Round Rotherham race

Race: Rowbothom's Round Rotherham Ultra Marathon (50m+/81k)
Time/Position: 9.35 (39th from 160)
A properly long ultra was the only thing missing from my 'running CV', compiled over 500 races and 20 years, so it was good to make my debut here - even if the setting was not a very glamorous one. In fact, I actually ran a double marathon of 53 miles because I made a huge route finding error half way round. This was upsetting, but apart from the error I really enjoyed the race - and my rudeness about the setting was entirely misplaced. In reality, it is a massively varied route, continually interesting, a real treat for a geographer - sometimes very scenic, sometimes urban and gritty, with everything in between. After a drive across the Pennines, a meal outside Sheffield and a night sleeping in the car, we set off in the dark at 7am from the lake in Wath upon Dearne. My plan was just to plod along for 30 miles and then see what I could do. It worked reasonably well, although my legs never felt great, possibly still affected by the marathon 13 days ago. It gradually got lighter as we headed to Elsecar, a gentle introduction down tracks, then Thorpe Hesley as the sun rose above the horizon. This led to a magnificent sunrise at the precise moment we ran along what was probably the most scenic section of the race, a vague ridge above the village of Scholes: stunning autumnal views with the low sun, light mist and stone houses of the village. A climb to Keppel's column and then the first checkpoint. After crossing the M1 the route becomes more urban at 18k past Meadowhall and Tinsley: canal side running in places. After the second CP, we passed Treeton Dyke lake past more industry into the interesting Rother Valley country park at 30k. I was feeling pretty good across the fields leading to Harthill and the halfway checkpoint. Another good feed (I was eating well!) at another excellent checkpoint, and then a long rural section through endless fields - the only time I felt a bit hot all day (conditions were generally ideal, fairly cool with sunny intervals). After the airfield at Netherthorpe I began to hit my first bad patch at the marathon distance (42k). A gel helped, but I then made my big error at the Lindrick golf course. I lost the route, and asked a greenkeeper where the tunnel under the A57 was (this was key to the route). He sent me way off to the left, and I made the map 'fit' the landscape, as often happens, running well over a mile off course. I finally realised that it must be the wrong way and, with no local knowledge, was forced to take the demoralising decision to retrace my steps, asking a golfer if there was another tunnel. I tried running down the A57, dangerous to the point of impossibility, so had to take evasive action which cost even more time - at least 30 minutes and 3 miles extra. This was infuriating but did give me an adrenalin boost which continued after the next CP at Woodsetts. The rest of the route is mainly scenic, fields up to Langold Lake, then woods through Firbeck. This, around the 34 mile mark, was the furthest I had ever run before, so it wasn't too surprising that I began to hobble and walk in places. The final section was delightful at times, though, past scenic Roche Abbey in glorious sunshine, then Maltby and another feed, and then more rural scenery around Hooton Roberts before an urban finish through Swinton and back to the start in Manvers. I was slow on the last section, but not disastrously slow. All in all, a great event, very well organised with a real local Yorkshire feel and a sense of tradition - it's been going a long time. My error cost me a lot of time and places, I think I would have finished around 9 hours without it. But it only cost me one position in the Runfurther British ultra championships, which I completed with this race, my first ever 'long' ultra - I finished 7th male in the 2018 series, which was a satisfying way to mark the end of the season.

Tryfan

Peak: Tryfan
Area: Eryri
An early morning outing after dropping Kate off. It was a little too close to Saturday's 50 miler, but a perfect autumn day was forecast, so I just headed straight for the North Ridge. It is just over 30 years since I first did this - and I have no idea how many times I've been up Tryfan since then (well over 50). I picked my way up, sticking to the crest then taking the nice groove up the right-hand side of the North Tower. The summit was a delight: I had it to myself initially, and there was still some high cloud around, which gave some beautiful patterns of sunshine and shadow over Y Garn and Elidir Fawr. My usual descent: down North Gully and Little Gully, always fun, and then a leisurely walk back to Ogwen in glorious conditions as the cloud melted away completely. Beautiful autumnal scenes.

New Brighton 5m

Race: New Brighton 5m (Border League race 1)
Time/Position: 29.44 (66th from 411)
My worst finishing position in 12 years: close to 80 league races. It was only two years ago that I managed to finish in the top 20 for every fixture. Despite that spectacular decline, I was actually fairly pleased with the time, having not done any speed work all year - very hard to adjust from the plodding ultra pace I have trained myself for this year! I just aimed to get under 30 minutes as it was the only realistic target. I couldn't remember doing this exact course before, although I have done variants of it in BL and Wirral leagues. It goes from the little lake along the prom towards Leasowe, then back inland towards Harrison's Drive. A very slight headwind for the finish along the prom although conditions were generally ideal for fast times, with the course as flat as a pancake.

Chester Marathon

Race: Chester Marathon
Time/Position: 3.01.48 (252 from 3800)
After the humiliating experience of missing out on a qualifying time (for the first time in years) at London in April, I felt I had to squeeze one more marathon into 2018. The obvious problem is that I've concentrated on ultras, and therefore have distance in my legs but a complete absence of speed. The solution? To run at the same slow, plodding 7 minute mile pace throughout. It worked surprisingly well, particularly as I only managed three longish road runs in preparation. A night in my own bed, still asleep at 7am, was a great help, as was the ten minute drive to the start. Conditions were absolutely perfect, in contrast to London: I was shivering in 2C at the start and the day was clear with light winds. It is a great route, similar to the old half marathon route (which I did many times) in places as it heads out towards Pulford. But it also takes in much of the city centre, in stark contrast to the old marathon route which I ran in 2010 (the first ever Chester marathon and my V40 debut!). Under the Eastgate clock, out through Handbridge and Eccleston along roads I know very well and often train on, then over the border to Rossett and along the lanes towards Holt and Farndon. There are a few sharp hills on the return leg, a bit of a struggle for a while, but I took in more gels than is usual for me and - after going through half bang on 1.30 - didn't lose too much ground on the return, which takes the lanes east of the Dee through Aldford to re-enter Chester around Huntingdon to finish back at the Racecourse after taking in the banks of the Dee and our regular family picnic spot. So, no great shakes (8 mins down on PB) but job done in the sense that a London qualifying time was regained, and it was nice to wear the Welsh vest for the first time in six years (as a cross-border marathon, the British Masters Championships were incorporated into this race).