Race: Flintshire 10k
Time/Position: 36.10 (4th from 566 [1st V45])
The route for this long-established race has changed numerous times over the years: this new version echoed the much older two lap run up the gently inclining Ruthin Road. I can remember going under 37 minutes for the first time on the old course a decade ago. A big field as we set off from the school, and a lot of twists and turns as the route avoids the middle of town. This slowed times down a bit, as did another tortuous section higher up after the hill - through gates and narrow entrances. The long and gradual descent is fast, though, and I gradually worked my way through some quick starters. I was third at the Flintshire 10k two years ago, on the very hilly version, and have been fifth in the past too. The gaps were quite big by the final mile.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Mold XC
Race: Mold XC (North Wales Cross Country League, race 1: 5.5m)
Time/Position: 31.47 (29th from 197 [3rd V45])
For a change, I was well up on my previous time for this newish course, which we ran for the first time last November. However, conditions today were hardly typical for cross country. It was mild and dry, the ground no worse than moist after morning rain. Last year, by contrast, it poured down throughout and the route was a quagmire. I didn't feel too bad on the route, although slowed on the third lap and struggled to hold the pace. But I moved gradually up the field after a deliberately slow start. I am hoping the field was quite strong, as I had expected to be a bit higher up!
Time/Position: 31.47 (29th from 197 [3rd V45])
For a change, I was well up on my previous time for this newish course, which we ran for the first time last November. However, conditions today were hardly typical for cross country. It was mild and dry, the ground no worse than moist after morning rain. Last year, by contrast, it poured down throughout and the route was a quagmire. I didn't feel too bad on the route, although slowed on the third lap and struggled to hold the pace. But I moved gradually up the field after a deliberately slow start. I am hoping the field was quite strong, as I had expected to be a bit higher up!
Sunday, October 09, 2016
Caernarfon border league
Race: Caernarfon 10k (Border League race 1)
Time/Position: 36.29 (16th from 318 [2nd V45])
The rule of 30 seconds strikes again. The third consecutive race in which I have been half a minute down on my most recent previous time for the course. Still, at least the decline is relatively gradual! Given the lack of recent road running, and only one intervals session in preparation, I was reasonably pleased with this - and I always enjoy the route, perhaps my 8th time round the course, both clockwise and anticlockwise. Today, we went the 'normal' way round, with a light easterly a slight help for the long, flat 5k alongside the Menai Straits. Always a glorious place to run, and the weather was delightful, as it often is on this race. Views of Yr Eifl and Mynydd Mawr as we turned inland to face the hilly second half of the course. I caught quick-starters Chris and David from Buckley and we ran together for a bit up the first hill. I moved up the field a bit over the second half and did my usual pace-holding (albeit slow!) routine, managing to hold off a small group immediately behind on the always enjoyable, very scenic final km past the castle.
Time/Position: 36.29 (16th from 318 [2nd V45])
The rule of 30 seconds strikes again. The third consecutive race in which I have been half a minute down on my most recent previous time for the course. Still, at least the decline is relatively gradual! Given the lack of recent road running, and only one intervals session in preparation, I was reasonably pleased with this - and I always enjoy the route, perhaps my 8th time round the course, both clockwise and anticlockwise. Today, we went the 'normal' way round, with a light easterly a slight help for the long, flat 5k alongside the Menai Straits. Always a glorious place to run, and the weather was delightful, as it often is on this race. Views of Yr Eifl and Mynydd Mawr as we turned inland to face the hilly second half of the course. I caught quick-starters Chris and David from Buckley and we ran together for a bit up the first hill. I moved up the field a bit over the second half and did my usual pace-holding (albeit slow!) routine, managing to hold off a small group immediately behind on the always enjoyable, very scenic final km past the castle.
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Ceiriog Canter
Race: Ceiriog Canter fell race (11.5k/1307ft)
Area: Glyn Ceiriog (Vivod Mountain)
Time/Position: 53.45 (5th from 37)
Driving down the Ceiriog Valley, I always think I should spend more time there. This is the only fell race based in the valley, and another of those I have never got round to doing. The weather was rather unpleasant: steady drizzle, low cloud, rather chilly. But the race is runnable and excellent, almost closer to a trail race in places. It leaves Glyn Ceiriog to join a rutted and steep track. Our plod up this was enlivened by a wedged Sainsbury's delivery van, presumably a disastrous sat-nav error. It was quite a job to squeeze through the vegetation to get past the van. The track eventually emerges at a road, then takes a great path up the side of Nant y Dramwys. This gives excellent running, with good (albeit misty) views of the Berwyn. A group of six pulled away from the rest of the field during the climb. At a gate, the route turns left for the final climb up to the top of Vivod Mountain, all runnable. I began to fall behind Simon on the climb, and lost more ground initially on the descent, which takes a different route north of Y Foel to emerge at Finger Farm: at this point there was a great clearance in the mist and drizzle to reveal the verdant Ceiriog Valley. A road section meant I could catch Simon up, and a great contest ensued. I didn't get enough of a gap to cancel out his descending skills, though, and we were neck and neck on the final descent into the woods above Glyn Ceiriog. This was enlivened by a collapsing gate and numerous fallen trees. Eventually he pulled clear and finished up 15 seconds ahead back at the finish in Canolfan Ceiriog. We were around 90 seconds behind the winner.
Area: Glyn Ceiriog (Vivod Mountain)
Time/Position: 53.45 (5th from 37)
Driving down the Ceiriog Valley, I always think I should spend more time there. This is the only fell race based in the valley, and another of those I have never got round to doing. The weather was rather unpleasant: steady drizzle, low cloud, rather chilly. But the race is runnable and excellent, almost closer to a trail race in places. It leaves Glyn Ceiriog to join a rutted and steep track. Our plod up this was enlivened by a wedged Sainsbury's delivery van, presumably a disastrous sat-nav error. It was quite a job to squeeze through the vegetation to get past the van. The track eventually emerges at a road, then takes a great path up the side of Nant y Dramwys. This gives excellent running, with good (albeit misty) views of the Berwyn. A group of six pulled away from the rest of the field during the climb. At a gate, the route turns left for the final climb up to the top of Vivod Mountain, all runnable. I began to fall behind Simon on the climb, and lost more ground initially on the descent, which takes a different route north of Y Foel to emerge at Finger Farm: at this point there was a great clearance in the mist and drizzle to reveal the verdant Ceiriog Valley. A road section meant I could catch Simon up, and a great contest ensued. I didn't get enough of a gap to cancel out his descending skills, though, and we were neck and neck on the final descent into the woods above Glyn Ceiriog. This was enlivened by a collapsing gate and numerous fallen trees. Eventually he pulled clear and finished up 15 seconds ahead back at the finish in Canolfan Ceiriog. We were around 90 seconds behind the winner.
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