Trail Half Marathon Wales

I had originally entered the full Trail Marathon with the aim of it being a key event in my running year. However, an asthma flare up kind of put that out and I settled in to just doing the half. (see my blog on Global Therapies for more on my asthma) I was, to be honest, totally unprepared for even the half. In the previous month I'd only run once - a lung-hurting 10km on my local hills a fortnight earlier. A few weeks prior to that I'd done a run/walk of half marathon distance in about 3 hours, so mentally I knew I could do the distance, just very slowly. Quite frustrating when I really wanted to have a decent go at the marathon.

So it was with weeks of virtually no running that I lined up in the starting pack for a very steady run/walk half marathon in a very wet forest at Coed y Brenin, Wales.  I had been doing a lot more bike riding that normal, and outdoor swimming so my overall fitness wasn't totally gone.

Before we were even ready for the start - as I was taking a photo of me and a couple of other Glossopdale runners - the start gun sounded. Although we knew we were about to start it felt like we were still being walked round to the start area!!

Me, Charm and Jo at the start

The initial first uphill but was chocka with 600+ runners and we were soon into a pinch point so a mix of run-walk ensued. I was chatting with Jo and Charm and soon enough we were at a forest road and on our way past Lucy at the first marshal point. I urged Jo and Charm to push on, I didn't want the pressure of feeling like I needed to keep up, or worry that I'd be slowing them down. I just needed to run (or run-walk) my own race and enjoy the journey.

So the forest tracks and bits of single tracks came and went. A wobbly bridge was crossed over a ravine with water rushing on past. Marshal points were passed, and before long my sense of direction was totally screwed up. The race route took so many turns and switch-backs and ups and downs I felt like I was constantly running away from the event centre at Coed y Brenin.

I was glad for my watch and being able to know how long I'd been out as it was so disorientating. Even when the forest opened up and there was a view it was unknown to me so I could literally have been anywhere. However, being a trail race it was well signed and I was among other runners the whole time.

At 10km the first fuel station appeared. I only took a cup of water as I was carrying my own food. There were bananas and gels on offer but I prefer my own stuff so I know my guts will digest things well.

I think this was somewhere not long after the first fuel station

Not too long after this I started to feel quite tired. Kilometres 10 to 15 seemed to drag. Knowing the route would have helped but at every slight uphill gradient I found I needed to count in 10s to just keep myself moving, even slightly faster than walking. If I reached a count of 50 and couldn't see the top I would have a walk break. On and on the trail went....interspersed with bits of muddy single track full of tree roots set to trip if your concentration lapsed.

The next fuel station was at 16km. A quick drink and I was on my way. The trail seemed more runnable now, perhaps my lungs were working better or the run-walk strategy was helping. As is normal for me I started to try and work out my finish time based on pace run so far and distance to go. It felt like a sub 2:30 might be possible so I used this to spur me on just a few more paces when I really wanted to walk.

At around 18km is the infamous 'Sting in the Tail' - a very steep ascent covering nearly 1km and climbing around 150m. It sounds so tame typing those stats, but it was proper hands on knees and mental strength to just keep moving upwards. I even managed to overtake a couple of people as I really wanted to keep pushing a little. My 2:30 aim, set only minutes prior seemed to be slipping away. It took about 11 minutes to do that climb, leaving me only about 14 minutes to get to the end....and 2km to cover.

I pushed on. Whenever I started feeling like I needed to stop I'd just run a little more then walk 20 paces before trying to pick up the pace again. Even a slow run is a bit quicker than a fast walk I'd tell myself.

Really close to the end the lovely forest track that was easy to run on turned into a steep muddy descent. Argghhh! Time slipping. I did my best to run but I'm such a wuss on muddy steep descents. I overtake a guy as we rejoin the track. Nothing for it....my watch is showing about 2:27 though I know I started it before I crossed the start line (thank goodness for chip timing). That extra minute was needed as I pushed as hard as I could - knowing full well the final 100m or so is up a steep final bit to the finish line. So cruel to put a little kicker at the end of a half marathon!!!

As I cross the finish line I have no idea if I managed sub 2:30 and I don't care. Numbers are just numbers - though without that incentive I reckon I would have been a good 10mins slower overall, maybe more.

Throughout the race the rain had come in heavy downpours and slight mist, big droplets falling off trees too so I was soaked through. I'd worn my waterproof for a good few kilometres then had it tied round my waist for the rest. I ate 3 shot blocs and a mini choc bar on the way round - sufficient fuel but at the end I was simply hungry so wolfed down a banana and rehydrated with several cups of water as I waited for Tim to finish the full marathon.

Finish line after a few minutes recovery

My official chip time is 2:29:34. I was 80th/216 female, 30th/80 in my category and 279th overall (507 ran).

So, given my asthma and lack of run specific training I am really pleased with how I ran. I was only about 1min20s behind Jo and Charm so that makes me feel really chuffed!! Now I just need my lung function to improve so I can get back to running the hills properly.

Kong Mini Mountain Marathon - Bethesda

Round 1 of 4 in the Kong 2018 series was held from Bethesda. Each race is a 4hr navigation challenge of the score variety - so you get to chose how many check points you visit within the 4hrs and are awarded points for each. Being held in early February always runs the risk of it being chilly, and this weekend promised no spring warmth.

Snow on the ground above 500m or so and the ground frozen much lower down meant that my toes were positively frozen before leaving the car park. The good news was that the hills looked inviting and the day promised to be clear (unlike the previous day when the course setters must have got drenched).

Tim and I walked the 1km or so to the remote start and quick smart Tim was away. I loitered a bit, had the first of many kit faffs, then dibbed and was handed the course map. There was only one way to set off so no need to hang around pondering the map - I did this as I moved. Crikey - the course area was massive. I pretty much folded the map in half and never looked at the right hand side - far too ambitious for me to think about heading all the way out to the eastern edge of the map.

I devised a route that would take in 8 or 9 check points and tried my hardest to ignore my feet - they weren't warming up despite climbing over 250m to the first check point (CP). Dibber dibbed. Tick on the map and having already planned my next CP (I'd even taken a bearing too so I didn't beeline for the wrong hill!) I set off. A downward slope over rough terrain (no path in sight) and my poor map reading hadn't accounted for a gully - this didn't make for fast progress.

I had plenty of people to vaguely follow here, but knowing that some might not be taking the best lines I kept my map out. There's another faff - how to hold a map with big mitts on and no where handy to stuff it when not needed. 1.5km and another 150m climb later I'm scrambling over icy rocks to the next CP. Easily found and my route to the next CP in mind I set off in the right direction.

It's about now that I'm still not feeling warm (except hands, and yet another kit faff to stash the inner down mitts - this made stuffing the map away a little easier as my mitts without inners are massive - hand warmer already in there neatly joined by map and hand). I'm also feeling a bit off. Is it the cold that is messing with my head, or am I not feeling right?

I continue to the next CP - a rough tufty grass traverse round to a narrow ravine. I'm doubting my nav even though I can't have gone wrong. My head isn't in the nav game today for sure. I dib this CP then seriously ponder turning back.  I check my watch and see I've only been out about 55mins. Blimey, I can't go back yet. Only 3 CPs found....my minimum aim in these events is always 5. That seems a nice number. I can easily retrace my steps so far and the next CP is again around a rough traverse. Even if I go at walking pace it's only 1km away so at that point if I turn back I'll only be about 5km from the finish....tonnes of time to just walk. Oh the conversations that go on in my head!

I pick up a bit of pace having found a trod that is traversing straight for the sheepfold and the CP. Great. 4 CPs dibbed and at least another 3 look well likely to get a vaguely respectable not-last-position. The climb out of the last CP is brutal - 100m over less than half a km. No trods either, just tufty frozen grass and delightful spiky gorse stuff at ankle height.

I'm on a hill I've been on before so gaining the high point and dropping over the other side gets me onto a path I know. Turn right then the next CP is down a steep bank on a river bend.  On the climb though I really start to feel pretty rubbish. I'm too hot but taking a layer off puts me really cold. I feel sick and actually really alone. There'd been a few other runners close by for a while but now I'm really alone.

I check the map. The CP on the river bend would have me lose about a good few hundred metres in height only to have to regain it again. The ground is really rough and steep. I decide to give it a miss. It just doesn't feel right for me so I trundle along at a snails pace, mostly walking, back around the flanks of Moel Wnion. More map checking, more kit faff. Am I hungry? Will eating take the sick feeling away. I try a well tested chocolate bar and in it's semi-frozen state it goes down and stays down. Phew. But over the next 15-20mins I don't feel any better.

It's about now I have a serious talk to myself. Firstly I need to stand up and move. Just get moving and go somewhere.....preferably roughly back towards the finish. Looking at where CPs are there are two that I should be able to get but scanning the hillside I really don't feel up to the long steady climb/traverse to one. Scrap that then.

All this time, with me feeling rubbish and not really being very successful in gaining many CPs I keep reminding myself that I am so lucky to be in the hills. They truly are resplendent and stunning with the snow covering them high up. The sunshine is out and I make myself believe I'm warmer than I probably am. I really do appreciate being in the hills and am thankful we went to do the event.

So, I now have one final CP in mind to get. Even walking I have loads of time but I keep trying to run. Even on downhills I feel really not right so keep stopping to admire the views and return to walking pace. Then comes the wet marshy bogs across the saddle area....bugger, my feet were kind of feeling a bit warm but are now plunged into icy cold water. Even where no water seems apparent the ground is sodden and splashes with every footstep. This probably only goes on for about 200-300m but it feels way longer.

Focus. Next CP will be my last. I drop down to a river in a gully and firstly realise that the CP is further away than I thought. My concentration clearly isn't right today. Then, two guys pass me and one semi-falls in the river. It isn't that deep but I'm not confident crossing it. I sit a little, the guys speed off up the hill, and as I'm crouched down chastising myself for being a wimp another guy appears. He offers to help me cross but there's no point - I'm coming back this way so I need to do it alone or not at all - he deftly leaps across some icy slippy boulders and is away up the hill too.

Nothing for it but to write this event off as a decent few hours in the hills. I really did love being there, though would have preferred to feel warmer, and not sick!! I return to the finish then the long kilometre on the road back to the van. Soup, tea and cake help console me as I await Tim returning.

Thanks to the Kong organisers, cake bakers and soup makers. Nav events are fabulous and I'm looking forward to our next adventure in Wales in a few months.

Paddy Buckley: support crew perspective

Glossopdale Harrier and member of Glossop Mountain Rescue Team Alasdair Cowell put out an email a while back asking for support on his Paddy Buckley round. Having helped out on the Bob Graham round he completed (along with other harriers) it was an easy yes to being part of his crew. It would be a delight and honour to help out, so Tim and I blocked out our calendar and studied the maps. Al runs at a pace way faster than I can, so helping on the hill wasn't an option for me; being an organising type of person I gladly offered to be road support at all the crossings - chief brew person and keeper of Al's kit for changes.

Not many have heard of the Paddy Buckley round so here's a quick summary: it's a long distance challenge in Snowdonia, Wales covering around 100km and summiting 47 peaks with a whopping 8500m of ascent...and descent! There isn't a specific time limit, but going sub-24 hours puts you among a small and select group of hardy fell runners. Sounds hard enough on paper, running it and staying focused to get to the finish takes a high calibre and dedicated runner.

I've seen how much hard training Al has put in over the last 6-12 months preparing for this round. Countless hours reccying the route, weekly long runs in some challenging conditions over winter (I think there was a 30-odd miler in the knee deep snow one day). He deserved to be successful on the back of his training. I'm sure we'll hear from the man himself how it went from his perspective, but I wanted to write a few words about what it's like to be road support crew.

Preparation
We had a few meetings over beer and studying the maps. Al was very relaxed about the timings for the round just having a guide time for each leg set out. No planning to the enth degree for each peak, he wanted to do the round and enjoy it. Support runners put their names down and in the final few weeks there was the usual double-checks of the timings, making sure I had the route in my head and where I needed to be at each point. Al got photos to me of the exact spot he would like to meet at the end of each leg which was a great help, especially since I'd not been to all the crossings.

Before the start - Llanberis
Tim and I drove down on Saturday to meet up with Al and family for a pre-run dinner in Llanberis. Our 2 hour journey turning into 4 hours but we arrived in plenty of time anyway. Warning texts of the traffic chaos were sent to the others. We ate, chatted, and around 5.30pm made our way to the start point - an arbitrary bench in Llanberis. Final double check of the route back in to Llanberis so us supporters knew which way to be looking in around 24 hours and it was time for him to set off. Tick-tock.....tick-tock.....6pm and he's off!!

last moments before the start - Tim and Al with family in background

18:00:25....Al and his first support runner (Tim Culshaw) go out of view as he heads off down the road and towards the slate mine for his first ascent. Next point we'll see him is Ogwyn in about 4 hours. After a chat with family, the leg 4/5 runners (Zoe Barton and Robin Mitton) Tim and I jumped in the van and drove round to Ogwyn.

and they're off...Good Luck and swift running!

End of leg 1/start of leg 2 - Ogwyn

Not sure what time we arrived at Ogwyn but the midges were out in force. It was a lovely evening with superb views up to Y Garn and Tryfan - and the zig-zag path Al would be descending but we were being eaten alive so retreated into the van with our brew. The plan was for Tim to run legs 3 and 4, maybe 5 too depending on how he was so without too much encouragement he got his head down in the back of the van - a little cramped but he was soon asleep for a couple of hours. I dozed a bit in the front seat but with the car park and hostel visitors coming and going it was difficult to drift off sitting up.

Al on the final steps off Tryfan into the car park

The binoculars were invaluable in keeping me entertained. I couldn't concentrate on reading - without data signal I couldn't follow Al's progress on the tracker so I scanned and scanned the horizon. I lost count of the sheep I thought were Al and Tim C up on the ridge. Finally, I spotted a person on top of Tryfan....WOOHOO!!! Tim B in the van was now awake! I could tell it was Al, and closely behind was Tim C as they picked their way across the summit ridge and started the descent down to us.

Pretty much at the same time Al's family arrived to see him come down. We quickly got the kettle on, Al's kit and the chair ready for him, coffee brewed and an array of things he may need put close to hand.

It seemed like after 3 hours of waiting he took no time at all to reach us. That man can descend. He looked great, relaxed and smiling. Coffee poured, Al drank, restocked his bag and we filled his water bottles. I have to say, although Tim C was running with him Al was doing all his own navigation and carrying ALL his kit. He'd point blank refused for anything, even water to be carried for him back in Llanberis.

Tim C arrived soon after Al and I got him water and a brew. Sadly Tim C didn't feel up to continuing on with the next leg so Tim B was super-quickly drafted in to run with Al. It was always a safety back up having Tim B on hand but with another runner not being around as planned Tim B (herein just called Tim) stepped in.

Yes Tim B, your torch is working!
Tim C wrapping up after running leg 1

I reckon Al was only stopped for 15 minutes. He'd arrived ahead of his schedule at around 21:20 and left at 21:35. A buffer of 25 or so minutes up as him and Tim ran out of the car park for the ascent up Pen Y Ole Wyn.

Al and Tim B as they are about to leave Ogwyn for the start of leg 2 as darkness starts to fall

Al's family left and Tim C helped me to tidy the kit away, ensuring everything was restocked, flask with pre-boiled water....everything must be organised as the next stop was scheduled to be 1am and I'd need to be on the ball efficient when all around are sleeping.

With the van repacked and darkness encroaching further I drove back to Capel Curig, delivering Tim C back to his car. I was a bit concerned as he didn't look great, but assured me he was OK to drive back to Manchester. Soon enough I was alone. In a dark car park with a few other campers around me. A quick reorganisation of the kit and I had enough space in our little van to get my head down for about 1.5hrs....but not before setting about five alarms....no good being asleep when Al and Tim arrived!!

End of leg 2/start of leg 3 - Capel Curig
Beep Beep.....alarm going off but I was already awake. Someone close by had been playing music at that annoying-just-audible volume for ages and I took a while to settle....must get earplugs handy for the next stop - not in the bottom box that's unreachable from the sleeping bag! I must have dozed a bit, waking again with huh-where-am-I feeling and remembering I needed to turn on the radio (it didn't work for us here in the end).

Luckily I had signal so could see the tracker here. Maybe that kept me awake a little too....it is exciting and addicting watching a blog move across the map, getting ever closer, an ever more urgent need to get torches rigged for lighting, kettle on, food and clothing at the ready. I'd parked in the back car park at Capel, but needed to move the van on to the main road ready for meeting up with Al. What time to move? I didn't want to be sitting in the van on the main road too long, so decided the tracker signal needed to be about 3km out. The final km would be pretty quick - downhill and on the road. So I reckoned I had about 20-25mins to set up.

Tim on left and Al checking feet at Capel Curig

Kit out, lights rigged, kettle on, coffee made. Bang.....torch light coming round the corner and Tim had run ahead slightly to put in Al's order for coffee. Al looked great. The blur of bag restock, coffee drinking, sandwich eating, water bottle filling ensued and after only about 10mins Tim and Al were off again. It's hard as support crew knowing that Al is the main focus but also needing to ensure support runners have all they need too. I hope I got everything ready, sorted and offered in time. I pondered this as I repacked, got the van ready for my next sleep and change over and then checked the map for where I was going to drive. Oddly I'd not really worked out where I needed to be in my head, well I had, just the drive there was a bit unplanned. I'd never been to Aberglaslyn and on Al's recommendation I parked up in Beddgelert rather than the remote and lonely car park at Nantmor. Good call. It felt safer having houses around me!

Al and Tim about to depart Capel

I found a spot by the river and public toilets - very handy. Fixed up the kit in the van, blocked out all the street lights and got my head down. Double-triple check of alarms. I needed to be at Nantmor, only a few kilometres away, by 6am at the latest. Sleep came fairly easily with the babble of the river next to me. I was awake at first light - 5amish. Checking the tracker I could see where Al and Tim were and lay in my sleeping back thankful that the forecast of heavy rain didn't seem to be hitting us....yet. It would certainly make the change over at Nantmor more comfortable for all if it was dry.

End of leg 3/start of leg 4 - Nantmor/Aberglaslyn

Robin and Zoe triple checking the map

Bacon butty for breakfast!

I reshuffled kit so I could drive to the meet point and set up camp. Arriving there around 5.30am or so it was breakfast time for me. I could now indulge in a strong coffee and bacon sandwich! The car park was lonely on my own, just one car parked up but no sign of the owners. It's odd being alone in a strange place, something my inner self struggles with, always alert yet fascinated by the silence of man-made things and just the sounds of nature for company. Soon enough though a van pulled in and Zoe, Robin and dogs hopped out. Super, leg 4 & 5 support crew on duty. Bacon, tea and coffee followed along with lots of chat about the round, running and other stuff. Thankfully we had signal and my initial optimism of the guys arriving fairly quickly were soon dulled as I realised Cnicht isn't a quick hill to get over and the descent a lot longer and gnarlier than I could work out from just a map. Added to that....

Drip-drip-drip....bugger. It had started raining. Later than the forecast had indicated but still bugger! 7am and Al and Tim were still a good 6km out. We re-arranged camp to take benefit of the shelter at the top of the car park. After a while Al's family joined in. Nerves on edge as the tracker edged it's way over Cnicht. When to cook the bacon for the sandwich I'd promised Al...?! What a dilemma! I decided it was time to start coffee and bacon when tracker and us were on the same screen - maybe 3km out. Tim once again ran ahead and came into the car park just before Al. Both soggy as soggy things and Al showing the signs of having run from 6pm through to now about 8.30am the next day.

One very tired Tim relaxing after legs 2 and 3
Al preparing for the start of leg 4
Both sheltering from the rain...and Zoe all ready to go

The rhythm of change overs came and went in a blur. I'm not sure of the exact times for this one, around 8.30am for their arrival and Al leaving with Zoe, Robin and Cofa the collie dog about 10mins later. Whoosh! is how it feels....they run in.....rush to eat, drink, repack, a few photos and they're off. Good luck we shout as they leave the car park on the way to more hills, and as it turned out lots of Welsh weather of the wet kind. Thankfully it seemed from the roadside like visibility should be ok for them. Just lots of wetness.

Cofa the collie, Robin (and map arm) and Zoe all set to take Al to the finish

Zoe leads out and Al waving us thanks as he leaves Nantmor - he was always thanking us :)
Not sure if Zoe had managed to prize one of Al's water bottles off him yet...he was determined to carry ALL his own kit

End of leg 4/start of leg 5 - Pont Caergors

the view up the track

Van packed, a soggy Tim changed into dry clothes and shoes and fed with another bacon sarnie and coffee and we drive the short distance to Pont Caergors. It turns out to be at the trail marathon event's 8 mile check point, right next to the railway line. I bag a parking space behind the marshals tent/feed station to keep out of the rain as much as possible then installed Tim in the back of the van to sleep. Utilising the shelter and table inside I make camp - no sleep needed for me now so I brew up and start the task of pre-boiling water into flasks ready for Al and support in about 3-4 hours. Annoyingly the gas on our stove ran out - we'd used a whole can! Luckily just a short drive down to the shop for more gas and we're back in the prime parking spot and brewing up.

A couple of trains went past

and lots of runners, including Paul from Pennine!

Tim relaxing in the shelter

The next few hours were quite entertaining for me as I waited and chatted to the lovely water station ladies as we waited for their marathon runners to come through. I was so pleased to be able to shelter from the rain in their tent! Not sure the tarp would have kept me dry and I was really envious of anyone who had a campervan! Al's route off the hill to this point is virtually obscured from site until a few hundred metres away and with no tracker signal and texts not working either we were in the dark. 1pm was the eta according to the schedule and my brain was fuzzy on the times he'd departed the last change. Calculations were blurry so I just kept eyes peeled up the track. Tim reckoned they should make up a bit of time. It turns out Al made up about an hour, so was again about 30mins up. Wow. What a super star.

Al and Robin came in looking good with a very very soggy looking Cofa the collie. Zoe followed soon after having thought it fun to do an extra km or so!! The refuel and restocking went smoothly, Al enjoying a sit down in the tent. His family were all here again giving much needed moral support too. And before we knew it he was off, over the road and on to the very last section. Surely he's done it now? I can tell you now, I was bloody excited for him. Jealous not to be out running and thankful at the same time - he is one speedy chap and massive kudos for keeping the legs churning out the miles in the rain that was still lashing down in horrible waves of wetness.

Zoe, Robin and Al refueling

Robin changing socks and shoes

A very wet Cofa the collie dog, support on legs 4 and 5

Quick photo before they headed out on the last leg...with Robin's other dog (not running) and nephew who really really wanted to run with his uncle!

and they're off again....the final leg has begun

Wow. Just (just!!) the final leg to do. We chucked stuff in the van (less organisation needed now as just the end to contend with) and drove over to Llanberis. Tim was alert enough to navigate over some tiny roads thankfully. Note to self....ensure the driving routes are also imprinted to memory for my next support crew job.

We mooched around a damp Llanberis for a few hours, constantly glued to the tracker screen. Had a delicious hot chocolate and then dinner so we'd be fueled up ourselves for the drive home later. With every check of the tracker excitement was growing. I wanted to stop strangers to explain why I was glued to my phone, explain that my mate was doing an amazing run....in that rain....on those hills. Wow.

End of leg 5/finish - Llanberis

Closer and closer he was nudging the tracker blob towards us. The ascents were gripping to watch, we were willing them on, counting contours left to climb and relief as he got to each descent. Finally he reached the top of Snowdon....oh to have been there to witness that, then a ridge and just a few blips (which must have felt like massive mountains with each metre to be gained), Moel Ellio....his final summit and just (just...what a word!) the descent down to Llanberis.

The view from the finish. Proper Wet Clag and Lashings of Rain coming down.

The trail marathon compere had been roped in and was gaining excitement for Al too, putting out announcements over the speaker system to the crowds. I wonder if Al heard any? Eventually, after a lot of binocular gazing up the hill and working out 'which scree' we were each referring to Al came into sight. Bloody hell he's going to do it. Only (only!) a few kilometres to go, through the houses and BOOM....

literally the last few metres

here he is!!!!!!!!!!! 17:20 or so and well under 24hours. After regaining his composure after touching (falling into) the finish bench, and his start point 23hrs and about 20mins earlier Al enjoyed a super-human-hero's welcome running down the finish straight of the marathon with his nephew running alongside and the compere cheering him in.

permission granted to cross the line!
ignore that time clock, that's for the marathon runners

He Did It. The Paddy Buckley round in well under 24 hours.

Congratulations and hats off to Al. What a run. What a day. Such a pleasure to have supported him in all aspects. I can't wait for his well deserved holiday to finish and him to return to Glossop so we can buy that man a pint.

That smile says it all

I'm sure I've rambled on a bit, missed out some stuff, probably confused some bits too. Life as a road supported may appear to be a lot of sitting around but on this round, apart from the overnight 4-5hours at Beddgelert there wasn't a lot of down time. Just lots of driving, kit prep, binocular gazing up the hills, getting excited, tracker updating and brewing up. Easy? Yes and no. The key is to be organised, know exactly what the runner wants when and where and ensure they're looked after. And don't forget the support runners. They also need feeding and watering, their bags to be in the right place at the right time, and all the car logistics to be in order. I think it all worked on this one, and thoroughly enjoyable too. Next time I'm borrowing a camper though!

Never doing leg 3 again....are you boys!

Snowdon & the Welsh 1000m Peak Race

At Ogwyn Mountain Rescue base

Tim was racing the Welsh 1000s race yesterday so I tagged along to have a quick trip to Wales, and offer support where I could. The linear 32km race starts on the coast near Bangor and climbs over the Carneddau and Glyders before finishing at the summit of Snowdon. That's right. The runners end the race at the top... and then have to make their way down. The class Tim had entered is the longest fell race in this event and takes in five 1000m summits with around 3000m ascent.

We'd driven down on Friday so had a short recce of one part of the race route in Ogwyn valley. Tim is a member of Glossop Mountain Rescue Team, so seeing a van parked at Ogwyn MR base we popped in for a quick hello. 45 minutes later we emerged having had a very thorough guided tour by Kevin - cheers.  We then headed up the hill for the recce and just as we got back to the MR base the new rescue helicopter popped round for a practice land and fly by. Fabulous to see and got a few waves from the crew.

Tryfan from across the valley - recce of descent

There was little hill support for me to do on the race route. At the main road crossings the runners had water and given it was going to take Tim around 5 hours to run I didn't actually have time to see him at any of those points and get to the top of Snowdon. My main role in the day was driver and provider of warm clothes at the finish line. So, I dropped Tim at the start, met up with the other three Glossopdale Harriers also running (Al, Saul and Tom) and saw the runners set off. I then drove round to Llanberis and by the time I'd parked, rechecked I had lots of warm clothes and plenty of food and water packed it was 10:10am and time to set off walking up the ridiculously popular track up to the top. Only about 7km to walk but a significant amount of climb and the weather was as forecast - cloud on the summit and very strong winds. I didn't want to have to rush, so allowed 3 hours, aiming to be at the finish line for around 1pm.

Glossopdale Harriers left to right: Al, Tim, Tom and Saul

The start of the race

I've only ever been to the top of Snowdon once before and never by the easiest of the routes up, the Llanberis path which virtually runs by the side of the train line. Needless to say it is *very* popular with all kinds of walkers. Many dressed wholly inappropriately for the weather and height of mountain they were walking up - and some of which will have been borderline hypothermic judging by their shivering and feet stomping at the top.

The Llanberis path, with Snowdon summit hidden by the clag

views on my walk up - mountain railway below the path hidden but I could hear it

I had a really pleasant walk up, doing my best to ignore the ill-prepared short-wearing-carrying-nothing brigade. The views were astounding, with only Snowdon being hidden by cloud. I really wanted to be wandering alone in the valley way down under the path - quiet greenness with a stream way below beckoned. But onwards I walked, seemingly fast in comparison to others given I reckon I passed a few hundred (literally) other walkers as I made my way up.

views on my walk up - looking north-ish

Just before I reached Clogwyn station I put on my goretex for protection against the strengthening wind. I was warm enough, but knew I would chill out incredibly rapidly higher up and could see I wasn't too far off being in the clag. No point struggling with extra layers on the exposed sections!  I chatted away to another lady also heading up to meet her other half running the race. Lovely to chat and take our minds off the climb.

I'd originally planned to nip over to another summit close to Snowdon, Garnedd Ugain (1065m) but really didn't fancy a solo blustery excursion in the clag. The mountain will be there another day.  On to the summit, the path ever busier and the wind so strong your feet didn't land where you wanted, hands on the rocks and floor in places to steady ourselves.

Finally we reached the top of the Pyg Track where the runners would be coming up (indeed they would be

summit photo

going over to Garnedd Ugain before doubling back on themselves to Snowdon). No runners spotted so we pressed on to the summit and because of the very strong wind I literally crawled up the steps to the actual summit trig point.

Dropping down behind the shelter wall I quickly put on ALL my extra layers. The final 5 minutes at 1085m had properly started to chill me and my hands were rapidly turning to the classic Raynauds white. Extra layers on, extra windproof hat on, buff tucked in and under the hat/over my nose, extra gloves on and hand warmers inside. Slowly warming up a little though my toes and feet stayed cold till the descent. I think it took me about 2 hours to get to the top, so for the next hour or so I hung around. A few runners were coming in but it seemed they were all from the shorter race that had set off earlier than Tim's. I think I clocked at least one long runner come in, then all of a sudden Tim appeared!!! Super amazing astounding, I really can't tell you the a) amazement of his speed and b) the relief he had finished on such a windy day - it had been a headwind for him all the way.

Tim's the one with the white sleeves busting
a gut to get to the dibbers just behind me

I quickly handed him warm layers and spare warm gloves as he was having his kit checked (great to see the marshals insisting everyone get kit checked) and once he'd gathered himself we headed down the hill. It would have been great to stay up there with Catherine (waiting for Glossopdale Tom) to come in and the others but it was bitterly bitterly cold and we both needed to stay warm - or not get any colder at least.

The walk down seemed longer than the way up, relentless downhill testing quad strength! We chatted, Tim got cramp (and recovered), I fed him and pushed the water bottle his way, we bumped into another runner Tim knows so he joined us and soon enough we were back in the sunshine and the streets of Llanberis.

Medals for race finishers are normally handed out at the summit but the train wasn't running so they were given out at the sports hall, along with endless tea and cakes - brilliant organisation and thank you to all the marshals and helpers. I know I wasn't running, but they really did make me feel very welcome. There was an ipad updating with results in the hall so it wasn't long until we could see all the Glossopdale runners were finished - cracking running by all. It was then just the tea-drinking waiting game til they all got safely off the hill.

Seeing the results confirmed that Tim wasn't in second as we had maybe thought at the summit but he was indeed a brilliantly placed 4th. After a few phone calls by another helpful marshal we learnt Tim would be receiving a prize so we hung about and headed over to the pub in Capel Curig for prize giving. Sure enough his name was read out, 4th in A Class Long Fell race...he got a super ceramic bowl and a welsh flag buff.  I am super proud of his run, and all his training - especially impressive given he has his final exams for his Physiotherapy degree this coming week.

Tim receiving his prizes

Instructor at the UK Run Chat Training w/end March 2015

I am pleased to announce that I will be one of the instructors at the UK Run Chat Training Weekend in Anglesey, Wales from 27-29 March 2015. 


If you don't know what UK Run Chat is, it's an online community for runners (they have a facebook page and are on twitter, @ukrunchat), though group meet-ups are becoming more popular. This is what their website says:

"Set up by Jeff from @crea8it and Joe @iRunJoe in July 2013 #UKRunChat’s purpose is to link the UK running community, supporting each other in any which way we can to achieve our running goals."

That's me running on sand dunes in the Rhinogs, Wales.
Shoes necessary there as the grass is really sharp.

This training weekend will comprise of various sessions including yoga, stretching, and obviously some group running on road and trails. That's where I come in....I will be leading some off-road runs and a barefoot running session down on the local beach. That will be shoes off and looking at foot placement in the sand. I can't wait!


To find out more about me head over to the About Me page - my qualifications are listed at the bottom of that page. If you're on twitter then follow me @RunningDelights and you can hashtag #UKRunChat.

The training weekend is being coordinated by Howard Chambers (@Howard50at50 on twitter). There's more details about the weekend and how to book on over on the UK Run Chat forum. 

Welsh Mountain adventure

Yesterday was glorious. Sunshine, a breeze to keep me cool as I ascended another Welsh mountain, and I was in for a lovely surprise as I bumped into a couple of friends making their way up the same mountain as me. It turned out we were doing the same route, so my plan for a solo run along the tops (after a steep scramble up) changed to a social walk, and it was delightful. Here's a few photos:

looking up the steep side of Pen Yr Ole Wen

part way up Pen Yr Ole Wen looking across Llyn Ogwen to the unmistakable Tryfan

Looking west towards Y Garn and Foel Goch (where I'd been a few days earlier)

Still ascending and looking back down the scree/rocks/heather I've climbed up; Llyn Ogwen getting smaller below me

Steep heather section....why do photos never show just how steep it is!

the summit of Carnedd Dafydd at the far right in cloud

Looking to the now cloud free summit of Carnedd Dafydd from Pen yr Ole Wen

Carnedd Dafydd getting closer, the path clearly visible

Me and Claire at the summit of Carnedd Dafydd 

and looking from Carnedd Dafydd back to Tryfan  which looks tiny now!

Heading over the rocky ridge path to Craig Lluygwy

Nearing the end....with Pen yr Ole Wen bathed in sunshine

Global Therapies cake & coffee shop....waiting for Tim to descend Tryfan

My route started at the campsite nearest Llyn Ogwen and the plan to head up a path on the south-west corner of Pen yr Ole Wen was soon changed as I decided to make the route up 'interesting'. I picked a line up the rock and heather to avoid the craggy sections on the steep south face and made my way slowly up the scrambly-clambering route. As I picked up the path on nearing the top, on the eastern approach, I met my friends, and we summited Pen yr Ole Wen (978m) together. From there we headed round to Carnedd Dafydd (1044m) and then eastwards before descending from Craig Lluygwy back to the campsite.