Fairy Freckled Cow trail race

Race: Freckled Cow/Llyn Alwen trail race (11k)
Time/Position: 43.16 (6th from 119)
After struggling for a few months, it was a relief to feel reasonably fit today. I finished 6th, exactly the same position as when I last did this excellent race two years ago, albeit 14 seconds slower. Much more important, though, I actually enjoyed myself for a change and didn't fall to pieces half way round. Two years ago, several runners ended up in the recovery position with heat stroke - it was one of the hottest Welsh races I can remember. Today, intermittent sunshine was very pleasant on the outward leg along the eastern shore of the lake to the wild terrain on the edge of Hiraethog where you cross the lake at a small bridge and negotiate a very sharp climb to gain an exposed moor which leads down to more fire tracks and fast, undulating running to the finish. Very little of the race is actually flat, but the hills are never very long. It gives a great session: and some very heavy rain later on in the race helped cool us all down today.