Nos Galan

Race: Nos Galan elite male race (5k)
Time/Position: 17.45 (57 from 149 [2nd V45])
A wonderful celebration of the eighteenth century athlete Guto Nyth Bran, who was so fast 'he could catch a bird in flight'. Dad and I have talked about going down to this unique race for years, so it was very nice to finally get to Mountain Ash this New Year's Eve. It's a long way to go for a 5k but it was absolutely worth it - a brilliant atmosphere quite unlike any of the other 530+ races I have done: a night-time circuit round a distinctive valleys town, with big enthusiastic crowds and fireworks beforehand. After a coffee in a tiny cafe, we watched the junior races and mum and dad got a great viewing spot near the start. The atmosphere builds, with the mystery runner lighting the torch, excellent fireworks, and a touch of tension in the air - the field for the elite race is obviously very strong. I felt pretty good off the back of the handicap race two days ago and a recent return to informal speedwork. The race takes three laps of the town centre circuit, which heads out to the Bailey's Arms at the far end of town, rounds a tight turn and then runs back to the main square with the Guto statue which is the race's epicentre. The crowd and atmosphere here was tremendous, with a loop round the main road and back out again. My pace stayed fairly steady and I felt controlled and comfortable throughout, more so than at the handicap (virtually identical times) so I wonder whether I should have pushed a little more. I would have been first V50 had I been five months older, and indeed first V40 had I been five years younger (!), but had to settle for 2nd V45 on the night. A great way to end the year.

Deeside handicap

'Race': Deeside handicap 5k
Time/Position: 17.20
It's been a few years since I turned out for this Christmas informal handicap so it was good to be back on a speed session perfectly placed three days after Round the Walls and two days before Nos Galan. The route round the industrial estates and beside the Dee is fast and flat and I finished mid-table in the handicap, fifth fastest finisher.

Round the Walls race

Race: Round the Walls Chester (4m+)
Time/Position: 26.06 (14th from 440 [2nd V45])
My 9th or 10th time at Round the Walls, and I have never done the same route twice! It must be a nightmare to organise, with the constant work on the walls combined with weather conditions. The Bridge Street crossing has recently closed so I knew a variant was likely: sadly, however, it just doubled back after King Charles' Tower, heading down the ramp and back along the canal path, a deep trench at this point. This meant the race missed the best bits over Eastgate and down towards Handbridge, although at the bowling green it headed back to the walls up steep steps by Bonewaldesthorne's Tower and back along to the Roodee. Both sections on the Roodee were muddy and very slippery in my racing flats, like Bambi on Ice, losing lots of time. The drizzle, persistent at the start, eased a little during the race to give a dry finish and family walk back to the car.

Tegid Way

The traditional pre-Christmas outing, and a very good one this year. The Tegid Way is a fairly new 18 mile waymarked route that links Cynwyd with Bala, travelling west the whole way albeit by a highly indirect and winding route that avoids all main roads and embraces the best scenery. Jez and I met Peter in Bala, then drove back to start from Cynwyd via a giant dogleg that heads away from Bala and up to the Berwyn ridge and Pen Bwlch Llandrillo. This is a long but gradual climb, ideal for me as I had gone over on my kneecap on the steps down to Gwernymynydd on Friday night - it was a little sore on the descents. Just below the bwlch, the route heads down another superb track to Llandrillo with great views west - cloudy with intermittent sunbursts. From Llandrillo it finally begins to take a more direct route, across fields and then back over the Dee to gain a long and unexpected climb up a steep minor road to eventually gain the quiet village of Llandderfel. Beautiful scenery throughout this section, all obscure: in fact I'm not sure I have ever been along some of these paths or roads before. Finally, Llyn Tegid comes into view - although there were still several detours above the main road on the northern side, and all the way round the edge of Bala, before we got there (2.47 from Cynwyd). A drink in Stori was an excellent way to end an excellent day.

Marchlyn horseshoe

Peaks: Carnedd y Filiast, Mynydd Perfedd, Elidir Fawr
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
After doing this route as a hill-walk with the scouts a couple of years ago, I'd squirrelled it away as a nice shortish run. It was the perfect option today: a cold, crisp winter morning, heading home from Beaumaris. It seemed likely to be tricky conditions high up, with a bitter windchill and 'icy' snow, so I felt the Carneddau race route (my original plan) might be unwise. I parked in Deiniolen and jogged up the very long tarmac road towards Marchlyn. You can park much higher up, but I felt the need for more mileage. I broke off to join the obvious snaking path (Minffordd) that slants leftwards to gain the shallow col below Filiast and the hill that marks the true start of the Glyder ridge. The normal path up Filiast was problematic: ferocious windchill, scoured, fully iced-up over a couple of inches of snow. Tricky in old Inov8s, as was the awkward bouldery summit (47 mins from Deiniolen). But the onward route to Mynydd Perfedd was superb - the sun breaking through banks of cloud above Glyder Fawr and superb views to the glistening white Carneddau. The wind dropped a little, and Elidir Fawr looked very inviting in the sunshine with its curving ridge. I kept to the ridge crest on perfect virgin snow. Huge banks of black cloud over Snowdon but the sun peeked through. From the summit, I descended direct - this was OK at first as the snow was soft and thick. Lower down, however, the slopes were scoured, hard ice. This was a real issue, and I actually had to retreat from the direct line to the lake. I found a gentler route down but still had to kick steps until the angle eased. Fast running all the way back to Deiniolen from the top lake (1.43 in total). This followed my usual 12 mile loop of the Beaumaris hinterland, and preceded a 14 mile Eglwyseg run the next day.

Nant y Pandy Parkrun

'Race': Nant y Pandy Parkrun (5k)
Time/Position: 19.39 (2nd from 38)
I had no idea that a delightful hidden valley lurked in the middle of Llangefni. It was reminiscent of Fairy Glen or Nant Gwynant and was a genuine surprise. We were on our annual trip to Henllys, so this was an ideal way for both of us to get a Saturday run in. The route takes the tightly defined wooded valley of the Cefni river before opening out to a broader valley with nice scenery. This was much more exposed, into a strong headwind, and leads eventually to the turn-around point on the shores of Llyn Cefni. One young runner was miles ahead, and I was effectively running on my own with the 3rd runner a fair way behind. The return was great, a slight tailwind, a few steep climbs and flowing descents. Not the quickest course, perhaps, but certainly one of the most enjoyable parkruns around.

Ellesmere Port Parkrun

'Race': Ellesmere Port Parkrun (5k)
Time/Position: 19.46 (4th from 66)
Given the recent rain, this was surprisingly hard going. It is almost entirely flat, but also almost entirely cross-country, two laps across wet fields and woods in Whitby Park. My shoes, with worn soles, were not ideal as I slipped and slid round sections of the course (which I had never done before).

Tal y Fan from Conwy

Peaks: Tal y Fan
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A reprise of a run last done many years ago. Since then, I've done multiple combinations of routes up this little hill, from Aber, from the Conwy Valley and, of course, from Porthmadog in July! This particular route leaves the kitchen and walls, then heads up the Hendre road all the way to the top: this is tough but runnable all the way. The tiny road then gives way to a rocky track below Llangelynin church, then over the fields to join the valley. I then cut directly across to gain the wall, which leads steeply over several little tops to the trig point (58 mins from the house). It was cloudy and cool, good running conditions. I descended due north from the summit, straight down to gain a very good track leading east to the standing stones below the quarry. From here, I picked up my favourite tracks leading past the stone circle to Sychnant and back to Conwy in time for lunch. A lovely outing.

Birkenhead 5.5m

Race: Birkenhead 5.5m (Border League race 3)
Time/Position: 32.10 (44th from 345)
Earlier this year I recorded my slowest ever time on this very familiar four-lap circuit. A minute quicker than that today, so at least I am going in the right direction (although still 30 places and over a minute slower than my best). I have done the race at least eight times, and always quite enjoy it despite the laps, as I like the park. It was icy in places today, and I slipped on the tight corner after the pond on one of the loops. Crisp sunshine throughout, and we popped to Bold Street by train immediately after the race.