Glenshee mountains

The weather in Scotland was so good that it was impossible to resist driving up to the edge of the Highlands from Perth yesterday. Parked in Glenshee ski carpark, and tried to ignore the post-marathon muscle damage in my legs as I ploughed up the Cairnwell, probably Scotland's ugliest mountain, in 15 mins. From the col, though, the horrors of the ski resort are left behind. With the sun out, a brisk wind, big snow patches and scudding clouds, it was a wonderful walk above Loch Vrotachan to the broad ridge up Carn a'Gheoidh. Great views over Glas Tulaichen and Beinn a'Ghlo. Time was limited, so I jogged back to the col and nipped up the third munro of the day: Carn Aosda, another hideously disfigured skiing peak. But again interesting views to the central Cairngorms. A long (7 hour?) drive home meant stiff legs, but I seem to be recovering relatively well from the marathon.

Edinburgh marathon

Broke the big barrier at the Edinburgh marathon, finishing in 2:57:52, for 110th place from 7000. The culmination of my plans/tactics over spring. I think it was probably right to stay comfortable in Paris to dip below 3:10 (given previous pb was 3:27!). But this time I wanted to really go for the 3 hours, despite the IT band injury and the fact that the South Cheshire 20 had been my only long run since Paris seven weeks ago. Conditions were poor, with a strong headwind right up to the turn at 18 miles. Doing the course last year helped, and I ran a good tactical race, quite cautious and controlled but never really slackening the pace. Went through 10k in 40m, half in 1:27, then a rough patch at 21m, when I finally got the tailwind. But kept concentration and kept the pace up, albeit painfully, over the last three miles to get comfortably under the barrier. Another great weekend in Edinburgh, beautiful weather, so we all went up Arthur's Seat next day - then drove to the Hetheringtons near Perth where we walked up Abernethy Glen in delightful evening sunshine. Desperate to recover now in time for the 1000m race.

Chester half marathon, Trevor climbs

Not sure whether my decision to run the Chester half (for the fifth time) on Sunday was wise - with Edinburgh, my big target, next Sunday. But it was an excellent confidence boost (assuming I recover in time). Took it relatively easy, and felt very strong from Pulford back to the finish, passing around 15 good club runners to finish in 30th place (from around 2000) in 1:22:30. Bigger crowds now for this race, nice atmosphere, good cool conditions. Bodes well for the marathon, felt nicely sustainable at the pace, with each mile quicker than the previous. Felt fine afterwards - indeed had a short climbing session with Rich at Trevor. Led Hot Dog (4), then the wall to its left (VS). Then led the newish route Crocs (f5+) up a tricky but short steep wall with some loose rock, then seconded Alligator's Crawl (HVS 5a) up the obvious crack on the right. Retired soon afterwards for a well deserved pint in The Sun. Cycled to work on Monday, to loosen the legs.

Atlantic Slab, Filiast

A tremendous outing yesterday on a perfect May day, climbing in the wonderful Cwm Grianog on the Filiast slabs. I've wanted to visit this crag for years and here was the perfect opportunity. Walked into the cwm with Alwyn, and began the long slog up to the base of the Atlantic Slab ridge, a 1000ft Mod/Diff/Gr 3, one of the longest routes in Wales and a fantastic outing with a real Alpine flavour. Took us about two hours, alternating leads efficiently, running out full 50m+ rope lengths every time for six long pitches. Position wonderful throughout, deep blue skies, warm sunshine and crystal clear views over Tryfan and the Carneddau. We kept to the crest throughout, moving left over the main slab (Central Route) towards the end. The climbing is very easy, but sustained at the standard with very few broken sections and some nice slabs. The route finishes right on the summit of Carnedd y Filiast. We then descended to the cwm, popping out - more by luck than judgment - beneath Tree Slab, a venue of which I knew nothing but which looked great. Alwyn led the obvious key line up the central crack - White Lightning (S). This is a real hidden gem, a superb straight crack, lined with quartz leading to a small ledge, then an overlap and a delicate slab with perfect friction to the top. The crack to the left (right of the VD Friction) appeared to be a new route (!) so I led it. Nice climbing to another quartz lined crack, but unsurprisingly also a bit more vegetation, passing two trees to a ledge. Belayed here, then Alwyn led up the finishing arete of Friction (VD). Called the route Crystalline Crack (HVD) but, assuming the crag has at least been visited since the 1993 guidebook, I think it very likely such an obvious, simple route has been done before. A splendid little crag, isolated, perfect rock.

South Cheshire 20 mile race

Decided at the last minute to enter the South Cheshire 20 mile race this morning. Felt it would be the ideal test for my knee and a good way to assess Edinburgh chances. Went very well, much more optimistic now. The knee held out, and I finished comfortably in 2:25. Didn't really push it at all, very relaxed until 2 miles from the end when a marshall told me I was 16th. So I started to run faster and satisfyingly passed three runners towards the end to finish 13th from 80. The course was an ideal test, hilly and hot: a really good underrated race that I may do again (and race). I'd also felt OK on the Buckley 5k route last Thursday (18:24) and on the Collie Moel Famau run Friday night - a few more days of stretching and I should be fairly well placed to conquer the injury. Got very close to 50 miles of running this week.

Craig Aderyn/Craig Ddu climbs

A splendid opportunistic evening's climbing yesterday with Alwyn: the beautiful warm May weather continues. We parked at Pen y Pass and headed off to Craig Aderyn, the perfect 60m high slab I've had my eye on for many years. Led the first pitch of Arete Climb, an easy Diff in a very nice position following the right arete. Good 100ft pitch, a nice way to reacquaint myself with 'proper' climbing. Alwyn led to the top. Played around on Subsidiary Slab, then Alwyn led the classic Jacob's Ladder/Via Media combination up the main slab. One of the finest Severe pitches in Wales, really excellent climbing up a series of cracks and quartz holds: delicate and absorbing. We then headed down to Craig Ddu, where I led the unexpectedly good first pitch of Rib and Slab (VD). Easy, but again absorbing and in a really nice position, a good sharp rib with lovely positive holds. Alwyn led the slightly disappointing long slab pitch: very easy but again in a nice position. On the Tuesday, tried to get a long run in (to Holt and back). Bit of a disaster - dehydrated, knee problems.

Y Garn fell race, Tarw MTB trail

A very average performance in Y Garn fell race on Saturday. Humid conditions, with a little mist covering the summit as we approached from Rhyd Ddu. It's an unrelenting, continuously steep 1,500ft climb from the village. Got to the cairn in 24 mins from the village, and kept my place reasonably well on the steep but grassy descent (11 mins from summit to road). Finished in 35:25 for 30th place from 93. The race was a counter in the Welsh and North Wales champs, so a very strong field. Poured down immediately after, so Simon and I had to abandon plans for a 1000m reccie. Next day, myself and Rich headed off to Coed y Brenin in beautiful spring weather (at last), to do the Tarw mountain bike circuit. Loosely based on the old Red Bull, which I did 7 years ago. But I found the Tarw disappointing, technical and tediously rocky throughout - very few smooth descents but physically relatively easy (21k).

Border League, Cader scramble and ridge run, Tarren hills run

A pleasing performance, a return to some kind of form at last, in Wednesday night's final border league fixture: a 4 mile race in Deeside. Wanted to maintain my 9th position in the league, and managed it with a time of 23:30 for 50th place from the usual very strong final fixture field of 275. Very satisfied with a top 10 finish, maintaining 9th place overall with a final score of 249: pleasingly consistent over the season, with six top 50 finishes. Buckley finished 2nd in division 1. Next day, went to Aberystwyth for a conference. Started at 6am, so was able to squeeze an outing in on the way. Parked at Minffordd and ran up to Cwm Cae in low cloud. Located the Tapia Llwydion scramble/climb, and romped up the nice 200ft slab in rock boots (bit of diff at the start, then grade II scrambling), easy but damp, good fun. A couple of steeper towers led to broken ground and then the plateau in thick mist. Ran along the ridge to Mynydd Moel, then the continuation ridge (very pleasant, not done before) to emerge from the cloud below the summit of Gau Graig - interesting views to Waun Oer. Then ran down the very steep ridge back to the bridleway, cutting my thumb and twisting my ankle. Back to Minffordd in 2 hours, washed in the toilets and got to Aber before the conference had started! Next day, left the conference at 5pm and arrived Abergynolwyn 5.45pm. More new territory for me, up Nant Gwernol to Foel Fawr, then along the forest tracks - nicely runnable - to the gully leading steeply to the NW ridge of Tarren Hendre. Great remote feeling hills, especially this time of night. Lovely springlike evening, cuckoos calling, as I ran along the wonderful ridge leading over Pant Gwyn to Foel y Geifr. Exhilerating stuff, with magnificent views to the Dyfi valley right, and Cader Idris left. Over Foel y Geifr to a path through some trees to a steep climb up Tarren y Gesail. The sun illuminated Bardsey, as well as a narrow band of sea. Good running down to Bryn Eglwys quarry and back to Abergynolwyn in 2:30 hrs (quite a tough 10 mile round).