Jubilee Plunge

Race: Jubilee Plunge downhill fell race (2.2m, -1361ft)
Time/Position: 12:33 (13th from 75 [3rd V40])
Possibly unique, in that it starts at the top of Moel Famau and finishes well over a thousand feet below in Llangynhafal, this race was a lot of fun: the perfect festive event. Jez and I made it a bit longer by parking in Cilcain, running up to the ridge and along OD to the summit, then enduring the cold wind and squally showers until race originator Martin set us all off. A very strong field shot off towards the north before plummeting down towards the Vale of Clwyd to join the very steep final grassy descent of the Llangynhafal Loop race. I never descend particularly quickly, and today was no exception, but I thoroughly enjoyed the race despite this serious impediment! The field packed very tightly, with just a few seconds separating each runner, and although I gained on those ahead when the race flattens out on the fields near the village, I still didn't gain much. After a couple of excellent pints of Facers at the always convivial Golden Lion, we ran back on to the ridge in the gathering gloom of a December dusk, stumbling back to Cilcain in the dark without headtorches.

Round the Walls race

Race: Chester Round the Walls (5k)
Time/Position: 17:58 (17th from 425 [1st V40])
Another weather-related shortening of this famous and long-running (40+ years) local event. But, unlike two years ago, at least the walls themselves were included today: it was the waterlogged Roodee that had to be cut out. It all made for a very efficient outing, driving across from St Asaph in the morning, cutting it fine to do the race, leaving the whole afternoon for eating and drinking. The race itself was really enjoyable, round the back of the Roodee, along the Dee path, before getting on to the Walls at Lower Bridge Street. Pace obviously high from the off, so I tried to keep pace with Adair and a few others past the Clock Tower and Cathedral. I made up a bit of ground on the gentle climb up the narrowest section of the walls to Northgate, then took a couple of runners just after the final steep steps back to the racecourse. The race attracts runners from all over the country, so I was surprised (and fortunate) to find that I was first V40 when the results came out.

Aran loop

Peaks: Aran Benllyn, Erw y Ddafad Ddu, Aran Fawddwy, Drosgl
A very enjoyable Christmas Eve outing for Peter and I, despite the fact that our designs on a midwinter Rhinog traverse were thwarted by bad weather. We left Llanuwchllyn early morning, in rather grim conditions of low cloud and drizzle. But the conditions didn't get any worse, and we jogged slowly up to the top of the first rise before entering the always boggy gentler sections on the lower ridge. This is wet in mid-summer, so today was obviously a tad squelchy after weeks of near-constant rain. Neither of us felt especially good, so we maintained a very gentle pace to the top of the steep climb towards Benllyn. This peak is avoided by the race route, so we stuck to the top of the ridge today, taking in a misty Benllyn, then the broad summit of Ddafad Ddu before enjoying the rocky terrain up to the trig on Fawddwy. A quick bite of cake, then we continued down the ridge before breaking off to the east for superb running along to Drosgl. Poor viz throughout, but good fun. There followed a slightly illicit traverse under the eastern crags of the Aran ridge, with a climb up from Llaethnant to lonely Creiglyn Dyfi, one of Snowdonia's finest lakes, before another short and boggy climb through a little col to gain a superb descent down Cwm Llwydd and Cwm Croes to Talardd and the road to Llanuwchllyn. Perhaps 14-15 miles, around three hours of gentle running, so we even managed a pint in the Eagles before midday.

London run

I always enjoy the opportunity to take in a bit of urban running when staying in Chingford, so set myself a target of seeing how far I could get in 35 mins: by way of half marathon training. It's always a very interesting run, through multi-ethnic Walthamstow and down to Leyton. I got to Leyton tube station before turning around to run back: 10-11 miles at a decent pace.

Llanberis slate climbing

Crag: Llanberis Slate
Routes: First Stop (f5:led), Septuagenarian (f6a:sec), Jagged Face (f4:led), Big Easy (f4:sec)
Tim back in the country for the first time in a few years, so a good opportunity to do a route or two with my original climbing partner! We had no real plans, very little gear, and only a few hours at our disposal. But the day turned out to be a tiny sunny weather window in a wet week, so we abandoned plans for a short walk in Idwal and headed to Bus Stop to do a few short climbs together. Very nice to climb together again for the first time in well over a decade, especially as the sun came out on the overgraded 6a. We followed up with a walk to Twll Mawr, then a limping 10k fartlek session, as my wounds from Sunday's unfortunate and painful fall in the Border League start to heal.

Anglesey run

Arrived back from Singapore yesterday, and left for a family weekend in Henllys after just a few hours at home, so I was still a little jet-lagged when I set off on my favourite circuit in the dark at 7am. A woodcock enlivened the long climb over to Sling, the misty dank conditions a considerable contrast to my last run on Thursday along a sunny and spectacular Singapore waterfront in temperatures of 32C! Through Llanddona then up to the superb minor road above the sea towards Glan yr Afon and Llanfaes. Most of the snow stripped from Eryri, although the forecast for next week looks favourable for winter climbing (no chance of me getting out though!).

Singapore run

A misguided plan to take the MRT out to the Botanic Gardens, then run back to my hotel whilst doing a spot of birdwatching. After a day at a conference, I still had my work shirt on, so was already looking eccentric in formal shirt, shorts and running shoes: carrying a large rucsac completed the look. On emerging from the station, a low rumble of thunder signalled the start of another tropical storm. Terrible timing, as the day had been dry up to that point. So the views of racket-tailed drongo, whistling duck, kingfishers et al were swiftly curtailed. I sprinted through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, pausing occasionally to admire the huge palms, tembusu and mahogany trees, but generally just keeping moving through the heavy rain. I emerged at the Tanglin gate and continued the run, by now soaked to the skin, trying to find Orchard Road. Once there, I realised it really was the Singapore equivalent of Oxford Street, and must have made an arresting sight: completely soaked with rain water and sweat, running fast, wearing mismatched clothes. Eventually the embarrassment became acute so I made a detour down side roads, eventually getting lost and resorting to the MRT dripping water over the immaculate floors and attracting the attention of the security staff.

Famau run

Just failed to break the hour on this headtorch run with Peter. I was quite keen to get a decent run in, with the prospect of a 15 hour flight to Singapore via Qatar tomorrow - and the likelihood of dramatically reduced mileage in the tropics next week! It was very muddy underfoot tonight, with thick mist making life even more difficult around the top (amazing how hard it is to locate the descent path at night in the mist, despite covering the ground thousands of times before in all conditions). Just over 62 mins for the circuit.

Wrexham Cross Country

Race: Wrexham XC (North Wales Cross Country League race 3)
Time/Position: 32:42 (25th from 146)
Having missed the first two XC league events this season, the only reason to do this was to help the team and take advantage of the proximity. It was a pedestrian performance over this flat course, although at least I kept to a reasonably consistent pace and made up a little ground on the final fourth lap. Yet again, my time was more or less the same as the last time I did this race two years ago, although it was a bit muddier today. Indeed, cold and persistent rain fell throughout the race.

Allt Fawr hillwalk

It's becoming increasingly difficult to persuade the children to do any walking at all, so I settled on this little outing from the top of Sychnant after a night in Conwy and a morning jog along Marine Walk and through Bodlondeb. Maximum scenic reward for minimum effort, although milky white cloud replaced the crystal clear morning sunshine as we made our way to the top. A nice picnic gazing out over Anglesey, then we completed a little circuit by descending to the lake and back on the North Wales coast path. Being optimistic, this may have reignited E's enthusiasm for the hills.

Penmaenmawr fell race

Race: Penmaenmawr fell race (10.5m/2000ft)
Time/Position: 1:22:16 (10th from 194 [4th V40])
Heavy rain overnight cleared to leave a beautiful autumnal morning: the northern Carneddau was at its scenic best. Kate dropped New Jersey guest star John and I at the top of Sychnant and we jogged down to Dwygyfylchi so I could show him the start of the route. One of my favourite races, and areas: this was my sixth time in the event, I think. I always flatter myself that I know the hills above Conwy quite well, so it was very frustrating to continually take bad racing lines throughout today's race! It is always run 'in reverse' now, and I find the best lines a bit hard to find this way round. The initial long gradual climb to the top of the quarry went quite well, with superb sea views towards Anglesey and cloud peeling gradually away from the higher Carneddau summits. Boggy underfoot, but I managed to make up some ground initially across the main bog to Bwlch y Ddaefaen, then really enjoyed the fast road running down to Cae Coch and the home leg. I then made a crucial tactical error. Jez's group of four were out of sight, well ahead, and I was with a second group of six of seven runners. Feeling reasonably strong, I went ahead on the first hill after Cae Coch, fifth or sixth at this point, but then stupidly followed the wall. Within minutes, I spied the group behind ploughing up the main path 200m further left. I was left with an exhausting haul over tussocks to regain the group, by which time they'd gained a few hundred metres on me. I tried to make up the gap during the final section: my favourite part of the race, scenically, through the little valley to the fords and down past little Llyn y Wrach to the steep donkey track. But I couldn't catch them, and lost another place before the finish. Ended up slightly frustrated, finishing in more or less the same time as I recorded two years ago: all very enjoyable though, as ever, and after excellent free beer and soup John and I extended the mileage by running back over Sychnant to Conwy.

Capenhurst Border League

Race: Capenhurst 5.5m (Border League race 2)

Time/Position: 31:07 (17th from 356 [3rd V40])

Having not got back from Belfast until late last night, and still rather tired from the intensity of yesterday's race, I wasn't especially optimistic for the second BL race of the season. I started quite steadily and cautiously, as a result of my tired legs, and was very surprised to find that I felt reasonably strong on the second lap. Indeed, I felt better than I have for months - it seems an age since I moved through the field in a race rather than merely hanging on for dear life. I've raced around these roads many times before, so know every twist and turn, and was particularly keen not to get into a sprint finish that I knew I would lose! I managed to pull out a reasonable gap and just concentrated on holding my place for a respectable finishing position. 

British and Irish Masters Cross Country International

Race: GB/Ireland Masters XC Championships, Belfast (8k)
Time/Position: 29:21 (77th from 85)
It was a pleasant surprise, and a real honour, to be selected to represent Wales for the first time - albeit in a style of event that I rarely do. The race itself was inevitably a steep learning curve: despite doing around 300 races in 15 years of running, I have never experienced anything like this level of consistent, super-intense competition throughout the field. The calibre of all the athletes was incredible, as the race was closed to all but the international teams, although at least I was fully prepared for this! I was obviously keen to put in a decent performance, so was a little distressed to find my cold worsening again after last week's Abergele 5. By the time I flew out to Belfast last night, however, my sinuses were clearing and I felt reasonably good when we caught the bus from the city centre to the race. The championships were scheduled to be held at Stormont, which I was looking forward to visiting, but the circuit was sadly waterlogged so it was switched to the Queens University playing fields on the outskirts of Belfast. I was in a 6-strong Welsh team competing in the 40-45 category along with the 35-40/45-50s in the final, fastest four lap 8k race. The course had been badly cut up by the earlier races, and was very muddy and heavy going in places, but generally relatively flat by XC standards. The pace was extremely high from the start, although I managed to hold my own for the first three 2km laps. I concentrated on keeping clear of a big 10-12 strong group of Scottish and Irish runners, initially felt I could sustain the pace, and was quite pleased to be running strongly at first. But the sheer unrelenting speed started to cause me problems as I ploughed through the mud at the end of the third lap. With around 1km to go I began to blow, and slowed. Within seconds the big group that I'd been clear of caught up, then swept past: an indication of the ruthless intensity of the competition, and all rather gutting after the first three laps. A Welsh team-mate then went past right on the line. I was reasonably pleased with my time, given the muddy 5 mile course, but was obviously disappointed not to have put in a better performance to finish higher up the field.

Abergele 5m

Race: Abergele 5m/North Wales 5m Championships
Time/Position: 28:51 (11th from 217 [2nd V40])
My cold got far worse over the course of the week, so I was on full medication for this race. As such, I was pleasantly surprised to record exactly the same time as last year. I didn't particularly enjoy the experience, however, struggling a little bit on the gradual climb up to St George's and just about maintaining some kind of pace on the steep final hill. The finish is good and fast, however, and the conditions were rather like last year: cold, crisp and sunny. Eric stormed past me in the last 200m and I couldn't respond: indeed, the entire field seemed smaller but stronger than last year, as I failed to retain the category title, and my cold got far worse after I finished and the medication wore off! That said, this was a welcome confidence boost in advance of the International XC Championships next week, especially after last week's disaster on the OMM and the sluggish BL opening before that.

OMM Howgills

Peaks: Arant How, Breaks Head, West Fell, Green Bell, Wild Boar Fell, Swarth Fell

An ill-fated attempt at the OMM elite in perfect weather conditions. After my slowest 10k time for 5 years, I'd been feeling sluggish all week with a developing cold, but still wasn't fully prepared for quite how bad I felt within 30 minutes of starting day one. This was a serious problem, as the weather was good (although desperately cold, following a night of -3c spent in the back of Mick's car in Sedbergh), and Mick was fully prepared for the big two days in the hills. However, the scale of the Elite course is such that you need 100% fitness and commitment to have any chance of success. We contoured round a gap between two hills to pick up the second checkpoint at the top of the steep valley below Brant Fell. Superb views as the sun rose and lit the frosty northern slopes of the hills. I began to struggle immediately on the very steep climb west towards Arant How, although perked up for the run down to CP3 in a hidden re-entrant. Then came a massive 8k leg, for which I picked a decent route contouring the western valleys to pick up the big stream valley coming down from Breaks Head. We finally crested this at the obvious col SE of the summit, ending up in terrain familiar from the 2009 Rab. Good sunny running down the ridge, really good, led to more contouring and CP4, after which we ran up Langdale for another sadistic leg involving two huge climbs over West Fell to Bowderdale, then over another ridge to Weasdale before dibbing CP5 below the summit of Green Bell. I was now really suffering, and very unsure about what to do. A series of easy checkpoints lef across the road to leave the Howgills and enter the very different limestone terrain to the east. After finding a rather technical CP5, hidden in a small valley alongside many other valleys, we realised we were actually doing quite well. My route planning early on combined with Mick's excellent micro-navigation to land us bang-on every control with maximum efficiency. But I could not sort my legs and lungs out, as I felt myself enveloped by my cold. The boggy climb up Wild Boar Fell was a desperate struggle as a result. My feet had now had five hours of icing and were completely numb, which didn't help - neither did the fact that the checkpoint involved a scramble down the steep east slope from the summit followed by a trog through a Maritime Alps style boulder field to gain an obvious small lake. I felt like I was damaging myself now, and was also mindful of the fact that I'd be running for Wales in two weeks time, so called it a day on Swarth Fell. I was gutted for Mick, but he understood and had already realised that I wasn't myself. Having been let down by a partner retirement myself in 2007, however, I knew what it felt like. So we trudged back west to the overnight camp before embarking on the ultimate walk of shame, 12k or so back to the car at Sedbergh, ironically increasing our mileage for the day to well over 42k.

Caernarfon Border League

Race: Caernarfon 10k (Border League race 1) 
Time/Position: 36:40 (18th from 256 [4th V40])
A mystifying 40 seconds slower than the Welsh Championship race round the same course six weeks ago, which was itself my slowest 10k for three years. No excuses either, because unlike many of the other runners I didn't do the cross-country race at Colwyn Bay yesterday. Moreover, I've had a few formal intervals sessions in recent weeks, whereas I was just coming off a summer in the hills at the Championships: so it's all rather puzzling, almost 2.5 minutes slower than my best 10k time this year. I started off a little too fast today, perhaps, going through 5k in 17:26, unlike the Champs when was a lot more conservative. I pushed the first hill a bit today, and was in 11th place at this point. But I began to struggle at 6k, losing time and places - this got worse on the last climb at 8k and several runners charged past.

Llandegla biking

MTB Route: Llandegla Blue Circuit
Distance/Climb: 12k/200m
Finally managed to persuade M to have another go on his mountain bike this morning, although it turned in to a minor disaster just as we were enjoying the singletrack. The place was rammed, bafflingly so, and M struggled again on the long gentle climb. I had to push his bike on several occasions. A few whoops indicated he was enjoying the first downhill of the True Blue section, however - but after a few minutes I stopped to watch him on a steep berm. He didn't arrive, and I saw him 200m away with a completely wrecked rear derailleur - the same problem that affected his bike in May. This was a problem, as we were a long way from the car. The volume of riders made it quite dangerous to walk down the track, so I took M for a diversion down the fireroads from Shotton View, managing to find a few short cuts from past knowledge.

UK fell race relay championships

Race: Fell race relays, Shropshire (leg 3-navigation)
Time/Position: 1:13:34 (45th from 155)
Our first appearance in the relays since they came to Llangynhafal in 2008. This year, its Shropshire location meant it became feasible for our small club again and we managed to get six runners together initially. However, we lost two key men to injury last week, so we had to desperately cast around for replacements at the eleventh hour, just managing to gather six runners together on Friday evening. So a somewhat weaker team finally made the startline in Church Stretton, a delightful location on a delightful day: frosty, very clear, very sunny. Simon got us off to a good start, before John and Dawn put in a strong performance on the tough second leg - which echoed parts of the classic Long Mynd Valleys race that I last did three or four years ago. We'd just entered the 'holding pen' when they arrived, and it was time for Jeff and I to set off on the navigation leg. This replicates Mountain Marathon style navigation - in that it contains relatively long macro legs. However, the course was well set out and there were fewer crocodiles of runners, and more route choice, than I'd expected. We set off up a steep climb with a good path to the obvious col between Yearlet and Ashlet. I picked up a trod and we contoured SW to a very steep direct descent to the lovely steep-sided Ashes Hollow, which I remembered well from the Long Mynd Valleys race. Up this to the first checkpoint, gaining a few places, then I was surprised to see 20+ runners ploughing up the steep direct route to CP2. I resisted the urge to follow, opting for the northern continuation of the valley then striking NW up a tiny side valley in a direct line towards the checkpoint. Looking behind me, I saw that I was being followed by another 20+ runners! We crested the boggy plateau of Pole Bank/Long Mynd and had clearly made a decent decision as we were now ahead of several of the teams who'd gone direct. From the summit at Pole Bank, superb fast running along the Mynd to a well-hidden third checkpoint in the upper reaches of Carding Mill valley, before a steep climb up another spur led to more decision-making. I went direct to the south across awkward heather, with Jeff slowing slightly, and went a tad too far east before righting myself to pick up CP4 below Yearlet. The run-in was absolutely superb, taking an obvious exposed contour line along a narrow path poised above the valley before dibbing the fifth CP on top of the small hill above Devils Mouth. Fantastic running down to the finish, with wonderful clear, sunny views over to Caer Caradog and the Lawley - reminding me of the Skyline race and the Cardington Cracker which both take in these hills. Jeff struggled a tiny bit on the steepest descents and climbs, although in general he did really well considering this was all fairly new for him. The final run-in took in some lovely woodland before the steep and atmospheric final descent to the crowds at the finish. An excellent and enjoyable outing, with the team just about squeezing into the top half of the results.

Clwydian run

Rather tired this week after the Manx, but wanted to keep the mileage quite high in preparation for the OMM. The full Famau run last night, along with a longish run with John B on Wednesday and other shorter runs and rides meant I'd avoided a rest day since the Manx. I had some time spare this afternoon, so left Cadole for the Leat path then up to the bridleway before dropping down to Cilcain and following the Excalibur route over to the base of Moel Arthur: a repeat of the run I did last month. An extended route up the front, then down to OD and along to Dywyll. After Dywyll, I began to bonk slightly (having not had a proper lunch after covering an open day this morning), then the energy supplies really crashed below the top of Famau. Gentle jogging until I recovered to drop back down via a few extensions back to the Collie.

Manx Mountain Marathon

Race: Manx Mountain Marathon (50k/8500ft/AL)
Peaks: North Barrule, Clagh Ouyr, Snaefell, Beinn y Phott, Carraghan, Colden, Lhargee Ruy, Slieau Ruy, Greeba Mountain, Slieau Whallian, South Barrule, Cronk ny Arrey Laa, Lhiattee ny Beinnee, Bradda Hill
Time/Position: 6:19:44 (11th from 85)
There are not many things more appealing or satisfying than a long race across the spine of an island, taking in virtually every peak. This is a classic and long-established event: a genuine fell race rather than some ego exercise for yuppies. I've wanted to do it for years, but was always thwarted by the Easter start. So a change of dates this year offered a great opportunity to give it a go. I knew I didn't have the legs or recent mileage to properly race it over this distance, but I did think the climbing should be OK given the Alpine/Scottish days I've had this year, as long as I took it all very slowly! We (Dave, Jez and myself) arrived from Liverpool on Friday, then had an unpleasant alarm call at 5.15am to catch the bus from Douglas to Ramsey. A superb sunrise over the Irish Sea as we jogged along Ramsey prom: an amazing weather window in a diabolical week with widespread flooding, my 2012 weather luck holding yet again. That said, after the climb through the forest and up through very boggy moorland to the steep summit cone of North Barrule, the wind picked up and made life rather unpleasant. Not a direct headwind, perhaps, but enough to make progress pretty difficult along the fine ridge. Through watery eyes, there was a great impression of being on an island: sea on both sides of the ridge and excellent though cold and boggy running along the crest to Clagh Ouyr. This was the windiest spot on the route, and it was a battle just to stamp the checkpoint on the summit. From here, a fast descent led to the Black Hut on the TT route and a steep climb up Snaefell. By now, I was well behind the leading runners and some way ahead of those behind, so route finding became an issue, particularly as a little mist was playing around the summit of Snaefell. I took an ultra cautious bearing before enjoying the superb fast descent down to Bungalow and Brandywell. A short climb up Beinn y Phott, some food, and prospects were looking good. Gentle jogging, just enjoying the unfolding and ever-changing scenery as we gradually headed south over Carraghan before an awkward and tussocky descent led to the beautiful glen at Injebreck. Wonderful warm sunshine as we crossed a little river, then a tough, heathery and lengthy climb up Colden: one of the race's toughest sections. The ridge over Lhargee Ruy and Slieau Ruy was boggy and windy, but went well to a long descent down to the very pretty, pastoral and sun-drenched valley of the Greeba. A level bridleway led to St John's, the half way point. The stiff climb up Slieau Whallian was another crux: I was completely alone for the steep haul through conifers to gain pleasant open hillside and the start of excellent seaviews towards to western coast, which got better from the very boggy and long climb up South Barrule. The final section, from the Round Table to the coastal path, was the finest of all. A wonderful scenic contrast with the mountainous early sections. Classic Celtic coastal scenery, still very hilly indeed as we climbed over Arrey Laa. Indeed, my favourite part of the entire race was the 'bonus' hill, new for this year: Lliattee ny Beinnee, particularly as I got my second wind here. The path skirted the cliff edge, with brilliant exposed views over the sea at Eairnyerey and a terrific fast descent down to the lovely little cove of Fleshwick Bay. One more steep climb up Bradda Hill, tiring now, before the delicious final grassy descent to Bradda Head and the welcome site of the finish at Port Erin. Jez was already there, so we retired to the Falcon's Nest for some fine Manx ale, sunny sea views, and a good feed, before meeting Dave a little later that afternoon.