Race: Wrexham XC (N.Wales Cross Country League Race 3)
Time/Position: 32:59 (24th from 151)
A rare appearance in the cross-country league, and my 39th competitive race of 2010. A crystal clear winter's day, with snow on the ground, meant that visiting the Wrexham suburbs rather than the hills was a tall order. That said, it made a nice change, particularly as it was only my 2nd or 3rd appearance in the XC league. The league is normally very competitive, but was probably less so today. Despite this, I felt a bit off the pace and found it hard to keep going on the last two laps. It's a flat course, made even easier today by the frozen ground, so there were few excuses.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Mymbyr bouldering
We stayed in Conwy after the race, and went for a family bouldering outing today. The conditions could hardly have been less suitable, so it was perforce rather brief! We stopped at Idwal Cottage - all very damp, cold and greasy - so I just did the jamming crack (4) and scoop (10) before driving round to the RAC boulders in Mymbyr. This was a little more amenable, although still very greasy and cold, water in all the pockets. I did 10,11,12 on the slab, with M following 10, and E trying! Also did 1 and 6 (the good steep fin) on the central boulder, plus the easy Backside Arete. Afterwards, we had a walk and picnic at Capel Garmon, which was even colder: although it was satisfying to watch heavy rain sweep in over Ogwen as we lunched.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Penmaenmawr fell race
Race: Penmaenmawr fell race (10.5m/2000ft)
Time/Position: 1:22:23 (25th from 237)
Another race in which I felt rather below par, although I suspect that today it was more a case of tactical error (and I really enjoyed myself despite, or perhaps because, of this). The race was run in reverse for a change this year, and I was ultra-conservative on the climb to the quarry, which is actually pretty gentle. A glorious sunburst as we approached the Stone Circle, by which time I was already well off the pace. The bog wasn't really the place for a weak and spindly runner to claw back places, especially into the wind and uphill, so I left it until the road at Bwlch y Ddaefaen before opening up a bit. An immediate stitch put paid to that idea, so I was forced to recover before entering the mist above the final checkpoint near the fords. I finally felt able to move a bit more quickly here, and actually had a lot left. But it was too late, and the 'no overtaking' rule on the steep donkey-track descent was a tad frustrating as I finished at the back of a large group of runners having spent several miles catching them up! This was my fourth outing on one of my favourite races, slightly easier and more enjoyable this way round. Jogged back over Sychnant to Conwy after the post-race beer and soup, making it a 15-16 mile day.
Time/Position: 1:22:23 (25th from 237)
Another race in which I felt rather below par, although I suspect that today it was more a case of tactical error (and I really enjoyed myself despite, or perhaps because, of this). The race was run in reverse for a change this year, and I was ultra-conservative on the climb to the quarry, which is actually pretty gentle. A glorious sunburst as we approached the Stone Circle, by which time I was already well off the pace. The bog wasn't really the place for a weak and spindly runner to claw back places, especially into the wind and uphill, so I left it until the road at Bwlch y Ddaefaen before opening up a bit. An immediate stitch put paid to that idea, so I was forced to recover before entering the mist above the final checkpoint near the fords. I finally felt able to move a bit more quickly here, and actually had a lot left. But it was too late, and the 'no overtaking' rule on the steep donkey-track descent was a tad frustrating as I finished at the back of a large group of runners having spent several miles catching them up! This was my fourth outing on one of my favourite races, slightly easier and more enjoyable this way round. Jogged back over Sychnant to Conwy after the post-race beer and soup, making it a 15-16 mile day.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Capenhurst Border League
Race: Capenhurst 5.5m (border league race 2)
Time/Position: 30:44 (19th from 307 [5th V40])
Although a couple of places down on the first race this season, I was reasonably pleased with this effort. I needed a top 20 place, because I will miss the next race in December and have to wait until February for round four, so it was important to get a decent position here given how competitive the category is looking. Went off pretty fast and I never really felt comfortable, struggling to maintain the pace even before the second lap. It's a familiar course, though, and I knew I could keep it going on the second lap if necessary! Felt like a strong field, particularly in my category, with the time perhaps just equating to sub-28m 5 mile.
Time/Position: 30:44 (19th from 307 [5th V40])
Although a couple of places down on the first race this season, I was reasonably pleased with this effort. I needed a top 20 place, because I will miss the next race in December and have to wait until February for round four, so it was important to get a decent position here given how competitive the category is looking. Went off pretty fast and I never really felt comfortable, struggling to maintain the pace even before the second lap. It's a familiar course, though, and I knew I could keep it going on the second lap if necessary! Felt like a strong field, particularly in my category, with the time perhaps just equating to sub-28m 5 mile.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Clwydian Hills race
Race: Clwydian Hills fell race (10m/3000ft)
Time/Position: 1:24:09 (25th from 180)
A dispiriting performance, although the reasons for it are not hard to fathom. It was a very strong field, a championship race, and I knew I didn't have sufficiently strong climbing legs to get anywhere near the pace as I have done very little running in the hills since the Breidden fell race. Indeed, I was torn between doing this and the Abergele 5 mile road race. I would probably have done better on the latter, but it would have been a cowardly cop-out given the crisp sunshine and fine conditions. I've always felt that this race is the most gruelling in the Clwydians, with the possible exception of the Lletty, largely because it is so relentless. I struggled throughout really, but particularly on the long climb back up Moel Dywyll from the Vale side. I went reasonably well up the gully to the top of Moel Famau, but couldn't catch a big group of runners on the descent. This group of 7 or 8 stayed a frustrating minute ahead, which meant I finished well down the field. My time was just a minute quicker than 2008, when the gully was choked with deep snow.
Time/Position: 1:24:09 (25th from 180)
A dispiriting performance, although the reasons for it are not hard to fathom. It was a very strong field, a championship race, and I knew I didn't have sufficiently strong climbing legs to get anywhere near the pace as I have done very little running in the hills since the Breidden fell race. Indeed, I was torn between doing this and the Abergele 5 mile road race. I would probably have done better on the latter, but it would have been a cowardly cop-out given the crisp sunshine and fine conditions. I've always felt that this race is the most gruelling in the Clwydians, with the possible exception of the Lletty, largely because it is so relentless. I struggled throughout really, but particularly on the long climb back up Moel Dywyll from the Vale side. I went reasonably well up the gully to the top of Moel Famau, but couldn't catch a big group of runners on the descent. This group of 7 or 8 stayed a frustrating minute ahead, which meant I finished well down the field. My time was just a minute quicker than 2008, when the gully was choked with deep snow.
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