Jubilee Plunge

Race: Jubilee Plunge downhill fell race (2.2m, -1361ft)
Time/Position: 12:33 (13th from 75 [3rd V40])
Possibly unique, in that it starts at the top of Moel Famau and finishes well over a thousand feet below in Llangynhafal, this race was a lot of fun: the perfect festive event. Jez and I made it a bit longer by parking in Cilcain, running up to the ridge and along OD to the summit, then enduring the cold wind and squally showers until race originator Martin set us all off. A very strong field shot off towards the north before plummeting down towards the Vale of Clwyd to join the very steep final grassy descent of the Llangynhafal Loop race. I never descend particularly quickly, and today was no exception, but I thoroughly enjoyed the race despite this serious impediment! The field packed very tightly, with just a few seconds separating each runner, and although I gained on those ahead when the race flattens out on the fields near the village, I still didn't gain much. After a couple of excellent pints of Facers at the always convivial Golden Lion, we ran back on to the ridge in the gathering gloom of a December dusk, stumbling back to Cilcain in the dark without headtorches.

Round the Walls race

Race: Chester Round the Walls (5k)
Time/Position: 17:58 (17th from 425 [1st V40])
Another weather-related shortening of this famous and long-running (40+ years) local event. But, unlike two years ago, at least the walls themselves were included today: it was the waterlogged Roodee that had to be cut out. It all made for a very efficient outing, driving across from St Asaph in the morning, cutting it fine to do the race, leaving the whole afternoon for eating and drinking. The race itself was really enjoyable, round the back of the Roodee, along the Dee path, before getting on to the Walls at Lower Bridge Street. Pace obviously high from the off, so I tried to keep pace with Adair and a few others past the Clock Tower and Cathedral. I made up a bit of ground on the gentle climb up the narrowest section of the walls to Northgate, then took a couple of runners just after the final steep steps back to the racecourse. The race attracts runners from all over the country, so I was surprised (and fortunate) to find that I was first V40 when the results came out.

Aran loop

Peaks: Aran Benllyn, Erw y Ddafad Ddu, Aran Fawddwy, Drosgl
A very enjoyable Christmas Eve outing for Peter and I, despite the fact that our designs on a midwinter Rhinog traverse were thwarted by bad weather. We left Llanuwchllyn early morning, in rather grim conditions of low cloud and drizzle. But the conditions didn't get any worse, and we jogged slowly up to the top of the first rise before entering the always boggy gentler sections on the lower ridge. This is wet in mid-summer, so today was obviously a tad squelchy after weeks of near-constant rain. Neither of us felt especially good, so we maintained a very gentle pace to the top of the steep climb towards Benllyn. This peak is avoided by the race route, so we stuck to the top of the ridge today, taking in a misty Benllyn, then the broad summit of Ddafad Ddu before enjoying the rocky terrain up to the trig on Fawddwy. A quick bite of cake, then we continued down the ridge before breaking off to the east for superb running along to Drosgl. Poor viz throughout, but good fun. There followed a slightly illicit traverse under the eastern crags of the Aran ridge, with a climb up from Llaethnant to lonely Creiglyn Dyfi, one of Snowdonia's finest lakes, before another short and boggy climb through a little col to gain a superb descent down Cwm Llwydd and Cwm Croes to Talardd and the road to Llanuwchllyn. Perhaps 14-15 miles, around three hours of gentle running, so we even managed a pint in the Eagles before midday.

London run

I always enjoy the opportunity to take in a bit of urban running when staying in Chingford, so set myself a target of seeing how far I could get in 35 mins: by way of half marathon training. It's always a very interesting run, through multi-ethnic Walthamstow and down to Leyton. I got to Leyton tube station before turning around to run back: 10-11 miles at a decent pace.

Llanberis slate climbing

Crag: Llanberis Slate
Routes: First Stop (f5:led), Septuagenarian (f6a:sec), Jagged Face (f4:led), Big Easy (f4:sec)
Tim back in the country for the first time in a few years, so a good opportunity to do a route or two with my original climbing partner! We had no real plans, very little gear, and only a few hours at our disposal. But the day turned out to be a tiny sunny weather window in a wet week, so we abandoned plans for a short walk in Idwal and headed to Bus Stop to do a few short climbs together. Very nice to climb together again for the first time in well over a decade, especially as the sun came out on the overgraded 6a. We followed up with a walk to Twll Mawr, then a limping 10k fartlek session, as my wounds from Sunday's unfortunate and painful fall in the Border League start to heal.

Anglesey run

Arrived back from Singapore yesterday, and left for a family weekend in Henllys after just a few hours at home, so I was still a little jet-lagged when I set off on my favourite circuit in the dark at 7am. A woodcock enlivened the long climb over to Sling, the misty dank conditions a considerable contrast to my last run on Thursday along a sunny and spectacular Singapore waterfront in temperatures of 32C! Through Llanddona then up to the superb minor road above the sea towards Glan yr Afon and Llanfaes. Most of the snow stripped from Eryri, although the forecast for next week looks favourable for winter climbing (no chance of me getting out though!).

Singapore run

A misguided plan to take the MRT out to the Botanic Gardens, then run back to my hotel whilst doing a spot of birdwatching. After a day at a conference, I still had my work shirt on, so was already looking eccentric in formal shirt, shorts and running shoes: carrying a large rucsac completed the look. On emerging from the station, a low rumble of thunder signalled the start of another tropical storm. Terrible timing, as the day had been dry up to that point. So the views of racket-tailed drongo, whistling duck, kingfishers et al were swiftly curtailed. I sprinted through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, pausing occasionally to admire the huge palms, tembusu and mahogany trees, but generally just keeping moving through the heavy rain. I emerged at the Tanglin gate and continued the run, by now soaked to the skin, trying to find Orchard Road. Once there, I realised it really was the Singapore equivalent of Oxford Street, and must have made an arresting sight: completely soaked with rain water and sweat, running fast, wearing mismatched clothes. Eventually the embarrassment became acute so I made a detour down side roads, eventually getting lost and resorting to the MRT dripping water over the immaculate floors and attracting the attention of the security staff.