Beinn Chabhair

Peaks: Beinn Chabhair (933m)

Area: Loch Lomond, Scotland

As an innocuous little hill above Loch Lomond that I had never done, this seemed an ideal way to kick off my Highlands trip, particularly as I was still depleted after Manchester. The usual routine: 6am start, breakfast in Lancaster, lunch at Firkin Point, Loch Lomond. However, I either underestimated the hill or was still tired after Manchester (or, more likely, a combination of the two). I parked at Inverarnen in Glen Falloch at the top of Loch Lomond and walked through the campsite to the surprisingly obscure sidepath that leads off from the West Highland Way. This is very steep initially, although I felt OK up to an easing through a stream valley, Beinglas falls and woodland with views across to the Arrochar Alps. It was a beautiful afternoon: warm and sunny. The second part of the route is gentler but very boggy even after a dry spell. It had a moorland feel, albeit with nice views of the summit ahead, which looked closer than it was due to the complexity of the route. It follows the route of the Ben Glas burn up to Lochan Beinn Chabhair in a nice position below the peak. The route then turns left up a steep stream valley and then becomes quite tortuous, surprisingly so, and similar in character to the Arrochar Alps across the valley - lots of craggy humps and hollows with the path twisting between them. Nice sunlit views across to An Caisteal and other southern mountains. Finally, after numerous false summits, the route kinks south towards Loch Lomond and a short pleasant ridge leads to the summit. Lovely views of the Southern Highlands with fluffy clouds above and a nice sense of anticipation at the start of another Highlands trip. This all took far longer than I expected though, and I definitely felt the marathon in my legs - and this continued on the descent. I had a bath in the River Falloch and then retired for seafood chowder in Tyndrum before parking up at a favourite nook in Dalrigh.

Manchester Marathon

Race: Manchester Marathon

Time/Position: 3.07.19 (1281 from 24,000)

I last did Manchester in 2013, when the course had been wrongly measured and all the results were declared null and void. This was a shame, as it was a PB for me at the time - it took me until 2021 to get back to that level with my first post-Covid London. The idea today was to get my London qualifying time back: even though I've done London 12 times I still feel I'm missing out when I don't do it. As usual, I hadn't done enough long runs on tarmac at race pace, and this year that was combined with a general lack of racing. In particular, I would usually have a fast half marathon in my legs. That was all missing, but it still went well on the long haul out from Old Trafford through Sale (where we had parked) to Altrincham. I went through half in 1.29, feeling reasonable although not brilliant. It was too warm, and the heat was starting to build on the mild hills around Altrincham and Timperley: unbroken sunshine throughout. I vaguely remembered bits of this southern suburban section from 2013, although the course was generally pretty different. At the 16 mile mark I began to slow, and at 30k I started to implode in classic fashion. I then just went from gel to gel, losing energy pretty rapidly when they worked their way through the system. I had a couple of really grim patches, worse than I have experienced for years, and obviously lost a lot of time as a result. But I just about held it together to get to the last 5k, which I jogged in, upping the pace for the final section along Denmark Road and up Oxford Road to the University, which made a brilliant finish for obvious personal reasons.

Tryfan

Peaks: Tryfan

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

A very quick morning jaunt up one of my favourite scrambles, the Little/North gully combination on Tryfan's East Face. Given the modern popularity of the North Ridge, this route has become even more valuable as a way of avoiding the hordes, even though I've been doing it for decades. Took a direct line up to the Heather Terrace, then the usual boulder hopping along the terrace to the start of Little Gully. This is always very enjoyable, a romp on huge holds enlivened today by a raven cronking at me constantly from just a metre or two away, presumably nesting nearby (they nest early). Up into the wide top section of North Gully, then curving upwards the finally gain the tricky slab that leads to the summit from this side. Saw nobody until the top, and even then only two or three. Nice weather, hazy sunshine with a little cloud building. Then it was down the western gully, then taking the new steps which leads pretty comfortably in a long sweeping (but gentle) line back to Ogwen. Around 1.15 for the sub-5k loop.

Zarnesti Gorge

Even deeper into the heart of Transylvania, via the tiny branch line that allows Zarnesti to be reached from Brasov. Zarnesti is the end of the line, but also the start of the high mountain ridge of the Piatra Crailului. I emerged from the train into subzero conditions and a freezing wind: the forested high ridge caked in snow with all the trees draped in white. My guesthouse was just a room in a house and it was right at the far end of the fairly sizeable village/town (because it housed a secret weapons plant in the Communist era). After a quick chat with the owner, I settled in to the front bedroom and pondered my options. The high ridge looked unfeasible, partly for weather reasons and partly because I was conscious of the high bear population, by far the highest in Europe! Solo, at this time of year, it seemed wise to take precautions despite the extremely unlikely scenario (and in many ways I would have loved to have seen one). I also thought about running to Bran castle, which was entirely feasible. But in the end, the location of the house very close to the entrance of the Piatra Crailului National Park swung it, and I set off in a heavy snow flurry up a little road leading towards a valley splitting the high main ridge on the right, and a range of lower hills left. It was very atmospheric, the epitome of what you might expect the Transylvanian mountains to look and feel like. Native woodland on all sides, wild silence, icy blasts from the high peaks. The road became a track and it became quite eerie in the heavy snow for a short while, although higher up two or three cars were parked. Looking at the park map, I wasn't too far from Zarnesti gorge so after poking around a bit higher up I decided and out-and-back would be a sensible objective, so did this, through deep dark woods to the entrance to the gorge - a thin but decent covering of snow throughout, which continued a I rounded the corner in to the tight limestone walls of the gorge. This twisted and turned and was pretty wonderful, with wild mountain sides higher up and dark threatening skies above: memorable. I had walked up to this point, but ran all the way back down (between 5 and 6k back to the village) as the snow stopped and a tiny hint of sunshine peeked through. The rest of the trip was more urban and 'train based', up to Sighisoara via Brasov, and then back to Bucharest on the slow train from Vienna.

Tampa

Peaks: Tampa (960m)

Area: Brasov, Romania

A classic urban mountain, Tampa provides a lovely backdrop to the beautiful centre of Brasov and made a perfect mini objective this afternoon. The weather did indeed worsen overnight, with a snowy but highly atmospheric train journey over the Predeal Pass into Brasov and Transylvania proper. Brasov is lower, so there was no snow, but after checking into my room, lots of flurries and absolutely bitter windchill characterised the rest of the day. A running approach seemed sensible, so I waited for a heavy snow flurry to clear then set off in sunshine through the lovely centre towards the set of steps that lead to the 'serpentine', a zigzag path giving walkers access to the summit. This was perfect, suiting a fast approach, and I reached the top in 21 minutes (the Strava segment anyway). I then went east towards the giant Romanian flag, which was awkward to reach and obviously not encouraged. It wasn't the summit anyway, so I headed there next via a viewpoint above the Hollywood style Brasov sign that dominates the city. The main summit is just above, and from here there are great views towards the mountains around Poiana Brasov (Varna for example) bringing back memories of that insanely adventurous 1986 skiing trip! Bitterly cold, with more snow flurries, and it took some time for me to find the descent (I wanted to go down a different way to keep it interesting). But when I did it was superb. The beautiful valley framed by Racadau was in front, but I dropped down the Valea Boului through lovely pine woods. A short contouring section, fast running, and then it was back into the Brasov streets where I extended the run as I was in road shoes, down the quiet Strada Fagetului which my guesthouse was on. Refuelled on magnificant Mititei and fried potatoes at the atmospheric La Ceaun as the snow fell outside.

Sinaia hills

Peaks: Furnica (2103m), Piatra Arsa (2044m), Pintenui Pietrei Arse (1962m), Jepii Mari (2071m), Varful cu Dor (2030m) 

Area: Sinaia, Romania

A trip to Romania during an unseasonably cold snap, unluckily coinciding with perfect British springtime weather. So not the best timing, but after two nights in Bucharest I got the train to Sinaia, which is not formally part of Transylvania, but marks the start of the mountains that encircle it. Looking at the forecast, time was of the essence, as this Saturday looked like the last window of any kind before it got really bad. So the hour long delay at the Gara de Nord, sitting on the train after it arrived from Constanta, was annoying. Still, we made it in to Sinaia around midday, mountains looming all around but particularly impressive to the west. Then came another time delay, as my hotel was well outside the town, so it took a while to ditch my luggage and head back to town - at least 6 or 7k. However, a huge bonus as I realised the cable car was running, very early in the season and presumably because it was a weekend and the last feasible day before the weather changed. So I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth, and took the gondola up the middle station, then the spectacular top cable to Cabana 2000 just below the summit of Furnica. There was a fair bit of snow around, with more threatening, but it looked like showers rather than anything more serious. So I plodded up to Furnica to decide what to do, and what looked feasible. The highest peaks around the much higher Omu, above 2500m, were obviously out, totally plastered in very deep snow and with low cloud covering the plateau. I was only in trail running shoes so hatched a plan based on judgment and experience. I descended the steep slopes north of Furnica, a tiring combination of neve, soft snow and scree. At the bottom, a rolling plateau stretches out so I plodded up to the named peak of Piatra Arsa where I took stock again. To the west, what I took to be the Fagaras range looked wild and wonderful, with black clouds threatening. My route now seemed obvious, so I negotiated a large snowfield, tiring with the occasional soft bit, down to the little conglomerate pinnacle that turned out to be the Pintenui, a mini scramble and a superb viewpoint down hidden valleys like Pelesului right down to my hotel. From here, another snowfield down to a col, and then a lovely narrow path leading through juniper copses high above the Sinaia valley to Jepii Mari. I then more or less retraced my steps but took a direct line across to Furnica, much further east above the valley. The weather was very changeable throughout, and very cold, but nothing compared to what was to come so I extended the day towards the appealing peak of Varful cu Dor further south along the Drum de Vara. This was lovely, albeit marred by ski developments. A steep scramble to the top, for superb views down to Vanturis to the south, pristine forested valleys everywhere, and a galaxy of peaks to the west. Snow showers created spectacular effects as they tracked across the landscape. A wonderful place to sit for a while, but I was getting hungry so it was back to Furnica for the cable car down, where I stopped at the middle station for a magnificent ham and cascaval pancake, made in front of me at a outdoor stall, plus a Timisoreana beer, before getting one of the last gondolas back to Sinaia. 

Glyder Fach direct

Peaks: Glyder Fach

Area: Glyderau, Eryri

Time pressed, which was a bit of a shame as a chilly easterly gave rise to superb clarity of light this morning. I had a yen to revisit the main cliff of Glyder Fach, never the best choice in the morning as it is sunless and slightly grim as you approach through Cwm Bochlwyd. But I set a decent pace and was at the Alphabet Slab in 40 minutes or so. Quite some time since I was last here, although it was once a regular haunt and I have done a lot of the classic climbs here. Nothing like that today, as I scrambled up the side of the slab then took the surprisingly narrow and delicate traverse along its top to sidle into East Gully above the hard section. It was pretty dry and gave pleasant scrambling through the narrow section until it opens out above a capstone. It has the virtue of directness and in fact this entire line is pleasingly direct from the car park - almost arrow straight to the true summit of Fach. Extraordinary clarity: the Isle of Man perfectly clear directly above Nant Francon and Anglesey. The Wicklow Hills, Plynlimon and every Eryri peak all visible - every line and crevice clearly visible. The classic view of the Snowdon group above Castell y Gwynt was most notable, and I traversed the latter before dropping down the Gribin back to the car 90 minutes after starting.

Round the Bays 30k

The reverse, anticlockwise, version of a marathon training run I last did a couple of years ago. This also had some hilly variations, leaving Pabo Lane to head to Glanwydden, and then up the brutally steep Derwen Lane which brings you out at the top of Penrhyn Bay and ultimately the Little Orme. From here, delightful plodding along the Llandudno prom then around the Orme with seals groaning below and fulmars on their nesting sites. I didn't feel particularly brilliant, and had hoped to run a bit further, but I got it done.

Cadair Bronwen

Peaks: Cadair Bronwen

Area: Berwyn

A very pleasant afternoon outing with Morgan, temporarily home from Manchester. The weather was far better in the east, so we took the familiar steep road up from Llandrillo past fields of lambs to the crossroads. It has been a dry March, so the plod up Bronwen was less boggy than usual. A cold wind blew on the summit, -10 windchill according to the forecast. It wasn't that bad but it was still too cold to relax so we descended to Ffordd Saeson and took the contouring path round to join the ascent. We took in Moel Ty Uchaf stone circle on the way down, in a stunning sunburst, perfectly timed, illuminating the hillside. Then a very pleasant, albeit chilly, pint overlooking the Dee at the Grouse in Carrog.

Green Man 'race'

Not really a race, but a pairs event hatched from the fertile mind of John Morris. I remember doing a hare and hounds type event that he organised years ago, following sawdust arrows, and this was similar. It was a pairs event, so Hayley and I teamed up for a very enjoyable trot. I think we got every route choice 'wrong', although they were entirely random, following the arrows on a pointless extra loop, then down a very steep mountain bike track. Excellent fun, and we were first team back to the 'Green Man' (hidden in an obscure part of the woods) in 41 minutes as dusk fell.

Snowdon Horseshoe

Peaks: Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain, Yr Wyddfa, Lliwedd

Area: Snowdon, Eryri

The classic horseshoe, done the conventional way round this year rather than the more unusual clockwise direction taken last spring. In our late teens, back in the 1980s, we developed a tradition of doing the Snowdon Horseshoe every spring: it didn't last long but it doesn't have to be much to become a 'tradition' when you're young! I've revived it recently - indeed I recall a stunning outing in perfect full winter conditions on St David's Day a few years ago. I moved pretty quickly this morning, up to a breezy Crib Goch summit in 44 minutes (after cycling up to PyP from the Cromlech layby). A wonderful crossing, taking good lines with the ridge almost to myself after passing lots of early starters lower down. At Bwlch Glas I encountered the inevitable crowds so wasted no time, just passing the summit then down to the Watkin Path for a steep descent to Bwlch y Saethau. I had forgotten the quality of the scrambling up Lliwedd if you stick to the crest as it has been quite a few years since I did if from this direction. Then a long and tiring descent from Lliwedd to Llyn Llydaw, on comfortable steps lower down but awkward higher up. Then the final 3k run down the Miners to PyP: a respectable 2.40 for the round (2.21 moving time) which is substantially quicker than when we used to do it as young men!

Capenhurst 5m

Race: Capenhurst 5m (Borders League race 4)

Time/Position: 29.36 (80th from 401)

The standard Capenhurst two lapper, and almost certainly my slowest ever time on a course I have done many times. One of my worst ever finishing positions too, but I'm not too discouraged because this indicates I'm about where I want to be as I begin to ramp up the training en route to my next birthday and new category! I didn't have much of a plan aside from maintaining a good consistent sub-6 minute mile pace. As such, I felt reasonably comfortable and my HR started to drop towards the end, which I'm taking as another positive. Lovely spring weather: cold, crisp and sunny. Always a hyper-competitive field, with around 100 runners going sub-30.

Heswall-Penyffordd

Another one of those 'making marathon training interesting' routes I have thought about for a while. Just before lockdown, I ran from Kinnerton to West Kirby, continuing to Hilbre as a walk. This was considerably shorter at 17 miles, and in reverse, first using the Borderlines train service to my planned start in Heswall. It went pretty well, although I should have just gone direct to the Wirral Way, rather than what I did - which was run direct to Two Mills. Not great, although you can stay off the road. Then it was off down Woodbank Lane (amazingly quiet given its environs) across the border to the Deeside industrial estate. From here, through Queensferry and then it gets hilly, up to Hawarden and through Tinkersdale to Penyffordd and the car at the station.

Moel Fferna-Dee Valley run

Peaks: Vivod, Moel Fferna

Area: Berwyn, Eryri

Another of my occasional exercises in maximising a mountain. In this case, Moel Fferna from Llangollen, quite a lengthy haul with a very long extension back along the meandering course of the Dee. Beautiful early spring weather, which has always been my favourite time of year in the Welsh hills. A bit of haze today, but delightfully still with birdsong as I climbed up onto the bridleway that marks the start of the North Berwyn Way from Llangollen. This is very steep, and very old, and eventually emerges into the upland plateau leading to Vivod: very open ground and always enjoyable running, with lots of space and fairly gentle gradients. I was on top of Vivod in around 41 minutes from Llangollen, so not too bad as it is 6k and almost 2000ft of elevation. I felt pretty good and then really enjoyed the next section of the Berwyn Way through conifer woods and open ground to the top of Moel Fferna, a much more remote hill. I have generally run this the other way round in the past, from Cynwyd, but both directions are great. Big skies as ever from Moel Fferna, which I have hardly ever seen anyone on in more than a dozen visits. The descent to Carrog is wonderful, albeit tricky in places, and I then had to wake the 90-something chap serving in the ancient 'garage' to buy unrefrigerated lucozade and chocolate! Thus fortified, I crossed the Dee bridge below the Grouse Inn and embarked on the long second leg, along the undulating but extremely quiet lanes north of the Dee that eventually lead to Rhewl, then the Horseshoe Falls and back to Llangollen along the canal. Just under 20 miles, so good marathon training quite apart from being another delightful three hour Berwyn loop.

Pendle Round

Race: Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round (15k/600m)

Time/Position: 1.23.30 (60 from 251)

Many years ago, I did the full Tour of Pendle from Barley - I still remember how long and complex the route was. We also did the fell relays here around more recently, still at least a decade ago! So it was a little surprising that hardly any of this classic race rang a bell, although that might just be the ageing process. Whatever, it was a really enjoyable event, which was especially pleasing given the extent to which I have been struggling in the hills recently. I was quite conservative in my approach, perhaps expecting more of a battering by the route and very conscious of recent struggles I've had in fell races - in particular, I'd anticipated a brutal sting-in-the-tail which never really materialised. I started fairly well, and tried to keep a decent pace going over all the way to the trig on Pendle itself, 24 minutes from Barley. Then comes a glorious looping gradual descent down Pendle Moor with Clitheroe far below to the west. This is boggy but really enjoyable with sunny spring-like skies above and classic northern English scenery throughout. Eventually, Apronfull hill is reached before a steep descent via Badger Well to the little lake of Churn Clough. Above this, a very steep climb ended quickly and gave way to contouring across to Stainscomb. Then the final climb up a shallow valley to Driver Height. I began to lose ground here, with at least 10 runners passing me, despite finding it easier than expected. But no matter, I enjoyed the very muddy and awkward descent back down to Lower Ogden and the lane back to Barley. Not a very appropriate St David's Day outing, but I was back on Welsh soil in good time!

Eglwyseg round

One of those long runs that I have filed in the recesses of my mind but never got round to before. With Manchester looming, there is a need to start upping the distances. I've pushed a few 'canal runs' up to around 15 miles over the last few weeks but put this old plan in action this morning, which was almost spring-like at times. I parked at Minera lead mines, interesting in itself, then ran along the lanes to the streets of Rhosllanerchrugog, definitely one of the most fascinating towns in Wales. Through the streets to Pen y Cae and other outliers before negotiating the lanes down towards Garth. At this point the landscape decisively changes from semi-industrial to properly rural, and then when you round the corner you get to the Panorama road. This is always fabulous, and was today, with Dinas Bran glinting in the sunshine - even more springlike. Then came the very long but very enjoyable lanes below the crags of Eglwyseg all the way up to World's End, and then the sharp climb up to the top of Ruabon Moor. Then the lane finally descends to Minera. Hard to know what the best description for this is: a loop or 'round' of Ruabon Moor, or Esclusham, or Eglwyseg, whatever you choose to call the upland area west of Wrexham!

Tejina

Peaks: Tejina (605m)

Area: Tegueste, Tenerife

We left Vilaflor yesterday and travelled along the east coast to Anaga, a place I have long wanted to visit. However, while I was expecting an esoteric destination, far from the Tenerife crowds, it was actually rammed full of tourists (and is not far from the biggest city of Santa Cruz). That said, the lauresilva cloud forest was just what I had expected - similar to its neighbours on Madeira and small parts of Gran Canaria. It is dense and green and moss-covered, very atmospheric. After a night in Tacoronte, I was keen to avoid the crowds so we drove to nearby Tegueste where we had seen a suitable route up the ridge that frames the town and ultimately drops into the sea. The edge of Anaga I suppose, all very green. We walked through the town in wonderful weather, after damp drizzle yesterday afternoon, dazzling blue skies above. Above the town, a small road gave way to a cobbled track, which weaves around the hillside to gain an obvious col/pass with views down to the sea at Punta Hildalgo. Behind, the towns of the north coast with Teide looming spectacularly behind, a constant presence. Closer, typical Canarian scenes of cactus, native flora and the endemic Tenerife lizard with its blue spots. The final section contoured above the valley, mildly exposed in a few places, reaching a further mini-col and then a plateau with superb views of the Atlantic. The sound of the huge rollers was ever-present, despite them being 600m below, and we then went down to watch them closer at Punta Hidalgo with shellfish soup and calamares romana.

Teide

Peaks: El Teide (3715m)

Area: Teide, Tenerife

I can think of very few parallels to Teide. I first saw it from a plane, flying back from the Gambia in 2018. It utterly dominates its landscape in a way few other peaks can match, not even Etna - the most obvious comparison. That first view impressed me so much that a few months later (February 2019) I was on Tenerife to climb it (having long ago done Mulhacen, the highest peak on mainland Spain, along with many other iconic and notable Spanish mountains!). That day, I'd set out in sleet which turned into an extraordinary blizzard and I ended up retreating from below the refuge. I really wanted to put that right, so reserved a summit permit months ago (they are free but have to be booked months in advance to prevent all the cable car types from wandering up to the top). I left Vilaflor at 6.30am, stopping at Las Canadas to experience the night skies before sunrise - stunning, although a very bright full moon. I parked at the same place as last time below Montana Blanca and set out with glimmers of light and the sky glowing to the east. After 15 minutes light jogging, the sun rose casting a stunning glow and illuminating the entire mountain - deep orange and ochre shades of pumice. A ranger checked my permit before I'd even started up the steeper slopes. At Montana Blanca, the track gives way to a zigzag path above the Teide eggs (accretion balls). This is where the blizzard really worsened six years ago. It is relentlessly steep all the way to the Altavista refuge, and my decision then was vindicated by the fact that the zigzags get vague and indistinct towards the top before coalescing again just below the hut. It is also a very steep and relentless haul with awkward lava shelves in places. I reached the Altavista in 90 minutes or so, which isn't bad considering the vertical interval with the altitude now starting to really kick in. This meant the next section through the lava fields to the final summit cone was much slower and harder than it would normally have been. It is known as La Rambleta and it weaves through the lava, less steeply than the lower section to the hut but still fairly draining. Then comes a level section below the summit cone during which I encountered tourists for the first time. I arrived at the little hut controlling access to the summit bang on my ETA just after 9am, a little under two hours from the car - all worked fine although I had to show my passport! And then it was up the final route, Teleforo Bravo to the true summit at 3715m. At this altitude, physical effort really does become noticeably harder and it has been a few years since I was up this high. Still, I got to the true summit in around 2:20 from the road, which is respectable enough. As expected, the views were of the 'helicopter variety' which is always what happens when one peak completely dominates - in some ways the views from the much lower peaks across Las Canadas to Teide are more impressive. But that said, Teide is so high and isolated that the views are just immense. I could see El Hierro beyond La Gomera, as well as La Palma beyond the southern coast. And of course Gran Canaria shimmering across the Atlantic. Closer, the Anaga peninsular was something to look forward to on Saturday. The entire island was visible like a 3D map and the ambience was superb. I also had the top to myself although two Czechs arrived quite quickly. Sulphur clouds and odour reminded me that this is not entirely dormant, although nothing compared to the steaming fumaroles and explosions of Etna or Ijen or Iceland - all three of which I have recent volcanic experience in! After a small snack (no breakfast) I trotted down, breaking into a run as the air got thicker lower down: 3.35 for the entire trip compared to the standard time of 9-10 hours, back by midday to meet Kate in El Tejar. I was, I admit, tired on our subsequent Vilaflor hillwalk!

El Sombrero-Amendro

Peaks: El Sombrero (2405m), Roques del Almendro (2520m)

Area: Teide NP, Tenerife

After arriving in Vilaflor around 7ish last night, we woke to a superb Canarian morning - crystal clarity and perfect temperatures around 15c (bearing in mind that Vilaflor is almost 1500m up, a fact that did not endear it initially to Kate after arrival). On my last trip here in 2019, it was extremely cold, which was possibly the reason I missed the endemic blue chaffinch at Las Lajas. So I made this the first stop, a beautiful picnic area surrounded by Canarian pines, and this time (after a few canaries and the Tenerife subspecies of great spotted woodpecker) I located a blue chaffinch, which was followed by several more, azure in the early morning sun. A brilliant start, and then came a wonderful walk with Kate, the perfect warm-up for my planned assault on Teide tomorrow. The route up El Sombrero left Las Lajas via a path which weaved through the pines - the sunshine wonderful after weeks of cloudy, bone-chilling weather at home. The path passed through a series of side valleys before making its way up a spur and into a more open upper valley above the tree-line. Behind, the ground drops away to the Atlantic - and above, deep blue cloudless skies. Some characteristic Canarian vegetation and then a broad plateau is reached, this being the bare orange rock skyline visible from Vilaflor and below. That skyline is punctuated by a series of outcrops, two of which are called El Sombreror, because that's what their shapes recall. We curved round to take an open stepped chimney to the plateau summit, only slightly raised above the ridge but quite distinct from Vilaflor. The most notable thing though was the breathtaking view of Teide, now visible across the crater. After a break on the top, we moved round and then went to the edge of the plateau for views over the vast crater of Las Canadas with Teide the looming presence beyond. To the right, I could see Alto de Guajara which I did as a consolation prize in 2019 - I remember then the views of Teide above a layer of cloud. We extended the day along the ridge line, and Kate took a break as I continued west along towards Roques del Almendro. I had a vague idea to take in El Sombrerito, but this was clearly more involved (a shatterered ridge and steep gully lay between it and the Roque) so I returned to Kate and we ambled back to rejoin the ascent route. After a sandwich we took in the Roques de Garcia loop, this time with hundreds of tourists (we saw hardly anyone in the morning). Again, contrasting to 2019 when I did the same loop in icy conditions. We had to escape the hordes eventually so went back to refuel on Canarian fodder: queso asado, papas arrugadas, mojo and carne fiesta.

Oswestry XC

Race: Oswestry XC (NW League race 3)

Time/Position: 36.08 (59th from 109)

This may be the last time I ever do a race double header, particularly given that this was only 19 hours after the Dash. There was a time I could cope with it, but even at my best there was always an awareness that performance is compromised. I got to the familiar Oswestry venue from an open day with a few minutes to spare, on a dank, cold and drizzly afternoon. Unlike yesterday, I lost energy throughout the race, and unlike yesterday moved in the wrong direction, with runners passing me throughout the second lap where I slowed to a crawl. There's no hiding place on this course, with its steep climb from the back field and its deep, cloying bogs. My worst ever XC performance, not even in the top half of the field, but I was still (sort of) glad that I'd made the effort. I was inexplicably slightly faster than the last time I did the race three years ago - and on that occasion I finished in the top 25 as 1st V50. Two possible explanations: this course was a bit shorter, or conditions were better than usual today (always relative at Oswestry!).