Long Mynd Valleys fell race

Race: Long Mynd Valleys (18.5km/1370m)
Time/Position: 2.08.08 (23rd from 101)
Back at LMV for the first time since 2009: an inexplicably long gap for what is a classic fell race. I have vivid memories of following a trail of blood through the snow on the brutal second half of the race 11 years ago. Today, no such drama, although it was a small field - as it had been cancelled on its original date due to Storm Ciara. It was fairly cold, with the odd light snow shower today, but nothing comparable to the frozen feet and hard-packed snow of 2009. The race begins with a climb up the rocky ridge rising from Carding Mill, then embarks on its fairly easy first half. With a lot of mud underfoot after recent downpours, the term is relative of course. But there is a lot of contouring running with grand panoramas, until it heads back south and takes its direct line back to Carding Mill - dipping up and down all those beautiful valleys like Ashes Hollow. Wonderful views and perfect weather at times - blue sky with the occasional shower. The descents are very steep in places and there is virtually no level running in the second half, it is all either violent descents or brutal climbs. The hardest of all is the last one, up the steepest and longest side of Yearlet. I have done this hill from all angles, and it is remarkably steep given its Shropshire location. I ended up a tad quicker than 11 years ago, three minutes or so, although conditions were a little kinder.