Clwyd Gate - English Border

A nice long run to begin marathon training in earnest. Dropped off at Clwyd Gate above Ruthin, I fashioned a route towards the English border using a combination of familiar paths and minor roads. Initially, I took the OD path in pleasant sunshine (hindered by a cold eastern wind, which was somewhat ironic after last Sunday's westerly battering at the Rhyl 10). This leads very pleasantly to the Druid race route, through the woods then down to Llanferres. From here, a hidden cycle path goes towards Loggerheads. Then pavement for the climb to Gwernymynydd and down to a busy Mold town centre. Another climb through Buckley, then down to Penyffordd and Higher Kinnerton. It took a certain amount of willpower to keep going towards the Cheshire border at Lower Kinnerton, but I felt OK and looped back round to my house in around 1.50.

Rhyl 10

Race: Rhyl 10 mile (Welsh Championships)
Time/Position: 1.02.18 (15th from 550 [1st V45])
It was clear from early morning that this race was going to be badly affected by the 45mph westerly gusts sweeping across North Wales. An easy first half was inevitably going to be followed by a monumental battle heading back to Rhyl into the teeth of the gale: continually exposed along the seaside path and therefore relentless. I was four minutes down on my PB for the distance, but that felt fine in the circumstances. The race is good, well organised, and was selected for the Welsh 10 mile championships this year. I felt I had a decent combination of speed and endurance at the moment, and quite like the distance although I haven't done many 10 milers over the years - just six or seven races maybe. The first five miles - along the seafront, past the Nova centre then a loop around the edge of Prestatyn, flowed as easily as expected with the tailwind. Went through five miles in 28 mins dead, then started to pick up a few places. It was obviously crucial to save some strength for the return, and I felt OK as the full force of the wind hit at the Nova Centre. Tactics were needed! So I made a special effort to catch two runners in front, a draining effort, but as I'd hoped we started to work a bit as a mini-peloton into the wind. There really is no hiding place on this stretch of coastline, so although I've done many fell races in far windier conditions than this, it is particularly draining and time sapping on a road race. The other two pulled away with 200m to go: as usual I was only able to keep to my usual plodding pace, but I just managed to stay ahead of faster finishing runners in my category to finish first V45 in the race and Welsh championships.

Village Bakery half marathon

Race: Village Bakery half marathon, Wrexham (North Wales Championships)
Time/Position: 1.19.09 (37th from 1016)
Back to this old course for the sixth or seventh time: fortunately there were no problems this year with confused marshals (2014) or angry farmers (2012)! Perfect conditions this morning, which was lucky as I was recovering from a very bad cold and knew I didn't have sufficient distance in my legs having prioritised short races over winter. I took the only possible approach, which was a steady 6 minute/mile pace. Started off in a little group with Chris from Buckley, running the first short four mile loop at about 5.45 pace, which I deemed a bit too quick for me at the moment. I dropped the pace slightly, down to 6 minute pace, glad of the crisp, clear conditions as the route heads out into the quiet lanes towards the border. I needed a couple of gels but was rather surprised to feel relatively comfortable after going through 10 miles just under the hour. Ended up 90 seconds slower than my PB (recorded on this course three years ago), which was satisfying in the circumstances. And although I was well off the pace in the Veterans categories (a very strong field), I did win the V45 category in the North Wales Half Marathon Championships - to go alongside the V40 title won on the same course in 2013.