Thinking About Getting A Treadmill...

I know. I know. The ubiquitous treadmill is not exactly the training tool for the professional fell runner but I think I can make it work. I'm not looking at it with an eye to medium or long runs but in terms of interval/speed work, in a controlled, measurable environment I reckon it could work. Treadmill running isn't exactly like real running but in terms of getting into a habit - and I'm not talking nuns clothing - it could be my best chance of getting into a regular routine. The fact that I saw an internet clip today of Mo Farah completing a seventeen - yes! seventeen - mile treadmill session only strengthens the case! If it's good enough for the great man then no one can pooh pooh it - and before you ask, I already started to pen this post yesterday as a draft. The idea of a treadmill has been bubbling for a few days. I guess today's Mo Farah internet clip was a portent that it's meant to be...

So anyway, my arms and abs are aching so I decided to take a full rest day today - although I have been into work so it's not like I've spent the day in bed. I'll be back on it tomorrow - and you can take that to the bank.

Another Day Another Row...

Personal Best - but it's getting harder. Much much harder. Different tactics today. Hit the first 1000m just slightly off pace. Stepped it up to the pace in the next 500m and then pulled it down towards 1:50/500m to romp home a full 2.3s inside yesterday's time in 7:52.0. That's (oxymoron alert) a whole half a percent faster!!

I followed a slightly different format today - nothing quite like mixing it up a little. Oh yeah baby, I like to live it on the edge! Thirty minutes on the bike followed by the row and then another thirty on the bike with core strength reps to finish.

Tomorrow's plans to work from home have been thrown into disarray by an bit of an emergency in work so I'll be in Bristol first thing. Grrh.

And Into The Sevens...

As I drove home thought's turned to training. I decided it was time to break back inside eight minutes for the 2000m row. Without any hesitation on arrival home I headed into the gym for the attempt. It had to be metronomic and steady. At 500m in I was on pace, just inside the target. By 1000m doubts began to creep in and the hardwork started. By 1500m I was beginning to breath really hard - not to mention starting to feel a bit faint - but from there it was just about hanging on. I pulled the last stroke to finish in 07:54.3 and it felt good - once I got my breath back. Then I dug out my records. My PB for the 2000m is 07:25.4 set way way back on the 5th of May 2005 - only need to find 30s from somewhere then...

Of course, I followed the row with forty five on the bike before the core strength work. Beginning to feel good about things. There is no sign of the sagging bits becoming less saggy yet but then it has only been eight days. 2016 could be the year....

Well I Couldn't Do it...

I couldn't pull a rest day. True, it was an easier day but by mid afternoon I was fidgeting like weasel on hot coals. I succumbed and put in 75 minutes on the bike. No row. No core work but definitely not the rest day it should have been. I'll be back to the full program tomorrow although it'll be a test of the new training ethic as to see how I feel after the day at work. I will not fail.

Other than that, it's been a welcome few days off from the hustle and bustle. The only downside is that my oven has broken - boo. It's only the element though and the replacement should be here by midweek.

More Like It...

Fastest 2k row to date, 8:02. Way way down on my best of.... ten years ago... but then I'm ten years older - not to mention bloody unfit and sagging in places I'd rather not sag. Still, will be nice to get into the sevens in a day or two.

Still feel a bit bloaty but better than yesterday. Followed the row by the bike and of course the abs and pull-ups. I might take a rest day tomorrow before heading back to the grindstone that is work on Tuesday.

On other matters, I finally managed to get to the supermarket. Mind you, I almost turned away when I was confronted with another very full car park. What the hell is wrong with people? Last Tuesday - chockers. Last Wednesday - chockers. Last Thursday - chockers. Saturday - Chockers. Today - chockers. Some people need to take a long look at themselves. If it wasn't for the fact I haven't been to the shops for almost two weeks and have practically nothing left except soursough starter and flour I'd probably turned back. Hopefully I now have enough food to see me through to the new year when the madness of people will be back to the normal levels of madness.

A Bit Fatigued...

Another day, another row, bike abs complete but it felt laboured today. I think the honeymoon might be over and that now the hard work is about to begin but I didn't have any motivational difficulty completing the session. So hopefully, however tough it gets, I'll be tougher...

Away from the training, I've been feeling a bit bloaty today. Hopefully a good nights sleep will fix that.

A First...

I have never ever managed to find the enthusiasm to exercise on Christmas day before. More of the same for me today though. Another 2k row, bike, abs and pull-ups. Another tiny step complete up a very very long ladder...

So I Had The Day Off Yesterday...

From training not work and I stayed down in Bristol for my birthday so didn't have a spare moment. Back on it today though. Another row, bike abs... You'd think it would get boring wouldn't you? But it hasn't so far.

Now I'm not going to get ahead of myself and these are very early days but with each session done I feel driven towards completing the next. I've even rolled out the big guns - the heart rate monitor - to gauge improvement in my fitness, keep me focused and inspire me onwards and upwards. I can feel some graphs coming to the training log spreadsheet. I do love a good spreadsheet...

I Knew It Couldn't Last....

After successfully cooking and - and this is the important bit - eating Cauliflower cheese without burning my mouth Sunday the natural balance of the universe returned to normal tonight for the microwave re-heat. Not sure I'm ever going to learn...

Anyway, I managed another good exercise session tonight. Another 2000m row, sixty minutes on the bike, ab-crunches and pull-ups. I'm now sporting an aching stomach and crooked neck. I've also put my training log on my blog. Nobody will view but hopefully it will act like a psychological carrot - or something like that.

Under A Malaise

I've been struggling to find my mojo - not the half penny chew of yesteryear - for a while. I've had more false starts on the comeback trail than a sprinter with a tic. I've decided I'm not going to race for a while. I'm going to try and get back some basic fitness away from the indignity of doing utterly pants at races - and I have really been utterly pants for a few years.

I'm going to start with a cardio routine of rowing and bike and crunches, pull-ups and push ups for core strength. I want something I can do easily after work with minimal chance of making excuses. I should be able to accurately monitor my fitness level and once I'm ready I can start again...

So If It Dries Up Tomorrow I May....

Head over to the Malverns... Not run 'em for a while. Could be good...

To Cardington, Or Not To Cardington, That Is The Question...

It's not an easy race. I have zero mojo with associated total lack of fitness but it's a bloody good race. Going to be a late call I guess. I've got till Sunday morning before dawn to decide...

Soggy And Cold....

Yes, it was another soggy day at the orienteering. I was going to run Blorenge but looking out the window this morning, at the unending dark clouds looming, I decided I'd rather get soggy and cold closer to home.

I had quite a good run in the end. Didn't make any really big errors. A few small ones here. A couple of slightly non-optimal route choices there. Before I knew it, it was over. I was damp to the bones by the end and.. cold, so very very cold - okay I wasn't that cold but I was certainly happy to be standing under a piping hot shower forty minutes later.

Thinking of emigrating...

Been A Bit Quiet....

but I'm not going away. I've a few more days in the wilderness before my next race.. And while I'm talking races. This Saturday 7:05am Channel Four sees the screening of the Garmin Mourne Mountains Skyline race....

So It's Almost The Weekend...

and a reasonably full weekend. Well, I say full. Really just two short races... Race one, the Bull something near Ross-on-Wye on Saturday and the Gyhirych Grind Sunday - provided I don't end up marshalling again....

The Bull something race sounds interesting. There is a route choice near the end. One route is steep. The other less so. I think we can all guess which route I shall be taking...

Time To Chill...

Well it's over. Done and dusted. Curtain down on the Trellech Orienteering. It feels nice to have finally got there but I am feeling fatigued both physically and mentally now. Everything went off okay and most people seemed to have enjoyed it - despite it being a bit of a physical course.

The day started pretty much the same way yesterday finished - putting out controls in the pouring ran. Thankfully I got the remaining controls out in just over an hour - still long enough to get soaked to the skin and beyond. Fortunately Vera was along for the ride so I was able to do a full kit change and get myself warm and dry - but not before I taped one section of the course and the route to the start.

After a hour assisting at the start the rain finally stopped and unbelievably the sun came out. After the peak had subsided I headed back to the registration area for a chat and to watch the weary runners returning and before long it was time to head back out to collect the controls. The assistance of Pete W was invaluable and there's no way I'd have completed the process inside half an hour of the courses closing without his help - nor, in fact the whole planning thing. His help was brilliant.

Planning aside, the highlight of the day was informing Andy C that the control he struggled with towards the end was also a control on the yellow course... (that's the least technical course for those not in the know).

Surprisingly Knackered...

.. and not to mention cold and wet. It was not a nice day to be out there but needs must. Those needs which needed musting - oh er, sounds a bit rude - where the controls for tomorrows Trellech orienteering. Well they don't just walk out there by themselves...

Five batches placed, I covered about 10k in the process. Even managed to fit in a few hill reps. Two thirds are now in place and good to go. I should add that today's were the furthest placed controls so tomorrow's one third will be easier - I hope. Can't say I won't be glad once it's all over. It has been quite hard work, not to mention time consuming. But then again, without people stepping up and committing their time to the cause there would be no orienteering for anyone.

Is It Sunday Already?

Like I care.... cue day off Monday. Not doing anything special just got some days to use. Three day week coming up. Nuff said.

Not Exactly The After Party I had In Mind...

After some lush grub at Aqua and a great night out with chums I wasn't expecting to get a call out to work on the way home this morning. Spending the afternoon at sunny Littleton trying to locate the cause of the works failure wasn't quite the after party I had planned... but we got it sorted eventually, having deployed all the tricks of the trade to find the fault. I finally made it home just as the sun began to set. I've had better Saturdays. It was a good Friday night out though. Didn't really feel up for it before hand, what with all the turmoil at work but I'm glad I went. It was a good laugh.

The Tape Held...

and no new tape was required elsewhere... A better, less hectic day all round. Actually managed to get some work done.

My calf muscles are still really tight and sore but easing. Should be okay by the weekend and hopefully an easy run in the mountains.

Back To Work With A Vengance

Talk about coming back to fires to fight on all fronts. The problems didn't stop coming in. Everyone more urgent than the previous. With much 'sticky tape' we got things fixed but it highlights just how thinly my team is spread - I say my team, it's not really 'my' team, but we are spread thin. With the restructure and reduction in numbers we are only going to be spread more thinly - and we can only stretch so far.... And don't mention my 'zero policy' inbox. My email backlog is going to take a week to clear.

Here's hoping tomorrow won't be so shitty...

Needed The Break..

But all good things must come to an end. I've hardly given a thought to the turmoil that is work during the last five days and I feel all the better for it - apart from my quads and calf muscles which are still quite sore.

I've taken it all very restful today. An easy half hour on the exercise bike to gently work the sore muscles. Harvested the last of this years chilli crop and pruned the plants back ready to over winter and harvested the last of the tomatoes. Might make some more tomato chutney as the latch was lush.

Ah well, back to the grindstone...

Home

The journey home was pretty good. The plane didn't crash and there were no delays - result. Feeling really knackered though. Going to sleep well tonight me thinks.

Now I'm not really one for getting overly excited about race medals these days. The first couple are nice but after that they don't really mean much. In the case of yesterday's race though, I'm quite proud of myself. It was a war of attrition out there and I was a little worried I might not make it - Strava (gps track now posted) does actually prove I went the distance. And it's quite a nice looking medal...

More details of the race itself. I took it out too hard. There was a cut off at the far end of the course, 15k out - and was slightly worried of missing it! As it turned out I had more time than I estimated and so should have gone out a little easier. That said I would still have died but maybe not in such a calamitous fashion.

The low point was on the second to last climb. A long uppy-downy climb to Slieve Commedagh. Having made the decision to carry on after the second descent of Slieve Bearnagh I realised, a few metres ahead, that I was only just able to keep pace with a group of elderly women walkers. Thankfully I did manage to burn them off eventually...

The high light of my race was the descent off the final summit, Slieve Donard, the highest in the Mournes. Looking through various other Stravas, my split holds up well to runners finishing an hour ahead! If only I had done some training...

And for information, Channel 4 were out filming the race, to be shown sometime in November. There probably isn't much likelihood I'll make the final cut but it's probable the second woman will.

Well That's Me Wrecked

That was one of the hardest race I've ever run. 35km with 2850m of ascent. And me such an under trained, unfit lard arse. I very nearly called it quits after the descent from penultimate penultimate ascent. The head said I'm too knackered to continue, there being a lower altitude way back from where I was but the heart said sod that. Man the hell up.

I'm glad I completed but by god I suffered. 100th place. A late afternoon nap awaits - especially since I got almost no sleep last night with some bloke in the dorm snoring for Britain.

36, Not The Magic Number...

but it is the number of hours till the Mourne Skyline Mountain trail race. I have the route memorised - can you believe that a compass isn't on the compulsory kit list! It is on the 'might be required at the race directors discretion' but not on the actual required list. There are aid stations providing water and the midway station provides energy food - it'll almost be exactly like running the Bristol to Bath Marathon - except for the rough, rocky ground underfoot and the 11,000 feet of ascent (although I've measured the ascent and reckon it'll only be around 9,000 feet). The forecast looks Okay. A bit wet but the sun may come out to play later in the day...

On The Upside...

So Saturday's orienteering was a bit rubbish. To be fair to myself, it was really only two controls that did for me. One cost perhaps two minutes. The other, the best part of ten. Apart from that I did navigate quite accurately. May be next time...

On the upside, this weeks Mourne Skyline race is going to be expectation free. There's no pressure - other than getting around before the cut off... Plus I have five days away from work - that's a pretty big upside in my book in the current climate of fear and uncertainty! 

So I think I Might....

Make it to the Orienteering Saturday. High Meadow. I like the area - the last time I was there I had f&(ked up by control number five.... Here's to hoping I might make it to six and beyond....

It's not long now until the Mourne Skyline race and I am so not ready for it I think I might very well die. Still, I'm looking forward to it on the grounds that I will be far far far away from the shambles that is the restructuring at work. It will be the first time in many many months that I will have turned the work phone off - and rest assured it will being staying off for the entire time. Having it's very own holiday - if you will - resting at the bottom of a very deep drawer...

Almost Finished With Trellech...

Lovely way to spend a Sunday. Another few hours spent traipsing though the woods of Trellech Common. The good news, the courses are - barring any late issues - planned. It has been a journey of discovery that's for sure!

I've tried my best to avoid the worst of the brambles and brashings but without keeping the courses on the main tracks there's going to be a few rough bits...

And don't forget (cause you'll need 'em), you can get your GaiterBlades(tm) from MadRunner.com for just $99.99 - brambles are so yesterday....

Gripping Stuff As The Heating Comes Back On....

Finally got the heating fixed. The brand new shiny red expansion vessel is doing its thing - absorbing the expansion of hot water that is, not actually expanding. The downside, the safety cut off valve has decided to break so that's next on the list of things to repair. What will be next to break? Oh yeah, I forgot, the rear shocks on the car need to be replaced but at least today's tyre change - front and back - will keep me from sliding off the road, giving me the grip as we head into winter. Going to be an expensive month...

Finally Found The Source Of The Pressure Drop...

I've been seeing the water pressure in the boiler drop for a month or so but haven't been able - until now - to find where it was leaking. Turns out it was due to a rusty expansion tank. And on finding said rusty bit it gave way as I examined it causing much water to p!$$ out all over the floor. Luckily I had a voluminous receptacle within reach as I stuck my finger into the hole - like the little boy and the dyke - ooh, er matron. Total disaster was avoided but I have a feeling things might start to get expensive. What else might be reaching end of life within the dark depths of the boiler? Hopefully I can get away with just replacing the expansion tank. Fingers crossed.

On a lighter note, I managed to get over to Trellech and I think - touch wood - that I'm within touching distance of everything being sorted...

FFS!

That's Fan Fawr Saturday.... Didn't have a terrible run. Wasn't great either. At least I didn't feel ill this week.

I took the direct line up. I took the direct line down - see my Strava. I can't really comment on whether it worked or not because I am so far from fit it's difficult to gauge where'd I have finished if I had taken the conventional route. Will probably try it again next year...

After the race a few of us went for a pootle up Corn Du. Well after an hour and a half drive to get there it feels wrong to only run a mile up a hill and a mile back down again... Not a bad way to spend an autumnal Saturday afternoon. We even got some sunshine!

Back over to Trellech tomorrow...

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off To Trellech I Go...

Bit of impromptu day off tomorrow - lot's of holiday to use rather than lose. Heading back over to Trellech to mark up more controls and check stuff - mustn't get stressed, mustn't get stressed but time is running out. Looks to be a nice day weatherwise...

Not Such A Good Run

Wasn't really up to posting the ol' blog on the weekend. After a somewhat epic fail at the Black Mountains fell race - sickness at under 400m in meant the only sensible option was to abort abort abort. I still felt unwell Sunday but managed to mark up some controls at the Trellech orienteering. Felt even worse this morning despite hitting the bed at half past eight last night I hardly slept a wink and didn't attempt to get out of bed until midday. I have finally started to feel okay - the stomach rumbling and grumbling having finally ceased. Hopefully it's back to business as usual tomorrow. Really disappointed to have missed the BMs race though. It's the race I've run the most times of any race I've ever run - wow, I must be feeling better, I've practically invented a new tongue twister!

A Slight Hiccup

So I was over to the Rogue Runs Mini Mountain Marathon this morning. As you'd expect I was in for the Long Course. Kit packed, Vera loaded I was all set for a great weekend of running - or walking when the going got rough.

All was going to plan. I rolled up to the event, checked in. Collected my map, marked my controls and set off at about 9:42..

I had a little hiccup at control one. Not a disaster and I didn't waste too much time finding it. The problem I have with the Harvey's Map is what I like to call the "That's not a knife. This IS a knife!" quote from Crocodile Dundee. For a feature to make the Harvey's it has to be BIG, really BIG. Where there might be lot's of crags, only the BIG ones make it onto the map. Control one was more a rock face than a crag amongst many crags. A re-entrant is more a valley on the Harvey's. A sink hole, practically a small mine. You get the picture. Anyway, my error at control one helped me for the rest of the route and hopefully the rest of my Harvey's map usage...

With control one in the bag I then proceeded to cock up control two. It was more a case of not concentrating and planning properly than anything else so I take the hit. Again, didn't lose too much time.

Control three presented no problems but on the way to four I had a bit of a mishap. I fair f*(%ed down while crossing a the river. My foot just slipped from beneath me and I cracked my right knee good and proper but saved myself from a soaking with my quick reflexes although I did manage to flip one of my fingernails back on itself - not at all painful and of course there was no profanities spoken - like f*(% there wasn't!

My knee didn't feel to bad so I decided to carry on. Control four was okay - although it always helps when you come across a fellow competitor searching for the same control who starts waving at his partner when he's found it...

I took some good lines to the next two controls and wasted no time - other than my pedestrian pace - checking them off. Control seven was a longish slog but I knew the route there well as did I the route to eight and in both cases covered the distance pretty decently.

My nemesis was number nine, the last. It started off well as I ran under the Fan Hir ridge, knowing there was a bit of a path there. But once I got back up top it all went utterly Pete Tong.With probably less than 3km of actual distance to go I was feeling pretty good and with fifty minutes left to break the six hour mark I was feeling good... (apart from the slightly hurting knee).

From that point it all went wrong. Tussocks! I never every want to here the word again.EVER! My progress slowed to a crawl. The tussocks really didn't help my knee, causing much twisting and hurting.

Half way across the tussocks I tripped and my right leg cramped up. Hadn't felt any twitches before that. Spent three or four minutes sat in the tussock stretching before I moved on. Even more slowly than before. A few minutes later I fell into a deep tussock. Practically up to my chest and I could feel the cramp coming on again. I slightly panicked but also tried to relax. And just stood, feet underwater, trying to stay relaxed and stave off another bought of cramp which would have had much worse consequences.

From there I was even slower and just wanted to get back in one piece. My knee was starting to full on hurt so I was reduced to checking almost every step was going to make good contact with solid ground... I eventually made it to the valley bottom crossed the river and climbed up to control nine.

I was then back on the path for a bit before cutting off on a short-cut off piste and down to the finish. Never have I been more glad to make it back - and I wasn't last! Fourth of five with six non-finishers. I'll take that as a result. I've taken the sensible decision and hung up my running shoes for the weekend and decided to call it a day on tomorrow. With the Black Mountains race next weekend I really can't afford to do more damage.

I'm disappointed not to run tomorrow but I know I'd be doing more damage. Apart from the couple of hiccups I really enjoyed the MMM. I think the route was really good. Hat's off to the RogueRuns team for putting on a great event.

Didn't Quite Make It..

My back is killing me. Bloomin' glad I got the drainage sorted in one hit because I'd be struggling to get it sorted now if I hadn't. Damn this aged body of mine...

Almost Set For Llyn y Fan...

Apart from the fact my back is killing - after dredging the stream and hacking back the undergrowth yesterday, in preparation for the rainy season. Should be all systems go tomorrow though. I say all systems go, I guess it's more impulse engines only these days...

Lunch Again

Going to be getting more tricky fitting in the lunch run for a few weeks. At least today happened. Despite looking nice out it was surprisingly windy, especially on the run in. Wasn't the greatest but a run is a run.

Yeah! Did It..

Okay, it was a day late but we managed the second lunch run of the week today. My hip was a bit sore yesterday so we aborted until today. Happy to report everything is in order now - although I think we might have caused the entropy of the universe to jump a little.

We ran the dreaded anti-clockwise variation. A variation so evil in its despicableness that we haven't run it for something like two years. It's really pretty similar to the clockwise route except we run it in reverse...

It wasn't pretty. I wasn't fast but I'm glad I did it.

Going To Attempt The Double Lunch Run...

It's been a long while since we've attempted two lunch runs in one week... I know! Too ambitious? Tomorrow could be it...

Heck was it hot today. It was like the middle of summer. I guess it was more the humidity that contributed to the feeling of hotness. Not sure it was very quick. Didn't take my watch. Does that really matter...

All Trooped Out...

Standing relatively still for five hours is surprisingly hard work! My feet are a little sore - I think my mud claws have more cushioning than today's footwear.

Well done to everyone who ran or helped at today's Severn Bridge Half Marathon. Lot's of smiling faces present both before and after. My favourite moment of the day was helping a few of the gang extricate two thousand five hundred medals from their individual plastic bags. It was like shelling peas from a pod - okay no, it wasn't anything like shelling peas from a pod.

Off for a longer run tomorrow. There is the Machen but it's a longish drive for just 4 miles so be nice to run locally and chill before back to work Tuesday.

Four Fans-tastic!

That's the title I would have gone with, had the hill fog remained during the race. As it was, it was light drizzle throughout and unfortunately good visibility for most of the race. With my navigational edge lost and my fitness low I decided to try out a few new things.

First I used the south west descent off Fan Frynych . It wasn't actually too rough. Steepish but not too severe. It wasn't a bad route but I'm pretty sure it's slower than my normal route. Was all fairly normal from there. The tussocky descent from Nedd. The not too scary river crossing. The direct line ascent to Fan Llia before another slight change from normal.

I took a much more northerly route down into the valley towards the sheepfolds, just south of Nant Mawr. It took the steepness out of it and the entire drop was really fast plus the river wasn't quite so raging - raging enough to be ever so slightly scary though. A quick crossing it was not.

Then it was the slog to the top. I got a pretty good line to reach the top plateau only about 200m shy of the checkpoint cairn. I was pleased with that seeing as how the route choice had been a bit ad-hoc. From there I took the side descent taking a line pretty much directly towards the Storey Arms before picking up the normal path down to the finish.

All in all a good day out 'running' a real proper fell race. Can't finish without thanking the summit marshals out there today because it couldn't have been hugely nice for them - oh, and thanks Andy B for one of the best races in the calendar...

Not Such A "Sweet Little Mystery"...

Yes, that's right folks. Tomorrow's Four Fans is going to be Wet, Wet, Wet - did you see what I did there?

Conditions looks to be pretty horribly. 80-90% chance of heavy wet stuff. At least it only says breezy so it might be a day for ditching the glasses and cracking out the contact lenses. Either way it's definitely going to be conditions to suit the navigators amongst us...

In summary, make sure you take your full waterproof kit 'cause I don't think the windproofs are going to cut the mustard tomorrow!

It Wasn't The Best Of Recces...

but at least I have a feel for the other ways down from Fan Frynych. The mountain forecast's "30% chance of precipitation and some good views out of the mist" turned out to be rain the entire time and bugger all views through the extensive hill fog - not ideal conditions for a recce. That's two wet ones in a row. Wonder which recce will be the third?

Anyway, I set off from the van, having parked in the lower layby and headed up to join the Beacons Way. I got a pretty good line across the corner cut considering I couldn't be arsed to get the compass out and visibility was 100m.

From Fan Frynych I decided to try for the south western track as shown on the OS 50k but I wasn't entirely sure there's anything there as I couldn't see it on the satellite maps and the 25k doesn't show it. So I turned off the main path at the cairn and initially dropped off south before contouring to see if I could intersect any paths or trods but didn't find anything decent until I was down to within a few hundred metres of the valley path. I did think about seeing how far that went back up but I was getting soggier by the minute and I wasn't having the most fun I've ever had so decided to carry on. The valley path was quite pleasant even in the rain.

Once I got to Roman Road I followed it up a little (in race direction) to get a feel for how much 'up' it will involved because I am shocking at ascending these days - having said that I'm not exactly good at the flat or descent either but I'm definitely worse going up.

Then I returned to the hill and made my way up, across the rough stuff, to the main path and onwards back to Fan Frynych. I did a pretty fine job of hitting the path even if I do say so myself because I wasn't sure where to head off the Roman Road and couldn't see that far ahead through the rainy fog - and still couldn't be arsed to get out the compass - but I hit it smack on.

Once past FF it was back along the Beacons Way again - no corner cut this time - and back to the van to change into dry clothes for the drive home.

Looking Good For Tomorrow

Four Fans here I come - except it's only going to be three fans. And now I think about it, two of those are going to be the same one twice. Am I making any sense? - I sincerely hope not. It's time I looked at the other route options and tomorrow is that time...

Let's Hope Tomorrow Will Be Better...

At my desk by 07:00 for what turned out to be a twelve hourer isn't my most favourite working pattern. Still, I learnt a little more as I sorted things out with my colleague. It's always good to gain a bit more knowledge - in the event I find myself deciding to move on....

Hopefully tomorrow will be of a more normal duration and then Thursday I'm off to recce the bits of the Four Fans I've not reconnoitred before.

Legs Recovering..

Jeez, my legs are aching today. Surprisingly it's my quads not my poor cramped calves - they're feeling fine - okay, fine is over stating it...

Anyway, I've been busy in the kitchen today. With a glut of tomatoes, all ripening at the same time, I cooked up some tomato relish/jam/chutney - call it what you will. Harvested the last of the basil for a batch of pesto - some of which I then used on my sourdough based pizza for tea.

Ah well, back to the grind stone tomorrow :-( 

Well That Was Hard Work...

Conditions were good if a little on the hot side for the first hour. Sunblocked up we set off at 10:30 on the 19mile loop and 1400m ascent that is the Brecon Beacons fell race.

I started steadily and eased into it on the first long slog to Carn Pica and then held a good pace across the top and the ridge. The climbs to Cribyn and Pen y Fan weren't quick but not a disaster. The ridge run towards the trig that I don't know the name of, however, went a bit a wrong. I was running okay but I had a few tummy troubles - let's just say we won't mention the name Paula. From there I went down hill fast - but not in a good way...

By the time I got the other trig point that I also don't know the name of (second to last check point) I was beginning to dehydrate and cramp set in. Despite seeing Tor y Foel in the distance it didn't seem to get any closer as my pace took a dive. It took forever to finally reach the base of Tor y Foel and for a moment I was tempted to end the agony and skip it but I have my record to uphold - the never not finished a race I've started thing.

So I eventually made the summit of TyF before the fast descent - okay, not so fast today - back down to the finish. My competitive spirit kicked in, despite losing place after place along the ridge, as I pushed to gain one meaningless place. That, as it turned out, wasn't the greatest thing to have done because as I reached the dam my calves completely and totally cramped and I was reduced to a pitiful hoppy walk affair in order to retain the place I'd gain on the descent. Finally across the line, the agony was at an end. Except it wasn't as I had to get back the van in order to change. I spent ten minutes easy stretching which had a measure of success. After a further twenty minutes, changed and feeling cleaner, I felt more human - and could walk a little more normally.

Looks Like The Beacons Are Go..

I'm finally beginning to believe the forecast for tomorrow. As the rain washed in this morning I thought I'd be giving tomorrow a miss - not actually the day that will be tomorrow, obviously, but the race that takes place on the day that will be tomorrow. The Brecon Beacons Fell Race looks to be a goer - because I sure as heck wasn't going if it was as wet as the recce. I reckon it should be close to ideal - apart from the lack of some mist (dryish mist not wet stuff) to help the slower navigators amongst us...

My target time (that I'm not going to achieve) is my time from 2010 - has it really been five years since I last ran the Brecon Beacons? - 3hr 37mins. Come what may, it will be good to finally race it anti-clockwise...


PS 'race' in the loosest possibly sense.

Well I'm Glad I Took The Day Off Work For That...

The forecast said scattered light showers and some strong gusts - which, to be fair, there were. What the forecast omitted to mention was that, between those light showers and gusts, there would be constant, driving rain and gale force winds. Up on top the rain stung the face like being shot by a paint gun. Pleasant it was not and in the end, conditions defeated us as we beat retreat from the hill via the forest track running below the final ridge.

So in the end our full Brecon Beacons recce turned out to be not quite the full monty. By the finish, wet through - hands wrinkled like I'd been in the bath too long - we'd clock up around 30km with 1350m of ascent. So despite everything it was still decent training. Just wish it could have been drier training.

Oh, and for the record, if the forecast on the day of the race is for scattered light showers then you can count me out because I'm not going through that again...  

Last Time...

I reccied the Anti-Clockwise Brecon Beacons race I never made it to the actual race... In fact, I've never made it to the anti-clockwise race...

Hopefully the weather won't be too unkind during a full recce tomorrow. I feel like I'm getting fitter and stronger but 19 miles is, well, 19 miles and I'm not sure how well I'll stand up to that.

Show Time....

The Llanthony Show that is. I've never been before - and never will again.... Just kidding. I really enjoyed the relatively uncomplex fell race. A pootle up to the Offa's Dyke ridge. A pootle along the ridge. And a pootle back down to the showground. I had a reasonable run. True, I was pants on the way up. Wasn't too bad along the ridge and then came into my own on the descent. Relatively rough, stoney technical followed by rutted, break your ankle fields. Mint. I do like a race with a good finish. It was once at the finish I was verbally abused - by Vanessa. The implication of me finishing not far behind Matthew wasn't that I had had a good run, more that he had run like a one legged donkey - and despite protestations that she didn't mean that, the hole that was being dug just kept getting deeper... ;-) And I can't finish without mention of the great Show announcer man, the man on the microphone, the host with the most - okay, I'll stop now. He gave a great commentary on all of the days events - although he didn't mention Dennis' rosette in the dog show.

A Very Social Run...

So the weather was true to the forecast. It was close to perfect as we, that's seven of us, set out from Tal-y-Bont on our loop of the reservoir. It was quite a far reaching loop though. First heading up to Craig y Fan before heading over to Allt Lwyd. From there it was down to the road at Abercynafon, following the South Wales Traverse route.

We deviated off the route a little on the way towards Cefn yr Ystrad to avoid the field, and followed the main track instead. Back on route I drew comments of 'are you sure?' on the way back onto the hillside - and to be honest for a few moments I wasn't quite sure myself! But it had to be right, it was in the right place just not as 'pathy' as it should have been. Turned out it was right, just very very overgrown and under used but we came out at the stile so that put an end to the doubts...

From there it was fairly open, rough running up and across to the quarry but the views were great. It's not often I take a moment to look at the views and with the sun shinning it was worth doing just that. Upon reaching Ystrad summit Matthew convened a forum to discuss if we were actually on the summit or not. Resorting to the map, we decided we were. It was then he sneakily loaded a rock into my back pack! I caught sight of him trying to add another - only at the time I didn't realise it was rock number two...

We headed off from the summit out of the quarry and down to the forest, to the north and a very pleasant path back towards Tor y Foel. Upon reaching the base of Tor y Foel Matthew decided to unload my backpack of the extra weight!

Finally, having gone up and over, and a minor deviation, we reached the dam and our days running was complete. I felt pretty good at the finish and it was pleasing to get in 25km with 4,000ft of ascent. I'm feeling fitter with every run...

Looking Forward To Better Weather Tomorrow...

It's forecast to be really good - but when has that ever mattered when it comes to the weather.. Let's hope for once the forecast is correct. Should be a good pootle around the hills near Tal-y-bont.

Day Off Number One...

Didn't do much really. Spent an hour and a half pressure washing the van - it was really really filthy. The tree in the front garden seems to shed sap on it when it rains. It ain't exactly sparkling even now but it looks slightly less anti-social disorder/neighbour from hell...

Up next, I made a dash to the recycling centre - or the tip, as we used to call it. Street side collections are great an' all but not when they don't collect half the stuff I have to recycle.

So then it was run time. A nice loop of the Sallowvallets area. It was quite a good run. I'm feeling stronger. I'd almost claim I'm getting my old climbing legs back but that would be a lie. Give it another couple of months though..

Finally it was paperwork time as I prepared the stuff needed for Novembers orienteering. And now it is time to chill...

A Little Bit Of Green...

Been out this afternoon checking the green course for Novembers Trellech. I do believe I'm almost there on all courses bar a few minor tweaks. Just need to get all the paperwork sorted now...

Surprisingly, despite not racing yesterday, my legs were quite heavy. Which hopefully means I worked quite hard yesterday. So it wasn't the greatest training but I did run some bits - when I wasn't fitting the forest. And I can say the forest was really bloody overgrown in places but it should be died down by November.

Anyway, looking onwards to the comeback, I'm keen to get my travel arrangements booked for Octobers Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race - only 35k race, incorporating 3,370m of ascent - should be a doddle! Once the travel is booked that'll really focus the mind...

Not A Bad Days Marshalling...

The weather was almost glorious - for those running it probably was full on glorious but the wind was chilling as I stood at check point three waiting for the runners to arrive and department.

So anyway, I set off half an hour before kick off, loaded with my backpack that included a litre of emergency water - didn't expect that. That made it a little harder work but all the better training effect. As I neared the location of check point one, just before the race due to start, back down in the valley, I began to worry I'd left it a little late....

I began to up the effort rate a little in order to make it to my marshalling spot. It's surprising how much quicker and runnable the route gets after the main climb is out the way and as it turned out I needn't have worried as I arrived at my position with plenty of time to spare - about fifteen minutes.

As I said, the wind up top was chilling and I had to put on my waterproof to stave off the worst of it. Before long the runners started to arrive and it didn't take long for the entire field to pass through. Making sure I'd seen the last runner through, and not wanting to hang around as I was getting cold, I set off down to the finish - and I didn't hang around.

I descended quite well, and okay, I had a bit of a rest at the top, but Strava tells my I got a segment PB on the final fort climb! A good days training all in all.

Waun-ted To Run But I'm Helping Instead...

... at tomorrow's Waun Fach fell race. I'm still going to run the route though - albeit with a huge midway break as I marshal the summit. It won't quite be the same but someone's got to step up or there wouldn't be a race for anyone.

Anyway, it's not been the greatest of training weeks. Ahhhhh, I'm slipping... Managed to get out for a run this evening. Bit of time trial to see how I'm progressing so that meant the Hobbs Quarry loop. I should quantify that 'time trial', in this case, meant trying to run at similar effort level to my other runs over the route. Another 37s quicker with similar average heart rate so, despite having a bit of a slack week, things are still moving in the right direction. I'm two minutes up on my time set a month ago.

Wiped Out...

Well I did it and boy am I feeling zonked now. I was a minute slower than last year, most of that lost on the ascent. Conditions at the start were less than pleasant as intermittent strong winds and rain blew through. True to my word, I was Chepstow vested up today - none of this wearing of water proofs nonsense. No, I stared into the face of the rain - and it pissed all over me. It didn't last though. By the time I eventually made it to the Fan y Big summit the rain had all but died out and it wasn't long before the sun came out.

I was better on the descent, making up a good number of places. By the time I reached the road section I was down to empty and fully expected to be overtaken - but I wasn't. In fact, I gained one more place before eventually making it to the finish.

Big thanks to Mynydd Du, as always, well organised and some great after race snacks. The weekend has provided more decent training as the come back continues...

Well That Was Bloody Hard Work...

and it's going to be even harder work tomorrow. The Fan y Big race is double the distance!!

Back to today and the weather was just about perfect. Almost too perfect, in fact, but as I broke out the sunblock the cloud subsequently closed in.

I was pants as ever on the ascent. The Pen y Fan fell race is pretty much all about the ascent. You can make something back on the steep descent but not as much as you can lose going up. I lost just over a minute on last year, summiting in a lowly 34:40. My silver lining was indeed making something back on the descent. 18s quicker than last year. I was slower overall but only by 50s. I'll be faster next year....

So No Training Tonight..

It was on the schedule but in the end I went out with the family - and no, I wasn't about to go out for a run at eleven after I got home. Going to fill in with a very easy run tomorrow ahead of the weekends double header - don't want to tire myself out. Almost have withdrawal symptoms for not having run. This time, after many false dawns, the comeback really is going to happen....

It's All Closing In...

Talk about brambles and nettles. I was reduced to a fight through the undergrowth on a few occasions tonight and have cuts a plenty and itchy nettle stung legs for my efforts. I ran two 5k efforts but with the state of the public footpaths I really wasn't very fast. I think it's time for the hand scythe...

Final Days Rest...

Before I crack back on with the training. Feeling more restored to normal today so I did a very easy session on the exercise bike while catching up on some paperwork. Tomorrow I resume the proper training. Well when I say proper training, I mean general running about without any specific focus. The plan is a run tomorrow, a run Thursday, rest Friday and then hit the Brecon Fans races on the weekend...

The Saunders Supremacy...

The road trip 'oop north' started well - we left on time but then it started to go a little wonky half way up the M6 as we crawled along at a snails pace for mile after mile - it wasn't a good omen. We did finally make base camp though and Neil, Paul and myself were in good spirits as we stood back to admire our marvellous erections - the tents, you grubby lot. I was almost looking forward to the two days of running around the Coniston area of the Lake District - I did say almost. The rest of the gang, Vanessa, Matthew, Esther, Andy C turned up and apparently Andy and Gill were already there - but chose the executive campsite over slumming it with the hoi polloi...

Anyway, we needn't have set the alarm clocks for Saturday morning as we were awoken to a most massive thunder storm - the tent held up though. Luckily the rains stopped before we needed to head out and with breakfast cooked and consumed we made our way to the start. It was from there things went a little wrong....

We had somewhat of a navigation failure on the way to control one and lost many minutes but we soon worked out what we'd done, relocated and soon found it - but not before meeting Andy and Steve. They left us in their wake on the way to control two but neither them nor us achieved success in finding it quickly - although I blame the map - and that's my last word on the matter. After having finally found the right stream and the associated bend with the control marker we headed down and across to control three - which we equally poorly failed to find quickly but eventually did.

From there things picked up as we absolutely nailed control four and five - I won't mention that they were part of the mandatory crossing point... Seriously though, from there we didn't really make any more mistakes and finished in just over six hours and good spirits, At the end of day 1 we were sitting at 23rd overall (of 52ish) and 6th vet team - better than we expected bearing in mind our rather less than good start...

We pitched our tent and successfully cooked dinner and a brew - nothing wrong there. Chatting with the rest of the gang we awaited the arrival of the late finishers. It was from the moment Matthew arrived that it all started to unravel... I suddenly came over nauseous. I'm only joking about any connection between my feeling sick and Matthews arrival. But I did feel seriously nauseous and although I wasn't actually sick I couldn't even consider the cheese and biscuits. In fact I felt so off I just climbed into the tent in the hope I'd feel better - it didn't work - and I didn't sleep much that night either, as my stomach rumbled and bubbled like the witches cauldron from 'The Scottish Play'.

In the morning, determined not to retire, Neil and I prepared for the day ahead - although I wasn't feeling much better. I managed the cheese and biscuits from the night before and some water but couldn't manage anything further - not a good sign of things to come...

And to debunk those unfounded rumours circulating on the internet that The Un-dynamic Duo of Neil and I retired after Day 1, NO WE DIDN'T. We started day 2 and made an okay start. We reached control one in a reasonable time but I was struggling and shortly after I threw up. We carried on and headed to control two. I tried to stay hydrated but even sipping the drink made me feel nauseous.

We navigated to control two - or rather Neil did and I just tried to follow as best I could but I knew at that point I couldn't make it. We sat down at control two for a couple of minutes and I ate a gel but that made me heave and without being able to get the fuel in I was in trouble. There's a time to dig deep and there's a time not to die... so we took the decision to head home. We had a decent escape route back to the road. Had we attempted to get to control three it would have been a much more difficult task to extract myself off the hill.

Glad to be back home now and feeling much better but still a little off. Hopefully a good night's sleep will see me sorted... The worst part of the whole weekend was that I wasn't able to drink my pre-ordered can of Scrumpy Jack at the half way camp - see, I told you I was ill.

And The Trot Makes Twelve...

Even if I was a little naughty by running the Tintern Trot tonight with the Saunders Mountain Marathon on the weekend. I took it very easy for most of the race though and it felt good to run the climb steadily, almost comfortably - and I know two weeks ago that would not have been the case. I can feel the desire to run the fastest race I can is returning. Merely going the distance doesn't feel good enough any more. It's time this old nag started acting more like a race horse again...

PS, I'll be fully recovered for Saturday Neil, honest.

Legs Eleven...

Day fourteen has come and is on its way towards gone and run number eleven has been run. Another loop of the Hobbs Quarry to tonight to gauge how it's going and I'm happy to report it's another gain. Twenty one seconds tonight. That takes it to an overall improvement of 1 minute and 16s in two weeks. Pleased with that.

It's not really very long until the Saunders Mountain Marathon now so I need to balance further gains verses being rested. Tuesday might be my last run before the event or possibly Wednesday. I'd like to run the Tintern Trot on Thursday but I think that might be pushing the boundary.

These last two weeks have certainly improved my chances of not dying somewhere out in the wilderness of the Lake District on the weekend. I just need to start giving some thought to getting the kit together now...

Got To Be A Good Thing Hasn't It?....

So, I've been hitting the running hard. Recording it all on the Fenix 2 and after thirteen days it reports my VOmax has risen from 45 to 48, in a fairly linear fashion vs the runs/efforts I've put in. Now I'm not sure how scientific the Garmin calculation is or how accurate - or even what it really all means - but the higher the VOmax the better, I think? So I think my tactic to hit it short and hard - sssh, matron, stop it - is working.

I've another run planned tomorrow - had a rest day today to recover from yesterday's 'long' run, and after that I'll play it by ear. I still feel I can make some gains vs being fresh for the Saunders but I need to make sure I hit the sweet spot. One thing I think I've achieved over the last thirteen days is the desire to get back to the form, allowing for age, I used to have. And you know what, I think I need to book myself some travel arrangements and accommodation in Newcastle, County Down for the Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race - wot I entered a few months ago - because this Mad Runner is going to make the start line...

Still At It..

So I missed an extra day but I've made up for it. Seven km on Friday and an extremely hot 20km Saturday east of Minehead on the coastal path - I say path but in my book running several miles of it across shingle beach isn't really what I call a path. It fair sapped my energy and I melted in the heat of the midday sun. Ten runs in twelve days can't be bad though.

The Rest Day...

So as it turned out, today was the rest day. After eight straight days of training runs, the lunch run didn't materialise so a rest day it did become.

I'm still feeling good. My body doesn't feel overly broken after this somewhat sudden resurgence of training so, all being well, I shall be back on it tomorrow. The weekend is going to be more of a challenge though as it is Hot Summer Party time but all being well I will keep with the regime. After all, I have the ritual of the Saturday morning hang-over run to maintain...

Garden Gate...

Run numero eight is in the bag. The Blaisdon Wood loop and I pushed it a little on the run in. Feeling a bit knackered now but mission 'going for broke' must continue. I've a lunch run planned for tomorrow but there is a small chance I won't get back from site in time. I have a rest day pencilled in for Thursday but that may be brought forward to tomorrow - depending upon the outcome of lunch run...

And On The Seventh Day...

He did not rest... Run number seven is complete.

I ran the Hobbs loop again tonight. Same as Friday, using the main road variation, and despite feeling more plodding than ever, I managed to get around the route 33s quicker. That's almost a minute improvement in a week. Now I know it's not really very scientific but I think the regime is working. Best of all, it almost feels like I'm getting a routine going...

The Half Dozen...

but I'm not sure run number six actually meets the criteria to be classed a run. It's true, I was wearing shorts, vest and running shoes but that's about as close to running as it got...

Man Alive...

Coity, that's five. Five days, five runs and I'm feeling fine.

Initially I thought we were in for a wet one as the rain descended over the Blaenavon valley but just as the race got under way the rains left as quickly as they had arrived. I set off in the middle order and stayed there. I didn't feel powerful on the short, first climb. I didn't feel fast long the flatish road section. I then didn't feel strong on the longer, second climb before not feeling hugely quick across the top and down again before once again not feeling overly commanding on the last ascent. I did, just by way of a change, feel pretty sharp on the final descent... one out of six ain't bad.

Over all I'm reasonably happy with my run. Despite all of the above I think I was probably ahead of where I'd have been if I hadn't started my bid for fitness last Tuesday. I continue the assault on precinct fitness with another run of some description tomorrow, another on Monday and so and so forth...

Knock At The Door...

Yep. Fourth run in four days has been completed and it felt better. Not sure you can really improve in just four days but it felt a bit more like I running. I ran the Hobbs Quarry loop again but with the main road climb variation. It's the same distance but with a steady steepish climb up the main road - hence the name.

I am loving my new fenix 2. All those lovely fairly meaningless stats; cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time - almost a reason in itself to get out there running. My average heart rate was down by six beats and I was 22 seconds quicker. Although it's too soon to draw any real conclusions from such a small sample - ooh matron - I'm happy to at least pretend I'm on the mend...

Bring on the Coity race...

Slow And Getting Slower...

but the mission continues...

Tonight I headed out on the Flaxley loop. Fast I was not. This ain't a game of speed. This is a game of survival. With the Saunders Mountain Marathon just fifteen days away I have a race partner not to let down - although surviving is also a pretty fair allure.

Tomorrow I go again. Probably back to the Hobbs Quarry Loop. Saturday it's the Coity Race followed by something not entirely completely different Sunday...

Sorry Harriers...

I umm'ed. I ahh'ed but in the end I decided I am just too s*!t at the moment to disgrace the Vest. Instead I ran my local Hobbs loop - and it wasn't that fun. I managed a lunch run today - and that wasn't great either. It is my intention to run every day for the next 14 days - barring the Butlins weekend where I will only manage the now legendary hangover long run Saturday. I really need to draw this line in the sand...

Slight Change Of Plan...

..Didn't make it to the hills. Didn't sleep well and felt a bit unwell. I almost didn't do much at all but then I remembered there was some orienteering training on offer so I got myself along to that instead. Still didn't feel brilliant but I actually had a decent pootle. I focused on using the map rather than the compass and on the whole I stuck to the task. I needed the compass on a couple of occasions but overall I was able to use the features of the map to get myself around the course. It got a little tricky late on when the drizzle kept coming as my glasses steamed up and it became difficult to pick out the more distant features but I got to the finish eventually.

Where Has The Week Gone....

It's almost the weekend already. The week has flown by - so quick, I almost forgot to feed the sourdough starter. Anyway, I've been out for a pootle - and dare I say the immortal words.... it's too hot. Hopefully it will cool slightly before Saturday as I've decided to run the standard Pen-y-fan loop starting and finishing at the Blaen y glyn car park.

The Big Question...

..which section of the black mountains to head for this weekend? No races in the diary. A weekend off orienteering planning - as I made good progress last weekend. So the next question is where? I'm thinking, the far side... The big question, do I take vera and make it a two dayer or not? It is a few miles drive for just a single run...

Finally Making Some Headway...

...with planning Novembers Trellech orienteering. It's been far from easy and I've really struggled to locate possible control sites. Half the time I've just plain failed to find what I was looking for. The other half I've been far from certain. Over the last couple of months, of the controls I have been happy with, I have finally been able to construct some semblance of the blue and green courses.

Today I tested out the slowly developing blue and over all I was pretty happy with it. There is definitely some work to do and I will need to double check all the control locations in relation to accuracy on the map but I feel much happier. Of course, I will need to run things up the official flag pole - whatever that might entail - and hope it gets a salute. Also, hopefully the map will get a bit of a spring clean after all the recent forestry destruction.

In all I covered just over 10km, flitting here and there, taking over 2 and a half hours! It was actually pretty good training though, despite the overall slow average pace. I did do quite a bit of running but equally quite a lot of slow walking, carefully checking things.

Okay, It Was Slightly More Bust Than Fit...

but on the upside, I can at least still walk, if somewhat slowly...


On other matters, I'm close to picking the first basil of the season for pesto. Can't believe how quickly it's come on. It was literally just germinating a few weeks back and now it's about ready. The chili are also starting to come on. Almost ready to plant on this years seedlings while being backed up by last years plants that survived the winter. Can't wait to harvest the 'Basket of Fire' and 'Devils Tongue'...

Fit or Bust...

Well I'm either going to be a little fitter after these last two days or broken. My legs felt Okay and I'd had a good night's sleep. I say my legs felt Okay because they sure as heck don't feel like that now. I feel as though someone's set about them with a bat - and no, that wasn't my team mates.

I had a pretty good run but faded a little on the final climb. Despite only being 7miles, leg 2 of the Rack Raid Relay manages to pack in about 1000 feet of ascent. Hopefully my time wasn't too terrible so I won't get beaten up.

When I did finally make it to the finish I slightly regretted not making some arrangements to get back to the car. My plan of jogging back down the course to Skenfrith did not seem anything like what could be considered a good plan. I did manage it though, if somewhat more slowly...

Ssshh, Don't Tell On Me...

I found myself driving to Cwmdu with a few others this morning and wouldn't you know, there was this fell race taking place. I'd completely forgotten about it - honest ;-) I was just going to take a leisurely walk in the sunshine but as I was there and there was this fell race going...

I had an okay run. I ascended a bit rubbish, descended pretty sprightly and ran the plateaus like someone who can't run for toffee - and where does that phrase come from? I was on the edge of cramp - sounds like title for a follow up to the film Run Fatboy Run - on the flat section from Mynydd Troed summit and then again across Pen Tir. I was okay was onto the steeper stuff.

Need to do some carb loading tonight to refuel for tomorrow Rack Raid Relay leg 2. Need to be over to Skenfrith fighting fit for the 8:05am start. Quite looking forward to it. Should be a nice 6-7 mile pootle ;-)

Picked The First Chili Of The Season

And there were two of them. Then I went on to harvest the first four peppers too. Okay, 'harvest', when refering to just four items, might be slightly overstating it. Still, it's only May, so harvest it is.

Managed an after work pootle, so that, added to the harvest, is me done.

Naughty, Naughty, Very Naughty....

I shouldn't. I really shouldn't. No, really, I shouldn't. Run both the Cwmdu fell race on Saturday followed by leg 2 in the Rack Raid Relay on Sunday - I hope they won't be cross with me!

And Relax...

Flipping heck, I'm knackered even though I didn't exactly clock up significant mileage - except for the drive there and back in the van. It was a good mini break though. The weather wasn't brilliant but it's always considered a win if you get home dry. The tops were in the mist both days and the winds strong and cold. During the occasional lull it was actually quite pleasant. Hopefully I can get back up there later in the year and get some proper sunny views.

Yesterday I ran a loop of the carneddau. It almost got competitive when I espied a runner in the far distance while heading off Llewelyn towards Dafydd and eventually Pen yr Ole Wen. I closed much of the distance down. It was nice finishing down off Pen yr Ole Wen directly back to the van without a slog along the flat.

Today I attempted to traverse Tryfan by the Heather Terrace. I say attempted as I didn't locate it directly from the start. I took a good look at it from the ground yesterday afternoon but still getting onto it alluded me. After some faffing along a much higher track and it's many scrambles past gullies I eventually spotted the proper path. After a ten metre climb down the going became much easier but my legs were shot after yesterday's effort so I ended up doing a shorter loop than I had intended. Definitely need to get over to the Brecons between now and July at ever opportunity otherwise Neil is going to be own his own running the Pillar Class...

All Set...

Going to be on my way to Snowdonia shortly. Mostly importantly I have the bacon, sausages, egg, beans and hash browns ready for a pre Tryfan assault breakfast...

Snowdonia Confirmed...

Just need to pick where exactly...

Most probable is a visit to Ogwin with the Carneddau and Glyders on tap. That way I haven't really got to think too hard. So I've only had the idea for a day but already really looking forward to it. Best get looking at routes...

Thinking of Snowdonia...

Giving serious thought to a dash to the mountains this weekend. We're half way through May and I've not had a single weekend away. Thinking head up Friday night after work, get a couple of days in the mountains Saturday and Sunday - slow, probably not much faster than walking based on current fitness, and then home for tea. Forecast looks all right at the moment. Could work....

Back To Back...

Lunch time runs - no, not those runs. Martin and I got out for a second lunch run in a row. We'll not mention the weekend that fit snugly in between. Extrapolating our current rate of change in lunch runs we'll be needing one of them time-turner gizmos what  Hermione had in Harry Potter to fit them all in... We were bloody rubbish though. Hopefully we'll improve....

Getting Concerned...

My new chillies do not seem to be germinating and time is getting on. Last years crop did not over winter well and with the addition of an attack of red spider mite, I'm currently headed towards a chilli famine. Not good. Not good at all. I could really do with the Jalapeno, Basket of Fire, Super Chilli and Ring 'o' Fire starting to show signs of life...

On the upside the basil is well on its way, as are the Tumbling Toms...

Guess I Should Look At Ways To Commute To Cheltenham...

Could this be the new start I need? There are plenty options for travel by car, bike and foot. I might actually be able to get myself fit again. #EndOfAnEra

Today's Orienteering....

Made Saturday's effort look like a gold medal performance by comparison. And that is my last words on the matter.

I'm thinking of hanging up the studs and taking up darts instead....

Entered....

Another day, another race entered...

This time it's the brilliant RogueRuns Mini Mountain Marathon in September. This adds to my Saunders MM (July) and Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race (October) entries. No, don't ask me what I'm doing because I don't know.

Up tomorrow, more orienteering. Hopefully this time I'll finish...

Old Staple-edge Wood Does For Me Again...

As in last years Caddihoe Chase from the Old Staple-edge Wood, I failed to finish again. I'm beginning to think those woods are cursed...

I was actually going quite well till control 24 at which point it all went south - looking at my gps I can see it should've gone east but I was in trees with the rough open to the west - exactly where the control should have been in relation tree to rough open. I reckon a map update is in order as the trees have grown up.

Anyway, having wasted loads of time and having still not found it, my sense of humour completely failed me and, after a few expleetives to release the anger, I headed back to the car park thoroughly pissed off - and it rained.

I hope Monday's orienteering will not see me swearing in the middle of a forest...

Not A Bad Round Two...

I felt things went well today. Taking nothing for granted, I could be heading for a tough decision... Stick with the tried and tested, working for bean counters who've never seen the rockface and don't appreciate what or how hard I work, but where I work alongside a great bunch of colleagues who do... or move onto pastures new where the bean counters sit much closer to the rockface and do a bit of climbing from time to time (and not too mention an improved package vs a pay freeze). If, but and maybe, it'll be a tough call...

My Achilles Heel Is Confirmed...

..tucking into food I've just cooked, smelling so tasty, before it's cooled a little - doh. Yes, I did it again. This time a spicy little veggie curry with naan bread - the naan bread was okay. The curry... bloody larva... and no, not chillie hot - although it did have a little chillie kick. No, it was just plain boiling. Not sure I'm ever going to learn... Achilles heel confirmed.

Finally....

...Got the tomatoes and basil sown. Way later than normal but they'll catch up. On the upside the Strawberries look to be doing well - not sure how that relates but there we go.

Offa's Orra tomorrow - if I can scrape my mojo off the floor...

Through To Round Two..

I turned down a second interview on the first one. The job wasn't quite right and I'm not going to jump ship out of spite, or on a whim. It has to be right. Thought I'd blown it on number two but I got the call today. Going to be such a big decision but the chiefs at BW seem more interested in PR and admin than how and more importantly who actually facilitates the water getting to the taps. I think they think it happens all by itself... Going to have to check out the commute to Cheltenham before a final decision though - assuming things go my way.

Tomorrow I'm up for a bit of Orienteering and then Sunday I'm going to flog myself around Offa's Orra. 20km of pain me thinks..

The Windy Coast

By eck it was windy yesterday down in St Ives - and no James, I did not meet a man with seven sack owning wives full of cats or kittens - on the grounds of polygamy and cruelty to animals.

I did manage 10 slow miles though. The path down there is pretty rough and not fast running - so suited me fine. Nothing beats a ten mile run as a hang over cure...

So Unfit...

I really am pants at the moment. Got out for a lunch run with Martin - first time in ages. I was so rubbish on the Dundry climb, working so hard - but yet still so slow - I had to pause to heave a few times before carrying on to the top.

On the plus side, despite feeling so unbelievably slow, we were actually 30s quicker than the last time out.

I really do need to find my mojo... Perhaps a few miles along the south west Cornish coastal path will do the trick this weekend....

Trellech Reccie

Spent two hours out and about over at Trellech and Beacon Hill today. Was actually mostly on the Beacon Hill side - but the post title wasn't as catchey.

I found a few good controls and route sections and also ruled out a few. Also found a few new bits to add to the map. There's a couples of areas I'm not going to use on the grounds of brambles and general new growth making it too dense to find your own feet let alone a control. I have a feeling I'm going to be spending many, many days at Trellech..

On other matters, I finally found a cleaner strong enough to clear the limescale build up in the upstairs loo - 32% hydrochloric acid, nice.

So So In The Forest

I didn't go too badly today at the orienteering. Really only made one mistake at control nine. Got on the wrong track - story of my life - and had to relocate. Lost a couple of minutes. Other then that I nav'ed quite well but just covered the ground too slowly.

I got in reasonable mileage. 2km there, 7km orienteering and 5km collecting controls and getting back to the car. Should be all systems go for a Trellech recce tomorrow and then Monday it's back to the grind stone..

And as an side, I didn't burn my tongue tonight and the pizza dough was superb...

That's It, I'm Decided...

It's the SNP for me. Their policy to raise their own tax to spend in totality is brilliant and I'm in. That will mean no net subsidy from the rest of the UK. So they win because they can make their own choices of where to make their spending cuts and the rest of the UK wins because our cuts won't have to be a big. Vote SNP. You know it makes sense...

On more mundane matters, it's orienteering tomorrow followed by... orienteering on Sunday. Well, sort of. I'm heading to Trellech for a bit of planning and to take a look at some possible control sites - providing the forestry commission hasn't destroyed them of course.

Gloriously Sunny Gilwern

The weather could not have been more pleasant, the views from the Gilwern Grunt more stunning. And with road works on the main road forcing a route change in this, its second year, I think the new route is even better than before. I measured the distance on the pre-race route check at about 8 miles with around 1450 feet of ascent. It was technical in places and very quick running in others. I'd certainly be keen to have a crack at the race in future years - if I ever get fit enough.

Anyway, we set off and just gone nine to check that the route marking hadn't been 'got at' as happened in the first year. We didn't run hard but it was still pretty knackering. The final climb was a right sod. On and on for mile and even at the top - or what we thought was the top, the evil and twisted Creber led us a merry dance up and down the slag heaps. Finally, with time running out we made it back without much time to spare from the eleven o'clock start.

I stayed just up hill of the start as there wasn't any point running down to the start only to run back up as second sweeper. I was pretty knackered after the first loop though and was glad I was only sweeping. To which end, it went a little Peter Tong, when a few runners, missing the arrow sign, continued running down the Tumble onto the road and far far away.

I'm not sure they had a good grasp of 'if you haven't seen any tape for a hundred metres, you aren't on the route any more' - I didn't see any tape for a good mile and a half trying to locate them. In the end I had to call off the chase, hoping that they retraced their steps in some manner before I set off in hot pursuit - although it was probably more of a lukewarm pursuit as I was feeling pretty knackered.

I have a suspicion they probably followed the public footpath up to Gilwern Hill but I guess we'll never know for sure. I hope they turned up safe and sound. The course really was well marked with tape or a marker every hundred metres - and I can confirm it was all there within two hours of the start. I'm not sure you could put down more tape without using up the worlds supply of marker tape.

Anyway, I headed back on a fairly direct route except on the very top which all got a bit confusing. The OS map showed a single, straight path over the top but on the ground that equated to tens of tracks zig-zagging and crossing all over the place. Using my shadow as compass, I managed to wend my way back to the race run in, having notched up a further 7 miles and 1400 feet of ascent.

As a day of training it's been brill. Lots of time on feet. 15 miles, 2850 feet of ascent and some stunning scenery - in amongst the rusting freezers and washing machines, left to die on the hill side...

 

Not Unsurprisingly Achy Legs..

My legs, specifically the quads, are achy today. Tomorrow's double loop of the Gilwern Grunt should do me good. Out first to check the route and then sweeping. 24km of recovery run - just what the doctor ordered.

Sugary Goal Met..

I made it round the spring route Sugar Loaf fell race inside 70 minutes. I'm happy with that considering how crap I am at the moment and it was good to see 120 runners on the start line.

I set of middle of the pack - probably nearer the back than the front - but at least that gave me a few targets through the race. I'd forgotten how long and steady the first climb up to Deri is. At first up the road and then onto the hill. I'd also forgotten how long the drag across the Deri is, as well. I picked up a few places.

I was feeling knackered on the final accent of Sugar Loaf but was buoyed knowing I had the fast, technical descent to come. All downhill and I enjoyed that bit. I gained another four or five places before hitting the road where I steadied to avoid too much stomping and that was that. Sugar Loaf complete.

Next up is sweeping at the Gilwern Grunt on Monday (and doing a route check before hand for some extra mileage).

Uncertain Times...

It's been an up and down sort of week. There's to be redundancies at work - not the man at the top though. He's done a great job... On the up side, I got an email out of the blue from a recruiter looking for a plc programmer for a job in Cheltenham offering more money than I'm on at the moment. Probably come to nothing but you never know...

Definitely looking forward to four days off. It's been a long three weeks of site work. So it's the Sugar Loaf fell race on Saturday and possible sweeping at the Gilwern Grunt Monday. Other than that it's going to be relaxation time central.


 

Forest Spectation

The forest, at the end of March, can mean only one thing. The Forest of Dean Half Marathon. And no, I didn't run it but I did have a little bimble about watching some of it.

From where I parked up I cut it fine but just made it to the half way point to see the leaders go through and at that point they were three minutes ahead of the rest. I had to run solidly to get there.

I stayed there for quarter of an hour before heading out again to warm myself up. My next and final spot of spectating was about a mile from the finish. I put in bursts of effort on my way there, watched for ten minutes and then headed back to the car. In all I covered about twelve km with some good efforts mixed in amongst the bimbling.

Absolutely, Definitely, Without Any Doubt, Getting Too Old For This Shit...

Well that could've gone better. My return to the road was not entirely successful. When I say not entirely successful, what I really mean is, it was agonising total fail. I did complete the twenty miles though, so at least I keep my record of never not completing a race I've started.

It started off okay. I was like the pacing version of a metronome for the first ten miles. Almost every mile was a 7:35 give or take a few seconds. As soon as I hit ten though, it was an altogether different story. In the space of the next couple of miles I was down to a crawl - almost literally. The pound of the tarmac took its toll and my legs decided they'd had enough. The last eight miles were a hobbling, stopping to stretch and rub, unending nightmare - except it did finally end once I reached the finished.

The race itself, the 20:20 Fission, 20 miles or 20km, was a good route, well organised and marshalled as you'd expect from the Rogue Runs crew. Not a huge fan of race T-shirts as they usually look naff - hark at me, style fashion guru - but this one bucks the trend.

I think I'm going to stick with it though. I need to toughen up a bit - and actually do some training - but then I always threaten that....

Not The Best Prep...

It has been a busy week at work, starting with 14 and a half hours on site Monday - and that's not counting the 3 hour drive there and back. That has pretty much zapped me for the rest of the week. I'm getting old. Once we started the upgrade of the control system, and the point of no return was reached, then we had no choice but to keep going - the same could be applied to the 20:20 Fission I guess.... Definitely hasn't been the best build up for a tough race. I am severely hoping that tomorrow goes well and we get finished early.

Bramble-fast

Well that was a bit of a thorny disaster - I think I should've gone to the cross country instead! But I'd committed to the Compass Sport Trophy qualifier before I realised there was a clash so had to go.

On the upside of a really crap run, I finally saw the 'monument you can see to the south of the Malverns ridge run' up close - and in case you were wondering, no that's not its official name. Yup, it's a big, tall monument thing. I've always looked at it from the ridge and 'thought one day I'll pay it a visit'. Today was that day although I didn't have time to stop and get a proper look.

Now had the monument been in the middle of the bramble fields I found myself trapped in - not once but twice - then, quite possibly, I'd have had time to take some etchings and a few sketches for my scrap book. As it was, I was happy just to get free with only minor cuts although it cost me lots of time. But then everyone was in the same boat so musn't grumble.

On the whole I didn't navigate too badly but the couple of errors I did make were big and those combined with becoming bramble-fast twice meant I had a really slooooowwww time and fully expect to be close to, if not totally, last.

Now relaxing in the chill zone back home. Yes, the boiler broke down yesterday and I'm crossing my fingers it can be fixed early this week - without costing too much. So not only am I two coats at work I'm now two coats at home too!!!

''UPDATE''
We didn't qualify for the final :-( but I was, if the results are correct - and I'm reading them right, part of the scoring team! And that's a first! If only I hadn't got myself bramble-fast....


PS, I don't actually have a scrap book 

A Two Coater..

Yes, on site for an operational test I took - and wore - two coats. A fleece lined jacket and my puff jacket over the top. Just call me the michelin man - and it very nearly kept me warm - I said very nearly. By three my feet were chilled to the bone. A successful day though so musn't grumble.

Looking forward to Saturday's Dare Valley fell race. My arm is all but sorted - famous last words. Should be good fun, five times out and back along the flat road by the car park....

The Inverse Pain Distortion...

Arm feels almost pain free today. I twanged it yesterday on the final descent, saving myself from a fall. Today. Almost don't know it was injured. How does that work? Thinking of jaming my arms, legs and head in the door multiple times - if recent findings continue, I'll have the arms and legs of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the intellect of Albert Einstein...

Walk In The Park...

If said park has a snow and hail machine and a massive cold air wind turbine....

I am, of course, referring to the conditions that presented themselves half way through the Tour of Torpantau. As I arrived at the car park in the middle of the mountains, conditions looked good. Vera did me proud in her herculean effort of hauling her massive frame up that bloody steep hill up to the car park, albeit if down in 2nd gear. Cold wind. Strong wind. Still, you can't grumble at not raining and some blue sky. Blue sky I tells ya - not sure why I went a little pirate there, moving on.

For those not in the know. The Tour of Torpantau - or TT as we don't call it - is not for the faint-hearted. Not only do you need to take a compass, more importantly, you need to know how to use it. A Full Kit Required fell race. Real belt and braces stuff - although they aren't mandatory. It is what we in the West Country call 'a proper job' fell race.

This year, being crap, old and slow, I decided to try something a little different and went west of Craig y Fan Ddu on the way out (and also on the way back but I always do that). I think it has some merit and if I could have found the trod I found on the return it would really be a goer. Said trod is around the 650m contour at the northern end and 620m at the southern end but doesn't go quite all the way to the main path.

Anyway, I pootled my way over the hill and far away, finally making it to check point one, summit Fan y Big. Conditions were starting to turn though. No longer was there blue sky. Pen y Fan now shrouded in hill fog and the wind felt a little more biting.

From there it was down into the valley and straight into the slog up to Cribyn. The first part is steep before becoming a more gently upward ridge run to the summit and check point two. Here conditions full on took a turn for the worse as the weather gods let rip with missiles of hail and a little snow - and that, my friends, is why we take full kit even when the sun is shining in the car park...

The return off Cribyn is normally a lush, fast descent. Today it was just a descent and I was glad when the hail eased a little. Face stinging with the cold, I took my normal slightly wider line on the approach to the steeper section, despite adding a little distance I find I can bomb down far quicker without having to apply any breaks.

At the bottom it was straight the final climb and before long - okay, who am I kidding - after many minutes I final got to the top ridge. The hail kicked in again on the climb before turning to rain. From there I retraced my steps back towards the southern end of Craig y Fan Ddu. Found the trod and the rest, as they say, is history.

I was glad I took Vera. There is nothing better than being able to change out of wet clothes without the wind and the rain lashing you. Okay, there are actually tons of things better than that but at that precise moment I couldn't think of any.



Thanks to the brave marshals at Fan y Big and Cribyn. It was not a day to be stood on a mountain. Well done to the runners and riders who braved the elements and lastly but most importantly, thanks to Andy B for putting the event on. His races are proper races and long may they continue...

Ready But I'm Not Sure If I Want To...

The forecast for tomorrow in the Brecon Beacons doesn't look as dire as some would suggest - but it'll probably be nasty. Anyway I'm as ready as I'm going to be for the Tour of Torpantau. I think my arm won't hinder me too much - my lack of fitness might... It's going to be an early start for a Sunday though. Half seven is bad. Still at least it means we'll all be off the mountain by midday and pootling home shortly after that.

Gave Vera a spin today. Definitely needs a new battery. Half empty after just a few days but happily, with my new special technique, she fired on the second attempt tonight - will be taking the jump leads just in case though. Please note, no one is leaving the race car park after the race until Vera is purring!

Might Go The Other Side Of The Hill On The Way Out...

You know, I really might. Would be controversial but what the heck. The forecast is favouring the navigator - aka, it's going to be dire out there. I am, of course, talking about the Tor of Torpantau Fell Race on Sunday and yes, I think I will be able to run. The arm is much less troublesome so I say, bring it on.

Probably going orienteering training tomorrow and maybe even pick up a new battery for Vera on the way back. Yes, after much experimenting I have concluded I must've let the battery get too empty through lack of use, doing permanent damage. Going to set up a bi-weekly reminder to put the ol' gal on charge from now on...

Bit Of A Surprise

My shoulder feels a lot better today! How did that happen? It was bad after my slip during yesterday's run. Maybe that slipped whatever was wrong back into place. It's still painful but ten times better. Whatever, I'm feeling more positive now. Not really going to be ready for the 20:20 but I think there's a chance I can make it the distance - if rather more slowly than I'd like.

Hopefully I'll be able to run Sunday's Tor of Torpantau now. Maybe even manage the orienteering training on Saturday too.

That Wasn't The Plan...

Headed out for that run mid morning, after the strong winds had died down. The sun was shinning and it was warmer out than in - so I left it out - ooh, matron.

Route planned. I set off for the heart of the forest but I never made it that far. Barely past Flaxley I slipped and jarred my shoulder again. It had been feeling better but now I feels like it's back to square one. Dejected, I plodded back home.

From here on in over the next couple of months work is likely to be full on but maybe that's a good thing and will give the shoulder a chance to really mend. The Tour of Torpantau (this Sunday) is definitely in doubt which is a bit of a bummer as it's one of my favourites. I might go run it anyway and pretend I'm the safety back marker.

So the 20:20 and the come back hangs in the balance. Looks like we might be seeing the Trooper at that event instead. They do need some extra marshals by all accounts...

First Anniversary...

of the sour dough starter. I've actually managed to keep it going a full year - and not discarded too much that I didn't bake into something. Year number two begins...

So I've the day off work tomorrow - ahead of a somewhat busy period about to hit at work for a couple of months. I'm hoping to go for a flattish run in the forest, sticking to the tracks and trails. The aim is fifteen - miles not minutes. All depends on how annoying my arm becomes. Yes, it's still not good. It's improving but far from right and still painful. Not good. Hopefully the weather won't be too unkind and running in the forest will afford me some shelter. Fingers crossed...

Vera's Been Playing Up..

Haven't been able to get her going - ooh, er misses. I normally give her a spin once a week but after the sub-zero temperatures a couple of weeks ago she wouldn't go when I tried. Charging the battery didn't help. Still no joy so I decided to wait till this week and warmer temperatures. After a full charge she was still in a strop and wouldn't start. She cranked - slowly - but just wouldn't fire. Grrrrhhhhh.

Finally, the penny dropped... Why not use my car, parked not two feet away, to jump start her? So, car running, I linked the batteries with my bad boy jump leads - never quite sure which connection to make last - and cranked it....

Slow, barely better than when trying under the steam of her own battery, she stubbornly refused to fire but with the infinite - okay, not quite infinite but certainly many hours of power from the Kia C apostrophe eed - I tried again. And again. And with each attempt the cranking seemed stronger. Was that almost ignition? Again. Again. Fire godammit, fire. Again. Again... and finally the sweet purr of the engine as it lurched into life - sssh, don't mention the clouds of dark grey smoke hanging over Longhope! Thank f#(% for that. I was really beginning to think my plans for a trip away at the end of the month were in doubt.

Anyway, with the engine singing I took her for a twenty minute drive to shake out the cobwebs. When I got back, I switched off and left for half an hour to see how she would start - neigh, if she would start again.... Bang, first time. Almost instantly - so I went for another twenty minutes - just to make sure those cobwebs were well and truly blown away.

Hands up, I'm no mechanic but I wish I knew what the cold snap did to poor Vera. Mental note for the future, when it gets cold step up the weekly start to a daily one. Second, mental note, next time - if there is a next time - which I'm pretty sure there will be knowing me - remember I have a car which can be used to jump start....

Anyway, here endeth tonight's inane ramblings..... until the next time.....

Less Painful But Still No Cigar

The shoulder is definately on the mend but remains very annoying. I managed a steady run today. It was the right call regarding not going to the cross country as I had to keep my arm still to avoid pangs of pain. There's no way I could have run hard. Hopefully the shoulder will be back to normal in a few days.

I ran the Flaxley loop, clockwise today. I'm not sure which is the easier direction - or, indeed, if there is an easier direction. Anyway, I really need to knuckle down to the training. The 20:20 Fission is fast approaching. At the moment I am confident I can make it round the twenty miles - just not confident I'll finish before sun down....

Yin And Yang

First the Yin. It didn't rain that much! I pretty much picked the gap in the weather to perfection. I had ten minutes of light drizzle to start and ten minutes on the run in as I headed back to the car. It was misty on the tops but excluding that the rest of the run was full on dry and I even had around thirty minutes of patchy blue sky.

And now for the Yang - and it's quite a big Yang. I have somewhat injured my left shoulder. No, not a fall. I think if I had fallen I wouldn't have got injured at all. No, it happened before I'd even got to Pen Cerrig Calch as I was crossing a boggy section - and there were lots of boggy sections up there today. I wasn't in a hurry and slowed to a walk. With great care I placed my left foot on a small grassy tuft - I find they tend to be firmer footing but as fate would have it, not today. It wasn't in anyway what could be considered solid ground, as my left leg sank beyond the knee and I lurched forward. With cat like reflexes my left arm shot out to arrest the fall but as I pulled myself free of the quagmire I got a shooting pain in my left shoulder.

Taking stock, as I'd only gone about 2km I decided to carry on but it wasn't entirely pleasant running despite the conditions being relatively favourable. Any small movement of my arm caused sharp pain in my shoulder so I ran on, left hand clutching the waistband of my rucksack to immobilise as far as possible my left arm from moving.

I was pitifully slow across Pen Cerrig to Pen Allt Mawr. The conditions underfoot were wet and icey so I just pootled. After that it became more runnable but I was still bothered by the pain in my shoulder. Finally, having reached Mynydd Llysiau, having struggled a little bit with balance across the flat frozen marshy plateau, I decided it probably wasn't wise to continue on so dropped down into the valley and headed for home.

In all I covered just under 22km and 800m ascent so I'm glad I got the run in but it remains to be seen if I'll make it to the orienteering tomorrow or, indeed, Sunday's cross country. I suspect my shoulder will feel even worse tomorrow. These things tend to feel worse before they get better...