Peaks: Arenig Fawr
Area: Arenig, Eryri
Yet another diabolical day of driving sleet and gales. A real sense of deja vu as Peter and I set off from the quarry car park in conditions that were, if anything, even worse than on the Carneddau this time last week. At least the icy wind helped us on the long run along the road to the start of the old race route, which branches off up a track to Llyn Arenig. This was hard work from the start, and we were already cold and soaked by the time we got to the bothy. This provided welcome shelter for us to get some more layers on, and as a result the long climb up the ridge was a little more comfortable (relatively speaking). The sleet turned to wet snow as we gained height, and the wind continued to howl through the crags and into us. Very poor visibility as we jogged along the weaving path which fortunately skirts below the main ridge line and was therefore relatively sheltered. The summit was no place to rest, so we pelted down to the north on a rough bearing to make a little traverse - eventually emerging in boggy wilderness above the quarry and negotiating our way down a steep gully (a temporary waterfall) to the quarry. The cloud base was so low that we were almost still navigating when we reached the car. It was still hammering down as we left: the forecast clearance never materialised.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Jubilee Plunge
Race: Jubilee Plunge downhill fell race (2.2m/-1361ft)
Time/Position: 12.07 (10th from 75)
This unique race produces a level of muscle damage out of all proportion to it's short length and duration: no doubt a sign of my inflexibility! It's a very exciting event, though, albeit one that I'm never likely to do well on. A very pleasant trot up from Llangynhafal with Jez, Huw, John and others - under beautiful blue skies - to the eccentrically positioned start on top of Moel Famau (with a holiday crowd looking on with curiosity). An insanely fast start along the OD path to the north: then the best route to the finish at the Golden Lion pub breaks off left down narrow and exciting tracks. I then took a different route, contouring the hillside directly down to the gate at the bottom of the valley. Sadly, thick bracken makes this no quicker than the normal route and, after a slow vault of the gate, I found myself further behind the small group of runners in front. Try as I might, I couldn't close the gap: 10 seconds separated fifth place and me in tenth. The beer in the Goldie was as good as ever.
Time/Position: 12.07 (10th from 75)
This unique race produces a level of muscle damage out of all proportion to it's short length and duration: no doubt a sign of my inflexibility! It's a very exciting event, though, albeit one that I'm never likely to do well on. A very pleasant trot up from Llangynhafal with Jez, Huw, John and others - under beautiful blue skies - to the eccentrically positioned start on top of Moel Famau (with a holiday crowd looking on with curiosity). An insanely fast start along the OD path to the north: then the best route to the finish at the Golden Lion pub breaks off left down narrow and exciting tracks. I then took a different route, contouring the hillside directly down to the gate at the bottom of the valley. Sadly, thick bracken makes this no quicker than the normal route and, after a slow vault of the gate, I found myself further behind the small group of runners in front. Try as I might, I couldn't close the gap: 10 seconds separated fifth place and me in tenth. The beer in the Goldie was as good as ever.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Round the Walls race
Race: Chester Round the Walls ('4m')
Time/Position: 22.10 (18th from 450)
The hardest frost of the winter, probably the first truly icy morning since April, meaning that yet again I was unable to sample the full event: the third time this has happened. But if the Walls were out because of the ice, I had already assumed the Roodee would be waterlogged. This was indeed the case, but whereas last year the race avoided it as a result, this year four aquatic laps were planned as an alternative to the icy walls. In my post-Xmas haste I had only packed my racing flats, and the slip-sliding nightmare that ensued was richly deserved. Really struggled to keep my footing, and longed for my fell shoes to give some grip. Nice short family outing, though, an opportunity to get some fresh air.
Time/Position: 22.10 (18th from 450)
The hardest frost of the winter, probably the first truly icy morning since April, meaning that yet again I was unable to sample the full event: the third time this has happened. But if the Walls were out because of the ice, I had already assumed the Roodee would be waterlogged. This was indeed the case, but whereas last year the race avoided it as a result, this year four aquatic laps were planned as an alternative to the icy walls. In my post-Xmas haste I had only packed my racing flats, and the slip-sliding nightmare that ensued was richly deserved. Really struggled to keep my footing, and longed for my fell shoes to give some grip. Nice short family outing, though, an opportunity to get some fresh air.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Carneddau run
Peaks: Moel Wnion
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
Our scheduled pre-Christmas Snowdonia run precisely coincided with the worst of an unusually deep depression and wild storm. It all made for a memorable outing, albeit far shorter than planned. Peter, Jez and I left Aber in torrential rain, benefiting from the shelter of the village and woods until we emerged towards the top of the tarmac start of the Foel Fras race route. Here, the wind was gusting to 80-90mph: and was directly in our face as we skirted Foel Dduarth heading up to our 'bad weather option' of Llyn Anafon. We were blown over a few times as we attempted to 'jog' into the upper valley - memories of the legendary OMM in 2008 and many other occasions - before giving up and heading back down to the car park. We then adopted another default plan, heading to Aber Falls. An astounding volume of water at the Falls, seemingly a wall of spray reminiscent of Yosemite. Quite exhilerating, though, and the rain eased a little as we ran along the top of the valley. As we descended back to the coast, Peter suggested trying to get up Moel Wnion on the assumption that we may get a tailwind. This worked, and we ploughed up the sheltered Afon Gam stream valley before ploughing up the boggy slopes of Wnion in a crosswind. After sheltering in the cairn to give some respite from the constant battering, we enjoyed a superb fast descent (with tailwind) down the Foel Fras race route climax. Dried off with a pint in the Albion.
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
Our scheduled pre-Christmas Snowdonia run precisely coincided with the worst of an unusually deep depression and wild storm. It all made for a memorable outing, albeit far shorter than planned. Peter, Jez and I left Aber in torrential rain, benefiting from the shelter of the village and woods until we emerged towards the top of the tarmac start of the Foel Fras race route. Here, the wind was gusting to 80-90mph: and was directly in our face as we skirted Foel Dduarth heading up to our 'bad weather option' of Llyn Anafon. We were blown over a few times as we attempted to 'jog' into the upper valley - memories of the legendary OMM in 2008 and many other occasions - before giving up and heading back down to the car park. We then adopted another default plan, heading to Aber Falls. An astounding volume of water at the Falls, seemingly a wall of spray reminiscent of Yosemite. Quite exhilerating, though, and the rain eased a little as we ran along the top of the valley. As we descended back to the coast, Peter suggested trying to get up Moel Wnion on the assumption that we may get a tailwind. This worked, and we ploughed up the sheltered Afon Gam stream valley before ploughing up the boggy slopes of Wnion in a crosswind. After sheltering in the cairn to give some respite from the constant battering, we enjoyed a superb fast descent (with tailwind) down the Foel Fras race route climax. Dried off with a pint in the Albion.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wigg Island Border League
Race: Wigg Island, Runcorn 5.5m (Border League Race 2)
Time/Position: 31.36 (14th from 282)
Must admit I'd never heard of Wigg Island before this race. Despite the post-industrial surroundings of the Mersey and Runcorn Bridge, it's been converted into a nature reserve and was a fine new venue for Helsby's border league fixture. Fewer fast young lads at the sharp end of the race, so my finishing position was a little more respectable than at Tattenhall. That said, I didn't feel particularly good for the three and a half laps, struggling to hold my pace especially on the short sharp climb at the far end of the island.
Time/Position: 31.36 (14th from 282)
Must admit I'd never heard of Wigg Island before this race. Despite the post-industrial surroundings of the Mersey and Runcorn Bridge, it's been converted into a nature reserve and was a fine new venue for Helsby's border league fixture. Fewer fast young lads at the sharp end of the race, so my finishing position was a little more respectable than at Tattenhall. That said, I didn't feel particularly good for the three and a half laps, struggling to hold my pace especially on the short sharp climb at the far end of the island.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Cardington Cracker fell race
Race: Cardington Cracker (15k/800m/AM)
Time/Position: 1.27.56 (23rd from 259)
After feeling so awful on last week's race, I decided to go down to Shropshire with Huw and Andy at the last minute for this race - just to see if I felt any better. The answer, sadly, was no - and I came in a full five minutes slower than the time I recorded in 2011. The usual big field set off in perfect conditions, still and cool, from the chocolate-box village of Cardington. I set off steadily, and felt reasonably good for the ultra steep first climb up the Lawley: best to crawl on all fours at times! After the fast descent, I started to slow slightly on the second big climb up the Stretton side of Caer Caradog. The descent from here to the woods below Hope Bowdler hill is superb, and in 2011 I remember flying along this final section which takes in one more climb up Hope Bowdler then a long undulating ridge (the kind of terrain that is fantastic if you are going well and picking up places - the opposite was the case today!). Towards the end I creaked into some kind of life, but it was far too late. This really is a superb route though, and a great event.
Time/Position: 1.27.56 (23rd from 259)
After feeling so awful on last week's race, I decided to go down to Shropshire with Huw and Andy at the last minute for this race - just to see if I felt any better. The answer, sadly, was no - and I came in a full five minutes slower than the time I recorded in 2011. The usual big field set off in perfect conditions, still and cool, from the chocolate-box village of Cardington. I set off steadily, and felt reasonably good for the ultra steep first climb up the Lawley: best to crawl on all fours at times! After the fast descent, I started to slow slightly on the second big climb up the Stretton side of Caer Caradog. The descent from here to the woods below Hope Bowdler hill is superb, and in 2011 I remember flying along this final section which takes in one more climb up Hope Bowdler then a long undulating ridge (the kind of terrain that is fantastic if you are going well and picking up places - the opposite was the case today!). Towards the end I creaked into some kind of life, but it was far too late. This really is a superb route though, and a great event.
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