Maesgwm Muddle

Race: Maesgwm Muddle fell race (16.3k/1300m)
Time/Position: 1.51.48 (63rd from 180)
A British Championship race again, as it was the last time I did it in 2014. I found it a tad contrived then, with some arbitrary punishment in the form of illogical descents and long extensions to the natural 'reverse' horseshoe of the Moel Eilio race route. This time, I enjoyed it more, but as I was over four minutes slower that is perhaps not surprising! After fast running along the tracks to Hebron, the climb up Moel Cynhorion is a brute, but you can at least get your head down and plod up. A very steep descent (the Pedol Peris final descent) then more or less reverses the climb right back to the base of the valley, which is a tad demoralising. Thick mist and rain for the main ridge crossing, just a few metres of visibility. I have reasonable knowledge of the ridge but still had to get the map and compass out once on the descent from Moel Eilio as I couldn't remember whether the route followed the fenceline or the track. As always, it is remarkable how thick mist swallows up a big field, even a British championship field - in general, the conditions probably slowed times a bit but I've also been feeling sluggish for weeks so the time was no surprise. A long run in over the obscure spur of Cefn Du, way out to the north, then a lovely descent to Llanberis - echoing the final section of the Snowdonia marathon - as the weather finally began to clear. The final climb back to the finishing point just feels sadistic!