Cloud inversion

A classic cloud inversion this morning. A very heavy frost in HK, ice-draped trees and frozen fields. Left the village in thick fog, with Neil, and ran up to Shordley where it gradually cleared to give a perfectly clear run up to the top of Waun y Llyn with blue skies above and a dense blanket of cloud below. Then ran along the ridge path and back to foggy, frozen HK in about 1:35. Took M and E up to the top later the same day. On Friday, tested my new Petzl by running half way up Famau in the dark. On the 22nd, we did another good lengthy run from the Collie to Cilcain, Dywyll, Famau (for the 32nd time this year?) and down via the fireroads.

Penmaenmawr fell race

Race: Penmaenmawr fell race (11m/1500ft)
Time/position: 1:28:53 (23rd/220)
The curtain closed, in terms of major events at least, on an interesting year yesterday at Penmaenmawr. One of my favourite races, it's an elegant and satisfying route: a sort of 'tour de Tal y Fan' which loops the little mountain. Rather heavy conditions underfoot, particularly for the boggy section, but not much wind. In many ways, it's not really a true fell race, so I was a bit too conservative on the first gradual climb to the road. It's crucial to retain some strength for the long bog-trot beyond the bwlch. I try to treat this section as a 'peak', and managed to keep the pace up fairly well through the water and (occasional) thigh-deep marsh. Started to push it rather too late, after the quarry checkpoint, and managed to pick up three places on the long descent, partly by using the steep short-cuts plunging through the bracken (about nine minutes from CP3 to finish?). Soup and beer with Neil and Vic in the Dwygyfylchi rounded off an enjoyable day.

Border League, Hoylake

Race: Hoylake 9.6k (Border League round 2)
Time/position: 35:58 (41/294)
Blustery and wet conditions for the second round of this year's Border League yesterday at Hoylake. Another average performance for me. A fast first three miles with the wind at our backs, out to Leasowe lighthouse, then a real struggle back into the wind. I was going quite well, picking up places, but kept getting exposed before a large group offered the chance of shelter! A schoolboy tactical error saw me start my sprint finish too early - passed by 4 or 5 just before the finish as a large group of runners finished within a few seconds of each other. Felt rather tired after Thursday's run, and another long one on Friday up Famau from the Collie via Cilcain and Dywyll.

Bodfari-Prestatyn OD run

An interesting and enjoyable run along Offa's Dyke from Bodfari to the sea at Prestatyn earlier today. Left Bodfari with Neil in misty, dank conditions. Slightly hungover, so the steep haul up the side of Moel y Gaer was unwelcome, to say the least. I'd done most of the route before, but it still takes you by surprise with its constant climbs and switchbacks: quite hard work over Cefn Du and Moel Maenefa to the A55. Through Rhuallt to the long climb over Mynydd y Cwm to Marian Ffrith. The final section, over Prestatyn hillside is also really enjoyable: shame it was so misty. A peculiar finish, covered in mud, through the shoppers on Prestatyn high street all the way to the beach (2:15 in total).

Clwydian hills fell race

Race: Clwydian Hills (10m/3100ft)
Time/Position: 1:25:11 (8th/89)
An encouraging performance in yesterday's race, which I've always felt to be the toughest local (NE Wales) fell race: constant steep climbs and fast descents with no real respite throughout the course. It really makes the most of the range! Conditions yesterday were challenging, a combination of snow, slush and deep mud making life tricky in places. I wasn't too far off the pace for once, a definite improvement. Kept it going quite well over the initial long climb up Moel Dywyll, then a fast descent down to the Vale side, before the brutal long climb back onto the ridge. Picked a good line through the heather to Nant y Ne and managed to climb the dreaded gully (wading through waist-deep snow at the top) reasonably quickly, before a good fast descent, with more drifts in places, allowed me to continue to pick up a few places before an unwelcome sprint finish in which I just about kept my 8th place. My third time up Moel Famau in as many days. Ran up with Neil on Friday night. It was virtually dark as we reached the top under glowering cloud, but thick snow drifts (in places) helped with the visibility, if not the running. Then had a family walk up from Penbarras in the slush with Rich and Mel on the Saturday.