Gladstone 9 fell race

Fell race: Gladstone 9 (9 miles/2850ft)
Peaks: Tal y Fan (2001ft/610m), Foel Lus
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
Time/position: 1:30:30 (15th/55)
A distinctly average (at best) performance yesterday in the Gladstone 9 (formerly Leg End 9) from Dwygyfylchi. A very nice race though, particularly as the torrential rain stopped just before the start. It heads along the tracks east to Capelulo, then up the far side of Fairie Glen to Llyn y Wrach, then via Cefn Llechan to join the Penmaenmawr fell race route all the way to the wall on Tal y Fan. I know this area well, one of my favourite landscapes of all. Then up the wall to the top of Tal y Fan, painfully steep, before ploughing down through the bogs to the Druids Circle, then up over Foel Lus (superb sea views) to a fast descent back to the village. Felt tired throughout, possibly because I've overdone it since returning from holiday. Ran most of the way up Famau on Friday night and still had the bike circuit in my legs.