Christmas hill runs

A disappointing Christmas, weather-wise and activity wise, with this week dominated by mild, wet weather after last week's superb crisp and clear conditions (when sod's law dictated I was stuck in work or visiting relatives in unfavourable locations). Started well last Friday (21st December) when I ran up Foel Fenlli from Llanferres in superb conditions of penetrating frost and winter sunshine. Cloud inversion to the foggy east, but remarkably clear over Snowdonia as I sat in shorts on the perfectly still summit in temps of around -4C, early morning. Drove to London via Warrington following this, then (for the ultimate urban-rural contrast) ran from Chingford to Leyton via the chaotic centre of Walthamstow next day. Had a couple of days off over Christmas and Boxing Day. Yesterday ran up Fenlli from Llanferres again, with Rich, this time in mild blustery conditions. Took in Moel Eithinen on the way back. Another good run today in similar exhileratingly blustery conditions from Hope to Waun y Llyn, down the paths to Coed Talon, along the old railway line to Llanfynydd. Back up the steep bridleway to the top of Waun y Llyn and back down to Hope.

Helena Tipping 10k, Tal y Fan, Loggerheads run

My final race of the year ended rather disappointingly yesterday, crossing the finish line at the Helena Tipping 10k in Wrexham nine seconds or so outside my pb in cold conditions (2C). Official time was 37:03, finishing in 19th place (from 300). I had hoped for 30 seconds or so quicker, particularly given the frequency with which I've done intervals since the Flintshire 10k in September, and the fact that I matched this time over a much hillier 10k last week. Still, this was my 32nd race of an interesting and notably varied year. It was also a varied weekend: on Saturday, I went up Tal y Fan from Llangelynin old church with Katharine and Dad on an unusually cold day - frozen turf and an icy drive up, but beautiful views over the tundra-like northern Carneddau in welcome winter sunshine. Finished off with an early morning run from Loggerheads today, up the leat to Cilcain then round the side of Ffrith along frosty tracks. Felt tired after the race, but at least the frozen ground eased progress through the marshy bits...

Tattenhall border league, Ffrith fell run

Pushed it a lot harder in the third border league fixture of the season at Tattenhall on Sunday: a 10k hilly route from the village south-east to Burwardsley Hill and back. Course suited me quite well, I was well rested and had no feasible excuses not to give it a good bash. So in some ways my 36th place (from 243) in 37:08 was a disappointment. But it was my highest ever placing in the league and the competition is rather intense, to say the least, as you get a bit higher up the field! My time was close to my Mold pb, and this over a very hilly course. Scored in 4th place for Buckley. Pleasingly, had recovered sufficiently for an early morning run extending last week's fell route - this time starting from Waun y Llyn down the bridleway SW to birch woods and then Ffrith village. Then up the route I discovered last week above Nant y Ffrith, this time running to the summit of Pen Llan y Gwr: great views in all directions, including the distant Snowdon horseshoe with Lliwedd clearly visible in clear, sunny weather. The Pennines fringed the opposite horizon. A bitter wind made hanging round in running gear unwise though, so I continued the run down the hill NE - superb open fell running with fantastic views - to Pentre Farm to reascend the wooded path and bridleway back to Waun y Llyn. Delighted to have discovered these routes on my doorstep.

Foel Fenlli, Pen Llan y Gwr

Another quieter weekend, but managed to push the mileage a bit with a longish run around Llay and Burton on Saturday and a shorter outing on Sunday. Eve and I scampered up Foel Fenlli in gales and showers on Sunday: strong three-year-old legs and a game performance! Also had a remarkably muddy run from Frith to Llanfynydd, then south-west up ludicrously boggy tracks (knee deep viscous mud in places) to just below the top of Pen Llan y Gwr and down Nant y Ffrith. An interesting area: completely new to me, but should offer some good hilly training runs.