Pennine/Calderdale loop

Not my favourite part of the world, but needs must under current regulations. This time of year, I would normally be in the north-west Highlands, and the weather has been perfect for months. But with that barred, England is the only option, and I do have fond memories of the Haworth Hobble and Heptonstall fell race in these parts. I set off from Blackstone Edge above Littleborough, taking the smooth and comfortable Pennine Way to skirt the series of reservoirs above Calderbrook. After Warland, the path cuts rightwards and makes its way up to the top of Stoodley Pike, such a notable landmark in these parts. All very different to the last time I was here, two-thirds of the way through the Haworth Hobble in the mist. I then cut down a surprisingly small path to Withens Clough, then a superb descent down to the pretty village of Cragg Vale, which nestles at the bottom of a steep valley. I climbed out of this to the east, which led to delightful tracks above Ripponden. Big views, typical Pennine scenery (Yorkshire now) as I followed the Calderdale Way. Eventually, I took the old Packhorse road back, which was rather arduous and tussocky but avoided the main Halifax road for a 25k round. One day before my 50th birthday.

Tour de Flintshire

Whatever else lockdown has been, it has been paradise for cycling. It took me a few weeks to get my bike back to full working order, but after a few decent 50-60k outings I decided to refine my Tour de Flintshire, which attempts to take in the highlights of the historic county (not the modern version), pausing for lunch in St Asaph. I last did this in 2015, training for the Wild Wales. I tweaked it a bit this time, heading through Buckley to Rhosesmor - a vicious climb - then over to Halkyn, Holywell, Lloc and along to Dyserth. From here, I took the little lanes south to Rhuallt then over Pont Dafydd to St Asaph and a delightful and delicious lunch. Fortified, the second half has an entirely different character. The route goes to Bodfari then Llandyrnog before the crux climb over the Clwydians to Nannerch. I should have incorporated Cilcain, but instead took in Mold then a long extension out to Hope and back via the lanes. Just over 100k, another perfect May day.

Disputed territory

Living half a mile from the border, it seems legitimate to exploit the English regulations from time to time. I have already revisited the Frodsham/Helsby hills so today started a little further afield (actually, around the same distance from HK) from Weston Rhyn near Chirk. This entire run was in England, despite the place names (and, arguably, the historical reality). From Weston, I ran on the lovely lane that climbs westwards to the secluded border village of Bronygarth. From here, I joined Offa's Dyke, which immediately becomes very steep as it climbs onto the crest of the border hills south of Chirk. Interestingly, on this section the official footpath follows the Dyke itself - and, indeed, the Dyke itself follows the exact line of the modern border. The weather was not as good as the forecast - dark grey skies and a very strong wind. But it was absolutely glorious, albeit rather slow running - views east over Shropshire to the flat Midlands, and west over the Welsh hills. This is classic borderland, really beautiful. Eventually the route drops down to Craig Nant before another climb up Selattyn Hill which I remembered from last time I was here many years ago (I had a number of walks along OD, getting all the way down to Clun, in the early 2000s when dad often dropped me off en route to Cardiff). From Selattyn, much quicker running to the Old Racecourse above Oswestry before dropping through Candy Wood and then the long route back. This was not quite so much fun - little lanes to Oswestry - through the eerily quiet, shut down centre - then out via the Gobowen road. From Gobowen, I crossed the main road to join more small lanes back to Weston.

Conwy coastal hills

An essential work trip for Kate to prepare the Culture Centre for opening, so I took the opportunity for a little run round some of my favourite landscapes. Initially, I headed up Sychnant then cut south to take the ancient tracks westwards to curve round the base of Tal y Fan and climb up Foel Lus. This is always a wonderful viewpoint, but particularly so today with conditions perfect. Beautiful warm weather, and crystal clear clarity, no wind: just as it has been since lockdown began. From Foel Lus I headed down to join the Pen race route down to Capelulo, then up Sychnant to Allt Wen. From here, the familar route over Mynydd y Dref and a final loop round Bodlondeb.

Rhydymwyn byways

Under the new Welsh regulations, slow duathlons are now possible. I've done a few recently, cycling to Ffrith or the Clwydians, then changing into running shoes for a hilly circuit, then back home on the bike. This was a slightly longer version, from home to Rhydymwyn, then setting off on foot using the little lane cutting the corner to Hendre. From here, I took the lovely bridleway which climbs steeply up ancient pathways to finally gain the pass below Moel Arthur (I have used this to run to the Dinorben on 2 or 3 occasions). Very few people around, with all the car parks blocked off. I enjoyed the long haul along the ridge south to the top of Moel Famau, and then the plunge to Cilcain before taking the obscure but delightful paths that weave around the sides of the Alyn valley back to Rhydymwyn. All at their absolute best this time of year - yet another glorious day, as with almost every day since the lockdown began!

River Dee loop

A new route for me, trying to get as inventive as possible under current unprecedented restrictions. I left Rough Hill and ran to Eccleston, picking up the little path along the banks of the Dee to Aldford. So far, so familiar, but the next stretch - unbelievably - was new to me. I followed the banks religiously, round all the big meanders, past Churton to some Appalachian-style log cabins. This stretch feels surprisingly remote, little trodden, perhaps a reflection of its distance from the road. Eventually the path reaches Farndon, after which I headed back to Rough Hill via Rossett and Pulford.

Welsh Athletics Virtual 5k

Virtual Race: Welsh Athletics Virtual 5k
Time/Position: 17.47 (48th from 269 [4th V45])
Almost exactly the same time as the 5k relays in early April, and Nos Galan on New Year's Eve for that matter. Slightly slower, indeed, and as such this was a little disappointing, possibly due to an excessively early start and a few unnecessary turns on the HK Green circuit that I chose to use (unlike the point-to-point course I used on the relays). Would have been second V50, so that bodes quite well, but the leg speed is definitely lacking.

Club champs 10m

Virtual Race: Club Champs 10m (Five Villages route)
Time/Position: 1.05.52
By far the worst of my recent virtual performances, this was a real struggle. In fact, I ran a quicker time around this same route on a normal tempo session a month ago! I can only think I was a bit tired after the recent long run over the hinterland hills. It was yet another beautiful day, fairly hot which didn't help. I didn't feel great for the first leg out towards Rossett, and this got worse for the long haul through Pulford to Rough Hill, on which I had a slight tailwind. I lost even more time on the westwards run in back to the Welsh border. A full 7 minutes down on my 10 mile PB.

HK-Moel Famau-Mold

Another inventive solution to the current dystopian predicament. All normal activities curtailed, so this was a repeat of a run from the front door to the top of Moel Famau that I last did around a decade ago. It is obviously a somewhat shorter variant of my Chester-Famau route that we recently repeated and refined slightly. From HK, I head through Buckley to avoid the main road to Mold. To add some variety, I then reversed the normal Collie route to reach the top in glorious sunshine in 1.51 from the front door (just under half marathon distance). Completely empty - a memorable experience. From the summit, I descended down to the leat via the Collie route, then through Pantymwyn and Gwernaffield to meet M at the Mold Lidl - 30k/803m in total.