Colwyn Bay XC

Race: Colwyn Bay 6m+ (North Wales XC league, race 2)
Time/Position: 41.40 (34th from 181 [3rd V45])
I have fond memories of a one-off fell race called the Fox Trot that was staged across these hills (a mile inland from Eirias Park) in 2010. Staging an XC fixture here was inevitably going to put it in the 'hilly' category and having missed it last year I was keen to sample the course. We have had a very wet October, so the ground was saturated, very muddy in places. I went for spikes, which weren't ideal on the cobbled track along the base of the valley after an initial loop to spread out the field. The race then takes on a long climb, more akin to a fell race than a standard XC, very steep in places before weaving through woods to gain a farm then a glorious descent with the sea in front. I remembered this from the Fox Trot - and for XC it really helps recovery before the second lap. I tend to struggle with the constant changes of pace that characterise most XC courses so quite enjoyed the unusual nature of this route. It was also, of course, a mud-bath throughout.