Corndon Classic 18/12/11

AS 5.8 miles 1850 feet

Didn't seem as hard as Cardington a couple of weeks before. I even had chance to enjoy this run.

Photos as usual with kind permission of Fell Running Pictures

Hoping to do Devils Chair Dash on Boxing day.

Getting fatter and slower

I've been a bit quiet since my last post.
We'd been busy working towards the adoption and looking after the pigs as well as the normal 9 to 5s. This didn't leave much time for training and racing. On top of that, we'd been making the most of any spare time having meals out and generally living an unhealthy lifestyle. Hence, as the tittle suggests, I have put on a fair bit of weight.
Oh well, I did at least get out and do some races. Although, in my current state they became more like training runs:
Llantysillio Mountain Race 9/4/11, AM 6.2 miles 2100 feet. A shock to the system.
Market Drayton 10k road race. Local race with Mrs and neighbour. Note to self: I hate road running.
Cader Idris 28/5/11 AM 10.5 miles 3000 feet. By now definitely too fat to run up mountains. As well as seeing the usual Shropshire and Welsh runners, Steve (sbrt) and fellow blogger run forest run came over and said hello. Nice to see him again. Mrs Lightning commented on how nice he was. I agree, nice chap ;-)
Shutlingsloe 30/5/11 AS 2 miles 900 feet. Friends round the night before and for some reason I didn't think drinking whisky until 2 am would have any effect on performance. I was wrong.
Batch Bash 1/6/11 AS 3 miles 1000 feet. Number 3 of the Shropshire summer series, but, the first one I've been able to attend. Absolutely terrible performance, but, good to get into the hills.



The pigs are very happy free ranging in the field digging huge holes everywhere and completely oblivious to what the future will bring for them. Their transport to the great sty in the sky is booked for 4 weeks time. That will be a hard day for us.

Hopefully see you in the hills soon.

Lake Vyrnwy Training Run 17/10/10

A trip over to lake Vyrnwy in Wales to help the Panther with her preparation for the Birmingham Half Marathon next weekend.

It was ideal preparation. 12 miles round the lake with no climbing or descending. I generally don't like road running but with such nice scenery it wasn't too much effort to plod round. With the pace we had on the way round the Panther looks good to equal her time of two years ago. I'm not sure whether I'll plod round with her on the day or run it as fast as I can just to see what I can do it in.
photo taken on a previous visit
After the run we popped in Lake Vyrnwy Hotel for a chilax in the steam room and Jacuzzi to aid with the recovery of the leg muscles.
We finished off the visit with a pint and a meal in much acclaimed restaurant. I think this is my favorite hotel restaurant combination ever.

Arenig Fawr Fell Race 3/10/10

AM 6.7 1900 race website

This is my second run of this race. It was touch and go whether I was going to make it. My back was still (and is still) hurting and I was at a friends gig the night before. But, I dragged myself out of bed and got there just in time to register.
route
It's organised by the legend that is Yiannis Tridimas and it has the finest array of soup and cakes I have ever seen at any race. That alone should be enough of a reason to attend.
photo from Alastair's site
It is also a really good race route in an under used part of the world. It had rained heavily in the days leading up to the race so was very boggy and slippery in places. Even with the new xtalon 190's I still ended up knees and elbows deep in the bog on a couple of occasions.
In the end I came in a whole two seconds faster than last year so I must be getting better ;-)
Really glad I attended the race again and have already put it in the calender for next year.

Peris Horseshoe 11/9/10

AL 17.5 miles 8500 feet. A race of epic proportions.

The longest race I have done to date and a truly inspired route. Starting in Llamberis with a steep climb through the slate quarry and beyond up to Elidir Fawr check point 1. Scramble over a load of slippy rocks "find" then follow a trail around to Y Garn (2). Down then UP Glyder Fawr (3)then try and find a good route down to Pen-Y-pass (4) the half way point and end of the line for the "halfers". 9 miles 4500 feet. Avoid the temptation to get on the bus back to Llamberis, cross the road and start up the miners track before cutting off left and climbing up to Lliwedd (5). Then there's the down and up to Snowdon (6)before going down the Snowdon rangers path to the foot of the last climb, Moel Cynghorion (7). A quad busting descent down to the last check point (8) then if there's any energy left a run through the woods towards the Vic and the finish.

After 8300 feet of climbing I have to stop for a rest

This is one of the hardest races in the calender and in my opinion, with only 60ish runners entering, vastly under attended.

Last year Methuselah and I did the half Peris. A race comparable with Ben Nevis in terms of distance and climb and no easy race in it self. At the end of that race, as the half Perisers, we weren't deemed to have worked hard enough, to be awarded a slate coaster. The full Perisers were. So it was then that I decided I would do the full Peris route this year and get my hands on a coaster. Thankfully Methuselah agreed to come along for the ride.

Photo from Fellrunning Pictures check point 8

To ensure we made the cut off time, at the halfway point, we decided to take the early start option. This meant starting with the halfers 30 minutes before the serious full Perisers were released. Even before check point (2) the two leaders had past us. Incredible. It turned out we didn't need the early start as we would have got there before the cut off anyway, but, we seriously slowed on the second half so I'm glad we went early as not to have the marshals waiting around in crappy weather for us to turn up. Worse still, all the jelly babies they were giving out may have gone by the time we got there.

Well earned Peris mugs (not coasters this year)

8 people didn't make the cut off and 3 people did not finish. In the end we came in a little under 6 hours. We weren't last but weren't far off. I'll put this down to the seriousness of the competitors that take part in a race like this. Definitely not for the faint hearted. As one of the halfers said to me on the way round. He ran the full a couple of years earlier and collapsed on the second half. He got carried off the mountain.

A race of epic proportions.

Incidentally. Had we have done the half this year, with my time at Pen-Y-pass, I would have finished in the top half ;-)

Peris Horseshoe recce 2

10 miles 4500ft ish.

After missing the turn, for the last bit of of the route, on my recce last week I decided to go back and finish the job.

It was probably a good idea as I think navigating and common sense will be lacking after 16+ miles and 7000 feet+ of climbing/descending. Although, if the weather is as good as it were yesterday, navigation should not be a problem.

Looking forward to the race even though I know it's going to be really tough.

Just about got back in time to enter the last Fell Race in the Shropshire Summer Series.

Peris Horseshoe Recce

17 miles, 7000 feet, ish.

With the Peris Horseshoe Mountain Race coming up in a few weeks and the disappointment of being timed out at Borrowdale I thought I'd better get some miles and some climbing in my legs. What better way than give the race route a recce.

I did the Half Peris last year (9 miles 4500 feet) so I was familiar with the first section. But, as most of it was in mist last year and I ended up tagging along with some local fellas, I didn't think it would do me any harm to find myself round.
zigzaggin through the quarry
It starts as it means to carry on. Brutally ! From Llanberis a 2700 ft climb through the disused quarry then continue up to Elidir Fawr. Scramble over a load of rocks then some contouring and another climb up to Foel goch. A nice fast descent than another climb up Y garn. Another fast descent before a real slog up to Glyder Fawr. After that try and find a good line of Glyder down the Pen Y pass car park and the finish (of the half that is). That is a mammoth race on it's own.
After that the real battle starts. A gradual climb up the miners Track with all the ill equipped tourists asking stupid questions then some relief from the tourist as you cut off the main path and head up the trail towards Y Lliwedd.

looking back towards the miners track

With tired legs this is really difficult and towards the top it's so steep you're using hands and legs to pull yourself up.

hand and leg stuff

Next is a series of ups and downs (mainly ups) up to the summit of Snowdon. Snowdon behind the cloud

Again, the last couple of hundred feet is hands and leg stuff.

view across to Y-Lliwedd taken on another occasion

Once at the top you are reunited with the masses. A lot of whom have gone up on the train and get in the way even more than the walkers. Start going down the Llamberis path for a few hundred metres and look out for a left turn taking you down the Snowdon Ranger Path. I missed this turn and continued down the Llamberis path. By the time I'd realised I couldn't muster the energy to drag myself back up to take the correct route so continued the 4.5 mile down to where I started. I should have gone down to the foot of Moel Cynghorion for the last climb and then down the very steep grassy section which takes you to a path leading back into Llamberis.

I am now aware of the enormity of the task ahead. This must be one of the hardest most technical races on the calender. I can't wait.

Ponderosa Fell Race 11/8/10

BS 4 miles 951 feet.

My second run of this race. It's slightly unusual in that it starts at the top of a valley (near the Ponderosa cafe, Horseshoe pass Llangollen). Winds up a path to the top of a nearby hill then starts flowing it's way, speedily, down to the bottom of the valley. After that there's a slog back up the valley to the finish. I think it's the only race I've done that finishes with an up hill.

I started right at the back. I mean last. I don't know why. Maybe I was worried about my legs after Borrowdale and kickboxing in the previous few days and I didn't want to get in any ones way. Maybe a bit of a daft decision as I spent the whole race trying to get past people. Never mind, I was pleased with the result. I started last out of 118 runners and finished 72nd. I also knocked 2 minutes of last years time ! Woohoo. Great race and I really enjoy the fast descents.

Green Green Grass Fell Race 28/7/10

AS 5 miles 1500 feet.

My second run of this race, but, this year the course was a different route.
Registration was at the Golden Lion Inn, Llangynhafal, Denbighshire. From registration there's a bit of an uphill slog just to get to the start.
On the way upAlistairs Fell Running Pictures
Starts with a steep uphill section then the incline reduces for a while before steepening again for the ascent of Moel Famau. Then a nice fast descent before cutting across another hill through some waist high bracken (or did I just go the hard way). Next another couple of climbs before the final fast descent.

last hill

I enjoyed the race, even with stiff legs from Snowdon, and prefered the new route. I only lost a couple of places going up, that was because I took a poor route up one section, and the fast descent suited me. I learnt after wards that quite a few of the lead runners went the wrong way so I may have artificially been boosted up the rankings.

Snowdon Race

Back to Llamberis for my second run of this, the 35th, Snowdon Race. AM 10 miles 3300 feet.

A popular race with 500 entrants from around the globe running. And, particular excitement as this year Kenyan runner Wilson Chemweno was expected to turn up and have a go at Kenny Stuarts 1985 record. They'd even dragged Kenny down from Cumbria to start the race.
As you can see from the promo video it has the feel of a "big" race. We all wore timing chips, got a free tshirt and the event was even being televised by Welsh TV channel S4C. Also like a big race there were plenty of spectators around to give support.

The route itself starts from Padarn park with a shortish road section before picking up the well trodden Llamberis path all the way to the summit. As it's a public footpath and it's the highest peak in Wales the path is littered with walkers especially towards the top where Snowdon ranger, Pyg and Miners tracks merge with the race route. Most of the walkers try and stay out of the way, some of them don't. Most of the walkers are wrapped up in layers of waterproofing and have been battling the elements for hours to get to the top. They tend to have slightly confused looks on their faces as we run past in vest and shorts. Then there's other runners returning from the summit, whose wobbly legs haven't quite got used to running downhill after going up hill for 5 miles, so it makes for an interesting obstacle course towards the top. The last sting going up is the 10 or so steps up to the cairn. They seem unfeasibly large. Then follow the same route back, with wobbly legs, trying not to bump into any runners coming up.

Alistairs Fellrunning Pictures
The weather wasn't as nice as last year. Drizzle at the start and getting progressively worse the higher up you went. Still, I was ok in shorts and vest for the most part and only have about 10 minutes of discomfort towards the top so didn't bother getting my water proofs out. I didn't have any great expectations for my race. Just so long as I came in at around the same time as last year. I started right at the back, which was probably a bit of a mistake, then spent the first few minutes trying to get past people. I didn't really loose that many places going up but the people I'd been with did start to pull away from me towards the top. It felt like I had quite a good run down and I went past 59 other runners. I even managed a sprint in the last 50 yards to over take two runners having their own battle. In the end I was just over a minute and a half slower than last year but happy with the result. My running buddy Methuselah had less of a good time taking a tumble on the way down and stoically hobbled the rest of the descent to cross the line and finish the race. Others would have given up and been happy with a DNF. I don't know why but there seems to be more tumbles on this race than any other that I do. As well as Methuselah several other experienced fell runners tumbled on the way down including another friend Dylan. He got put on the train, with two other injured runners, by the medics.

I enjoyed the race. It was very well organised and I will probably try to get in again next year.

As for Wison Chemweno and Kenny's record ?

No where near ! He had a reasonable run up but lost 6 places on the way down. Asked after wards if he would return next year he said "Probably not. I hate the downhill". So I guess Kenny's record is safe for a while longer.

Rodney's Pillar Hill Race 16/6/10

AS 3.9 miles 950 ft.
Fell Running Pictures
Nice race for me this was. Nice steady climb to Rodney's monument, nothing too steep and a nice fast descent back to the village hall. My second run of this race and I desperately tried to keep up with RichP but he beat me to the top by about 40 secs and once he gets going down hill it's very difficult to catch him. Well done Richard, makes up for your nav error at Foel Fras ;-) At least I managed to knock more than 3 mins off last years time, so , I was pleased with my efforts.
Good to see all the usual smiley faces. Only sorry I won't be able to make next weeks Pontesbury race.

Foel Fras Fell Race 12/6/10

AL 12 miles 3100 ft.

photo from Alistair
A trip up to north Wales for this race. Registration was at Hen Felin community centre
http://www.abergwyngregyn.org.uk/ and the start was just outside on the road.
Started with a steady uphill road section for about a mile to a car park. Then off road onto track and another steady climb for about 4/5 miles and the top of Bwlch y Gwryd. A short fast downhill section before resuming the climb up to Foel Fras. Along the ridge to Garnedd Uchaf and check point 1. Then a few miles of steady downhill before the last climb up Moel Wnion. Finally the steepish descent back into the village and the finish line.
I enjoyed the race. None of the climbs were very steep and most of the route was runnable for me. And, apart from the last bit, where my legs had had enough, the downhills were nice and fast. The check point was in the mist and at that point I was pretty much on my own so I had to get the compass out to make sure I was running in the right direction off the mountain. It was very satisfying to break cloud and see I had taken the right route.
After the race I went back to the hotel Mrs L and I were staying in and lounged round in the spa for an hour before going to the bar for a couple of beers. Great weekend.

Cader Idris Race 29/5/10

AM 10.5 miles 2927 ft.

Started from Dolgellau town centre with a very professional start line looking more like the start of a big city road race than the usual random start of the typical fell race. And that's how it continued for the first 2.5km, running out of the town on the road cheered on by local supporters and some bemused tourists. We then get off road onto a flat track leading to a small boggy forest that we had to run through and around the lake. A couple of fields later and we were finally at the foot of Cader Idris. From here we followed the Pony Path up to the summit. Up until the Pony Path I'd been too hot in vest and shorts but as we started the relentless climb to the top the weather started to close in and began to rain. Although a bit chilly on top it was a relief not to be running in the heat(even if it did spoil our view).

The route down was the same as the route up in reverse. As usual I managed to over take a few people on the way down and was feeling pretty good by the time I got back to the start of the Pony Path. Then though, was the flat run back through the fields and boggy forest. My legs were shot. I lost a couple of places through the woods and a couple more on the final road section through the town. I let one place go to a local hero that was chasing me down to the finish line. I reckon I could have held him off but with all the locals cheering him on I thought it would be right to let him past.
Thanks to Alistair Fell Running Pictures
Good race and I think I'll put it in the calender for next year. I like the way it starts in the town centre as it's "their" race but can't help think it would be better starting beginning of the Pony Path. The slog back to the town is a killer. I guess that's what makes it stand out as a race.

It was nice to meet up with all the usual Shropshire and Welsh faces. Also good to meet up with fellow blogger Steve from Run Forest Run and his mate Ray. Yes Steve it's a shame we were both driving, a few beers would have been nice. Might have helped numb the pain of Rays war wounds too. You will have to let me know if he does ever wright the book "comparing the abrasive nature of rocks around the country", especially if it has photos of all his research ;-)

Moel Eilio Fell Race 15/5/10

AM, 8 miles, 3000ft.
Knowing what the weather can be like in Snowdon I spent the evening before studying the map and writing compass bearings on a photo copy. I didn't expect the race to be well attended with other races on in Wales and if the cloud were to come down it would be difficult just to follow the person ahead.
As it turned out the weather was absolutely gorgeous. One of those few days in Snowdon when you can see everything for miles around.
the route
The race started in a random sort of a place, at the end of a lane, just up from the Llanberis youth hostel.
start
It started with a few words from an organiser and a blast from a fog horn. A steady climb up a track for about a quarter of a mile then off road up to the summit of Meol Eilio. It was a pretty relentless undulating climb of about 1600ft. The views on the way up were breath taking. I'd been spending all my time looking to the left towards Llanberis pass and it was only when some body told me to have a look to the right I realised you could see across to Anglsea and out over the Irish sea.
Anglsea and Irish sea
Next was a 300ft drop then climb up to an unnamed peak then on to Foel Gron and continued along the ridge to Foel Goch. A steep 425ft descent down to Bwlch Maesgwm before the final ascent of about 700ft up Moel Cynghorion.
Top of Moel Eilio with Foel Gron, Foel Goch, Moel Cynghorion and Snowdon streaching out into the distance.
Then a Quad busting descent down the north west side of Moel Cynghorion towards the last check point on a path. There wasn't much left in the legs then but I was able to pass a few people on the shallow descent down the path towards the finish.
A great race in a great part of the world.

Photo from Gwynfor http://www.sportpicturescymru.co.uk/

We hardly saw any people on route. Llanberis was packed with tourists who must have been trudging up Snowdon in their droves. Seems daft that every one aims for Snowdon when there are so many quieter just a scenic places within a few miles.

Looking forward to going back in September to have a go at the Peris Horse Shoe.

Llantysilio Mountain Race 24/4/10

My first run of this race. AM 6.2 miles/2100 ft
A cracking day for it. The sun was out and there was a good turn out for this race.
The route
Surprise surprise, I had had a few beers the night before so wasn't feeling really up for it when Methuselah and I turned up for this one. It started easy enough with just a steady climb to get the legs warmed up. Then though the hills started coming and, it seemed to me a least, they kept on coming. Once at the top of one hill you could see the next one, but, when you got to the foot of that one you couldn't see the top and you kept on thinking you were nearly there only to have your hopes dashed as the climb continued.
photo from Alistair http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/
The lovely day was taking its tole on me as well. I felt as if I were over heating and when the breeze came it was most satisfying. Just before the last climb I could see runners running down the hill to the side and because I don't run with my glasses (either that or wish full thinking) I thought that was that was the route. I was crushed when I saw I had to run up the hill and back before I could take that turn and cruise down to the finish.
re hydrating in the Sun Inn. Great pub
When we were there Methuselah bumped into a fellow "Vibram Five Finger" wearer. It was interesting to see them interact. Almost like rare zoo animals that had been separated from their own kind all their lives. There was great excitement in the air. Anything could have happened ;-) Thank god it didn't.
Rare breeds, seldom seen together
A tough race for me, but I'll put it in my calender for next year. I need to get into longer runs, lay off the beer and loose some weight if I'm going to have any chance of doing the longer runs later in the year.

Corndon 3 peaks classic 5/4/10

AM 7 miles 1850 ft . 1:07ish to be confirmed

A nice race that starts with a relentless climb (that seems to go on forever). Followed by a gradual decline where you can get up some good speed and still stay in control. Then a short road section that takes you round to the next peak. this ones not too high but quite steep. Other side of that peak is pretty steep also so difficult to let the brakes go without taking a tumble. A nice little trail run through a small wood leads to another short road/track section before the third peak which isn't too high or steep, but, by then the legs are feeling a bit tired. Once over the final peak it's all down hill, a nice long section where you can again get up some good speed all the way down to the finish.
Photo courtesy of Alistair http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/

After a weekend of beer drinking down the local beer festival I wasn't expecting too much in the way of a good time. In the end I was about 1 and a half minutes slower that last time. After the race I decide to carry on the drinking theme and tucked into a couple of pints of "cloud nine"

enjoying the cloud nine and prize giving after the race at the miners arms priest weston (nice pub)

closest I'll ever get to a prize ;-)

Moel y Ci Fell Race 20/2/10

A trip to North Wales for this "BS" 5 miles 950 feet fell race.

A nice race with a mixture of terrain. Paths,trails,hills,snow,rock,mud,fields and Forest.
route
I was recovering from a cold on this one,but,after missing the race the previous weekend, due to a dodgy knee, (which was/is still playing up) I was determined not to miss another.
taking it easy (Gwenfor's picture)
It started off ok and I was in my usual sort of position in the pack. After about 10mins though I think the cold caught up we me a bit. People started going past me and I didn't really care. I decided just to take it easy and get round. Towards the top, after a nice start with the weather, the snow began drifting in. I was getting a bit cold and I decided,as it was now mostly down hill,the best way to get warm was to pick up the pace. At the top I saw fell running photographer Alistair Tye who as well as taking photos was also marshaling and doing his bit for www.teamdolly.co.uk a group of volunteers that provide radio cover and help at fell races in North Wales.
picking up the pace a bit
A nice descent saw me over take a couple of people.
I finished 69th out of 99 entrants 57:16. If I do it again next year without a cold I think I could knock off 5mins.