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.

Hill Sprints and Jog 22/7/10

10 min warm up jog up and over little hill (wrekin). Then 6 x sprint up, walk down and start the next one straight away. First one 20 secs but by the last one I was covering the same distance in 25 secs. Finished off with a slow jog back to the truck.

Looking forward to the Snowdon International Race on Saturday.

Stiperstones Fell Race 14/7/10

AS 3.2 miles 800ft (I think it's a bit more than 800ft).
5th race in the Shropshire summer series.

My third run of this race, but, this year it was run in the opposite direction to the last two years. I think maybe because some new steps had been put in where we usually run down. I guess it could have been dangerous legging it down those.
I started Ok but as usual I lost a few places going up the hills. And, as usual I went past a few people on the way down with an added bonus of some people going the wrong way on the last descent. They followed the path instead of cutting across though the bracken. I couldn't however keep up with RichardP. Again he seemed to be storming up the hills disappearing into the distance. He's having a fantastic year.
Photo from Alistairs Fell Running Pictures just before the cheeky short cut. It actually looks as if I'm going quite fast on this one.
I enjoyed the race. Even the torrential rain on the way round and at the end was nice.

Skiddaw Fell Race 4/7/10

AM 9 miles 2700ft.
A long drive up to the Lakes for this my third run of Skiddaw Fell Race. I met up with Methuselah(who was staying in the lakes for a few days) before the race. And, also, briefly saw some of the Shropshire elite runners, that had also made the trip up, at the start line. These included fellow blogger Jon Bowie of Trailsfellstrophies and Steven Cale current Shropshire hill running champ who I'd bumped into a few days earlier on the Wrekin (see two posts bellow).
The previous two years the weather had been ridiculously hot so I was hoping it would be a bit cooler this year. Umm, be careful what you wish for. The forecast this year was for heavy rain and winds on the peaks of up to 60mph. Which was probably accurate. As a result the marshals decided to shorten the race and not do the final push up to the summit. This reduced the climb by about 400ft and distance of about 1.3 miles. For me, due to my legs usually being shot by that stage, it probably reduced my time by almost 20 minutes. So it was a cheats PB for me that I will probably never better again.
Apart from the weather being a bit miserable the temperature suited me and I seemed to be making alright progress up Jenkin hill when Steven Cale came blasting past me on his way down. At that stage I didn't know the race had been shortened and noted he went past me at an earlier stage to the winner of last years race Ricky Lightfoot. Either I was going a lot slower than the previous year or he was going really really fast, albeit he had missed the short cut at the pile of stones. A few seconds later Jon Bowie flew past and went off the path at the correct place next to the stones. A possibility for him to go past Steve Cale ? Well, it was very "claggy" at that point and one can see how it might have been possible to miss the flags guiding the way across the grass back to the path a couple of hundred feet bellow and go off in completely the wrong direction. So on that occasion Jon missed his chance to get past Steven and has been much ribbed about the navigational error on the FRA Forum ;-)
Later on Dylan from Wales past me with an enthusiastic "HELLO JOHN" and also DazH of Laidbackfellrunner fame. I still couldn't work out how come so many people were so far ahead of me, even when people started shouting something about a gate. It was only when I saw Methuselah come past me (he'd not been that far ahead for most of the race) that I realised we were being turned early "at the gate". I enjoyed the run back down and passed about 10 people on the return route ,via the short cut, back down to Fitz Park and the finish line.
the winner

Steven Cale won the race in a little under an hour. I'm sure the jog with me a few days earlier must have helped ;-)

Although the drive up to the lakes is a long one, I think I'll go back again next year. I do like the descent and actually going past people, for a change, is very satisfying.

5k road run 30/6/10

Nice and gentle run round the block with Mrs Lightning. Wore the vibrams to try and get my technique right.

Training run with Shropshire hill running champ

Well.......not really. I was driving past the Wrekin and had my kit in the truck with me. Decided to go for a quick blast (I thought blast) from wellington car park to the top and back again. Two thirds of the way up I heard foot steps behind me. Who could possibly be catching me up ? (well, actually, lots of people could have been catching me up). Friendly voice says "Hello, I've read your blog". Steven Cale of Shrewsbury athletic club and current local hill running champion jogs up beside me. So, I'm blasting up the Wrekin puffing and panting and Steven says he's out to stretch his legs before work. He kindly slows down to give me a chance to keep up then engages me in conversation, which, I find difficult with all the puffing and panting I'm doing. Easy to see why he leads the races and I'm somewhere way behind. He looked like he was running at 50% while I was more like 90%. Luckily we were nearly at the top and once we turned round and started running back I found conversation a little easier. Once at the bottom Steven continued his run back to work and I fell into my truck. It was nice to meet you Steven. I wish you all the luck defending your tittle this year.

Two and a half hours later I found myself driving back past the Wrekin and I still had my running stuff on. What the hell. I ran it again ! No companion this time but the temperature had dropped and the run was most pleasant.

Pontesbury Fell Race 23/6/10

AS 3 miles 1160 ft. Race 4 in the Shropshire Summer Series.
My second run of this race.

Once round the playing fields, up the road for a couple of hundred yards then down the track to the start of the steep climb through the wooded section. At the top of the woods, over a style and a right turn down another section of the hill. Then a very steep section up the flank of the hill towards the top. With jelly like legs a stumble accross the ridge and shallow climb to the summit. Then a nice fast descent back towards the woods, over the style and retrace our steps through the woods and back to the playing fields.
Alastair from Fell Running Pictures ,whilst fighting illness, climbed the hill to take this and many other great photos. Keep taking the tablets mate ;-)
This year the route at the top was reversed from last year due to some rabbit holes at the bottom of the steep hill. Better to get your foot stuck in one at slow uphill speed rather than fast downhill.

I was 2 mins faster this year, but, due to the change in route I don't know whether there was real progress. I think there was.

Nice to see everyone again and I look forward to the next run in the series. Stiperstones.

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.

Ercal Wrekin training run 5/6/10

A nice slow run with Methuselah. Just over 6 miles and 1500ft ish of climb.
Started on the north east side of the Ercal. Up and over then along the road to the foot of the Wrekin. Up and over the Wrekin down to, then up, little hill. From there a nice steady jog round the south side of the Wrekin and back to the Ercal. Not much energy left so it was a walk up to the top of the Ercal then jog down back to the truck.
Mostly very slow but trying to put on some speed up some of the hills.

Batch Bash Fell Race 2/6/10

AS 3miles 1000ft.
The third race in the Shropshire summer series.
A nice evening for it. Luckily the temperature had dropped a few degrees from the afternoon and the running was quite bearable. Even photographer Alastair had a pair of shorts on. I've not seen legs like that since the 1999 world knobbly knees contest, or was it on a chicken farm ? Only joking Al, you have a fine set of pins ;-)
It was my first run of this race so I didn't really know what to expect. Luckily I was warned by GrahamS that there were three hills on route. Good job too, it seemed like we'd done three miles by the time I'd gone up the second hill. The trails in between the hills suited me as I could get up some good speed and get ahead of a few people before the next hill where I inevitably got caught up again.
I've said it before but I could really do with shedding some weight. Last year I was regularly coming within a minute of fellow runners RichardP and DaronW. Daron has lost a lot of weight himself and Richard seems to be blasting up the hills this year. They're both running really well and keep finishing way ahead of me. I really should try and keep up with them.

Shuttlingsloe Fell Race 31/5/10

AS 1.9 miles 800ft.

Shuttlingsloe in the background. Up there and back again.
Methuselah joined me again for, our third, run of this race.
Part of the Wildboarclough village fate, it's a real traditional fate and race.
Starts at the oak tree, run down the field, across the river, up through the steep wooded section, back into the open, over a couple of styles up to the top and back again. Finishes when you've touched the wall back at Crag hall. We were both faster than last year but not as quick as our first run two years ago. To reward myself for the effort I then tucked into some home made cake washed down with some local beer. Great end to a fantastic 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 ;-)

Road Run in Vibram 5 fingers

Flat run round the lanes and tracks near my house.

I've been reading a book recently, "Pose method of running", and thought I would have a slow jog to try to incorporate some of the authors methods into my running technique. Not sure how easy it will be to adapt some of Romanov's ideas into mountain running but he seems to be banging on about the same sort of stuff as many others. Basically, stop heel striking and run fore foot mid foot.
I've also bought "chi running" which I will read next. That, I'm guessing, will probably say the same thing but in a different way.

Wrekin Training Run 20/5/10

Run up and over little hill. Jog around the side of the Wrekin then fast as I could up the flank to the summit. The rest of the run was a slow jog down the north east side and around the south side back to the truck. No logs on this occasion.

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.

Caradoc Classic 12/5/10

AS 3.5 miles 880 feet. The second race ,of six, in the Shropshire Hills Summer Series.

Thanks to Alistair www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk for this photo

I've not done this race before and was glad to be able to give it a go this year. Starts with a short run to the south side of Caradoc, then, straight up to the top. As usual I lost a few places on the way up, but, because of a different route on the way down, with a slightly longer run from the base back to the finish line, I was able to pick off a couple of people on the run in. For me the weather conditions were perfect. No rain, no wind but quite cold. Great to see all the usual faces and catch up with people before and after the race (hi Jim). I'm really looking forward to the next race in the series. In the meanwhile though, I'm hoping to do Moel Eilio at the weekend.

Wrekin Training Run 5/5/10

Wrekin run in the mist and rain.
Route
Tried to push myself going up the hills and gentle jog on the flat bits. Out for about an hour and a half. Not my best run, it all seemed a bit of an effort. I could only just be bothered to carry a very small log back for the wood burner. Must try harder next time.

Wrekin, Vibram 5 fingers and log "find" 29/4

Last summer, after reading a bit on the subject, I started doing a little bit of bare foot running round a field next to my home. What I'd read suggested that a lot of the injuries runners seem to get, are not the result of running, but more the result of our foot wear and the style of running that that foot wear encourages. I'd only built up to doing half an hour bare foot before summer came to an end and it was too cold to continue bare footing. I think it was enough to start me off because over the winter I tried to change my style and run as though I were bare foot. Also, I only ran in my Mudclaw 270's which are low profile without much cushioning. My running buddy Methuselah was also coming to the same conclusions as myself. While I've been waiting for Inov8 to come up with an even more minimalist shoe, but still with suitable grip for some of the more serious runs I do, Methuselah went down the Vibram 5 finger route. He had a few ups and downs on route, spending a lot of time on his back side in some of the races we did. He now seems to have adapted (with the aid of more grippy 5's). Anyway........I ended up with a pair of 5's kindly donated by Methuselah. Apart from wearing them on holiday recently I hadn't worn them. So, I decided it was time to give them a decent try.
I popped down to my local hill the Wrekin.

Started at the western end, up and over little hill, then on to Wrekin summit. A little slower than usual, I don't think it was down to the 5's but more like the extra weight I've put on recently. After reaching the top I carried on down the east side to the bottom. It's mainly stony path on that side and I could feel all the stones under foot. I must have looked a bit like an over grown fairy tip toeing down the path (lucky it was raining and there weren't many people around). After that I doubled back round the north side through the woods.

On the way back to the truck I went on a hunt for some food for the wood burner and found a modest log to haul back.

I was out for about an hour and a half. Towards the end of the run I was finding it hard to keep my weight off my heels as I think my calves were getting tired (confirmed the next day with stiff calves). And, the balls of my feet were a bit sore from all the small stones on the paths. But, apart from that, It seems as though my running style has changed over the winter to a more mid foot, fore foot strike and the lack of any more painful achillies problems seems to suggest, for me at least, the new style is working.
I think I will still mainly use my Mudclaws until Inov8 come out with something better. But, I will try to use the vibrams maybe once a month to continue to work on my technique. And now the weathers getting warmer, I'll do some more bare footing in the field.