Borders 50

My lockdown philosophy has evolved slightly to create memories which positively embrace the extremely limited confines: to see the restrictions as an opportunity to do things you would never usually do, and to explore the immediate region in immense detail. This can work well - witness last year's virtual marathon and a number of other initiatives. I had a day off today, so decided to make it memorable with a pre-planned solo ultra, in effect a double road marathon from the front door taking in a giant 50 mile/81km loop of my border region. I carried nothing but a bank card, a boiled sweet and half a sandwich, depending on the only two village shops I was likely to pass for sustenance. It was cold and frosty as I set off at first light, plodding at a gentle pace through Bretton and Saltney to Chester, along the Dee Banks through Boughton and out on the misty, frozen lanes towards Saighton. These were all quiet and pleasant, a special atmosphere in the dank mist. I was comfortable and enjoying myself, although sadly the lanes were flooded at Bruera, and wet feet make you considerably less comfortable. I then headed inexorably east to the Tattenhall road, weaving north past the ice cream factory and heading to Beeston. I had hoped the castle would be a useful marker/target, but in the mist I couldn't see it - even when I was on the road below it. From here, I headed south along the road that traverses the eastern side of the Peckforton hills. Then came the route's only flaw - a short section along the Nantwich-Wrexham road. Not much fun, but it was short-lived and I soon notched up marathon distance in a plodding 3.40 or so. It was all going well, but it became imperative that the shop in Tilston was open - I was totally dependent on it, carrying no water and just a bank card and mask! It was open, so I headed in for food and drink which I ate on the road out to Shocklach. I carried on at a reasonable, but slow pace until notching up the 50k (very likely a genuine PB at 4.37). The pace dropped a little for the long, twisting lanes back into Wales at Worthenbury, possibly new territory for me, thereby achieving a lockdown aim of finding new places close to home. The lowpoint of the day came next, with a long haul to Bangor, which was a bit of a struggle. But there was a shop in Bangor, and after a cheese and onion sarnie I perked up across the wonderful old Dee bridge and steep climb to Cross Lanes. An unpleasant and lengthy haul through the Wrexham industrial estate, and finally I gained 'home ground' on the Borras road to Marford, with the usual lovely views over the Cheshire plain to the Peckforton Hills - very satisfying to look across and see my route through that countryside. Down to Rossett, then along Stringers Lane for an extra victory lap round HK to notch up 50 miles/80k in 8:13, a good working day. I dubbed it the Borders Ultra: a neo-classic!