Anglesey runs

Trying to up the mileage somewhat, taking advantage of the lack of races and foul weather. A midweek nightime run across the Clwydians in thick mist and rain (3m viz with headtorches?) was a good start, followed by two interesting weekend runs in wild Anglesey weather. Sunday was particularly memorable - torrential hail/rain downpours, ankle-deep water, gales, but great views from the tiny roads above the cliffs near Llanddona and Penmon.

Pot Hole climbs

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry
Routes: Selva (VS 4b:sh), Sesto (S:sh), Mestre (S:sh), Un-aided (VS 4b:sh)
Left Llanferres in the early morning mist, beautifully cold and crisp, for an ultra brief work-out at Pot Hole. Shunted a few routes, but all rather greasy and cold before the sun got round to the face. Finished with a brief jog up towards Bryn Alyn, in an attempt to loosen the legs after yesterday's race.

Conwy half marathon

Race: Conwy Castle/Llandudno half marathon
Time/Position: 1:22:30 (24th/700)
I could hardly avoid this race, given the fact that it started a few hundred metres away from Rose Hill Street. I remember doing the route in training a few years ago and thinking what a nice race it would make. My first half marathon for 18 months, and therefore a reasonable performance which might have given me a pb had the route been a little flatter and faster! My time was exactly the same, to the second, as my last half (Chester, May 08). The route starts flat, but sandy in places, following the too-narrow start on the bridge up to West Shore. Then anti-clockwise round Marine Drive, as with the Nick Beer 10k. A longer climb than I remembered, but superbly scenic and enjoyable, and followed by a very fast finish down to the West Shore and back along the cycle path. Felt fairly strong at the end, took 3 or 4 after the Marina. Finished 4th vet35.

Four Villages run

A worthwhile longish multi-terrain run this morning, from Cadole to Maeshafn then up the 'beast' to Bryn Alyn. From here, I descended to the Eryrys road and continued south to Graianrhyd. Back to Cadole via the muddy bridleway to Nercwys Mountain, and over the shoulder of Moel Findeg through Maeshafn. More road than usual, so hopefully good preparation for the Conwy half next Sunday.

Clocaenog-Alwen XC biking

MTB Route: Two Lake Tour (variant)
Distance: 35-40k?
A longer cross-country mountain bike ride for a change. Left Bod Petrual with Rich in cold (by recent standards) weather, rain threatening. A pleasant tour of the Clocaenog forest tracks and fire roads took us round Craig Bron Banog, then east of Foel Frech to pick up the good descent down to Llyn Brenig via Isgair Wen. Nice views of rain sweeping in over Berwyn and Arenig. We crossed the dam, then entered the forest loop to descend to Llyn Alwen. This gave a very pleasant circuit out to Hiraethog, with some rain, and reminded me of the rather lengthy complete loop of both lakes that I ran with Neil in March. We cycled back to Brenig to find the cafe closed - a devastating blow! So the return trip to Bod Petrual via Carnedd Ci and Bryn Du was more uncomfortable than it might have been.

Clwydian Hills fell race

Race: Clwydian Hills (Bad weather short course)
Time/Position: 47:40 (9th/89)
It seemed puzzlingly cautious to shorten this race because of 'bad weather': how much trouble is it possible to get into on Moel Famau?! I suppose it would have been uncomfortable for the marshalls, and wonder if MM-style dibbers and controls are the way to avoid these situations. It was disappointing that we didn't get the expected punishing challenge of the new course - instead it was just a quick sprint from Cilcain up the bridleway to Ffrith, then up the usual Friday route to the crossroads. Strong winds made the boggy, bikeable section over the ridge hard work - but it soon got easier for the descent down to the Vale side and climb back out to Moel Dywyll. I was keeping my place quite well, then made up some ground on the front runners on the descent to the lake and (especially) when I took a more direct line up to the final checkpoint at pt400. A fast finish, using all the shortcuts, saw me finish 9th (one down on last year) in what seemed a strongish field.