Two Lakes run

An extended training version of the Two Lakes half marathon which I had enjoyed last May. Over the years, I've done various routes and races here: from the complete 20 mile figure of eight round both lakes, to the various shorter races that loop the Brenig and Alwen. A group of four of us started from the Brenig car park, along the dam to pick up the race route. A lovely tailwind eased progress along the far shore of Brenig, waves so high you could almost surf in the lake! As we turned west along the muddy paths and steep tracks that lead to the far side of the lake, the run became gruelling as we battled the fierce headwind. A sheltered bridleway then leads over the road to the superb long track that makes directly for the bridge at the far end of Llyn Alwen. This was tough underfoot and into a headwind the whole way: some rain too. The steep climb beyond the lake is always tough, but we kept a reasonable pace going and stuck to the half marathon route throughout. Almost 15 miles in total, including the extension.