Llithrig-Helgi

Peaks: Pen Llithrig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

A beautiful evening building, but this was perforce a short outing from Capel Curig - after a short 3k burst from Pensarn by way of inadequate speedwork in the morning. I took the standard path on the right after a short run up the A5. This traverses the hillside before heading up, fairly gradually, towards Cowlyd. It tends to be a bit boggy in places, and was today. Towards the Cowlyd outflow, Llithrig rises and the climb becomes steep and hard. I reached the top in 47 minutes from the A5, not too bad, and was rewarded by superb views as the sun came out in earnest. Particularly good down to Cowlyd and Cwm Eigiau, and up into the jaws of Ogwen, one of the best views of the valley. Linking Llithrig and Helgi Du is always enjoyable, and I kept a decent pace going to make the link in 16 minutes or so. From the summit of Helgi Du, superb views to Craig yr Ysfa and Llewellyn but not long to enjoy them. I descended down Y Braich, the long, broad, grassy and eminently runnable ridge that heads from the summit of Helgi Du in a beeline to Ogwen. Years, perhaps decades, since I last did this: it takes 12-13 minutes to the path junction just above the farms. A rather unfortunate finish down the A5 back to Capel, but I was pushed for time (1.50 for the outing).

Welsh Castles Relay (Builth-Drovers)

Race: Builth-Drover's Arms (Welsh Castles Relay, Stage 14)

Time/Position: 1.15.09 (22nd from 55)

This must be the hardest leg of the 20 stage Castles Relay. I did stage 11 from Newtown to Llanbadarn a few years ago, which climbs continuously for most of its length but is not as tough. What makes this stage so hard is the fact that it involves an undulating 10k first, with some short but sharp hills, and only then does it embark on a 5k+ climb straight up Mynydd Eppynt. This was my worst finishing position in the three legs I have done in the relays, by some distance, but I'm not too disheartened as it really did seem a particularly strong field, with lots of the bigger clubs putting their stronger runners out for it (unlike me for Buckley!). The other thing is that the positions were settled relatively early on, and despite what felt like a very slow climb indeed up to Eppynt (I really struggled on it in places) I didn't actually lose places overall. Through Builth, a large group pulled away almost immediately, and then it was a case of keeping a decent pace ticking over through Cilmeri (site of Llewellyn's ambush and death) until the sharp turn to the south at Garth, then over the Irfon, after which the prospects are bleakly obvious. The road on to Eppynt begins to climb immediately, but stays relatively gentle as it kinks left across the hillside. Then comes the crux, straight up the steep road above the Duhonw valley, at a similar draining gradient throughout before it kicks left with one big hairpin just below the summit. My teammates gave some welcome support at this point, a nice boost! After this, a fast downhill section with the iconic Drovers Arms now visible in the distance, but not reached until a final mile long climb. I felt much better for this, however. After a drink, I now had the not-so-simple task of returning to collect my car in Builth. Cross country routes are made difficult by the fact that it is mostly a military range, and the supposed trails seemed barely used (to be fair, they are quite new). So I took the bridleway east near Fron to join the tiny road leading through the Irfon valley back to Builth, often close to the river. I took it very gently, and it was all very pleasant: well over 30k in total. Buckley finished in an excellent 15th place overall.

Deeside ORGP

Race: Deeside Off-Road Grand Prix 4m (Race 1)

Time/Position: 24.52 (5th from 74 [1st V50])

Many years since I last did these races - I think I completed the series in 2013, but have never been back. The event now takes a really good four mile giant lap, along the Dee to the tortuous loop of the meadows near Shotton, then back to the banks of the Dee for a long haul towards Queensferry bridge and back along the flood defences. Flat as a pancake, which was fortunate after last night's effort, which I still felt in my legs.

Up the Beast fell race

Race: Up the Beast (7.5k/480m)

Time/Position: 42.22 (7th from 88 [1st V50])

Probably the race I've done most often, 12 or 13 times, almost every one since its launch. Another personal worst, but given the many route changes over the years that is not too concerning, and I wasn't too disastrously far off my previous times for the event. It is always a tricky one to pace, as the temptation is to go hard for the first lumpy section through the woods. That is exactly what I did, and paid for it on the first steep climb, up the 'Beast' itself. You do get to recover a bit through the crags, however, and actually I don't think I was too far off my normal pace for this, or the next airless climb. The grass was longer than normal, which is tiring in itself, and I found myself fairly isolated in 6th place. The time was really lost in the last section through the woods, where I struggled (worse than normal) and slowed considerably. Some other runners missed a few of the arrows leading to a certain amount of confusion at the finish, although I did win my category.

Arrochar Alps

Peaks: The Cobbler (Central and North), Beinn Narnain

Area: Arrochar Alps, Scotland

The Cobbler is one of Scotland's most recognisable peaks. Its profile always puts me in mind of the Watzmann in Bavaria. We did the full traverse of that famous icon of the eastern Alps in poor weather in 2017, an indelible memory. By contrast, the Cobbler is tiny and inconsequential, but it does have similar legends attached and a remarkably similar profile! I left the camp in Glen Etive fairly early, the intention being to break the journey home at the Arrochar Alps, which I'd never visited before - another one of those southern Highland gaps this mini-break was intended to fill. The weather was stunning, banks of fog through Rannoch Moor breaking to crystal clear cloudless sunshine: an amazing day in prospect. I parked by the shores of Loch Long near Succoth and began to lengthy zigzags through the woods which lead up to the Allt a'Bhalachain, which babbles down the valley. To the right, Beinn Narnain, and ahead the classic three-peak profile of the Cobbler. I reached the Narnain boulders in 40 minutes or so, then took the steep and scrambly path straight up below the North peak to gain the main ridge. Then it was straight up to the central and highest summit, which is topped by a large pinnacle. The tricky nature of the scramble up this means it is arguably the hardest summit in mainland Britain to reach. I imagine it gets busy too, but I was so early I did it immediately. It involves crawling through a hole in the rock, 'threading the needle', to gain a fairly exposed ledge on the far side. Then it is just one, perhaps two, actual scrambling moves to climb up to the summit. All good fun, after which I had a snack on the grassy slopes nearby, before jogging over the easier North summit, which is gained via shallow rocky slabs. Superb views, with Arran and the Paps of Jura clearly visible, and Ben Lomond impressive. Steps lead down to the Bealach a'Mhaim, from where I continued the day to take in Beinn Narnain, again a far more interesting peak than I had anticipated. Steps and paths led fairly quickly to the broad summit of Narnain, and more excellent views across the southern Highlands. I descended off the eastern ridge, not expecting much but finding a remarkably long and continually interesting descent. It goes initially over the craggy spearhead buttress, then weaves down through various rocky outcrops to a more level, grassy section. All the while, superbly clear views in glorious sunshine. Steps then lead to a boggy and rocky direct final descent straight back to the lochside car park, then the drive home.

Etive peaks

Peaks: Ben Starav, Stob Coire Dhearg, Glas Bheinn Mhor, Meall na Tri Tighearean, Stob Coir'an Albannaich

Area: Glen Etive, Scotland

Three wonderfully contrasting mountains. Although it had been fun filling in the obvious southern Highland gaps, I also felt the need for a proper Highland dose, as the year is not complete without it. If I'd had more time, I would have headed up to the north-west again, but felt that - given the constraints - the bottom end of Glen Etive would offer what I was seeking. Ben Starav was an obvious gap that I'd missed in the past, a superb mountain that looks every inch of its height as it rises from what is, after all, a sea loch. I found it difficult to park after a longish drive from Strathyre, despite the fact that the bottom of Glen Etive is actually a pretty remote place. I have been down the glen a long time ago, the late 80s probably, but not all the way down. It is now a rather busy place, but all that is left behind after the river is crossed at Coiletir and the NE ridge of Starav begun (after a very boggy low-level trudge westwards). The ridge is relentless, 1000m of virtually continuous ascent. I quite enjoyed it, though, and was glad I hadn't pushed the boat out too far yesterday. The views just get better and better and the cloud began to break too. Indeed, the view across the valley to pyramidal Glas Bheinn Mhor and the plateau-like Albannaich was really striking. In addition, the entire length of Glen Etive up to the 'Buachailles' is also a very famous view. Towards the top, a rocky ridge gives a little basic scrambling, reminiscent of the Gribin. The panorama from the summit is superb: a particularly brilliant view of Ben Cruachan (which I did in 2003) and down the loch to the coast. A fabulous array of peaks inland to Ben Nevis and beyond. Rum visible, bringing back memories of my wonderful day there last July. Fluffy clouds and bright sunshine, absolutely wonderful, and the mouth-watering prospect of the ridge to Glas Bheinn Mhor, with most of the really hard work done after dispatching the NE ridge. Starav is a giant tent-like peak, and an easy trot leads to the other 'summit', before a great, quite narrow ridge leads to the subpeak of Stob Coire Dhearg. This was superb in the sunshine, and followed by a steep descent above a craggy cwm to the pronounced Bealach Ghianheamaich. The continuation of the ridge is much more grassy, but also quite steep: first up to the top of Meall na Tri Tighearean, then rather tiringly to the summit of Glas Bheinn Mhor, another fine but contrasting peak - classically pyramidal and grassy, a perfect counterpoint to Ben Starav. The descent is rockier, down to the very obvious bealach below Stob Coire Albannaich. It had clouded over, and rain was threatening, but after a very welcome drink from the stream and a snack, I ploughed up the steep initial climb to gain the large gently sloping plateau which leads, rather confusingly, to a final broad ridge and the summit of Albannaich. This is another contrast, a long hill with a fabulous view over the Blackmount peaks. A gigantic black cloud swept in from the east as I was climbing - it was obvious I was going to get wet, so I tried to outrun it, pelting down towards Beinn Chaorach. The route was very indistinct, and the rain caught me quite quickly despite the speed of my descent on perfect springy turf. I should have continued over Chaorach but instead dropped down the extremely steep slopes leading to the Robber's Waterfall. This was wet, tussocky and as steep as it looked from above (and below). Eventually I gained the bottom of the valley and the rain passed, drying me out after a real drenching. Sunshine for the return to the car, after which I camped in an idyllic spot further up Glen Etive. An excellent river bath, mackerel and rice, and a tiny dram made for a delightful evening with views up to Creise and beyond.

Ben Lawers/Tarmachan Ridge

Peaks: Meall Corranaich, Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas, Meall nan Tarmachan, Meall Garbh

Area: Lawers/Tarmachan, Scotland

My intention was to do the entire Lawers range from the north, but sadly the road across the top was closed so I had to change my plans: no matter, this was still a delightful day. The Lawers range is a little like Ben Lomond for me, something I have ignored for years fearing big crowds and boring slogs. So I was pleasantly surprised by the entire area, after driving up from my hotel in Strathyre through Killin. The lower slopes have been managed and sealed off from the deer, so the vegetation has regenerated, leaving wonderful birch woodland full of redpoll and cuckoo. I really enjoyed it, and set off under blue skies through the birch to gain the open hill at a crossroads. I followed the gentle straight path up to the obvious Bealach, opting to do Meall Corranaich first. This was a good choice, with wonderful views over Ben Lawers and An Stuc, as well as the empty country north, from the col. A steep climb gained the summit of Corranaich (63m from the car) which I had to myself (despite dozens heading up Ben Lawers on this, the first day of the Jubilee long weekend). Great views in all directions. A quick jog down, then the superbly enjoyable contouring path below Beinn Ghlas to the obvious col. I felt quite good, and ploughed up the final steep climb to the summit in good time. The day had clouded over a bit, but the views in all directions were predictably superb - the ridge down to An Stuc with Lochan an Cat below looked superb and I regretted not being able to see through my original plan. But a different plan was forming, so after a rest and snack on the summit I pelted across to Bheinn Ghlas in 22 minutes, then down to the car from the summit of Ghlas in 38m. It started to rain just before I got there, and then pelted down for half an hour. After it stopped, I got the stove on, had some rice, tuna and coffee, and initiated the second part of the day, an impromptu change of plan. On the other side of the road rises the Tarmachan ridge: this is very eye-catching from Killin, a lumpy and attractive miniature range. Quite how lumpy and attractive, however, I hadn't realised. It was a delight. I was conscious of not burning all my matches at this stage in the trip, so dropped the pace right down to a walk up to the munro of Meall nan Tarmachan. The path leaves the scented birch woodland and then gains a broad ridge over a pronounced subpeak before a steep shelf twists round to the summit: great views back across this morning's peaks and down to Loch Tay. From here, prospects are wonderful: the knobbly ridge stretched out in front like a miniature mountain range, dotted with little lochans and crags. Meall Garbh attracts the attention with its sharp peak, and I sauntered along the ridge through the lochans before taking in the steep little climb to the tiny summit. Much as I loved this ridge, I was conscious of saving a bit of energy, so escaped down the obvious western ridge: this was also excellent, with Loch Tay stretched out in front and the sun re-emerging. A long walk down the track back to the car, then a desperate refuel on a revolting burger and chips in Killin.

Ben Lomond

Peaks: Ben Lomond

Area: Trossachs, Scotland

In 33 years of Highland visits, I've always avoided this famous and popular peak, the most southerly munro. This is partly because of that popularity (I prefer my hills empty) but also because it is actually quite tricky to reach from the south: not really 'on the way' anywhere. It worked perfectly this afternoon, however. I drove up in the morning and was drinking coffee in Dumbarton not much more than four hours later. A windy drive south around Loch Lomond (the contrast between the loch's north and south side is always fascinating, this southern end is reminiscent of southern England, pastoral farmland). I'd never driven up the eastern shore before, and set off up the standard tourist path from Rowardennan at mid-afternoon. High cloud and warm temperatures, with the day improving and hints of sunshine. The path, very well travelled, curves round fairly gently up to an obvious steeper rise towards a vague plateau. A short level section and then a final climb curving round to the summit ridge: 1.13 at a steady, fairly relaxed pace, I didn't want to spend too much energy for obvious reasons. The view from Lomond is superb, genuinely panoramic as a result of its location right on the edge of the Highlands. Gentle flatlands to the south, then a vast panorama up to Cruachan, Lui and Ben Nevis. The Arrochar hills are particularly impressive from this angle, and I intended to take some of them in on Friday. I descended the more direct route over the subpeak known as Ptarmigan: this was a pleasant surprise, enjoyable and interesting, twisting over little lumps and hummocks with superb views down to Loch Lomond and across to the Cobbler's distinctive profile. Lower down, grassy slopes lead to boggier sections and a long haul back to the lakeside and car. It might have been better to do this the other way round, but it was still a lovely start to the trip. An easy drive to a fish supper in Callander, looking out at Ben Ledi from the little lake in town.

Prestatyn parkrun

'Race': Nova Prestatyn parkrun

Time/Position: 18.47 (4th from 87 [1st V50])

I've struggled along the Ffrith prom into headwinds on various occasions in the past: it used to feature in the border league and other races from Rhyl. Bracing conditions this morning, with a brisk crosswind, high tides and bright sunshine. Morgan was making his debut at parkrun, and indeed any kind of running event, and did superbly well. It is a nice course, fast down the prom towards Rhyl with waves crashing, then a tough off-road section through the dunes. This is a mixture of gravel, soft sandy paths and tussocks, before a very fast second half back east to the OD monument. I finished 1 second inside the V50 course record.

Moelwynion from Croesor

Peaks: Cnicht, Moelwyn Mawr, Craigysgafn, Moelwyn Bach

Area: Moelwynion, Eryri

Croesor is a special place, but it is very awkward to access from the east, which accounts for the fact that I have only visited a handful of times. One of those was for Ras y Cnicht, a classic short race which goes straight up from the village. I ran this in 46 minutes in 2017, so did a kind of time-trial for the climb today, before embarking on a much slower loop round the Moelwynion. This is a superb circuit, which I think I did as a hillwalk in the early 90s. Cuckoo calling for the plod up the bridleway, and then the open hill is gained at a fork with wonderful views over the estuary. I was probably last here on the early stages of our sea-to-sea epic in 2019. Most of the early stages are runnable until a scree covered traverse leads to a grassy ridge before the final steep cone which culminates in a scrambly groove just below the summit - which I reached in 31.50, I would guess just over a minute slower than the 2017 race. From here, I pondered the Paddy direct descent but instead opted for the easier ground leading to the head of the valley containing Llyn Cwm y Foel. Over the stream, then up the complex terrain leading to the two lakes of Llynnau Diffwys (it is probably better to contour north higher up than this). Boggy ground then leads to Rhosydd quarry, with the sun now out and a bright and breezy afternoon developing (I didn't start from Croesor until 2.30pm). From the quarry workings, I took the southerly ridge up Moelwyn Mawr. This is quite lengthy, and quite tiring, but really enjoyable. Then comes the crux of Ras y Moelwyn, a famous race I have done twice: over rocky Craigysgafn to the col, then steeply up to Moelwyn Bach. This ridge is so obvious from Blaenau: there are racing lines but I have never really found them, in fact in 2019 thick mist made this section quite tricky. It took me a rather plodding 16 minutes today, cutting my hand on the rocky section. It is awkward and rocky until the col is reached. From the summit of Bach, superb views down to Porthmadog and the Rhinogydd, and these continued for the superb grassy descent down the western ridge of Moelwyn Bach. All very comfortable and runnable until the boggy base of the cwm, but by then you are close to the minor road that leads north-west back to Croesor. Just over two hours for the circuit.

Chester parkrun

'Race': Chester parkrun

Time/Position: 18.58 (4th from 299 [1st V50])

I felt tired coming into this, not too surprisingly, so just settled for a perfunctory plod round the summer route, a minute down on my course PB. A very large field made for tricky manoeuvres on the second lap across the meadows.

Pot Hole climbing

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry

Routes: Mestre (S), Sesto (S), Selva (VS), Un-aided (VS)

No climbing for a year, so 'rusty' would be an understatement. This was a short top-roping session on routes climbed scores of times before at the old venue, which seems to get more awkward and polished with every passing year.

Wirral MTC

Race: Wirral Multi-Terrain Challenge (6m)

Time/Position: 39.05 (8th from 174 [1st V50])

Yet another 'personal worst', although there were contextual factors at play this evening. First, the Sandstone Trail was still in my legs (although I felt reasonably good after a rest). Second, there was a nasty cross-headwind for the arduous rocky beach section south from Thurstaston which really drained the tank before the race leaves the Dee estuary and reaches the shelter of the Heswall Dales. This gave me a bit of a problem, and I really struggled to get my HR down for a while, losing several places (I was 3rd for a while on the beach). I have done this race twice before, and it is always a challenge to pace, genuinely multi-terrain with a constant danger of blowing on the different sections. The Dales are hilly and twisting XC terrain with steep steps and drops. Eventually, the race emerges onto the pan-flat Wirral Way, and luckily I regained my composure and had a reasonably quick run-in. Well down on my best time for this great course (which was 2014 I think) but not bad in the circumstances, and I did win my age category.

Sandstone Trail Challenge

'Race': Sandstone Trail (54k/1100m)

Time/Position: 5.34 (12th from 150)

My second time at this memorable event, and it went exactly as I expected it to: that is, slowly. The last time I did it, in 2018, I was focused almost entirely on distance, completing the British ultra series that year. As such, I came into the Trail quite confident, and even had a road marathon in my legs - the 5.08 I ran that year was enough for 5th place. This year, I didn't even think about getting close to that, and approached it in the way it was intended: a 'challenge' rather than a race. I knew I would be fine up to 20 miles or perhaps a little more, but also knew there was no point pushing it because the last 10 miles or so would be just a walk. This is exactly what happened. We started in glorious morning sunshine in Whitchurch after the long coach journey from Frodsham, and I just kept a steady pace churning over for the first 10 miles or so, which are all easy and gentle, on canal paths and tranquil fields. It curves round to the north via Grindley Brook and No Man's Heath. The ground finally begins to rise at Bickerton Hill, where the route joins the 17 mile Sandstone race route. It becomes a lot more challenging at this point, but the sharp climbs never last long and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, completely alone and jogging along in the warm sunshine. From Gallantry Bank, the highpoint at Rawhead is reached with superb views west across the plain to the Clwydians. Then comes the very familiar section along the ridge above Burwardsley and the Pheasant to Beeston Castle: dozens of family walks along this section, and a very welcome checkpoint (there are five in total, all with plenty of food and drink). After Beeston a small group of three formed for the endless plodding across dozens of fields, the scene of my embarrassing error last October. This was probably the crux of the day for me, as I reached the end of my current mileage limit. I knew very well that this would happen, and was prepared for it (this was my 13th or 14th ultra, if it can be counted as such). So, from Willington I just plodded and enjoyed the ambience, knowing there was no chance of matching my 2018 time. The route from here to the finish is very familiar, so I had no concerns about missing a turning. It got very hot at this point, and I was glad of the shade through Gresty's Waste and Delamere. The end is in sight from this point, and a very welcome checkpoint at Manley helps. I revived slightly for the section I know best of all, from Alvanley cliff over to the climax at Beacon Hill above Frodsham. A hobbling descent to finish in Frodsham 25 minutes slower than 2018.

Birkenhead Park 4m+

Race: Birkenhead Park 4m+ (Border League, race 7)

Time/Position: 23.26 (38th from 252 [2nd V50])

The concluding fixture of a very enjoyable season, my 16th in the league since my debut in 2005 - although not all of those were 'complete' (83 BL races in total). I have only ever won my age category overall once before, so it was nice to add to that, and complete the '21-'22 set alongside the North Wales cross-country league and the Wirral MT series in September. I'm under no illusions, there are far quicker people regionally in the category, but it is also at least partly to do with consistency and appearances. This final fixture only became possible at that last minute, and took in three clockwise laps of Birkenhead Park, the opposite to the usual fixture here and apparently similar to the parkrun (which I've never done). I set off pretty fast and enjoyed the loop round the familiar ponds before a longer drag up to the main gates: the pace was nothing to write home about but it was another acceptable performance which kept my points score reasonably low. In the end I finished the season 82 points ahead of second place in the category.

Ras Moel Eilio

Race: Moel Eilio (12.8k/940m)

Time/Position: 1.25.02 (16th from 70 [1st V50])

A sharp contrast with the last time I did this race, a long established Welsh classic. In 2014, howling gales and torrential rain turned the crossing of the ridge into a real battle. So I thought I was guaranteed a course PB today, in perfect conditions with a light tailwind and hundreds of inter-counties runners (on a shorter course) increasing the pace along the ridge. The recent pattern has seen me slightly down on my best times for oft-run races but I really felt that wouldn't happen today for all those reasons. Annoyingly, however, yet again I found myself almost three minutes down on that 2014 time, leaving me wondering (in vain) if the course has changed! Having said all that, this was a wonderful day: the view of the runners descending the ridge from Eilio is one of the best in the sport, with the view of Snowdon and Nant Peris providing the backdrop to the runners looping over the grassy but well-defined ridge. I got to the top of Eilio in 33 minutes, then took exactly 16 to run along the whole ridge (over Foel Gron and Goch) down to the Maesgwm (Telegraph) col. This seemed respectable enough, which leads me to wonder about my 2014 time into a fierce headwind in full kit with slight hypothermia. The next section might be the explanation: the climb up Cynghorion is long and draining, and I slowed considerably here. All the inter-counties runners were sprinting for home on their shorter route so we finally got an idea of our positions in the race. The steep descent off Cynghorion has always been notoriously arduous and is now slightly harder with a new fence at the bottom forcing you further left before crossing the valley floor and heading for home along the very fast track. I was surprised to find I'd won my category at the Padarn later on.

Dinas Bran hill race

Race: Dinas Bran (6.9km/380m)

Time/Position: 34.28 (7th from 87 [1st V50])

This was one of the first 'fell' races I ever did, almost 20 years ago. Since then, I've done it a lot and initially felt that this performance was right up there with previous outings. Sadly, that proved not to be the case and was actually my slowest since the race was revived, a minute or even more down on all previous races. Never mind, it felt good and I felt I'd paced it quite well (and it is possible that some short-cuts are no longer possible). The initial Donkey Path from the school is always fairly desperate - horribly steep - and I may have lost time there as I tried to keep pace with fast starting Ian H. I then seemed to go reasonably well up to the castle, I have always walked the steep section at the top and did so today before the usual very fast descent. I found myself pulling away from a few other runners and continued moving (a little) through the field on the second loop to the castle (I remember finding this extraordinarily unnecessary the first time I did the race back in 2003!). A good final descent, castle to school in 5.19.

Red Kite challenge race

Race: Red Kite Half/Welsh Trail Champs (21.7k/780m)

Time/Position: 1.46.29 (17th from 250 [1st V50])

I spent most of 1994 living in a builder's portakabin above Penrhyncoch so have an attachment to this area. I rarely come here though, and this was one of those races I have somehow missed over the years. With the cancellation of Twin Piers, the time was right to change that, and the course suited my current training regime fairly well. I was pretty pleased with the performance, even though it felt very slow initially with much of the climbing concentrated in the first half. The route leaves Devil's Bridge and then climbs gradually up the Merin valley - all very tranquil, typical mid-Wales scenery. From here, it gets tougher, with a steep climb up 'the shoot' followed by more firetracks and trails up to the highpoint near the top of Pen y Garn, around 2000ft up. Wonderful wild scenery and views over the 'Welsh wilderness' to the east, made even better by the superb sweeping descent taking runners down to the Arch, a famous watershed. After this, steep zigzags began to sort the field out a bit, with runners tiring, a sharp climb followed by more very fast descending on superb fire tracks to regain the Merin valley outward route. Then comes a vicious sting in the tail, which it would have been nice to have prior knowledge of! Luckily I managed to get a gel down before a very sharp climb over the little hills east of Devil's Bridge. This was like one of the Tuesday Eryri evening races appended to the end of a tough half marathon, it felt just like a short fell race. Fortunately I had a bit left, so kept a decent pace up the climb before the steep but grassy descent looping back to the finish at the Woodlands campsite. Conditions were good throughout: high milky cloud, not too warm, and dry underfoot with very little recent rainfall.

Foel Fras

Peaks: Drum, Foel Fras

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

A quick blast from the car park below Bwlch y Ddaefaen to the top of Fras and back. A beautiful Spring morning, but with limited time after dropping Kate off I couldn't relax much so just went direct up to the bwlch and then the familiar Drosgl climb, always hard, before 'cutting the corner' to Drum. From here, the usual grassy ascent to an empty Foel Fras summit (46 minutes from the car park). The descent is very rapid, although at the base of the grassy descent from Fras I heard my car key fly out from my supposedly sealed inner pocket. I have always had nightmares about this happening. It was simultaneously unlucky (because the pocket was zipped, it must have found a crevice) and unbelievably lucky (I only heard it because it struck one of the very few stones in the northern Carneddau, the new flags across the bogs below Drum). Searching for it cost me a decent descent time, but I still made the car park in 29 minutes from the summit of Fras. No dotterel: I don't know how many years I have looked for them up here at this time of year, a lot.

Sandstone trail return

Another attempt to get a bit of mileage in my legs on another beautiful April morning. An easterly crosswind kept temperatures comfortable and it was all very pleasant as I set off on the familiar tracks north through Delamere from Gresty's Waste. The idea was to keep a decent pace going until the Sandstone Trail monument (start/finish point) in the middle of Frodsham, feed, then wend my way back slowly via a loop round Tarvin Road. This worked fairly well, although my pace even at the start was nothing to write home about. I always particularly enjoy the section from Alvanley to Beacon Hill, and did so today - all very tranquil in the verdant greenery of spring. A quick descent down to Frodsham, a large serving of chocolate milk, then the loop round back to the Ridgeway and the return leg. Back at Gresty's Waste, I hadn't covered enough ground, so ran slowly down to Willington and back - a fairly hilly section through forest, green lanes and sunken paths - to bring the distance up to 21m or so.