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.