Havana run

A run along the legendary Malecon: an essential addition to my four-night stay in Havana after enjoying the seafront ambience on a number of occasions. 'The world's longest sofa' say some, although when I finally got round to running it a fairly ferocious easterly made it unusually quiet, with spray and flying sand especially out towards Vedado. The outward leg, past the famous Hotel Nacional, was a delight, with a strong tailwind. The return into the headwind was a different matter: a real struggle that reminded me of home and any number of border league fixtures along any number of North Wales and Wirral proms!

Vinales walk/run

I was keen to get out into the Cuban countryside, and Vinales - in the western Pinar del Rio province - seemed the best option, albeit a fairly predictable one. Its landscape is famous, and echoes parts of southern China and Thailand with its limestone spires rising from flat valley floors. These are called 'mogotes' locally, and my first view of the valley was a memorable one as my bus stopped near Los Jazmines, an old hotel with a fabulous view, still lit by the morning sun. The mogotes tower above the flat valley with tight 'gorges' radiating outwards - and in the foreground lush palms (the endemic mountain palms) and fig trees. Beyond, the low Sierra de los Organos mountains. Later that first day, I walked to the Cueva de la Vacha, admiring the superb rock scenery with some great looking routes going through the tufa pillars and stalactites, even meeting a French climbing pair looking for easy options (the only climbers I saw). The potential for new routes is vast. Today, I explored various corners of the region culminating in a jog from the Mirador near Los Jazmines down to the valley floor where I navigated a complex series of farm tracks through the tobacco plantations to emerge at the road below the impressive mogote at the head of the Dos Hermanos valley. From here I jogged up to the hideous eyesore known as the 'mural of prehistory' before getting the bus back to town after a long, dusty, sweaty wait. Refuelled with a cubanito, fresh lime juice and fried red snapper.

Oswestry XC

Race: Oswestry XC (North Wales cross country league, race 5)
Time/Position: 43.16 (37th from 142)
It's been a tough season, with some challenging conditions (quagmire at Bangor, storm at Llandudno, sleet in Baschurch). Nasty again today, but at least the sleet had stopped when we set off. Sadly, I went into meltdown on the second lap and recorded by far my worst result of the season, 10 places down and struggling desperately; but I managed to hold on to the 3rd V45 slot overall (same as last year). Similarly, Buckley just held on to win the Veteran's Team prize for the season, possibly for the first time ever (2nd team overall).