The Horse fell race

Race: The Horse (13k/500m)

Time/Position: 1.13.00 (2nd Team)

This is a brilliant team event that got off to a memorable start two years ago when it was run in hugely atmospheric soft snow. No such weather luck tonight, as recent snow had almost all melted (but I had already enjoyed three superb snowy runs last weekend, deep drifts in places). It was still a brilliant event, in some ways even more enjoyable than last time. As then, I ran with Jez as a 'team'. And, as then, we finished second team by time - although lower via the somewhat complex handicap system! The route is essentially the Cilcain skyline, albeit done in the dark. Over to the Nannerch bridleway and then up to a checkpoint on thr ridge. We took the Tir Gofal traverse line, unsurprisingly muddy throughout, and I began to tire for the steep final climb to Moel Famau, atmospheric in the mist with distant headtorches from rival teams. Then a good but muddy descent, with a variation route down the bridleway and up the pump house climb to finish back at the White Horse for a cosy pint and debrief.

Western Howgills

Peaks: Uldale Head, Docker Knott, Over Sale, Fell Head, Linghaw

Area: Howgills, Yorkshire Dales

Last time I was here was descending into these obscure valleys high above the M6 for high-value checkpoints on the two mountain marathons I've done in the Howgills. I have often gazed up at the tops when driving along the motorway but have never actually approached from the western side. It was a perfect option for M and I this morning en route to Glasgow in crisp sunshine. It was cold, however,  very cold in fact and the little lane from Tebay (just off the M6) was steep and icy, but I calculated it would just about thaw for the return journey. A complex start involved an icy barefoot river crossing, fairly agonising, before a steep zigzag haul up to Uldale Head which had a frozen pond, thick sheets of ice, near the top. Superb view of the hills to come, but then came a steep descent which M didn't enjoy much, losing height before climbing back up Docker Knott and then a gentler pull to the top of Fell Head. This is the main hill in these parts with expansive views to Ingleborough and the Dales, and also across to High Street, Harter Fell and the Lakes. A light dusting of snow, and crisp sunshine, all added to the scene. Then came a really superb descent over a broad ridge to Linghaw back to the car, only marred by the M6 which is otherwise surprisingly unobtrusive. After a pie in Tebay services, we continued to Glasgow via Moffat.

Tal y Fan

Peaks: Tal y Fan

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

Yet another variation loop up Tal y Fan, pleasing that I can still find different routes up a mountain familiar from dozens if not hundreds of ascents over decades. In this case I parked near the water gardens, heading past Tyddyn Mawr to the scout hut and then up through the woods via the Pilgrims Route to Llangelynin Old Church, which looked superb in the morning winter light, the weather far better than forecast. Then came a ferocious headwind, which made the climb to Tal y Fan really hard, particularly with sore legs after yesterday's plunge. At the top, superb views over the Conwy Valley with the sun peeping out of cloud layers and glinting off the river in wonderful soft light. The descent was still into the wind, but I took the direct route down from the stile reaching the road from the summit in 12 minutes. Then I took a circuitous route back via Maen y Bardd, the superb neolithic burial chamber I think I have only found once before. Steeply back down via the edge of Rowen to Gwern Borter and the car.

Jubilee Plunge

Race: Jubilee Plunge

Time/Position: 13.46 

An eight year gap since I last did this event, for the very good reason that it cripples me for around a week. This despite the fact that it is 3.5k in total. Having said that, it is completely unique and hugely enjoyable. In the past I have done it from Cilcain, jogging over then hills and then back. Today I drove to Llangynhafal and plodded up to the start on top of Moel Famau, which takes around 40 minutes! Some mist on top, and a bit chilly, but generally conditions were good. I started too slow, which is not advisable on this race. This meant it was difficult to really open up on the initial very steep drop from Famau, particularly with a fairly big field. Just below Moel Dywyll, the route kinks left and plummets down perfect grassy slopes to reach the lane in 10 minutes. I remember taking a short cut across fields here, but now the route goes down the road before two or three muddy fields lead down to the finish at the Golden Lion. I was annoyed to finish over a minute slower than my previous times for the route.

Round the Walls

Race: Round the Walls (4m)

Time/Position: 24.58 (25th from 553 [1st V50])

Almost a minute and 11 places down on last year, but I was still quite pleased with this outing, perhaps the 15th time I've done the race. The same course as we have enjoyed for the last few years, a really satisfying loop which takes in the full walls anticlockwise. The Roodee was very boggy this year, which will have had some effect on times, and the weather was foggy, cold and damp. Pleased to win my age category, something I've managed a few times at this, one of my favourite races and one of the oldest in the region. Kate and Morgan enjoyed it too.

Bronwen via Wayfarers

Peaks: Cadair Bronwen

Area: Berwyn

A shorter than usual pre-Christmas outing this year, but at least we continued to observe the tradition. It was a very enjoyable repeat of a route I first did last winter, a route which minimises the bog. Minimises, not eliminates, of course. I set off from Llandrillo with Jez and Hayley, up the familiar steep track which leads to the crossroads and is very boggy at this time of yeat. Instead of turning right for Bronwen, we continued up the Wayfarers Pass, which is a continuous 6.5k climb from the village. It was cold at the pass, so we put on extra layers and then embarked on the long boggy section over the hills to Bronwen. This became increasingly snowy until there was a good layer on the tops. A biting windchill on the summit of Bronwen, so we ploughed down to the col and then took the contouring, boggy tracks all the down to a detour up to the stone circle, Moel Ty Uchaf. We warmed up in front of the fire at The Bridge.

Prestatyn parkrun

'Race': Prestatyn parkrun

Time/Position: 19.18 (3rd from 90)

Into the inevitable headwind, supposedly 40mph, on the outward leg this morning. It didn't quite have the impact I had expected, however, and soon turned to a tailwind as we headed back east. The finish was tougher, of course, back into the wind, and I got beaten into third place right at the end. Only half a minute down on my best time for the course, so not bad in the circumstances.