, though, because the weather dramatically improved as I ran back across Moel y Gaer and the main ridge - crisp sunshine, great views out to central Snowdonia and the coast. But hard work as I struggled, tired back over Gamelin to the Pass.

Guilden Sutton 10k

My first road race since May produced a reasonable performance last Sunday, narrowly missing a PB with 38:03 in the Guilden Sutton 10k. Fairly breezy and undulating, and a strongish field, so 28th from 284 was OK.

Nesscliffe Nasty, Clwydian run

Another slight improvement in the Nesscliffe Nasty XC race (5 miles) on Saturday. The race is all off-road, very steep in places, among the crags and woods west of this Shropshire village. I finished 13th from 92 in 32:22. Felt reasonably comfortable, but again failed to push to pick up places. Just back from a great run from Llanferres to Foel Fenlli then down to Penbarras and along OD to Moel Gyw. Then back via Llanarmon (90 mins). Nice crisp sunny weather, but too damp from earlier showers for rock climbing at Pot Hole.

Eglwyseg climbing

A good day's climbing with Alwyn, about nine routes - mainly bolted - on the Suspect Walls and elsewhere. Forensic science, Innocence and Proven Guilty finished off the 5s on the Suspect Walls, having done the 4s with Steve a fortnight ago. Nice climbing, largely blunt aretes broken by a middle band of ledges and overhangs. On the Impact Walls, Impaction and Sudden Impact were also two good 5s up obvious aretes - while Hot dog was an easy 4 on good rock right of the Fudd Walls. Also got to the top bolt on Impact Imminent, a good, sustained TR 6b which at least reminded me of what harder rock feels like after all these years! The best day's climbing I've had for a few years. Went for a quick run after this, with a race tomorrow - conscious I've done little this week save intervals on Tuesday: but a conference in Cardiff was less healthy!

Frodsham

Not a great week, felt tired throughout. Had a good run through the hills above Pwllglas with Gary on Sunday, about six miles almost all off-road. And on Friday visited Frodsham crags for the first time: an interesting venue, short but very steep and hard. Did a few boulder problems, but felt the need to shunt most of them, unwilling to risk a broken ankle. Thin Crack, Flake Crack and a few others. Have given up on the Peris horseshoe, just not fit enough.

Brenig race, Trevor Rocks, Castle Inn

Another quite encouraging performance last Saturday with 17th place at the Llyn Brenig multi-terrain race. A nice loop of the lake, hilly and 'fell-like' terrain to the north, on small paths, then fire roads and tracks elsewhere. Just failed to break the hour, finishing in 61:29. Next day, met Steve for a day chasing showers. We walked over Moel y Faen and Gamelin first, in drizzle and wind. Then chanced our arm at the Suspect Walls, Trevor, managing three bolted routes between showers. Clue, So? was the best, a nice f4 arete which I led comfortably and enjoyably - good move over a small roof. Who's Sam and Prime Suspect were also reasonable. Intervals with Buckley on Tuesday, after a play on the Helsby crags, then another spot of bolted leading on Wednesday at old favourite Castle Inn, where I led Route 1 in the damp for the eighth time, and also Finale. Just got back from a worrying run: real loss of form as I tried to run up Hope Mountain. Not sure what the problem is, possibly just tiredness.