Tarren Hendre

Race: Ras Tarren Hendre (10k/600m)

Time/Position: 1.03.05 (19th from 75)

For various reasons, I had never got round to this 'depths of winter' race before - possibly the only long-established north Wales fell race I have never done. It always used to clash with the XC champs in Rhug, but this year made a perfect day out to complete my return to proper racing, albeit compromised by an obvious lack of speed and fitness. Conditions were superb - no wind, nicely cool with a high cloud base - and it all made for a thoroughly enjoyable day out for our small group. I went fairly well at the climb, which goes up gentle fire tracks interspersed with two brutally steep direct climbs through conifer forest. Eventually, you emerge at the final steep climb to the top of Tarren Hendre. I was in 14th place, feeling reasonably OK after an ascent of just over half an hour. I descended badly, inevitable really given the length of my lay-off from proper racing. The long ridge over towards Tarren y Gesail take you round Mynydd Rhyd Galed, all runnable, and then little contouring tracks lead to the sharp turn north-westwards. From here, tricky terrain, very boggy in places, leads steeply to the old quarries in Nant Gwernol. The comes a long, fast and gradual descent down inclines and fire roads, normally the sort of place in which I would look to make up ground, but I found that hard to do today with limited road speed. I was passed by at least five runners on the descent from the summit.

The Horse

Race: The Horse (12k+/500m)

Time/Position: 1.12.15 (2nd team from 24)

There could hardly be a better way to return to proper racing than this, a brilliant and memorable night-time event round the 'Cilcain skyline' in lovely soft snow. Teams only, so I ran with Jez, still unsure about how I might feel. In the event, I felt good throughout and thoroughly enjoyed it, wonderful to be back! From Cilcain, snowy fields led to the Nannerch bridleway and then a steep climb to the ridge from the second checkpoint (all punch CPs, no marshalls). Snow falling and good coverage underfoot as we pelted along the ridge with headtorches, highly atmospheric. We took the traverse path on the western side, definitely the best route choice, up to the CP on Moel Famau. Then came the superb fast descent down the 'Collie climb', always exhilarating and especially so today (even more so because fast descending caused me problems during GF). Back to Cilcain and a very crowded White Horse via the fields. Around 70 runners in 24 teams. 

Erddig parkrun

'Race': Erddig parkrun

Time/Position: 20.03 (1st from 200)

The tactic of using parkruns to try to regain a modicum of speed after my mild illness seems to be working reasonably well. Erddig was very muddy this morning after lots of rain, with a lot of lying water even on the gravel tracks. As a result, I wasn't too disheartened by the slow time, around half a minute down on the last time I did it. The route is really enjoyable, particularly the wooded section. Morgan had another great race to finish 10th. HR was low, as it was on a 15k run the next day, leading me to finally declare glandular fever over after three months.

Penrhyn parkrun

'Race': Penrhyn parkrun

Time/position: 19.16 (3rd from 109)

Promising signs again, as my HR was normal today for this, my second time at the Penrhyn PR. I was 40 seconds slower than last time (around 5 years ago) but thoroughly enjoyed the circuit, particularly as the icy rain began to ease to great views over the sea and mountains. Steady but unspectacular pace, comfortable but it will obviously take time to get some speed back. Morgan had a superb outing and a top 15 finish. Next day, 16k to Penmon in abysmal conditions - floods, torrential rain.

Maen Gwynedd horseshoe

Peaks: Mynydd Tarw, Foel Wen, Tomle, Craig Berwyn, Cadair Berwyn, Moel yr Ewig, Godor

Area: Berwyn

An excellent way to start the new year. I have done this obscure horseshoe quite a few times, so it was nice to take Morgan round it today. We also hit the jackpot with the weather, as the mist peeled away from the Berwyn ridge just as we got to it. The problem with this circuit, however, is the near-continuous bog at this time of year. After the very sharp climb up Mynydd Tarw, the ridge undulates for a long time over Foel Wen and Tomle, very boggy in places. At Bwlch Maen Gwynedd it eases, and we had a short break here - quite cold with mist rolling over the main ridge. Luckily, the mist began to peel away from the west as we got to Craig Berwyn, spectacular effects rendering the Berwyn quite dramatic for a while. Then it was steeply down towards Llyn Lluncaws, sunny now, and along the very boggy and tiring moor to the final peak of Godor. A superbly simple grassy descent makes up a little for the earlier bog.