Mold Border League

Race: Mold 5m (Border League Race 6)
Time/Position: 28.37 (13th from 293 [1st V45])
Almost three months since my last border league fixture, and indeed my last short race - having missed race 5 due to the Panama trip. This gap, combined with recent travels and relative lack of speedwork, meant I was very unsure how I'd get on today. The V45 category could hardly be tighter, with Richard Webster nudging into the lead by one point after the last race. It was a relief, therefore, to feel reasonably good on this very familiar circuit, which I must have done at least 10 times. It is always a tricky one to judge: indeed just last year I blew after the hill to Nercwys and really struggled over the last half. This was better, just kept it steady on the climb, then pushed the pace a bit through Nercwys. Myself and Richard again equally matched, running together for most of the race. I felt OK at the turn back to Mold, so picked up the pace again to catch Jez and others on the undulations before re-entering Mold. Coming into the final mile, I was momentarily 10th, but part of a small group of quick runners that I knew would beat me in a sprint finish. That was indeed the case: I have never had much of a finishing kick and ended up at the back of the group. Still, a great race (and a great league season) with the usual friendly competition, and not too bad a time for this hilly 5 mile course. The category remains very tight: a slender 5 point lead going into the final race, which (as is often the case) is three days after London!

Ca's Catala climbs

Crag: Ca's Catala, Mallorca
Routes: Rama Lama Dindon (f5:led), Bon Profit (f4c:sec), Covas Bros (f5:led), Ebam 2 (f4c:led), Ebam 1 (f4c:sec), El Rey de Bastos (f5c:led), La Virgin del Felpudo (f6a:sec), Makarenko (f5b:led), Aitornillo (f4a:sec)
This was a fairly obvious choice for the airport day, located on the western side of Palma Bay. The unfortunate thing is that it was supposed to come after a shakedown on Friday, then the big mountain day we had planned for Saturday. That didn't happen because of the lost day and tight schedule, but at least we had the two slices of the sandwich, even if we missed out on the filling! This crag has a rather suburban feel, a short walk-in from the resort of Sant Augusti, with some enormous mansions across the small valley. The immediate environment is pleasant with views of the Med from the top of the crag: in fact, the clarity of light was such that we could clearly see Ibiza and Formentera although they are well over 50km away. We did the crag's duo of three-star routes first, longer (20m+) pitches on a slabby rib of rock. Nice climbing, although the f4a struck me as severely undergraded: it was fairly sustained with tricky and quite technical moves to overcome a bulge below the top. The limestone at this crack was rough and unpolished, like shards of glass in places, reminding me of Chateaudouble. Given our total lack of recent climbing, we kept the grades modest again and just went for mileage. Much further left, I led the shorter line of Covas Bros at f5, which took a blunt rib. It went quite easily until a steepish finish on flatter holds. The two lines to its left were strong natural lines - my lead went easily to a deep crack splitting a detached pillar while Vic's was a longer route (20m) taking the obvious groove at the left-end of the crag. Both were enjoyable. We had some lunch, as the cloud had all burnt away to give another incredible day of deep blue skies. The temperature had climbed dramatically and we found ourselves sweating in shirt-sleeves on sun-kissed rock. I upped the grade a tad with a lead of the short but good El Rey de Bastos at 5c. This had reachy moves on pockets to gain a long horizontal undercut. From here, strenuous moves on good, positive holds led up a crack to a steep finish. The 6a to the right was just as good: another athletic and strenuous pitch, getting the blood pumping and forearms working. We both did them cleanly and quickly, before finishing with two short routes and heading to the airport via a quick lunch and a couple of final Mallorcan specialities.

Sa Comuna run

Peak: Sa Comuna (741m)
Area: Sierra de Tramuntana, Mallorca
After five hours climbing at S'Estret, and lunch in Valdemossa, I ran through the town to the hard-to-find GR221 (the 'dry stone way') which traverses the spine of the fabulous Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range in Western Mallorca. After a day of enforced rest yesterday, I had a reasonable amount of energy left after the climbing and was very keen to sample the Mallorcan mountains, albeit extremely briefly! The weather was now absolutely perfect: incredible rain-washed clarity and a light northerly breeze. I ran up through ancient paths to small limestone outcrops and walnut trees, eventually emerging on a small limestone summit plateau. Wonderful views of the deep blue Mediterranean immediately west, Valdemossa below and the higher peaks fringing the town to the north. Those peaks blocked views further north over the Sierra de Tramuntana sadly, but after a fast descent we then drove back through the mountains to Esporles via more beautiful scenery.

S'Estret climbs

Crag: S'Estret, Mallorca
Routes: Zarzamora (f4c:led), Mario Moreno (f5:led), Mario Moreno II (f5:sec), El Culo (f5c:led), Con el Culo al Aire (f5a:sec), Pasion Interminable (f5a:led), Pasion Oculta (f4c:sec), El Imperio Contrataca (f4c:led), El Retorno del Jedi (f5a:sec)
A rather unfortunate start to a very brief (three day) cragging trip to Mallorca, my first ever visit to the Balearics. I arrived just before midnight on the Thursday, met long-staying Vic, and retired to our wonderful converted monastery in Marratxinet. After a good breakfast, the forecast rain began and we lost an entire day to the torrential downpour and icy temperatures. It cleared later in the evening to leave snow on the higher peaks. This morning dawned dry, however, albeit cloudy and cold. Vic was now ill, so we headed to S'Estret above Valdemossa (planned as the shakedown day yesterday). I hadn't touched rock since last August, so kicked off with the lowly graded Zarzamora. Conditions weren't good: damp and cold. But the climb was very nice: an easy slab led to a contrasting slightly overhanging crack, almost a mini-chimney, overcome on huge holds to gain a rest and easy ground to the lower-off. Nice start, still some light rain in the air. The classic Mario Moreno was disappointing: it takes a long 25m+ slab in a good open position with some huge holds, but is very polished and quite unpleasant in these conditions. I found the footwork tricky and the route over-rated and undergraded. Its companion to the left was similar: marble-like polish, reminding me of St Jeannet. The sun came out at midday, at long last, and we moved up to a much better part of the crag, with good views over the valley. Our mini-break now improved dramatically! Vic was not well enough to lead, so I kicked off with El Culo at 5c. This has a fierce move over an overlap at the start, due to a lost hold. Fingery and awkward, but above lies a delightful slab of surprisingly rough dark grey limestone. Padding up this in the sunshine, the rock warming by the second: this is what we come for. The climbing was thought-provoking and sustained, but never difficult, with sharp little incut holds and small cracks. A fine route, as was the f5 crack to its right: much steeper at the start, up a juggy flake crack to gain easier climbing. We had a bite to eat as the temperatures climbed further, enjoying the views over the plains to the east. Further right, I then led Pasion Interminable in glorious sunshine. This was the route of the weekend, unusually varied and interesting throughout. An initial easy slab led to a delicate traverse into a groove. Slightly tricky moves up this to gain a steep but positive crack leading to an upper headwall, slabby again, split by a glorious positive flake crack. A great 100ft pitch. After two more short and polished routes, we retired for a very late al fresco lunch of tostada sopressada and empanadas in Valdemossa. Too soon after this substantial repast, I ran up into the hills above the town.

Kinnerton-Denbigh run

A last ditch attempt to get another (probably final) long run in before my 20th marathon at the end of the month. Unlike last Monday (and the Knighton 20) this went reasonably well, and was an interesting point to point route that I have pondered the feasibility of for some time. I headed off at a steady but reasonable pace, up the long climb through Penymynydd to Buckley, down to Mold, then up through the undulating quiet lanes to Rhydymwyn and Hendre. From here, an awful section of the main Mold-Denbigh road, a definite lowpoint, leads to the familiar steep and long climb up towards Moel Arthur and a merciful release from the traffic. The hill was tough, although easier than it is on the bike, and the weather was delightful: warm spring sunshine and birds singing, early house martins overhead. At the col, I had a gel and got to K's house in time for a family lunch in Denbigh in just over 30 minutes running via Llandyrnog. A smidgeon over 2.5 hours in total.

Glyderau run

Peaks: Y Garn
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
After a fairly unpleasant 18 miler on Easter Monday, I'd recovered with a family walk in bracing spring sunshine up Conwy Mountain yesterday. This morning was similar, and recent weather has been cold enough for reasonable snow cover above 600m, so I left for an early run from Ogwen Cottage. Good running past Twll Du to my solstice campsite at Llyn y Cwn, a decent covering of snow from this point, then up to a misty and very cold Y Garn. Some superb sunbursts over Glyder Fach as I descended. Back in Conwy before 11am.

Panama City run

After flying back to Panama City from David yesterday, I got up very early and headed to Cerro Ancon: a small but isolated hill overlooking the Pacific and Casco Viejo (old town). It is essentially a small slice of preserved rainforest, and gave numerous sloths, toucans and Geoffroy's tamarin (a tiny monkey species) at this time in the morning. The sun rose spectacularly over the Pacific as I sat near the huge Panama flag at the summit. Good views of the canal. I descended to the the Casco Viejo for a classic local breakfast of Hojaldres and Carimanola, then embarked on a walking tour (along with birdwatching along the Pacific mudflats) followed by corvina ceviche for $1.25 at the famous fish market. After a break at the hotel, I ran towards the Parque Natural Metropolitano, a unique slice of rainforest within the boundaries of the city. This was fine until I encountered a six lane highway with no pavement. Must have looked a tad eccentric, running with a small rucsac along a motorway drainage ditch in 34C. Still, I arrived at the park unscathed and spent a couple of hours walking along the longest trails. Too late for any decent birds, but I did see some sloths and enjoyed the scenery of the Mono Titi trail, and fine views of the city from the highpoint. Lower down, the Cienaguita trail offered excellent rainforest scenery. I had always planned to visit early on Wednesday morning so retired to the hotel planning to do just that.

Finca Lerida trails

A wonderful day exploring the trails around the famous coffee plantation of Finca Lerida above Boquete: providing an opportunity to explore a slightly different area of the hinterland. I caught a local bus into the hills, complete with booming salsa and stetson-clad coffee pickers. A few steep hairpins, taken at breakneck pace, and I was deposited at the utterly contrasting tranquility of Finca Lerida. This is a fairly upmarket evolved coffee farm with accommodation and restaurant. But the thing that interested me was the renowned series of footpaths that stretch out across the cloud forest. I spent hours wandering round, eating coffee 'cherries' from the tree, then heading up a steep path to get stripe-tailed hummingbird and other birds. Above, a huge movement of raptors: mainly black vultures but with numerous other species. At least 200 birds. Lower down, I walked a level but raised trail looking out over the canopy. This was fantastic: black-faced solitaires a constant feature (remarkable mournful call), along with many other species. The trail eventually descends to a hidden, and almost dry, waterfall. A violet sabrewing buzzed around this dank habitat, another superb altitude specialist. After several hours, I retired to watch the hummingbirds and tanagers in the beautiful flower gardens, then had a cup of the predictably fine coffee in the upscale restaurant before heading back to Boquete.

Volcan Baru

Peaks: Volcan Baru (3,474m/11,398ft)
Area: Cordillera de Talamanca, Chiriqui, Panama
The highest peak in Panama and a very obvious objective from Boquete: seemingly ideal (if unconventional) marathon training, as it lent itself to a running approach. It is a long way though, 30km up and down over a fairly notable vertical interval, and apparently takes backpackers at least six hours to get up. They usually go up at night then down the next day, so I had the trail almost to myself after getting a taxi to El Salto, the end of the road from Boquete at around 8am. Another beautiful morning, with distant clouds boiling up from the hills towards the Pacific side, framed against coffee plantations. The track is rough and rubbly, surprisingly steep in places, but it does have the virtue of directness and occasionally gives views through the cloud forest. Some good, if intermittent, birdlife enlivened the climb: the near endemic black guan and long-tailed silky flycatcher were especially notable. After around 3k, a couple of fincas were passed - beautiful pastoral farmland with very surprising scenery, felt like I was back home for a while. Higher up, more conventional cloud forest although the weather remained crystal clear - which is obviously very unusual, even at the height of the dry season (as this was). I ran a fair bit of the way, walking the steep sections and jogging where the angle eased a bit. The main concern was water. I'd taken 1.2 litres which I knew would be pushing it, but calculated that it would just about be enough. There wasn't much margin, so I rationed it a bit. Eventually, an obvious spur is reached which gives views of the main peak. Sadly, a sharp descent is then necessary to gain the final climb up the summit. The actual top is along a miniature ridge with a tiny bit of scrambling and exposure: over 2.5 hours to the top from El Salto. Superb views. In theory, you can see the Caribbean and Pacific from the summit. The views east over the giant summit crater spanned the village of Volcan, wispy clouds thousands of feet below the summit, right over to the Caribbean coast. Further north, the cloud forest stretched across to the Costa Rica border (only 20km or so away). The Pacific side was cloudier, as they stretched their tendrils over the low forested ridges on this side of Volcan Baru. The peak is very isolated, it dominates the entire region, so the views are not your typical summit landscapes. Instead, big horizons and a real sense of space is the predominant feeling. After a bite to eat, and some more of the precious water, I set off at a sustainable running pace downhill. This was long, extremely dusty and quite hot, particularly as I got lower. But I covered the ground quite quickly back to the trailhead. Then I just had the problem of getting back to Boquete! I ran out of water 2km from the road, finding a tap at the entrance to the national park: but no water came out, just dust. I continued jogging down the tarmac road, dehydrated now. After a couple of miles (on top of the 30km I had already done!) I met two Ngabe people who showed me a tap near the road. Then, a bit lower, a taxi passed as I gained a road junction so I hopped in that for the few miles back to Boquete. An excellent late lunch of garlic chicken, plantain, rice and beans was a fine way to refuel.

Lost Waterfalls trail (Chiriqui, Panama)

My first proper taste of the cloud forest above Boquete in the Panamanian Highlands. After flying into Panama City, I had taken the bus to David in Chiriqui province. A noisy night in that hot and dusty city, then an early morning bus today up to the relative cool of Boquete in the Chiriqui Highlands. A stunning morning of exceptional dry season clarity: not a cloud in the sky. It was so good I was momentarily tempted to run up Volcan Baru after checking into my hotel. But I resisted the urge and instead got a taxi into the hills where I decided to do this trail more or less on a whim. It was a fine choice, and got me right out into the heart of the cloud forest almost immediately. A little bridge, then steep climbing through the forest past a series of waterfalls. Some great views over the canopy to Volcan Baru, howler monkeys calling and some splendid birds including antbirds and the semi-endemic yellow-thighed finch. The path was surprisingly steep in places, some hauling up lianas and bamboo necessary. But the atmosphere in the dripping and mysterious cloud forest was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed myself: the third and final waterfall was quite impressive and the first had superb views from the pools above it. Before getting back to the road, I spent some time in a garden near the trailhead, looking out over the flowers and cloud forest as cloud gradually enveloped Volcan Baru. Refuelled with a classic hearty Sancocho.

Knighton 20

Race: Knighton 20 mile
Time/Position: 2.14.11 (33rd from 410)
This was an entirely predictable story of suffering for the last five miles, for which I just hadn't prepared properly. As usual, I am well behind with the marathon training so thought this would at least force me to cover the distance in advance of my trip to Panama. The race is new, replacing the old Stafford 20, and takes three 10km laps of rural roads around the villages of Knighton and Adbaston in Staffordshire (but near the Shropshire border). A lovely spring day, ideal racing conditions of hazy sunshine and cool temperatures. I felt fine for the first two laps, well trained for the half marathon distance at present. But the final lap was always going to be tough, and it was, particularly as there were two fairly long climbs on each lap. I lost a huge amount of time and places: it was as much as I could do to limp towards the finish a full five minutes slower than my PB for the distance (although I think I've only done five road 20 milers).

Wrexham half marathon

Race: Wrexham half marathon
Time/Position: 1.19.25 (5th from 281 [1st V45])
The second Wrexham-based half marathon in three weeks. But unlike the long-established Village Bakery event, this is a more commercial race aimed at a mass field. I'd been surprised at the half marathon three weeks ago to feel relatively comfortable despite lack of recent mileage. So I was reasonably optimistic today, especially with the cool and fairly still conditions: there seemed a chance I might get close to my pb of 1.17. In the event, I was a rather baffling 16 seconds slower than three weeks ago, despite the fact that I felt quite comfortable. May have been a case of starting too conservatively, or possibly the rather hilly nature of the course at the far end as it heads out to the east. At around the nine mile point, I started to feel strong and confident about the pace, presumably a result of the slow start. A good quick finish through housing estates and back into the centre of Wrexham with some decent crowd support. It was hard to assess position, as the marathon was taking place at the same time, but I realised I was a fair way up the field despite the slow pace: lucky to finish first in my age category and fifth overall.

Clwyd Gate - English Border

A nice long run to begin marathon training in earnest. Dropped off at Clwyd Gate above Ruthin, I fashioned a route towards the English border using a combination of familiar paths and minor roads. Initially, I took the OD path in pleasant sunshine (hindered by a cold eastern wind, which was somewhat ironic after last Sunday's westerly battering at the Rhyl 10). This leads very pleasantly to the Druid race route, through the woods then down to Llanferres. From here, a hidden cycle path goes towards Loggerheads. Then pavement for the climb to Gwernymynydd and down to a busy Mold town centre. Another climb through Buckley, then down to Penyffordd and Higher Kinnerton. It took a certain amount of willpower to keep going towards the Cheshire border at Lower Kinnerton, but I felt OK and looped back round to my house in around 1.50.

Rhyl 10

Race: Rhyl 10 mile (Welsh Championships)
Time/Position: 1.02.18 (15th from 550 [1st V45])
It was clear from early morning that this race was going to be badly affected by the 45mph westerly gusts sweeping across North Wales. An easy first half was inevitably going to be followed by a monumental battle heading back to Rhyl into the teeth of the gale: continually exposed along the seaside path and therefore relentless. I was four minutes down on my PB for the distance, but that felt fine in the circumstances. The race is good, well organised, and was selected for the Welsh 10 mile championships this year. I felt I had a decent combination of speed and endurance at the moment, and quite like the distance although I haven't done many 10 milers over the years - just six or seven races maybe. The first five miles - along the seafront, past the Nova centre then a loop around the edge of Prestatyn, flowed as easily as expected with the tailwind. Went through five miles in 28 mins dead, then started to pick up a few places. It was obviously crucial to save some strength for the return, and I felt OK as the full force of the wind hit at the Nova Centre. Tactics were needed! So I made a special effort to catch two runners in front, a draining effort, but as I'd hoped we started to work a bit as a mini-peloton into the wind. There really is no hiding place on this stretch of coastline, so although I've done many fell races in far windier conditions than this, it is particularly draining and time sapping on a road race. The other two pulled away with 200m to go: as usual I was only able to keep to my usual plodding pace, but I just managed to stay ahead of faster finishing runners in my category to finish first V45 in the race and Welsh championships.

Village Bakery half marathon

Race: Village Bakery half marathon, Wrexham (North Wales Championships)
Time/Position: 1.19.09 (37th from 1016)
Back to this old course for the sixth or seventh time: fortunately there were no problems this year with confused marshals (2014) or angry farmers (2012)! Perfect conditions this morning, which was lucky as I was recovering from a very bad cold and knew I didn't have sufficient distance in my legs having prioritised short races over winter. I took the only possible approach, which was a steady 6 minute/mile pace. Started off in a little group with Chris from Buckley, running the first short four mile loop at about 5.45 pace, which I deemed a bit too quick for me at the moment. I dropped the pace slightly, down to 6 minute pace, glad of the crisp, clear conditions as the route heads out into the quiet lanes towards the border. I needed a couple of gels but was rather surprised to feel relatively comfortable after going through 10 miles just under the hour. Ended up 90 seconds slower than my PB (recorded on this course three years ago), which was satisfying in the circumstances. And although I was well off the pace in the Veterans categories (a very strong field), I did win the V45 category in the North Wales Half Marathon Championships - to go alongside the V40 title won on the same course in 2013.

Rhug Cross Country

Race: North Wales XC Championships, Rhug, Corwen (11k)
Time/Position: 40.35 (8th from 43 [2nd V45])
Having missed the cross-country championships for the last two years, it was nice to be able to turn out again, particularly on the excellent Rhug course which is tough and enjoyable. A stiff, cold north-westerly blew a few sleet showers in and made hard work of the long return leg on each lap, with the ground underfoot inevitably rather boggy in places. In essence, the route takes four big loops of the hilly terrain on Lord Newborough's land north of the A5. One sharp climb, one stream crossing and several bumps and humps keep things interesting. Small field, so after the first lap significant gaps opened out at the front of the field. A nice outing, with Buckley winning both the team prize and the veteran's prize, with three counters (Jez, me, Eric). A challenging prize giving: outside, in a shower of horizontal hail and sleet!

Abergele Border League

Race: Abergele 5m (Border League Race 4)
Time/Position: 28.18 (15th from 334 [2nd V45])
As is often the case with this race, which heads in a westerly direction along the seafront, we had a bit of a headwind for the first couple of miles. As a result, an unusually big group formed at the front, and the pace stayed quite comfortable until the quicker runners broke away before the turn leaving the rest of us to hang on as best we could. I've always quite enjoyed this course, with its twists and turns through the caravan site before a flat out finish with a slight tailwind. First V45 in the standings at the moment, but a lot can happen in the last three races!

Carneddau circuit

Peaks: Llwytmor, Foel Fras, Yr Aryg
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
There is a reason that the obvious horseshoe around Cwm yr Afon Goch isn't more popular, and that's the awful initial slog up Llwytmor. I had a very limited amount of time available today, so started very early and just drove to Aber and started running. This wasn't the ideal choice, as there was superb snow cover in Ogwen and far less towards the coast. But it did mean that I gained ground very quickly, taking the 1000m peaks race route through the woods and scree above Aber Falls to gain the tight cwm above. From here I slogged straight up the hill to emerge north of Llwytmor. The snow level was quite distinct and some freeze-thaw had occurred. Snow gullies would have been nice today, although I broke through the crust from time to time: just wearing fell running shoes and carrying my mini-spikes which remained in the sac. On the summit, the stunning conditions really kicked in. Deep blue cloudless sky, crisp untouched snow stretching in all directions: the northern Carneddau take on an Arctic Tundra feel in these circumstances. The snow was crisp enough to be runnable, and it was truly superb across the sharp valley to the climb up Foel Fras. Deep drifts towards the summit, and even better views out to Llywellyn. I looped round the lip of Cwm yr Afon Goch before descending - breaking through the crust with tedious, tiring regularity. Good running back to Aber.

Shining Tor run

Conditions in the Peak today made yesterday's outing look benign. Howling wind and driving sleet as we headed up into the moors from near the Cat and Fiddle. Last night's convivial warmth of Hartington Hall and village pubs seemed a distant memory the instant we set foot on the open moor and ploughed up to the top of Shining Tor, the day's highpoint (and the highest point in Cheshire). This was quick and painless as most of it takes laid stone flags, avoiding the worst of the boggy conditions. Windy, wet and cold at the summit: the rain much heavier than yesterday. Still, a really enjoyable run led down the laid stones to the road above Windgather. From here we headed below a spur on a great, gently descending path down towards Errwood. A sheltered valley allowed for some map reading, and we then took the long contouring tracks back up the shoulder that runs down from the Cat and Fiddle. Frozen feet and soaking clothes as we got back to the car, an all-too-familiar feeling from hundreds of similar outings.

Roaches run

A very 'mini' mini-break in the Peak District. Not much more than 24 hours, characterised by constant filthy weather: but enjoyable despite this drawback. Vic had already stayed in the excellent Hartington Hall YHA and suggested it might make a nice base for some easy climbing. That was never on the cards, as rain fell for the entire weekend, but we are nothing if not flexible so packed the running kit and did two variants on famous fell race routes. Sadly we didn't get to Meerbrook (the start of the Roaches fell race) until 2pm, so had a limited window in which to do 11-12 miles across the moors in appalling conditions. The slog over the fields towards the Roaches was dire: just endless cloying bog. A farmyard had been wired by the farmer, giving Vic an electric shock and me a mild one from the wall itself: this despite the public right of way. More bog led to the road and the climb up to the Roaches ridge. I've climbed here a couple of times and done a few of the classic routes, but it was streaming and horrible today. Once we were on the ridge, excellent running followed, really enjoyable in the wind and rain: grit crags looming from the mist. The trig point is well over 500m and the air temperature was just above freezing. From here, solid paving stones led to the road and the continuation of the ridge taken by the race. This was soggy and cold, but rather enjoyable. Every step was aquatic, and although I'd wanted to drop down to Lud's Church, we chose to head into woods above the river Dane where we emerged on the road at Danebridge and the Cheshire border (familiar from the Cheshire Cat sportive I think). A long road plod led back via various lanes to Meerbrook, completing a satisfying 11-12 miles loop with the tiniest glimmer of daylight remaining, and earning us a pie and pint in Hartington later on.

Bowstones fell race

Race: Bowstones fell race (11km/1063ft)
Time/Position: 46.58 (13th from 345 [3rd V40])
My 42nd race of 2015 and a splendid way to round off the year. A big field for a fell race, hardly surprising given the accessible location: it starts at Higher Poynton on the edge of Greater Manchester, at the exact point the urban landscape gives way to the Peak District. A stampede led up the narrow lane over the scenic canal (memories of the equally crowded and manic Burbage Skyline), and this lane then sets the tone for the race: very runnable and fast, more like a trail race in places. A rough track gave way to tarmac on the edge of Lyme Park, then through woods before the main climb gained the open moorland beyond. But it was all runnable up to the highpoint at the Bowstones. Great views over the whole of Greater Manchester and beyond from the next section: a level ridgeway on top of the hill. An excellent muddy descent followed down to woodland. Emerging from this via a stile, another soggy descend led down to the Cage Tower. Round this, then past the main mansion to a fast finish down roads and tracks. I wasn't quick enough to catch the two runners immediately in front but had a good minute gap on those behind. An excellent blast and a great race, particularly nice to have a brief window of sunshine: our small band of clubmates all enjoyed it and we recovered with a quick drink in the crowded Boar's Head race HQ.

Siabod walk

Peaks: Moel Siabod
Area: Moelwynion, Eryri
Our traditional post-Christmas ramble. But whereas last year Rich and I had enjoyed superb conditions on the Carneddau: deep snow and crisp blue skies, this year the exceptionally mild and wet weather has continued for weeks. Today was no exception, although it was at least dry. We headed up the steep road towards the quarries and Llyn y Foel. Weird light: a blanket of high grey cloud over brown hills. We avoided the notoriously boggy section near the lake by contouring the cwm a little higher up, then joining the Ddaear Ddu ridge at mid-height. A little scramble in high winds led to the windy summit by 10am (we'd made an early start as we both needed to be back early). After a bite to eat, we descended to Capel Curig (via the Siabod race route) back to the forest and a pleasant walk back along the valley. This loop really makes the most of Siabod; I think we last did it 5 or 6 years ago in a virtual white-out with waist deep drifts around Llyn y Foel!

Deeside 5k handicap

Race: Deeside 5k (Christmas handicap)
Time: 17.29
Two race options today: either the Jubilee Plunge from Moel Famau to Llangynhafal, or this informal handicap event round a variant of the Deeside border league course near Hawarden Bridge. I've done the Plunge a few times, and enjoy it, but it takes days for my quads to recover from 12 minutes of eccentric movement and flat-out downhill running. So, I went for John Earlston's handicap: a great idea and very well organised. As ever, the main challenge of a handicap race is keeping a sustainable pace and not getting hypnotised by the challenge of catching the runners in front. The obvious danger is starting too fast in an attempt to catch those in front: and this is exactly what I did! Started to blow after 1km or so, so dropped back a bit and just tried to maintain the same pace over the rest of the loop through the industrial estate and back to the riverside cycle path. I finished 11th from 22 in the handicap, exactly mid-table, which suggests that John's handicap for me was bang on despite my rather slow time. Felt sluggish and heavy throughout, but it was an excellent session which must have burnt off a bit of the Christmas pudding. Sunny and very mild throughout.

Carneddau run

Peaks: Drum
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
The best day in an awful week of weather, but even with some welcome sunshine our chosen route was badly wind-affected. The plan was to do the Foel Fras race route from the coast, so we (Vic, Emma and David from Denbigh Harriers) trotted up the steep road from Aber to the base of Foel Dduarth under blue skies. We had an excellent tailwind for the gradual climb up to the top of Drum, but the wind was so fierce at the summit that it was all we could do to dive into the cairn and get all our spare clothes on. The onward route would have been horrendous into the teeth of the gale in these boggy conditions, so instead we enjoyed an exciting and quick descent down to Llyn Anafon: picking a good line through the tussocks. I'd been glad of the relatively gentle pace as I'd done a 10 mile tempo run the day before; but we upped the pace for the superb track that leads down Cwm Anafon back to Aber. Probably around 10 miles again, by the time you get back to the A55. On this day exactly two years ago, we did the same route but were beaten back from the path to Anafon by some of the fiercest gusts I can ever remember.

Corndon Classic fell race

Race: Corndon Classic, Shropshire (6m/1850ft)
Time/Position: 50.58 (26th from 123 [4th V45])
These lovely hills are tucked away in classic border country, not far from Welshpool and Montgomery. The race makes a brilliant little pre-christmas outing and, although not feeling great after slightly too much beer the night before, I really enjoyed it. The field was bigger than expected, and probably a lot bigger than the tiny Shropshire hamlet of Priest Weston can handle. I was happy just staying mid-pack as the race has a steep start up a little lane which leads to a slippery and very steep field of mud. A short level section leads to the main steep climb up Corndon itself, which dominates this corner of Shropshire at over 500m. After weeks of heavy rain, and some showers this morning, a little sunny interval allowed for great views over the Stiperstones in one direction and mid-Wales in the other. I've cycled around the Stiperstones and Long Mynd in the past, and done a good few Shropshire fell races: but these immediate valleys were new to me. Really struggled on the climb, feeling very slow and sluggish, but perked up a bit for the fast grassy descent down to Corndon Cottage, with a great view of the border country all around. I felt much better on a long road section which led to the short, sharp climb up the hill of Roundton, but I still couldn't generate any speed at all. A steep descent to a boggy XC section along the stream of the Pant, then doubling back round via a long tarmac climb to Cowlton. From here superb grassy tracks with great views led to the last climb up Lan Fawr and a tricky descent down the very slippery and muddy opening hill above the village (which has an excellent cosy pub, the Miner's Arms, in which to recuperate.)

Caernarfon border league

Race: Caernarfon 10k (Border League race 3)
Time/Position: 36.01 (13th from 262 [1st V45])
It's taken a long time, but I finally came first in my age category in this: my 57th border league race. Numerous second places over the years, but the absence of several key runners meant we all finished much higher up the field than in the first two fixtures of this season. By pure coincidence, we were staying on Anglesey (just like we were when I ran the Anglesey Half Marathon in March), so it was all very convenient. Yesterday, Beaumaris had been under water as floods swept the region. Today, the worst of the rain had cleared and only a few patches of lying water gave a clue to the intensity of yesterday's downfall. We ran the route in reverse, which I've never done before (although I must have done the normal route 6 or 7 times). I think it's slightly easier this way round: up the steep hill opposite the castle, then the undulations through the inland villages. This just leaves the final flat 5k along the lovely riverside path: completely flat. The expected tailwind seemed to have morphed into a crosswind by the time we got there though, which meant times were a little slower than might have been hoped for. I paced the race quite well, moving through the field, and had thought I was just under 36 minutes. Slightly over in the end, but still felt like an enjoyable and encouraging race.

Mold XC

Race: Mold XC (North Wales Cross Country League, race 3: 5.5m)
Time/Position: 34.58 (27th from 167 [3rd V45])
I've done some muddy races in my time but this really was up there: it's been a while since I experienced a quagmire quite this bad, not since Ras Beca perhaps. I had around 19 hours to recover from last night's Dash but didn't feel too bad, possibly because the wind and icy rain had numbed all the pain in my limbs. Despite shivering at the start, I really enjoyed the race: a classic XC course around the Alyn playing fields, presumably replacing the Wrexham fixture that is usually on this date. I always miss the first two races of the league, so never count overall, but do enjoy it on the rare occasion I can turn out (and Buckley veterans are top of the league at the moment). This was four big laps, over ground that had already been churned up by the ladies and juniors. Just for good measure, more windblown heavy rain fell as we ran. As a result it was cloying mud of varying intensity the whole way round, with one fast descent and a couple of short climbs. By the final lap, the mud was very thick in places making for draining running.

Dash in the Dark

Race: Dash in the Dark, Llandegla (race 1: 6.5k)
Time/Position: 28.23 (3rd from 88 [1st Veteran])
It is hardly surprising that these night time winter fell races, 1000ft up in the woods above Llandegla, are often characterised by bad weather. Tonight it was classic bracing conditions of wind and driving rain, extremely soft, nay aquatic underfoot. Over the years we've had snow, gales, torrential rain, all sorts. I really enjoy the races: don't know how many of them I've done, but it must be well over 10, going back to when they started in 2006 or so. A decent field set off into the darkness, wind and rain: I kept a steady but conservative pace ticking over, holding back a bit at first. After around a mile comes the nasty descent where I injured myself quite badly on the opening race last year. I took my time, picking a route through the tree roots and mud, and found myself in third place on the steep climb that follows. There I stayed, well behind the two young leaders but with a reasonable gap on those chasing. The torches were always there behind though, so I pushed on a bit on the firmer tracks around the lake which lead to a very steep descent through the trees. Great fun, as ever, with £1 soup to warm up with.

Penmaenmawr fell race

Race: Penmaenmawr fell race (10m/2000ft)
Time/Position: 1.22.17 (12th from 195)
It's strange how often times are almost exactly the same on frequently entered races, even if appearances are a few years apart. I haven't done this race for three years, yet was literally one second slower today than in 2012. Must have done the race at least seven times - always a very enjoyable, and very runnable, loop around Tal y Fan. I still think of the modern route as being 'the wrong way round' although it's been run anti-clockwise for a good few years now. Not a typical fell race, the steepest climb comes at the start out of Capelulo, then it's steadily uphill until the checkpoint above the quarry. A cold northerly wind blew throughout, but the sun was out, and in our face for the long and arduous crossing of the very boggy terrain leading to Bwlch y Ddaefaen (went too far right here, wasting half a minute). The Carneddau had a nice covering of snow, with a little underfoot for the return leg via Cae Coch. Felt reasonably strong into the headwind, with the usual fantastic sea views, but couldn't quite catch the group in front, who remained tantalisingly out of reach just in front. The final descent down the narrow and steep donkey path is always a particularly enjoyable aspect of this race!

Birkenhead border league

Race: Birkenhead 5.5m (Border League race 2)
Time/Position: 32.03 (24th from 370 [2nd V45])
'Wet leaves on the course', or perhaps 'the wrong kind of leaves' were my feeble excuses for recording my slowest ever time for this course today. Another record field today for these narrow parkland paths. I usually enjoy this course because I like the park, even though it's four laps. The peculiar thing is that I felt reasonably good, didn't feel like I was running particularly slowly, yet ended up almost a minute down on my best times for the course (which I must have done at least 8 times). Well outside the top 20 again, only one place up on the first race of the season.

Bochlwyd Horseshoe

Peaks: Tryfan, Glyder Fach
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
An attempt to set a time for this old favourite circuit, something of a scrambling classic on which we cut our mountaineering teeth as teenagers in the late 80s. A truly stunning spell of autumnal weather: indeed, the UK's November temperature record was broken in Trawscoed yesterday (22.3C). Fog at home this morning, but Ogwen was bathed in sunshine as I set off for the Heather Terrace. I decided to do a bit of a variant on the classic circuit, by using a route on the sun-drenched East Face to make it a bit longer and more interesting. I jogged most of the way up, using various short cut paths to get to the broad gully which gains the terrace. Very slippery underfoot, which slowed progress. But the rock in Little Gully (my chosen route) was warm and dry: allowing for a very quick ascent. I've been up and down this many times before, and it gives a nice route with fine rock scenery and views of the classic climbs. I curved right towards the top of North Gully then weaved up little variants to the summit in 45 minutes from the A5. I had the top of Tryfan to myself (a rare treat these days). From here, a mixture of running and scrambling down the South Ridge to the base of Bristly. It's been years since I last did this (although we did some of the classic rock climbs on Bristly's East Face a few years ago, and I probably did the scramble 10 times in my youth). Instead of the normal start up Sinister Gully, I took the excellent clean groove further left. This gives fine sustained scrambling and was much drier than Sinister today. From here, I stuck to the crest over Great Tower Gap (where the excellent HS climb finishes) and up to the Glyder plateau. Stunning clarity of light with great views over Castell y Gwynt to Yr Wyddfa beyond. All of Eryri crystal clear, with banks of fog beyond. I ran over the plateau, then down Y Gribin for the final piece of mild rock action: along the crest to good running down to Bochlwyd then Ogwen and the car. Just under 2.25 for the round.

Abergele 5m

Race: Abergele 5m (North Wales Championships)
Time/Position: 28.59 (10th from 200 [2nd V45])
There is something strange about this excellent race. I must have done the event 6 or 7 times: it is always sunny, and I record almost exactly the same time every single year (28.51 in 2011, 28.51 in 2012, 28.57 in 2013, 28.59 in 2015). However, that very gradual decline, losing a couple of seconds a year, cost me today as I missed out on the category win by 4 seconds! I had a feeling the Wilmslow runner in front of me was my age, and spent the entire race trying to catch him. Almost managed it, but not quite, although I did have the consolation of first place in the North Wales Championships. It's a slightly tricky race to pace, as you have to go off fast on the long hill to St George but you also need to retain a little something for the sharp hill at three miles - after which comes a fast run-in to the finish. It's never likely to be a PB course due to the hills, but is always enjoyable.

British Fell Relays

Race: British fell relay championships, Pendle, Lancashire (Leg 2, 15k+/800m)
Time/Position: 1.22.52 (64th from 150)
Our fifth time at this excellent team event, one of the most enjoyable on the calendar. As usual, we struggled to get a six-man team together, but a last minute intervention by Peter saved the day. The venue this year was the delightful village of Barley, under Pendle Hill, a place we knew quite well after doing the Tour of Pendle in 2011. This famous race had taken us round every inch of the massif, so we had some prior knowledge of the route. I was on the long pairs leg (for the fourth time: never with the same partner). This year, I ran with Andy P and we set off from the windswept start above the village after evergreen Pete Roberts ran a fine first leg. We were outside the top 100 when we started, very similar to the long leg in Cumbria last year when Steve T and myself were able to move through the field a bit. After the initial descent down to the valley of Ogden Clough, Andy and I started picking up places. We picked the pace up for the long and boggy haul along the Spence Moor ridge, which led to a steep descent down Howcroft Brook, terrain I remembered from the Tour. An arbitrary and very steep climb followed, before a descent back down to the valley! Then came a very long pull over awkward terrain (with some tricky route finding) to pick up the little path at the top of Ogden Clough, then the flagged route to the stony 'Big End' summit of Pendle itself. This was excellent: we worked well together at a good pace and continued to pass teams the whole way. I remembered the descent to the south well, it is fast, long and exciting. We handed over to Dave and Huw having made up more than 40 places, and Peter continued the good work on a tough final leg. The sun began to peek through the clouds as we descended to the village for our post-race chilli.

Capenhurst border league

Race: Capenhurst 5m (Border League race 1)
Time/Position: 28.31 (25th from 380 [4th V45])
The first race of the season always tends to be the most competitive, and as this was the biggest field ever recorded in the league, it seemed likely this would be the case again today. So it proved, with a very fast start heading out from Capenhurst into the lanes. The course had been adjusted from the one familiar from previous years to a slightly shorter course measuring an exact five miles. I felt reasonably good for the first lap, on roads I have raced many times, but faded a little on the second. I finished well behind several runners that I was ahead of in the recent Wirral series, and generally felt a tad disappointed with the run, around half a minute down on the time I'd hoped for (I'd hoped to get close to my pb of 27.57). Still, nice to get started on the new season in a new category.

Arenig walk

Peaks: Arenig Fawr, Arenig South Top
Area: Arenig, Eryri
A nice spell of high pressure and a brief window, so Rich and I headed off for a ramble up Arenig Fawr. I parked at the quarry and jogged back to the track up to the lake. Annoyingly, it was the cloudiest day for some time, but a little sunshine peeked through as we trotted up the ridge above Y Castell. Milky sunshine made lunch on the summit warm and pleasant, and we continued along the ridge to the south for a bit before dropping down into Cwm Amnodd to complete a pleasant loop.

Helsby climbing

Crag: Helsby
Routes: Flake Crack (VS 4c:sh), Twin Caves Crack (HS 4b:sol/sh), Dinnerplate Crack (HS 4c:sh)
Flake Crack is probably Cheshire's most famous climb, although such a claim should be seen in relative terms! I've done a few routes at Helsby over the years, but it's not somewhere I've spent much time. However, I had a couple of hours spare today, and with a long spell of dry and sunny weather continuing, it seemed like a good choice (as it tends to be slimy and green in winter). I was alone, so did Flake Crack on a loose shunt. Although short, the route deserves its minor classic status: a perfect sandstone crack and a very strong line. Easy climbing up a lower pillar, nice moves up pockets and interesting knobbly sandstone, leads to the juggy crack itself. This is not too polished, and gives excellent juggy laybacking: made slightly easier by the ripples and rugosities on the left wall. An exciting finish, particularly with the rope trapped in the deep crack! The route to its left (Twin Caves Crack) felt a touch harder to me, despite the grade (these routes may have been upgraded now). The crux comes low down: a fierce pull (on jugs, admittedly) and high step left to overcome a mini-roof. Then fine climbing on great holds to a steeper finish. Again, cleaner and more solid than is typical for sandstone. Less sustained, perhaps, but with a harder crux. The same could be said for Dinnerplate Crack, which again has a very steep start involving a haul up big rounded jugs to high footholds then easier climbing up to a final slab. A jog round Helsby Quarry to finish.

Rab Mountain Marathon, Glyderau

Race: Rab Mountain Marathon, Day Two
Time/Position: 125pts in 4.26 (12th from 175 [2nd Veteran])
A great day and an elegant traverse of the Glyders in perfect morning sunshine that was spoiled slightly by a careless error right at the end (actually, after the finish) which cost me the first Veteran prize. Local knowledge was a huge advantage, even more than yesterday: I immediately knew where all the checkpoints were and just constructed what I felt to be the most logical route, prioritising the bigger value controls. No excuses, as these cwms have been my playground for almost 30 years! After a spartan breakfast in the half light at 6.30am, I jogged along the old Nant Ffrancon road initially, then steeply up the stream into Cwm Coch below Yr Esgair: a tough climb up to a 20 pointer. Then superb running, the highlight of the weekend, taking the little contouring path around all the east facing cwms towards distant Cwm Clyd. The sun rose over Tryfan, I was completely alone but totally confident about the onward route: superb! I went 'off piste' into Cwm Clyd, a hard slog up difficult ground, and dibbed the CP in this lovely wild cwm, one of my favourites. I knew I would get across to Bochlwyd quickly, and did so, pelting down to Idwal in 10 minutes then taking the shortcut path above Clogwyn y Tarw (which we descended as recently as May). The CP at Bochlwyd seemed to be in wrong place, but was easily located, then it was up to Bwlch Tryfan under deep blue skies (much cooler than yesterday). The next CP at Llyn Caseg Fraith was perhaps the scenic highlight of the weekend. Still early morning, so the famed view of Tryfan and Bristly Ridge across the blue lake was crystal clear. I had loads of time, and dithered about getting an obvious 15 pointer a few hundred metres down the Mymbyr side. I decided against it, which was the first decision to cost me the category win (although at least this one was a little more understandable, as I knew the run-in to Capel along the ridge would be harder than the map suggests). After contouring Foel Goch, I helped some lost competitors find an awkward CP in a wide re-entrant. Then it was the run for home along the superb, but boggy, ridge. Three more checkpoints were close together among the knolls and gullies of the lower slopes: the bottom one was particularly hard to find. But despite wasting ten minutes searching numerous re-entrants for the checkpoint, I had well over half an hour left when I finally located it. I sauntered down to the finish above Capel and dibbed for the final time. Immediately afterwards (as I was walking back to the car) another runner (still going fast, clearly not finished) passed me and said 'aren't you going for the easy ten pointer?' I looked down at the map and realised to my horror that I hadn't marked a checkpoint less than 1km away along the valley bottom. I'd just discounted all 'Carneddau' checkpoints at the start of the day without thinking, not realising some were 'live' and right next to the finish. All I had to do was walk along the road and back, and I had 35 minutes spare in which to do it in perfect comfort! I asked if I could carry on, but unsurprisingly it was impossible as I'd dibbed at the finish. As it happened, somewhat inevitably, this cost me first Veteran place - but at least my own stupidity is the only thing to blame.

Rab Mountain Marathon, Carneddau

Race: Rab Mountain Marathon, Day One 
Time/Position: 190pts in 5.38 (11th from 175 [3rd Veteran])
There is something remarkable about the last weekend in September. This was my sixth Rab Mountain Marathon, always on this weekend going back to 2008, and every one has been characterised by near-perfect weather. Last time it was on home ground in 2012, I made my worst ever mistake on a mountain marathon and ended up well down the field. The main issue today was likely to be whether I had the legs for a long outing, as it could hardly be more of a contrast from the Wirral series I've been concentrating on. The organisers seem determined not to repeat 2012's rather restricted field of play, and did a fine job: in essence the decision was whether to run day one in the Carneddau or Glyderau. I opted for the former, on the assumption that it would be more runnable. This was not the case, but it was indeed a harder day. Set off from Capel Curig in glorious sunshine, and ran down Ogwen for a bit before taking the path towards Cwm Eigiau. Very nasty terrain, bog and tussocks, and Peter went past me at this point as we both went for the same first three checkpoints. Stunning views down Ogwen to Tryfan: crystal clear light. After another CP higher up, I crossed the bwlch below Helgi Du and initially tried to contour across for a CP on the Cwm Eigiau side. There are too many crags hereabouts, however, so a higher line was necessary. After dibbing, it was steeply down into Cwm Eigiau then a heads down plod up the bridleway towards a big value 30 pointer hidden among the knolls high above Llyn Dulyn. Quite hard to find. I then ran across the boggy ground to emerge as planned near the shelter on the top of Foel Grach. From here, good running down the spur north of Cwm Caseg led to another CP. This is one of my favourite areas: wild and remote in Welsh terms. The next CP was given an unusual descriptor: micro-saddle. I dropped down the scree to Cwm Caseg and without thinking too much, ploughed straight up the steep hillside to the ridge of Yr Elen heading for the obvious 'micro saddle'. The CP was actually a good 100 metres lower down the ridge: an annoying error. From here, I ran flat out to gain another CP in a huge and complex sheepfold near the climactic final climb of the old Carneddau race route. Then it was a long contour to Cwm Llafur below the Black Ladders. I made another mistake here, going too high for the CP and wasted time - all for a mere 10 points. Seemed odd that this was such a low value CP: I should have ignored it. A run down Llafur then round to marshy territory and two more checks. Above, a 20 pointer lurked. I had the time but did I have the legs? I concluded that I couldn't be bothered, and instead virtually walked down to the final CP above Nant Ffrancon (again hard to locate, hidden below a spur) and finished way too early: with over half an hour to spare. Still, I found myself in 10th place overall overnight. A very pleasant evening at the camp in Nant Ffrancon with Peter, Huw and others, even found space for a small measure of Penderyn as I was missing the crucial match that night. It did get rather cold later on under a huge moon and clear sky, especially with my less than ideal bubble wrap mattress.

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Arrowe Park

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 4 (Arrowe Park, 4.8m)
Time/Position: 26.20 (9th from 204 [1st V40])
This has been a brilliant series: it seems odd that I've never done the races before. If anything, the races are tighter and the competition (almost) as intense as the border league. The routes are all very varied and genuinely multi-terrain. This one, two laps round Arrowe Park on the western side of Birkenhead, was another parkland route. A big loop of a field took us into the woods for some dark and muddy tracks: fast and gently downhill almost all the way. The usual frenetic pace at the start, so I tried to relax into it and hang back a bit: my usual tactic, although it's not a tactic to take too far over these short distances. I felt quite fresh and pushed on as we emerged from the woods to a series of fields which leads gently but continually uphill back to more woods and the second lap. I went past the quick Richard Webster on the first lap and managed to maintain a reasonable pace for the second lap (the woods now very dark!). Felt faster but a little more comfortable than the other races, though the 'speed' may have been illusory given the dark. I finished the series with the maximum 25 points from three category wins, so won the V45 category (9th overall). The series has punctuated a rather intense month of racing: this was my seventh race since the start of September!

King John's Castle fell race

Race: King John's Castle (4.6m/865ft)
Time/Position: 41.44 (2nd from 30)
Beautiful late summer weather made Llanarmon yn Ial even more tranquil than usual this morning. For various reasons, I've never done this fine race before - although it takes in some of my favourite Clwydian paths. Lots of other events this weekend, so a small field left the Raven pub down the road to the little twmp, site of an ancient Welsh castle supposedly rebuilt in the twelfth century by English King John (hence the race title). Up and over this, then along fields, through thistles and up a very steep road towards the Gweryd Lakes. After a contouring road, it was straight up to the summit of Moel y Plas. Ian Houston was well out in front, with a Buckley trio of me, Simon E and Andy chasing. I felt I'd gone off a little too hard and was suffering in the heat of the climb, but just about held it together as Simon pulled away. From the top of Plas, the race heads south momentarily before wonderful running along the ridge to Moel Gyw and the familiar steep descent down the ridge back towards the village. I closed the gap gradually, and we were equally matched throughout this section, but thick vegetation meant we both missed the tape over the stream towards the finish. This meant a longer extension down a track to gain the road further north: we lost half a minute or so, although just about kept our places. From here, I managed to open up a very small gap on Simon during the fast half mile along the road to the finish at the pub. Wound down with the prize giving and some excellent soup in the sunshine.

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, North Wirral Coastal Park

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 3 (Wallasey, 4.3m)
Time/Position: 25.26 (11th from 195 [1st V45])
Very tight in the V45 category, so all to play for in this third race. Back to the seaside for this one. It starts on the beach just west of New Brighton and then allows for a great deal of latitude in terms of route choice as several hundred runners stormed along the vast expanse of sand heading towards Hoylake. I went a bit too far left, trying to avoid any of the soft sand, then veered back right through some channels to join the main pack of runners. I was well off the pace initially, perhaps 30th, but I gradually worked my way up as we left the beach then headed inland on dune paths towards the Coastal Park. Down a road, then tracks led back through fields to the dunes and an excellent narrow path above the beach - towards the setting sun. The race ends with a mile of hard running back along the beach to the very distant finish: felt like we were running across the Sahara! I gained on Richard Webster of Wallasey, who had a one-point lead coming into this race, and went past him with about 500 metres to go. It's neck and neck (equal points) going in to the final race. Beautiful sunset over the Irish Sea.

Ras Fawr Llanddoged

Race: Ras Fawr Llanddoged, Conwy Valley (12.5k)
Time/Position: 49.39 (3rd from 40)
The little lanes above the Conwy Valley give wonderful views over the Carneddau: one of my favourite areas, so I've been meaning to do this long-established race for many years. Finally got the opportunity to coordinate it with a family outing today, and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Given its location, it's hardly surprising that the race is tough and hilly. Fortunately, the Gran Fondo bike event in April 2014 took the same initial hill from Llanddoged up to the top road, so I had prior knowledge of its gradient! A very steep start leads to a couple of brief (very welcome) interludes before climbing viciously again. It goes on for at least 3k, then continues (albeit less viciously) along the ridge. I pulled into third place on the hill, and there I stayed, well behind the two leaders but with a comfortable gap on the rest of the field. Beautiful running, in complete isolation, on empty lanes with the Carneddau stretched out in front. The final 5 or 6k is largely downhill, although there is one sharp sting in the tail just before the finish.

Barrel race

'Race': Colomendy Barrel Race
Time: 14.14
A reprise of John M's novelty barrel race, last run in 2012, on which I have the dubious honour of holding the record. Took a few seconds off that this year in controversial circumstances (in that I cheated by taking a short cut up the steep steps rather than the road back to the pub: in my defence I would question whether this gives much of an advantage when carrying an empty beer barrel!). From the pub in Cadole, a select band of 17 competitors enjoyed fast running down to the leat. Flat out along this then across the Alyn river to pick up an empty beer barrel of your choice in Loggerheads. No beer dregs leaked out this year! I did, however, end up inefficiently carrying it in front of me like a giant baby again.

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Royden Park

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 2 (Royden Park, 5m)
Time/Position: 29.35 (17th from 230 [3rd V45])
A monstrous case of the DOMS after the Ben race, despite Sunday's leg loosener up Ben Ledi. I certainly hadn't recovered in time for this, the second race in the Wirral series, but went along anyway and plastered my legs with Deep Heat in a desperate attempt to relieve the pain. A long warm-up with Simon and Andy helped loosen the tight quads a bit. It was a gorgeous evening on the Wirral, and the heathland of Thurstaston Country Park is surprisingly scenic with a miniature sandstone edge giving views over the Dee Estuary. Felt a little like Fontainebleau in places! This route is even better than the beachside of race one: really varied and interesting. It goes through sandy woodland, tree roots and twisting paths, before climbing up on to the sandstone escarpment - rather like a mini fell race at this point, with some large sandstone steps to be negotiated steeplechase-style. This wasn't ideal given the state of my legs, neither was a brief rocky descent to a road. A flatter woodland section back to the start field allowed me to regain my equilibrium, and I made up a few places on the second lap. I finished seven places down on race one, well behind the runners I finished with at that race, and third rather than first in my category, but it was the best I could do in the circumstances. Another great race though, and therefore very popular: there must have been almost 400 runners including the separate women and juniors races.

Ben Ledi

Peak: Ben Ledi (879m)
Area: Trossachs, Scotland
My quads had taken quite a pounding on the Ben race descent, so a warm-down was vital to stop me seizing up for a week. We had a long drive home in store, though, so despite the perfect weather a smaller peak seemed prudent. Ben Ledi occupies a superb position at the southern extremity of the Highlands and seemed ideal for our purposes this morning. It is the first real mountain reached after Stirling and the view south from the summit is over Loch Venacher and the lowlands. It is a very pleasant objective, eye-catching from Callander and beyond. We parked at Corriechrombie at the bottom of Loch Lubnaig and adopted a vigorous walking pace up the lower slopes of Ben Ledi. Kate had enough after the first steep 'staircase', so went back while I jogged up to gain the open hillside above the conifers. After steep scree, the path switches back sharply to take the obvious broad summit ridge northwards. Great views north-east to Ben Vorlich and the Breadalbane hills taken by the OMM in 2011, and west to Ben More, Stobinian, Cruach Ardrain and other mountains I have enjoyed in the past. The first summit cross I have ever seen in protestant UK (although I think it had just been adapted from an old fence post!). One hour from the car, and the mist rolled in for the five minutes I was there! Jogged down, trying to loosen the legs and mitigate the inevitable DOMS after the Ben race, in around 40 minutes.

Ben Nevis race

Race: Ben Nevis mountain race (10m/4500ft)
Peak: Ben Nevis (1344m)
Time/Position: 2.05.46 (95th from 486)
A bonus weekend in the Highlands at the end of summer and, as luck would have it, high pressure began to build just as Kate and I arrived at our cottage in Glen Dochart. The event, perhaps the most famous mountain race in the UK, is notoriously difficult to get into, and I'd only got in via a cancellation in April. I hadn't done enough specific training to record a decent time, which was a shame given the superb conditions, and I knew I would descend slowly with the continuing weakness in my ankle but was looking forward to it regardless. Jez also had a place, so we met him in glorious sunshine near the start in Claggan on the edge of Fort William. After following the pipers round the field, we set off for a lap of the shinty pitches then the road to Achintee and the start of the normal tourist path. I descended this after doing the Carn Mor Dearg arete way back in 1989, but I haven't been back since, so didn't really have many preconceptions beyond the obvious fact that it would be an arduous and rocky descent. The race was very enjoyable with a real sense of occasion. The conditions were incredible: deep blue sky, rather too hot on the lower section up to the Red Burn but perfectly cool above. The track above Achintee climbs fairly gently and is generally runnable, but is rough in places, similar to its Snowdon equivalent. I dipped my head into the Red Burn, where the route takes a giant kink then changes character. Above, it steepens considerably as you gain the sloping roof of Ben Nevis itself. I just kept a steady pace going up the steep and arduous scree until the path veers right and the angle eases for the long haul up the final slopes of the half dome-like summit. The final km or so is across the almost flat rocky plateau. I gained the summit in a rather slow 1.21. The descent went as well as could be expected. I gained quite a few places on the steep scree, which is terrain I thrive on, then slowed (as everybody does) for the very steep grass which gives a direct route to the Red Burn. After this, the angle eases for the rocky track back to Achintee: this is where I lost time and places, awkward in new shoes. I made up for the lost time a tiny bit on the road back to Fort William, but it was too little too late. Great race though: Ben Nevis, Yorkshire Three Peaks and Man v Horse were the three 'away days' we targeted this year. Didn't do very well in any of them, but thoroughly enjoyed all three. After a post-race dip in the river, we headed to the Clachaig for wild boar and haggis, accompanied by An Teallach beer, gazing up Glencoe in stunning late afternoon sunshine. Conditions were exactly the same when we last visited the Clachaig after running the Aonach Eagach in May 2012.

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Thurstaston

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 1 (Thurstaston Beach 5m)
Time/Position: 29.23 (10th from 217 [1st V45])
This is a long-running series of races restricted to a group of local clubs, every week in September, at different Wirral locations. All the races are multi-terrain, varied and excellent - but for various reasons I haven't been able to compete in the past. This opening race starts at the Wirral country park in the same place as the May race: but then heads up the 'beach' in the opposite, northerly direction. Rockier and more awkward this way round. After a mile or so into a headwind with the sun setting over the estuary, it heads up steps then along the Wirral way cycle path back to Thurstaston. Two laps, which helped me pace it. I moved up the field and felt surprisingly strong for the second lap, which was very refreshing given the year I've had. Indeed, I've waited all year for a half-decent performance and finally got one here: possibly my best race of 2015, certainly since Twin Piers in January. Kept passing runners until the last half mile, and just managed to squeeze into the top 10 in a fairly strong field, just male club runners drawn from Merseyside, Wirral and Flintshire clubs.

Wild Wales Challenge

Road Cycling: Wild Wales Challenge (Bala-Bwlch y Groes-Dinas Mawddwy-Aberllefenni-Corris-Machynlleth-Tywyn-Llwyngwril-Cregennen-Dolgellau-Brithdir-Bala)
Distance/Climb: 90m/8500ft
As with last year's event, this superb day out proved that I am wrong to think I know North Wales like the back of my hand! Some highly obscure roads and wonderful riding. Having only done one short training ride (the Tour de Flintshire), I was a little concerned about my bike fitness. Although last year's route was longer, I was at least bike fit after the Alps. This year, we left Bala with some mist and high cloud around. Along the side of Llyn Tegid then up the easy side of Bwlch y Groes above Cwm Cynllwyd. I've done this climb before and really enjoy it. It is gentler, with several flatter sections, and far less sustained than the desperate Mawddwy side (down which we had to descend). I waited for Vic and friends to reach the Bwlch, then set off as I was keen to get a clear run at the steep and dangerous descent down to Dinas Mawddwy. After a brief respite, the road headed from Aberangell up impossibly obscure roads through the Dyfi forest. A very hard climb followed, with superb views of Cader Idris higher up. This was really energy-sapping and completely unexpected (for me). After Corris, more sharp climbs on the minor road past the Centre for Alternative Technology led eventually to the first feed and checkpoint in Machynlleth. After a nice rest, we headed to Tywyn, taking the inevitable turn away from the main road and on to the hilly route through 'Happy Valley'. This has another climb, culminating in brief Alpine style hairpins, before a scenic and fast descent to Tywyn. I went straight to the Race the Train HQ - wrongly - then spent a frustrating few minutes looking for the town hall and lunch stop. From here, I teamed up with Vic and friends for a brief flat coastal stretch heading north towards Rhoslefain. Tiny roads and another steep climb led up the hillside, with increasingly wonderful views over the sea to Llyn. The roads became tracks, almost wide paths, more suitable for mountain bikes for a while. Then a very steep descent lost all the height gain in a matter of minutes, down to Llwyngwril. The crux came shortly afterwards: a desperate and quite lengthy climb, very steep, inland to gain a high and very narrow road overlooking the Mawddach estuary. Quite beautiful, but tiring. We were rewarded with a superb descent, eventually, past Cregennan lakes with views of Cader and Tyrrau Mawr above. For me, the lowpoint came after we past the Gwernan car park familiar from Ras y Gader. We didn't take a direct route to the third and final feed and checkpoint at Brithdir. Instead, little roads through beautiful ancient woodland led down to the edge of Dolgellau at Tyddyn Ednyfed and yet another hard climb to Tabor. Brithdir was a relief, and the final stretch was easy by comparison. This took yet another obscure and narrow road, gently climbing to Pont Rhyd y Gwais. Then superb riding back to Llanuchllyn, working as a mini-peloton and eating up the miles back to Bala. It is a classic event, uncommercial and low-key, and although the route was marginally easier than last year's epic anniversary special, it felt just as hard to me as I had no bike fitness at all this year! The route planners have an admirable knowledge of minor Welsh roads and an eye for a logical yet challenging giant loop.

Creigiau Cigfran/Penmaenhead climbing

Crag: Creigiau Cigfran, Llanfairfechan
Routes: Don't Fence Me In (f5c:led), Blue Streak (f5c:led), The Last Waltz (f6a:led), The Great Wall (f6b:led/sec), Wellington Rib (VD:sol), Great Grass Gully (VD:des)
Crag: Penmaenhead, Colwyn Bay
Routes: Helyg Crack (f6a:led*), Intruder (f5+:sec)
I've driven past these crags hundreds of times, probably thousands, and have often wondered whether they would be worth a visit. As it happens, several people must have had the same idea as some recent bolting has occurred, to supplement a few of the obvious easy lines done many years ago. It seems likely to remain fairly obscure, however, as the crags are scattered around the hillside above Llanfairfechan and not particularly easy to find. It took us a while, but we eventually emerged above the scree near Fence Buttress, a 20m high slab of microdiorite which looked like a decent enough place to start. This slab gave two lovely climbs on good rock, surprisingly good and rather reminiscent of Tremadog VS's in style (albeit a poor man's Tremadog!). The left-hand line took a scrappy groove up to a steep slab. Delightful moves up this on small positive holds led to a flake, then a leftward trending finish up an open groove. Some light rain, but fine rough rock and good friction. The right-hand line (Blue Streak) was perhaps slightly better: a similarly simple route with lovely relaxed slab climbing, a little more open position up the slab to finish in the same place. Vic and I both led both routes. After a heavy shower while we ate our lunch, we moved further left to the main wall. The rock here is smoother, not as good, closer in slatey style to nearby Penmaenbach. I scampered up the Last Waltz at a mild f6a: nice, clean slabby climbing with a thought-provoking and quite technical (but brief) crux step left half way up. The Great Wall is obvious, but takes a devious line up the 30m high main face. It gives an unusual sports route, weaving round and demanding a variety of different climbing styles. Vic led, and negotiated the crux moves round the obvious early overhang, but he ran out of quickdraws and lowered off from the junction with the 6c direct version of the route. I followed up, a tricky step left and 6b moves through the bulge, and led through the indirect and devious left-hand finish. Some rests broke up the technicality: low in the grade. An easier finish, with some rope drag. The hangers were missing from the lower-off, and I wasn't prepared to lower off a single, badly placed bolt. So I found a sound bolt higher up the direct line and brought Vic up. We descended through gorse, then I nipped up the old V Diff line taking the clean rib: fun. Then it was across to the more familiar Penmaenhead for something a bit steeper. A short descent to the crag with more rain threatening, so I kicked off with the steep and sustained Helyg Crack. Hard to start, with an awkward bridging move to gain the badly placed second bolt. Above, an easier section leads to a rest. I took the top section too far left, lured by the wrong lower-off (should have checked the topo first). I needed a rest as a result - annoying. The actual line remains steep and polished, but is on good juggy holds. A good, sustained route. I then followed Vic up the easier Intruder, which I've done before. This is also steep and sustained, but very juggy: some superb holds.

Birchwood 10k

Race: Birchwood 10k (Warrington)
Time/Position: 37.49 (27th from 900 [3rd V45])
My slowest 10k time for nine years. I wouldn't normally have done this, as I don't normally make the transition from mountain to road until much later in the year, but it goes past my workplace on the Warrington campus and could obviously be combined with an IKEA trip for the family. I expected to suffer a little bit, but certainly didn't anticipate such a bad race. Felt awful for the last 5k and completely fell to pieces after a decent first 5k (17.30 for the first 5k, over 20 minutes for the second 5k!). A good event though: well organised and probably quite a fast course if you have the legs, with just a few motorway bridges to negotiate.

Tour de Flintshire

Road Cycling: HK-Buckley-Rhosesmor-Babell-Gorsedd-Rhuallt-St Asaph-Llandyrnog-Moel Arthur-Mold-HK
Distance: 100k+
Satisfying to weave the two Flintshire 'end-to-end' routes I'd worked out over the last few weeks into this, the inaugural Tour de Flintshire! Still needs some refinement and improvement, but this initial version gave a varied and excellent ride. From home I headed through Buckley and Sychdyn and up the short, steep climbs to Rhosesmor. Then over on wonderful quiet roads to Rhes y Cae (although not before making yet another erroneous detour: there are just no signposts up here!). From Lixwm and Babell, I headed north of the A55 on an extension to Gorsedd and Lloc which shows off another aspect of the county, with views over the Dee estuary to Wirral. Along the unpleasant Dyserth road, but only briefly before heading inland towards Cwm then back over the A55 to the old Rhuallt Hill and down to St Asaph via Pont Dafydd. After a superb feeding halt (thanks mum!) it was along the main road to Bodfari and Llandyrnog, and then the crux climb over the Clwydian ridge at Moel Arthur. This features in the '100 great British cycle climbs' book and fully warrants its place. It goes steeply up to a brutal 20% ramp, with a terrible rutted surface. A few minutes of pain, out of the saddle the whole way, before it eases for the last section to the bwlch between Famau and Arthur. I may have done it from this harder side before on a mountain bike, and have done it numerous times from the gentler eastern side. It adds a brilliant extra dimension to the Tour; a completely different ambience to the landscape further north. From here, a fast descent to Hendre and Mold, then back to Kinnerton. It would be nice to refine it further to take in some more notable Flintshire landmarks as well as some places of personal significance (and also to further minimise the main roads). So perhaps go further north from Lloc to take in Maen Achwyfan then Gwaenysgor and Dyserth before reaching St Asaph. Then, on the second leg, head off to Cilcain after the climb, then through Gwernaffield before reaching Mold and the homeward leg.

Maeshafn climbing

Crag: Maeshafn
Routes: The Bulger (HVS 5a:sh), Bulger Variant (HVS 5a:sh), Little Finger Jam (VS 5b:sh), Sling Variant (HS:des), Dandy Lion (HS 4b:sh), Sling (HS 4b:sh), Wanderer (VS 4c:sh), The Arete (VS 5a:sh)
On my own again, so I decided to sweep the entire amphitheatre wall on the shunt as quickly as I could without resting, as time was limited and I was here for 'training purposes' only. I've led all these routes in the past and done them many times, so I did the Bulger twice (once up an eliminate line to the left, avoiding the crack where possible). Little Finger Jam has always had a horrible start, but it is now polished and even harder. I came in from the left on a loose shunt. Then descended Sling and went up it by another eliminate avoiding the big holds. Further right, The Arete gives a slightly longer route and was good fun alongside its easier neighbour. Jogged back over Moel Findeg in beautiful weather to my car, which I'd left in the village.

Carneddau run

Peaks: Drum, Foel Fras, Yr Orsedd, Pen Bryn Du, Foel Ganol
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
It seemed possible that this would be the last opportunity for an evening run in Snowdonia this summer, and the weather looked perfect, so Jez and I headed over for some 'Ben Nevis training' now we've both got a place in the race. The long climb from the coast, an extension of the normal race route, is ideal for that purpose although my legs were rather tired after the last two days. We kept a reasonable pace ticking over on the steep tarmac leading up from Aber, but it was with some relief that we gained the contouring bridleway which leads to Bwlch y Ddeufaen. The evening was developing perfectly: superb clarity of light as the sun began to drop over Anglesey. We stuck to the race route, over Drum, then the short descent before the boggy climb up Foel Fras. I usually walk most of this, and today was no exception - tired and dehydrated. We relaxed a bit at the summit of Foel Fras, great views over the rest of the Carneddau. A brilliant descent followed, as I took Jez over one of the my favourite corners of Eryri - the little known ridge over Yr Orsedd and Foel Ganol. The light was fantastic on this section as the sun dropped further. We took a direct line back to the top of the tarmac - must admit that I was tiring on the road run back through Aber.

Flintshire traverse

Road Cycling: Higher Kinnerton-Buckley-Sychdyn-Halkyn-Rhes y Cae-Lixwm-Babell-Caerwys-Tremeirchion-St Asaph
Distance: 60k
A more refined and geographically accurate version of the Flintshire end-to-end route I did a fortnight ago. Now I just need to weave the two together for a logical and elegant Tour de Flintshire. As I cycled inland from Sychdyn, I racked the darkest recesses of my brain to remember the layout of these tiny lanes which used to be my training ground when I lived in the village. This worked, just, and I emerged in Rhosesmor in beautiful sunshine after a series of very sharp climbs which brought back memories of tough runs. From here, I did a loop round Moel y Gaer, then down to Halkyn and along a superb moorland road to Rhes y Cae. We used to sledge here: great views and a very interesting post-industrial landscape. From here, the hinterland is characterised by a series of twisting and hard-to-follow lanes. I had no map, so guessed the onward route through Lixwm and Babell. From here, a lengthy diversion to Cilcain down tiny rutted tracks and onwards to Tremeirchion. Then a fast and enjoyable descent to St Asaph for lunch.

Sticklepath Horseshoe fell race

Race: Sticklepath Horseshoe, Dartmoor (9.7m/1700ft)
Peaks: Belstone Tor, Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor, Cosdon Beacon)
Time/Position: 1.25.45 (5th from 40)

You might expect the landscape that inspired the Hound of the Baskervilles to play host to some decent fell races. It does indeed, and the Sticklepath Horseshoe is perhaps the best and longest established of all the Dartmoor events. The route is a classic horseshoe, just shy of 10 miles, over four distinct summits. It doesn’t have much climbing in comparison to a typical Welsh or Lake District mountain race, but this Devon terrain is surprisingly awkward: a mixture of bog and boulders in places. The local runners and organisers were a very welcoming bunch, and the field was small, but drawn from a good range of South-West English clubs. After a loop around fields near the picture-postcard thatched village of Sticklepath, we headed up steep tracks to the equally scenic Devon village of Belstone and the first checkpoint. A group of five of us broke away from the rest of the field after half a mile. At Belstone, this little group also began to fragment. Two lead runners, much quicker than me, flew up the first real summit (Belstone Tor: already reccied with the family 11 days ago) with me hanging on to the back of two slightly slower local runners. I stayed with a guy from the local Okehampton club until the top of Belstone Tor, desperately trying to stick with him as he knew all the best lines. But at the summit he pelted away and I couldn’t match his pace so reverted to my usual ponderous plod, with nobody visible behind. Only then did I notice that the four runners in front of me had all dispensed with map and kit: I suddenly felt handicapped by my old bumbag, full waterproofs, map and compass. A superbly runnable ridge followed, all the way over Oke Tor to the top of the remote Steeperton Tor. As its name seems to suggest, a sharp descent into a gorge follows, before a hands-and-knees climb to the top of the next peak. I momentarily thought I might catch the two lads in front at this point, but soon conceded defeat as I slowed for the long final climb over the highpoint of Cosdon Beacon. The final descent was confusing for a non-local, and I made two minor errors, but they didn’t cost me too much time and I finished in fifth place in 1:25. I finished in a similar position in the big-field Tywardraeth Trotter race during our last Cornish holiday two years ago. No chance of staying for prize giving or enjoying the homemade flapjacks though. My impatient offspring then insisted I get straight in the car and drive five hours home to Flintshire in my running shorts, Devonian mud still plastered to my legs.

Trewavas Head climbing

Crag: Trewavas Head, Cornwall
Routes: Joy (S 4a:sol/sh), Mascara (VS 4c:sh), Mouseproof (S:sol), Sancho (VD:sol/sh)
I have only had one proper climbing trip to Cornwall, and that was way back in 1995 when Tim and I ticked numerous classics on the most famous crags of Bosigran, Chair Ladder, Land's End and Sennen. As a result, my knowledge is patchy and there are huge gaps and hundreds of crags that I haven't even visited. In the case of Trewavas Head, I'd never even heard of it. But, given that I was regrettably alone and limited to single pitch accessible venues, it was absolutely ideal. No more than 25 minutes from Coverack by car early in the morning, but with an entirely different atmosphere, more like North Cornwall: a granite crag above the sea. It's not a standard sea cliff though, as it is easy to get to: just a mile or so of pleasant walking along the coast path from the beautiful cove at Rinsey. It took a while to get my bearings, as I had no guidebook, but I soon worked out the line taken by Joy, even from a vague description. I did it partially on a loose shunt, as it has a distinct crux a third of the way up, involving a pull round a mildly overhanging block to gain delightful simple cracks leading to the top. A lovely route on perfect granite. Slightly wet lower down after recent rain. Mascara is a very similar line immediately left, almost Joy's mirror image, but two grades harder and considerably better. It also goes easily up to an obvious crux. This time, awkward moves out right on small holds lead to a few steep pulls in a good position (awkward on the shunt). The climbing then gets easier but stays interesting until a steep and rounded finish. Excellent route. Mouseproof took a juggy wall then a slabby arete much further left, while Sancho was an easier route up a left-slanting crack on good holds. All these routes were on perfect rough granite, poised above the sea but a friendly venue ideal in the circumstances. I would have liked to stay longer but wanted to be back by 10am for a trip to the Harbour Lights cafe, so ran back along the coast path to Rinsey.

Coverack climbing

Crag: The Grove, Cornwall
Routes: The Indian Queen (HS 4b+:sh), Big Chief (HS 4b:sh)
Despite myself, I returned to the Grove the evening after my first visit to do the other two routes. Needless to say, M declined to return after a superb day of boarding at Poldubh, so I jogged from Coverack. The crag is so small (in breadth, not just height) that these three routes are the only possibilities. Having said all that, the arete of Big Chief was actually a nice climb. It was replete with green lichen, inevitably, but gives a series of good moves up an obvious 10m arete line. The route to its left fills the gap and seemed a tad undergraded. A steep start up a fine flake crack leads to moves along the flake to the right than a steep juggy finish. Looked like this route had been recently cleaned: might just warrant VS. I doubt these routes get more than a couple of ascents a year: Bosigran is a little more appealing!

Coverack climbing

Crag: The Grove, Cornwall
Routes: South Face (S 4a:led)
Very possibly the most obscure crag in Cornwall! This is the obvious 10 metre high 'boulder' visible from Coverack and looked like it might provide a nice introduction to trad for M. It didn't, partly because it was a mile away and he doesn't like walking, but mainly because of the absurd bushwhacking approach through brambles and ferns. It goes without saying that nobody would choose to visit this on a Cornish climbing holiday, but it was short and near our cottage. A nice coastal walk leads to a wall then that dreadful approach. We finally reached the crag and I led up the obvious ramp line (vegetated) which leads to a few nice clean (quite steep) moves up to a thread belay. M followed competently, getting all my gear out, although he dynoed for the top jug in best Stallone/Cliffhanger style! Curiosity satisfied, we went back for tea. Hard to imagine a less alluring climbing experience for the young man.

Coverack-Cadgwith run

Our first full day on the Lizard, returning to Little Pednavounder farm after two years absence. High cloud and light winds, so the picture-postcard village of Cadgwith seemed like a good idea. I arranged to meet the family there, and set off for one of my favourite runs anywhere: from the cottage down to the edge of Chynhalls Head near Coverack. This little warm up gives access to the superb coastal path over Black Head to atmospheric Beagle's Cove with its legend of buried treasure and whiff of romance. Strenuous running with sharp climbs out of steep hidden coves eventually gains a level fast section down to Kennack Sands. From here, a steep tarmac climb leads to sheltered running towards the headland above Cadgwith: good views past Caerleon Cove and Ennys Head, choughs overhead. Up steeply through the village to meet the family, then we continued towards the Lizard - walking this time - past the Devil's Frying Pan to Polgwiddw Cove and an inland route past Gwavas and Prazegooth back to Cadgwith.

Roche Rock climbing

Crag: Roche Rock, Cornwall
Routes: Corner and Staircase (D:sol), Moping Owl (VS 4c:sh), Porky (VS 4c:sh), South-East Buttress (VD:sol/sh)
Another pre-breakfast visit to this crag, just a couple of miles from where we were staying. A perfect morning this time: not a cloud in the deep blue sky. I needed to come back as I realised I had missed all the best routes yesterday. This time, I concentrated on the main south face, initially re-climbing the opening crack of the two-star Diff, trailing a rope behind. This gives way to the 'staircase', easy climbing up a slab to finish between two large pinnacles. I found a thread and headed down the ladders. Both the best VS routes start up the crack I'd soloed yesterday. Moping Owl takes a less direct route, along a juggy traverse to a steep move on rounded holds moving left to the top. Porky is the line of the crag, its best route. It takes the crack up to an obvious crux, steep and gently overhanging: a strenuous move up to good holds, then a shuffle right to gain a small platform. This was a great move. Above, the route stays interesting, good climbing up a vague arete in a great position. All on sun-drenched rock, a nice start to the day. I finished off with the two-star V Diff of South-East Buttress on a loose shunt from the initial pinnacle. This is a nice varied line, good value for the grade. A step off the pinnacle, awkward, gains a rounded traverse left on big holds. Nice position, and fine juggy climbing leads back up to the top for the fourth time. A fine collection of the crag's best routes. Back for breakfast, then the short drive to Coverack.

Mawgan Porth-Bedruthan Steps-Porthcothan run

After an excellent morning enjoying the body-boarding on this lovely low-key beach (much nicer than Polzeath), I got a bit cold. I wanted to see the Bedruthan Steps, so ran along the coast path in a northerly direction. The usual superb coastal scenery and spectacular secluded coves, and the usual tough running with lots of climbing. The impressive Bedruthan is reached very quickly, then fine running past Pentire Steps to Park Head and an initially inland route over to Porth Mear. I went a bit further on towards Porthcothan then just reversed the route, but sticking religiously to the coast path, in light rain: around an hour at a reasonably quick pace. The sun came out back at Mawgan Porth, so it was time for a pasty then more surf with the family.

Roche Rock climbing

Crag: Roche Rock, Cornwall

Routes: Tressa (D:sol), Kynsa (D:sol), Nessa (S 4a:sol), Hweghves (S 4a:sol), East Chimney (S 4b:sol/sh), East Chimney Right-Hand (HS 4b:sh), Slab Eliminate (HS 4b:sol), Porky Start (S:sol)
Surely one of the most gothic locations in the UK: this place reminded me of Mow Cop, although I had never heard of it before we arranged our short stopover in Roche, just west of Bodmin. The crag has a decaying monastery at its centre, and although quite small gives excellent climbing on remarkable rock (quartz shorl, with fabulous friction). I made my way to the obvious detached slab for a very enjoyable warm-up (it was only just after 7am!). All these routes are easy-angled but enjoyable, and those further right have awkward and rather delicate starts. I then climbed the ladders up to the ruined monastery, looking for shunt options. Not easy, but eventually I got the ropes down the obvious lines running up the full height of the eastern face (20m high). I had no guidebook, but later research suggests the first route (partially shunted) was East Chimney. Rounded and steep lower down, it becomes positive and excellent higher up. The Right-Hand variant was much better: a cracking line and climb that clearly gets some traffic. Another steep, mildly strenuous start leads up to easier climbing really making use of the superb friction. Lovely positive flakes and juggy holds leading up to a broad, but non-thrutchy chimney exit taken on superb holds. After messing around on what turned out to be the most popular part of the crag, with all the best routes, I headed back to the motel for breakfast resolving to return for another early morning trip next day. After breakfast, it was time to check the surf in Mawgan Porth.

Dartmoor climbs, run, walk

Crag: Irishman's Wall, Belstone Tor, Dartmoor
Routes: Central Corner (M:sol), Meander's Mutterings (S 4b:sol), Ann, Jim & Mary (S 4b:sol), Caffery's* (S 4b:sol)
After a fine run down the Granite Trail from Sourton to Lydford Gorge, and a family walk, we enjoyed a superb pub lunch. Thus fortified, we headed round to the north-eastern side of Dartmoor and the pretty Devon village of Belstone. A lovely walk to the top of Belstone Tor gave the family a taste of the Dartmoor atmosphere in superb conditions of shifting cloud, wind and showers: all quite photogenic. At the top, Irishman's Wall is obvious: a long broken wall presumably built by navvies. A little crag, like a cube of absolutely immaculate rough granite rises above it, so I nipped up the routes as a huge shower cloud threatened from the north. The corner was easy, with a harder variant to the right. An awkward start up the 4b crack further left gave a few moments thought, but leads to easier climbing up shelves. Nice moves: a very small but perfectly formed lump of rough granite. It started to rain, so we all headed back down the ridge (an inadvertent reccie for the Sticklepath Horseshoe race scheduled for our return journey: it covered exactly the same ground). The rain got heavier as we descended but our work for the day was over.

Dartmoor run

Peaks: Yes Tor (2031ft), High Willhays (2039ft)
Area: Dartmoor, Devon
From our motel in Stourton, you could see the western fringe of Dartmoor with the highest hills. So before an evening trip to Okehampton for fish and chips, I nipped up to the highpoint of High Willhays from below Meldon. I treated it as a speed session, contouring the lower Roundstone Hill to pick up a diagonal track leading to a tussocky climb direct to the very windy summit of High Willhays. Nobody around at all in the early evening. I ran across to Yes Tor, the 'roof of Devon' and enjoyed a few minutes bouldering on the tors. Then a winding and circuitous descent, really excellent running, over the top of Roundstone Hill down to the shores of Meldon reservoir and fast running back to the car park. The highest English land south of Kinder Scout, it resembles the Peak District in some ways but in general I found Dartmoor to be more pleasant - perhaps it's just the lack of familiarity as this was my first ever visit. Next morning I had another nice run from our motel to Lydford Gorge where I joined the family for the full circuit past the waterfall.

Dartmoor Scrambles

Crag: Hound Tor, Dartmoor, Devon
Climbs: Paddy (M:sol), Right Chimney (D:sol)
After scratching around Haytor with full gear in gale force winds and drizzle, I concluded today was not the ideal day for a family climbing session, so after ice cream in the Dartmoor village of Widecombe-on-the-Moor we walked up to Hound Tor in much sunnier and warmer conditions. Some bouldering and a few scrambles on these fine granite tors followed.

Flintshire end-to-end cycling

Road cycling: Kinnerton-Moel Arthur-St Asaph
Distance: 55k
Not strictly true, as a lot of this ride was in Denbighshire. I'll have to work out a different 'Tour de Flintshire' using the historical boundaries! An early start from Kinnerton on the Cheshire border, rather tired after a long Hope Mountain run yesterday, through Padeswood and Mold to Nannerch. Still fairly quiet early on Sunday morning, but a horrible road - particularly the stretch through Hendre - and it was wet throughout after overnight rain. At Nannerch, I turned off for the locally noted climb up to Moel Arthur. This is a bit disjointed, far from a uniform slope, and kicks up three or four times quite sharply to gain the gentle slopes leading to the bwlch below Moel Arthur. A bit of drizzle, but it's always a nice spot. A very steep and rutted descent, which really needs a mountain bike, leads to Llandyrnog, then nice riding to Bodfari, Trefnant and St Asaph for lunch. Only 1.45 in total, and not very far at all in terms of mileage, which is a tad unfortunate as I need considerably more saddle time in advance of the imminent Wild Wales Challenge.