Wirral MT series, Arrowe Park

Race: Wirral MT series, race 4

Time/Position: 26.38 (21st from 414 [1st V50])

Of the four Wirral races, this is the one I have done most often. There is no beach running on this one, and nothing particularly memorable about it, but I always really enjoy it - pelting through the dark, wet woods and trying to save something for the draining playing fields. It is two long laps of Arrowe Park and I was in a real battle for first over 50 in the series. This meant an extra dimension to what is always a fast and exciting final fixture, and it was all thoroughly enjoyable. I managed to pull away at the top of the playing fields on the last lap and held on for a frantic finale. Perhaps my second or third fastest time on this course, which is pleasing. Not sure about the final series placings: it might have been a tie for first V50 place.

Farndon 10k

Race: Farndon 10k

Time/Position: 36.44 (17th from 642 [2nd V50])

Almost exactly the same pace and time as every other 10k (four now) I have raced in 2021 post-Covid. I don't seem able to push quicker than 3.40/km, despite going much quicker at the Mid-Cheshire 5k, which now looks like something of an anomaly unfortunately. I last did the Farndon 10k in 2010, and came 7th overall, after which it wasn't run for a few years before being revived a little more recently. It is a nice circuit on quiet lanes, not the quickest course as it does have a few small climbs and undulations. But those are only tiny caveats: I still should have been able to go a lot faster today.

Conwy-St Asaph

This was my original idea for last year's virtual London marathon. Covid rules put paid to that (I did my Flintshire W-E instead) but the idea was still lurking, and as I am behind (as ever) with the marathon training I felt at least one 20 miler was in order. It worked well at a pretty slow pace throughout, with last night's race in my legs. The route went over the bridge to the Junction, then up the undulating Pabo Lane to cross the A55 to Mochdre. In Colwyn Bay I headed straight down to the prom, and stayed right next to the sea all the way to Pensarn beach. This was superb, because the weather had improved throughout the day and it was a beautiful afternoon next to the deep blue sea. Through the middle of Abergele, and then the obvious flaw with the horrible Rhuddlan road. I walked along the verge for safety before heading off down the much quieter lanes to Bodelwyddan and direct down to St Asaph (2.5 hours/20 miles).

Wirral MT Series, Wallasey

Race: Wirral MT Series (Race 3)

Time/Position: 25.20 (21st from 412 [2nd V50])

A new experience for me after nearly 600 races, being jumped on the line by an age group competitor, almost certainly losing the series in that one moment! I missed the first race, but was comfortably ahead of the next V50 in the second race at Thurstaston. Although a little tired tonight after the half marathon, I was going fairly well and didn't even think to check my position until I was passed literally a few metres before the line, losing by one second. I've only done this particular fixture once or twice before: it is memorable, involving a long haul across the beach in both directions, with a lengthy dune running interval. The finish feels like the Sahara desert: you can see the banners over a mile away, but that flat expanse means it feels like forever to actually get there.

Chester half marathon

Race: Chester half marathon

Time/Position: 1.20.44 (48th from 3272 [2nd V50])

Another disappointing half marathon two weeks after Village Bakery: not exactly sure why, just don't seem able to sustain a basic pace despite going quite well at shorter distances recently. I first did the Chester half 20 years ago, in which time it has changed beyond recognition. Then, it was a low-key local race that headed down quiet lanes south to Pulford. Now, it is a big commercial event which heads north towards Mollington and Saughall. From the Roodee, the route heads right through the centre, past the cross, before moving towards Parkgate Road and then out on lanes towards Mollington. I was going reasonably well at first, but knew I was slower than at VB - which itself was slow. It does twist around a bit, and it does have a few false flats, so it's not as quick as Wrexham - and the real killer comes at the end when it climbs (very modestly) up Cheney Road towards Northgate and the finish in front of the town hall.  

Wirral MT Series, Thurstaston

Race: Wirral MT Series (Race 2)

Time/Position: 29.46 (17th from 360 [1st V50])

After its Covid-related cancellation last year, the Wirral multi-terrain series is back. I missed last week's opener, due to my Offa's Dyke wanderings, but it was wonderful to be back at Thurstaston tonight. I've done this particular fixture at least five times and always enjoy it, with the sun setting over the Dee estuary (particularly spectacular tonight) and the long haul over the soft sand and boulders of the beach contrasting with the flat speed of the Wirral way. I felt tired on the warm-up, but ended up having a good race, catching Jez on the second lap and then having a fine old battle along the Wirral Way back to the finish. I won this series as a V45 five or six years ago, so it was nice to finish first V50 tonight in a big field, although it remains to be seen whether I can keep it up for the next two races.

Sandstone Trail

Race: Sandstone Trail 'A' Race (17.5m/2000ft)

Time/Position: 2.29.45 (34th from 330 [3rd V50])

It's been a while since I made a major error on a race. The Black Mountains in 2014 always comes to mind as a particularly annoying example. My chances today were ruined as I, along with two others, followed the two leading ladies right down the road to Tilston at the half way point beyond Beeston - at least a mile, at least 10 minutes lost, and many places lost. In the blind heat of racing, you don't think much, especially on a race like this where you are following signs rather than navigating in the mountains. But it was all rather ironic after OD, very annoying and pretty silly of me. I've done this race before too, although not for 13 or 14 years! However, I did the full 33m ultra version much more recently so really should have remembered the route. I do know a lot of the route well, and really like the first section over Bickerton Hill. Our group of four got the bus from Delamere, and really enjoyed the first climb in perfect conditions - cool, cloudy and still. The route then curves round via Rawhead, another hill, and I had a full speed fall on the descent from this (a nettle patch broke my fall!). Then over familiar paths above the Pheasant and down to Beeston. The route then flattens out considerably, and we made the critical error shortly afterwards. Following this, there seemed little point racing properly so I just focused on keeping a decent pace ticking over and at least using the extra distance (I covered almost 30k/18.5m) as good London training. There is a painful sting in the tail near Kelsall, after which it started to rain lightly for the finish. I'm not sure how many places I lost with the detour, but it was a lot - and at least 10 minutes. This completes one of my biggest ever weeks for mileage, albeit with a good deal of walking: 190km/5450m.

Offa's Dyke, day 7 (Llangollen-Rhuallt-Prestatyn)

The big final push to complete Offa's Dyke within a week. It didn't quite work out the way I'd planned, but that didn't matter too much in the end. Unlike most of the rest of the trail, I was now very much on home turf and knew every inch of the route intimately (particularly Llangollen to Bodfari). I knew another big day was in store, of course, but trusted my local knowledge to a certain extent. After an inadequate breakfast (and a chicken kebab late last night!), I plodded through town and up very familiar lanes towards Dinbren and the crags. Then comes the best path in NE Wales (descended at pace just two weeks ago on the Llangollen fell race). I always love this section of OD, as it embarks on its long traverse below the crags with great views down the verdant valleys around Pentredwr and up towards Berwyn. I set a decent shuffling pace and thoroughly enjoyed it, as I always do. From World's End, the steep tarmac climb leads to the new flagstones across the moor to the Llandegla forest. I met four men here, doing OD in sections, and was to see them again later in the day. I was going quite well at this point, all very familiar territory. The descent through the forest is steep and rough, but a break at Llandegla shop was planned - almost as crucial as it was for my 'big link' lockdown ultra in February. I had a pastie and drinks before setting out into the Clwydians. There was a welcome breeze on this section, although it was another cloudless late summer day with dehydration already a problem at this early stage. The crossing of the Clwydians from Llandegla to Bodfari is normally no problem, just a long run, but today - primarily walking, and tired - it all took a very long time. I began to slow over Moel y Plas and struggled down to Clwyd Gate where the fatigue began to bite. I revived a bit over the shoulder of Fenlli but had drunk all my remaining water by Bwlch Penbarras. Still a long haul to Bodfari but luckily I was able to call mum and dad to tell them I was taking too long for our planned lunch meet. This prospect helped a lot for the very long walk over Dywyll down to Moel Arthur - normally a quick, easy and enjoyable run for me. Over Arthur and down to the car park where mum and dad were waiting with a superb refuelling platter. By now it was 3pm and it was looking less and less likely that I'd make Prestatyn. I set off for Pen y Cloddiau fairly optimistic, however, and fully refuelled. But again the descent to Bodfari from the top of PyC is lengthy when you are moving slowly. By Bodfari my chances seemed slim as I was slowing considerably. I took the direct route through Tremeirchion as the clouds gathered (a front was coming in). These lanes have lovely views over St Asaph and the Vale of Clwyd, home ground after coming all the way from Chepstow (or Knighton 50 hours ago anyway!). I ran out of steam at Tremeirchion and I arranged to meet M in Rhuallt. That evening, after another 50k day with a hefty 1850m of climbing, I realised I'd have to come back to finish the job so did so the next morning. It was an easy 12k from Rhuallt to the Offa's Dyke monument at the seafront in Prestatyn, taking 75 minutes or so, all very satisfying - let's call it 7.1 days in total. It started raining literally as I touched the monument next to the Irish Sea.

Offa's Dyke, day 6 (Forden-Llangollen)

I don't think the landlady at the Railway Inn believed me when I told her where I was heading, as she struggled to believe I'd come from Knighton the day before. A long day was in store, so after a full breakfast I headed out into a misty Powys morning, jogging on minor roads to Buttington via Leighton, looking across to Powis Casrle. This was a mild cheat, missing out the OD section on Beacon Hill. Given I had 60k to go, I felt this justified and indeed crucial (and I have done the section before). OD is gained before Buttington anyway, and then the 'red bridge' is crossed below Welshpool until gaining the flat floodplain of the Severn. This is probably the dullest section of the entire OD path, but it is still pleasant and a nice interlude allowing for rapid progress. I ran short sections (as I did through Leighton). Fields give way to a nice section along the canal - beautiful shade as the mist dissipated and the heat built again, with lovely willows overhanging the water. At Pool Quay, the busy road is crossed again to gain the embankment above the Severn with the Breidden Hills rising above. I have fond memories of winning the veterans prize on the race there in 2011. A huge quarry scars the western slopes, which is quite noisy and takes a lot away from the peace on this section. After a few confusing fields and changes of direction to follow the dyke, I eventually gained the lanes leading to Four Crosses and a Londis for some food. I sat on a bank in the shade, then embarked on the very annoying but necessary loop to Llanymynech. The main road is very busy and out of the question, but the detour heads away from the crags on Llanymynech hill which I was using as a target (and where I have done a few routes). The canal was lovely again, however, and does finally lead to town where I had a huge sandwich at a cafe before embarking on the climb (the first major climb of the day) up Llanymynech Hill towards the crags and round the golf course. This was wooded and gave nice shade, before it contours west and drops down to Porth y Waen and the villages of the Oswestry hinterland, a nice part of the world and classic borderland. Then came another little straightening of the official OD path - straight up the lane to Treflach and Trefonen, passing below Mynydd Myfyr (where there is a fell race). The lane was not pleasant, but got me to the shop in Trefonen for another feed and drink. I regained OD, then really enjoyed the next section with views down to the Morda valley and over towards Rhydycroesau before gaining Candy Wood. I ran this section (to Bronygarth) in reverse last year, and it is one of my favourites, over the old racecourse with the sun dropping, before the tranquil and beautiful section (all along the dyke itself) over Selattyn Hill, to tiny hidden valleys like Craig Nant and Bronygarth. Although I was tired, this was one of the best sections of all, as it was often the evening light and early morning light that rendered sections of the landscape along the Dyke particularly magical. I was feeling OK, and descended down the steep slopes to Castle Mill before embarking on the big final climb crossing the border west of Chirk Castle before eventually picking up the Llwybr Dyffryn Ceiriog. This winds its way up lonely lanes to the hills above the Vale of Llangollen to cross the Llangollen Round route and then descend by the Monk's Path. This was truly magical, as the sun set over Gamelin and Berwyn - the vale bathed in soft orange light. I got to the hostel in Llangollen as it got dark - 57.3km/1212m.

Offa's Dyke, day 5 (Knighton-Forden)

I gave myself a rather ambitious three days to complete OD from Knighton to Prestatyn after my four day completion of the southern half in July. Another cheap train journey to Knighton, and then it was away at midday, still feeling some effects of yesterday's half marathon but not too bad. Yet again, the forecast was for hot and sunny weather - exactly the same as it was for the southern half. Not a cloud in the sky until Rhuallt, dehydration an issue again, as it was in July. I immediately got back into the groove again, and it was as if the last few weeks had never happened and I continued exactly where I left off at the station, right on the modern border. The route climbs steeply out of Knighton, moving up towards Panpunton Hill. This begins a section of OD known as the Switchbacks, considered to be one of the harder sections of the Dyke (which the route follows for much of the day). In reality, the climbs are fairly short lived, although steep, and the going was delightful skirting little valleys until climbing up to Cwm Sanaham hill. There follows a whole series of little valleys with views down to the Teme valley, crossing Llanfair hill until descending into Newcastle. This is the point I reached all those years ago, and it's actually a fair way from Knighton! I was guilty of underestimating the route again, running out of water, and indeed only passed the formal OD halfway point around here - rather intimidating given the fact I had 48 hours left to complete the job! Then came a stroke of luck, a crucial drinking water tap before the steep climb up Graig Hill as the switchbacks continue (I packed two small bottles and one granola bar). This section following the top of the dyke itself is all tranquil and absolutely delightful, quintessential borders/dyke scenery throughout, and I did remember some of it from the early 2000s. Hergan, Middle Knuck and Churchtown are all beautiful and I started to get views out to Corndon (home of a classic but defunct fell race that I once did) as I crested the lonely Kerry Ridgeway. After Cwm, the day began to flatten out as the switchbacks are passed - I was running out of water again as it remained very hot indeed, pushing close to 30c yet again. But the going got easier, following flat land now into Shropshire, but still along the line of the Dyke itself past Brompton Crossroads and then gradually passing east of Montgomery, nestled within a fold of hills. Getting to the Railway Inn in Forden proved an annoyingly complex sting in the tail - well north of Montgomery, and a strange linear village with two distinct settlements. Even worse, direct paths to the pub were closed off or overgrown so I had to negotiate a series of lanes until finally reaching the pub around 6.30pm. Luckily, I could at least get my evening meal (pie) and a pint of butty bach as I cooled down in the garden (still humid after the sun set). 35k/1252m, but I knew this was the easy day - the next two would be much harder.

Village Bakery half marathon

Race: Village Bakery half marathon

Time/Position: 1.20.04 (72 from 442 [5th V50])

A return to this race around the edge of Wrexham after a few years away. I don't know how many times I've done it, but it's a lot, and my PB of 1.17 was set on this course in 2013. Minimum standard today was sub 1.20, which I failed to achieve by 4 seconds, and I was well down on the top 20 finishes I used to get at this race! That said, the standard has increased quite dramatically, and although I was only 5th V50 at the race the time still puts me 26th in the UK over 50 rankings (the same as my 5k ranking) which is quite pleasing. It was all going quite well - I was going for 6 minute mile pace and went through 10 miles in almost exactly an hour. But I began to crumble on Francis Lane, a long drag around the 11 mile mark (it is now a different course to the one I am familiar with) and lost a fair amount of time, which was a shame.

Snowdon run

Peaks: Yr Wyddfa

Area: Snowdon, Eryri

An early morning blast by way of crowd avoidance. It worked well, parking at the Cromlech and cycling up to PyP. Despite starting at 8am, I was passing people almost the whole way up the Pyg track, and I made Bwlch Glas in exactly 49 minutes. It was claggy and drizzly as I emerged at the obelisk, before gaining a dank summit in 55 minutes from PyP. Inevitably, there were dozens of people around: this summer really has been unprecedented. All rather different from the last time I was up here in July on the 1000s. I descended the Miners Track in just under 40 minutes to complete a nice little pre-breakfast outing: 1.35 in total.