NotRace 3: Orme

'Race': Orme (14k/750m)

Time/Position: 1.41 (2nd)

Fortunate timing, the next 'not race' started from the West Shore and took a complex 'mountain marathon' style route around the Orme, taking us to some very obscure places (some of which I had never been to before). I set off with Jez, up the zigzags to the highpoint above the West Shore. From here, a superb high level traverse leads to the tip of the Orme above the road apex. A checkpoint here, then down to the remote feeling artillery huts at sea level: stunning location, looking out over Mynydd y Dref and Mon. Back up the track to the next CP at a derelict hut, just below the exposed contouring path to the Lighthouse Crags - a place I know fairly well, as it is one of the few crags on the Orme where I have ticked a good number of routes! I didn't have the app installed on my phone, so all 13 checkpoints had to be done via the map and instinct. This was an issue for the next one. a prominent boulder above the Lighthouse, although I did get it right. From here, a heathery trudge led to superb running along the plateau to drop down to the cemetery and then right down to the road before climbing all the way back up again just before the first Pen Trwyn crags (where, again, I have done a few modest routes). A checkpoint on the tumulus, then all the way down to Parisellla's cave and back up again via the ski slope. This was tricky as there are various access issues, and I lost time here. Finally, it was up to the summit and trig point before a flat-out descent back to the West Shore.

Road relays 4k

Race: North Wales virtual road relays 4k

Time/Position: 14.30 (3rd V50)

Another virtual North Wales championship race, this time a relay event over the novel distance of 4k. Even I have never raced 4k before, although I did once manage a sub-10 minute 3k. With a weekend in Conwy, I decided to run the Morfa loop (past the football club and through the marina) from the high school: this was not ideal, as I forgot that it has two cattle grids and is only 2.8k! So there was too much slowing down, reversing and turning over the last 1k as I tried to make up the distance. I was hoping to duck under 14 minutes so this was rather disappointing. A family walk to Aber Falls for a picnic was a nice way to stretch the legs.

NotRace 2: Denbigh BeerWolf

'Race': Denbigh BeerWolf (13k+/350m)

Time/Position: 1.41

One of a new series of 'not races', loosely organised with vague start times. An exclusive field of three runners set off from the remote starting point of Llyn Aled, which brings back childhood memories for me - the empty heart of the Denbigh Moors. Despite the modest stats, it was obvious what we were in for today. It reminded me of a typical OMM (the Elan Valley in 2009 came to mind) with two options: tussocks or bog? It was bog for the first stage round the Aled to the first checkpoint, but then a brief bit of road to pick up the aquatic path which leads to the end of the Alwen, another lonely spot with abandoned sheepfolds and ancient farmhouses. From here, we gained the Alwen path taken by the Freckled Cow race (on which I once came second), which gained height comfortably - although I lost Jez and Tony here and didn't see them again till the finish. I broke off at the fence line which leads up Mwdwl Eithin. I've been looking at this hill for many years, but amazingly have no memory of ever going up it. There are no paths, just this vague trod through thick heather - but the top has a huge cairn and wonderful views towards Siabod. From here, things got a lot worse. I saw the other two flailing down the fence line to the next CP, clearly struggling with the terrain, so thought I would cunningly head direct to the Moors road. The plan backfired, as the initial spur lead to steep slopes and horribly thick heather. Below, a quagmire with neck-deep fronds. A nightmare, which I had to battle through to gain the upper slopes which did indeed lead to the road. From here, an even boggier section leads to the minor summit of Pen yr Orsedd, after which I track could be picked up further north for some blessed relief down to lonely Llyn Alwen, with a CP at the derelict cottage. The relief was short-lived, as the 'run-in' back to Aled, although short, was just as tough underfoot as everything else - bogs and tussocks - with no view of Aled until I popped out just above it, still in a bog. A quintessential 2020 experience.

Fairfield Horseshoe/Red Screes

Peaks: Red Screes, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Heron Pike, Nab Scar

Area: Fairfield, Lake District

My two previous trips around the Fairfield horseshoe have certainly been well spaced out. I first did it as a first year student in 1988, then during a minibreak with Kate in 2001. So my next visit will likely be around 2039! It was a beautiful morning, and after a full cooked breakfast I jogged up Kirkstone with mist slowly dissipating from Windermere and Ambleside - archetypal autumnal conditions, definitely my favourite time of year to visit the Lakes (never been my favourite area, but I do like it, have been visiting for 32 years, and always try for at least two trips a year). A contouring path leads off from the Kirkstone road to gain the broad south ridge of Red Screes. This does drag a bit, a fairly long haul from the YHA, but the views over Fairfield and Kentmere compensated. I felt a little tired, and could only maintain a slow jog - possibly the after effects of my Famau marathon. From Red Screes (which I don't think I've ever done before) prospects looked good. A little summit lake frames views of Ambleside, the slopes to Kirkstone are famously steep, and I particularly enjoyed the views to Patterdale - which reminded me of the Grisedale Horseshoe fell race I did in 2014. I ran down to the Scandale Pass, then enjoyed the climb up to gain the normal motorway path round the Fairfield Horseshoe just below Hart Crag. Superb views over Great Rigg, with the weather getting better and better. By Fairfield, a few small snow patches (more over Langdale and Helvellyn) and great views of St Sunday Crag (another fond memory from the Grisedale Horseshoe - on which it is the final peak, but not the final climb). I remembered the glorious return over Great Rigg and Heron Pike - a wonderfully runnable broad ridge with views to Grasmere and Rydal water. Good running through Rydal back to Ambleside.

Wansfell loop

Exploiting our border location, and a reading week, I took in a micro-break to the Lakes before the English lockdown begins. I had originally planned to stay at the Grasmere YHA we enjoyed so much a couple of years ago, but had to bring the trip forward by a day because of the lockdown: Ambleside became the rather more urban focus instead. The YHA on the banks of Windermere does have its advantages, though, set apart from the busy town and with easy parking. I just drove straight up, parked, and set off immediately for Wansfell direct from the lakeside. Through the little streets of upper Ambleside following the waterfalls, up the steep road to finally gain the flagstone path (taken by the well-known race route). This was good and direct and led to the initial summit - dank and gloomy but with nice autumnal views down to Windermere. I then took the boggy undulating ridge to Baystones - the true summit - quite close to Kirkstone Pass, with views over Kentmere and Fairfield. I then fashioned a satisfying loop, down Nan's Road to Troutbeck before a superb contouring path above Windermere (in brightening weather) back to Ambleside and the YHA, where I had a dorm room with six beds to myself due to Covid regs.