Y Garn

Peaks: Y Garn

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

Another iconic Welsh peak for EE, whose personal tally is gradually catching up with M and K! After a wet morning, and a nice run through the lanes of Bryn Seiri, it was clearing as we set off for Idwal. Sharp showers seemed likely, however, and one hit as we embarked on the steep steps that start the East (Banana) ridge. I always used to descend this, but have taken recently to go the other way round. It is very steep, but short and sharp. E struggled a little, but generally found it easier than last time. She enjoyed the views from the summit, as cloud dropped then parted - quite atmospheric for the always-superb view over Ogwen. It was a bit cold so we trotted down to Llyn y Cwn for lunch before dropping below Twll Ddu back to Idwal.

Cilcain Mountain Race

Race: Cilcain Mountain Race

Time/Position: 39.16 (17th from 197)

Still the race I have done most often, and this was the 20th anniversary of my first running of it (also one of my first ever fell races, in 2003). I struggled again today, even though I was well rested. Slow on the climb, slow on the descent.

Llangollen parkrun

'Race': Llangollen parkrun

Time/Position: 18.09 (5th from 98)

A fairly new event, just a few weeks in, which is formally called the Old Railway Trail parkrun as it follows the defunct line. A very strong field, rather unexpectedly, which meant that the start was far faster than I had intended or anticipated - 3.20/km pace all the way out to Wenffrwd. As a result, I started to struggle for the twisty little climb at the far end, and slowed just a little for the double loop run-in. Not the most satisfying of courses, but nice enough (gravel, but quite fast) and it offers delightful warm-down options! I opted for a 6k+ loop around the tranquil lanes of Ty'n Ddwr circling the little hill back to town.

Eglwyseg Mountain

I have often heard of the 'Airman's Grave' on Ruabon Moor but have never specifically looked for it before. It's not easy to find, marooned between the urban fringe on the east and Eglwyseg west. In addition, it's visible from the air, not so much from the ground. I started from Llangollen, up the steep road south of Dinas Bran, to gain my favourite OD section which I followed below the crags all the way to World's End. I always love this, and have long considered it north east Wales's finest scenery. At World's End, I took the little path that cuts east through the little valley and emerges from woodland at the open moor. Continuing on the same line, I calculated it would bring me close to Airman's Grave, and this proved correct. It's right in the middle of the moor, quite featureless but an interesting spot. From here I jogged across the bog to Eglwyseg Mountain itself, marked by a small cairn, and then westwards to eventually pick up the Cylch route which I took above the escarpment all the way down to Panorama and then my car near the school.

Caernarfon 10k

Race: Caernarfon 10k (North Wales championship)

Time/Position: 36.36 (9th from 210 [1st V50])

Only the second time I have ever done this route clockwise (from memory), which gets the hills out of the way early and means you benefit from a tailwind back along the Foryd. I went off a little too hard given lack of specific training, which was a shame as it meant I couldn't push along the Foryd, which should have been relatively comfortable. In fact, towards the end I really blew badly, just managing to hold it together but losing 20-30 seconds (I was aiming for half a minute quicker than this). I did have the consolation of first V50 in the race overall and the championships, to go with the 5k champs in Llanrug.

Cefn Cyfarwydd

Peaks: Cefn Cyfarwydd

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

An obscure locale indeed, tucked away at the end of the Creigiau Gleision ridge and only really accessible via the brutally steep road that heads to Cowlyd reservoir from Trefriw. To call this minor is an understatement: I didn't even know it existed. It may be the steepest road climb in North Wales, up there with Bwlch y Groes, and it goes on for quite a while. I still felt tired after Saturday's race but time was very tight and I got to the highpoint of the road in 25 minutes from Trefriw before ploughing through tussocks to eventually pick up a good narrow path to the little cairn which marks the top of this obscure (and unusually named) little summit. It would have been nice to take in Creigiau Gleision but instead I descended via very obscure tracks and paths (some overgrown) back to the normal Crafnant road down to Trefriw.

Ras Foel Fras

Race: Foel Fras (12m+/1100m)

Time/Position: 2.07.41 (9th from 35 [2nd V50])

Another massive 'personal worst' but at least I enjoyed myself on a fell race today. I nearly won this race in 2012, leading over the top of the final peak, Moel Wnion, and have run sub-two hours several times on it. Not a chance of that today and I deliberately took it easy, conscious of recent distressing issues on fell races, as well as the sheer length of the initial climb up Drum. A new start this year, from the bridge, meaning that the climb starts immediately, up the horribly familiar steep tarmac towards Anafon. I took this very steady but then felt fairly good for the gentler eastwards climb along the Roman Road. The weather had been awful first thing with torrential rain and high winds, but it was clearly starting to improve as I turned up towards Drum. The wind made life a tad tricky but nowhere near as bad as had been forecast. I kept it very steady, continuing the cautious theme up to Foel Fras, where the headwind became more marked. I then ran to the top of Carnedd Gwenllian, unnecessarily as it happened - there was no checkpoint. This meant I was completely alone and although the cloud base was above the top it is always tricky to get the best line down. I went too far left in an effort to avoid the rocks, then curved round in broadly the right direction for Moel Wnion then picking up the ancient Llwybr yr Aryg. Two more runners appeared at this point, careering down a better line, and we all charged towards Gyrn at a decent pace. A boggy climb up Wnion, then a good direct decent in rapidly improving weather, now sunny. Almost 20 minutes down on my theoretical best time for the course, although I was never entirely convinced about the old race timings. And this was a shorter route too! My detour to the top of Gwenllian may have cost me a few minutes, and the descent perhaps a little more, but I was deliberately taking it steady to avoid blowing and really enjoyed the outing. 

Ogwen run/walk

Peaks: Y Foel Goch, Pen yr Ole Wen

Area: Glyderau/Carneddau, Eryri

An unusual double-header. EE had been enthused by her Lakes trip and wanted more mountain action, but I also had a long run planned. This offered the perfect compromise, starting opposite Glan Dena while Eve watched a comedy. I ran up the steps alongside Tryfan Bach to gain Cwm Tryfan. This gives a nice gentle climb until the steep headwall, always bringing back memories for me of the old 1000m peaks route. It's not much more than half an hour to Caseg Fraith, after which the route opens out to the familiar grassy whalebacks of this end of the Glyderau. Wet underfoot after all the rain but bright and breezy for the climb up Y Foel Goch with its superb views back to Tryfan. An excellent descent led to Bwlch Goleuni (I had intended to descend to Capel but was running out of time). A tussocky descent led to the old 'road' through Nant y Benglog then back to meet Eve via Gwern Gof Isaf. A quick drink and then we set off for the walking part of the day, up the familiar east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen, a new mountain for EE and considerably more challenging than Helm Crag! She struggled a little on the long haul to Cwm Lloer but then perked up (as the sun came out) for the 'bad step' and upper ridge. We had a quick picnic on top, curtailed by flying ants, as mist dropped over the highest peaks. I then suggested descending direct to Ogwen Cottage - not the best decision perhaps, but she didn't complain. It isn't a great descent (or ascent) but it is very direct and does give nice views. Probably only the 3rd or 4th time I have ever descended direct to the Cottage. This might explain why I took some bad lines, and we were both thirsty (a very humid day) but eventually we got to the road where I ran back to Glan Dena for the car.

Grasmere hills

Peaks: Helm Crag, Gibson Knott

Area: Grasmere, Lake District

A delightful outing, coming as it did after a morning tour of Beatrix Potter's 'Hill Top'. EE surprised me by saying she wanted to stay on and do some walking rather than just driving home, so we headed back to Grasmere and parked on the Keswick road. Helm Crag is just the perfect miniature hillwalk, and I'd never done it before despite many visits to Grasmere (I recall bivvying in the playground in the late 1980s!). From the little lane, a nice hotel is reached before steep steps gain a contouring path round to the broad summit ridge. This is a delightful place with wonderful views over Grasmere, Fairfield and Helvellyn. The weather was now wonderful, warm and sunny with a gentle breeze. The top is a mild scramble, but further on is the 'howitzer', the true summit with a harder (very short) scramble up the learning pinnacle. EE had lots of surplus energy so we decided to extend the day along the ridge towards Gibson Knott, another lumpy summit, all knolls and hidden dips. We then cut down pathless terrain to Green Burn, none of this was any problem for Eve despite marshy terrain and bracken. We gained the valley path eventually, which led delightfully back to little lanes which meant we didn't even need to walk down the main road.

Great Rigg circuitously

Peaks: Stone Arthur, Great Rigg, Heron Pike

Area: Fairfield, Lake District

EE had agreed to accompany me on a Lakes micro-break, staying initially at the Langdale YHA (actually almost on the slopes of Loughrigg Fell, and possibly the only hostel in the Lakes I haven't previously visited). After a lovely day pottering around Grasmere yesterday, I woke early and jogged down Loughrigg Terrace with its superb view of Grasmere and Helvellyn. From here, I ran along the lakeside then road north through Town End to the Swan. This is where the path up Stone Arthur begins, a well-trodden and well-constructed route which gains height quickly. It's about a mile and 400m elevation to the 'summit' (actually just a distinctively rocky spur) and took 25 minutes. From here I took the broad ridge NE to the much higher Great Rigg, which I have done several times before as it is on the Fairfield Horseshoe. Light mist flirted with the summit, but ahead the enticing prospect of the ridge to Nab Scar. I have done this several times and it is great, even better contouring the subpeak and then cutting back down to Alcock Tarn, which is what I did today, making it up as I went along. Little paths led down to beautiful Bracken Fell above Grasmere, from where I eventually rejoined my outward route. This involved an extra homeward climb back up to Loughrigg Terrace and the hostel, just over 2 hours after leaving. EE was still asleep! After breakfast in Ambleside, we strolled around Tarn Hows.

Pie and Peas

Race: Pie and Peas MT 5m (Moulton)

Time/Position: 30.21 (20th from 375 [2nd V50])

I last did this famous Cheshire race way back in 2006 and could remember virtually nothing about it. I think it rained though, and heavy rain marked the start this evening too as the unstable summer weather continues. The course has changed a bit over the years I believe, but essentially it remains a multi-terrain five mile blast along paths, gravel tracks and minor roads. It attracts a strong field, and I set off pretty fast from the playing fields in Moulton through the village to a path, muddy in places, which ends at a very fast descent towards the Weaver Park and then the Weaver Way itself along the river. This is nice, and I felt pretty good - conscious of the climb back up through Vale Royal River Park to Niddries Lane (the fast descent already taken). Kept it going reasonably well to the double lap of the playing field to finish, and actually really enjoyed the outing. Just squeezed into the top 20, and was fairly pleased with the time given the off-road nature of the course and the wet conditions, but missed the category win by well over a minute. The pie and peas are now served cold in a bag: I remember them steaming hot in the village hall. Still nice after reheating though!