Preseli Beast fell race

Race: Preseli Beast (37.7km/4652ft/AL)
Time/Position: 3.52.23 (18th from 136)
The longest race ever included in the Welsh fell running championship. At this time of year that statistic wouldn't normally be a problem, as I would have marathon training in my legs. Not this year, however: indeed, the Anniversary Waltz, half the distance, was my longest run in the lead-in. So, I had a sense of genuine foreboding going into the race, reliant entirely on 'muscle memory' from 20 marathons and 30+ long fell races in the past. Having said all that, the event sounded brilliant, and I've only raced once in the wonderful landscape of the Preseli Hills in northern Pembrokeshire (2011's Ras Beca, also a Welsh Champs race). More to the point, I will miss the other 'long' in the championship, so had little choice here as I would like to give the champs a bash again this year. A small group of us rendezvoused at Maenclochog this morning after Vic and I broke the journey yesterday at Bird Rock. We had camped in a wonderful tranquil site two miles outside the village, down narrow lanes and overlooking the small Cleddau valley. I was woken by birdsong and sunshine after a peaceful night's sleep. The race started amidst a great atmosphere, it seemed like the whole village had turned out to support it. Tracks and lanes to Rosebush in glorious sunshine led through varied terrain of farmland, woods and small hills until a longer climb through Penmaenog forest eased us into the meat of the proceedings. We moved onto the high moorland of Preseli and climbed to the summit of Cerrig Lladron for far-reaching views over the whole region and, distantly, the sea above Newport (the half way point!). There followed a very long descent towards Cwm Gwaun and a dog leg through beautiful sun-dappled native woodland with bluebells and oaks. Across the little river, then another sharp climb through Sychbant woods to Mynydd Caregog. Above this, the terrain changes completely to moorland again with brilliant running towards the coast. Tremendous views in front, from this elevated position above Newport, still glorious sunshine. A steep descent with the sea directly below led to steep, twisting lanes down to Newport itself, and more crowd support. This was around half way, and I was somewhat surprised to feel reasonably good after my very slow start. That said, after running through the village the steep lanes back into the Preseli hills were hard work, and this continued as one of the day's key climbs (up to the mythical summit of Carningli) begins immediately. Beautiful terrain: rocky outcrops dotted around the highpoint, an ancient landscape. It had clouded over now, and after a bite to eat I had perked up again: in fact I felt really good for the very long and gradual descent down to Gwaun. I even started to pick up a few places and myself, Andy and Hayley ran together for a while over the smaller hills of Banc Du and Waun Mawr. At the road crossing at Tafarn y Bwlch, the Beast joins the Beast Bach: so there were hundreds more runners on the route all of a sudden. This made life tricky, but also helped a bit with the pacing. A steep and demanding climb over Foel Feddau then led to a high traverse path over to Preseli's highpoint (only 536m!) at Foel Cwmberwyn. From the summit, Maenclochog was visible but it looked a long way away! It was just a matter of keeping the legs turning over for the very long but very runnable descent along the eastern fringe of Penmaenog woods back circuitously to a memorable finish at Maenclochog. Great event, and the time-honoured undertrained tactics (to go incredibly slowly, walk every climb, and eat continually!) worked.