Tarren Hendre 14

First fell Race of the year and excited to try out the New Inov-8  x talon 190's on the fells of meirionydd. Rough day with horizontal rain and gale winds had the organisers call the route short with the peak of Tarren Hendre being cut off due to the wind and lack of marshalls to stand on the top, the latter probably the real reason.

Arrived with Felipe and Simon, one international athlete and the other new to the hills. We signed up to the news of the course change. Got changed and warmed up for 20 minutes, arriving back 5min before the race start ready and warm for a uphill blast.

Amazing how everyone just appear, from 20 runners it shot up to 65 by 12.00pm and some top runners in the mix.

Steep climb off the fire road it climbed steep up a single track which quickly spread the field. I was positioned 4th and being seriously held up so jumped to 3rd over some brambles and chased down Eryri in 2nd.
Caught up to 2nd and hit another fire road which would slowly rise making it a fast and painfull climb following the first vertical single track. Stuck to Eryri heels and Felipe in the distance on his own. We reached the last of the rise and hit the downhill, hoping to just hold on to 3rd i set a tempo. With a gd winter of training it appears my pace has increased as I caught 2nd and past, quickly making a distance as we continued on the fire road, then from nowhere we turned down what looked like a path, knee deep in mud. Somehow kept a gd tempo with the route changing conditions, offering stone, mud, trees and awsome single track downhill. Kept the pace strong until the final meters and finished in 39m 50. 2min down on Winner Felipe and 30sec on 3rd place. Great result with more to follow if I can sort out my racing calender for the year.

  

Aber PARK Run

Aberystwyth PArk Run 21/12/13

Nice to make the trip up. Slow to get going which cost me a win as I slowly realed in the winner towards the end. No chance of a fast, fast time due to the wind but managed PB which I was suprised.
Would be nice to compete more often in these event.

Coffee and cake takeaway to top off a nice morning.

17.48MIN Target to hit 16Min by Easter

Dam good race - Llys y fran

10-11-2013

Wet and muddy and a gd day to try out the new shoes, Inov8 Talon 190. A race which I hadnt completed before so hitched a lift with the Butcher of Lampeter and headed down to pembs. A good turn out from the club with 15 runners taking place with the vest taking over the start line. Started strong at the front and was happy to stay to stay with the group. Half way through I opened up a lead which I kept until the finish. A Route which followed the lake with a rough, muddy and rocky route which was very undelating and finished with a tarmac section down to the bottom of the Dam before climbing up to the finish. Luckily no one in sight which was a blessing climbing up to the finish line.

Happy to keep setting some good pace but a Hip injury keeping me out of running through Nov and Dec which had me miss Ras y mast and Aber 10k which was very disapointing. Having spent ££££ on 3 physios I have no answers to my problems. Keep hydrated and mobile (Stretching) a big help which is key to keeping me going at the moment.

Win 38.12

Aber Twin Peaks

Aber Twin Peaks

A Race which is always on the calender, local and hilly. Training on the up with some solid sessions taking place on the roads of Aberaeron I felt a PB was on the cards. Started up front with some strong runners, but looking around felt I could give this a good go. Heading to Pen dinas climb on the feet of 2nd I passed him and put in a push to spread the field. 100m prior to the top I finally used my head and settled the pace to let others catch up knowing that I could put a push on the down hill. Arriving at the summit I put the gas on again and on arriving at the bottom of the hill I had a large lead.

 

Had to give it the full beans now as there was no slowing down, heading down the prom I probably had a 30sec lead and on arriving at the bottom of Consti Hill I had nothing left, I managed to run up to half way and on the sight of the 2nd place guy on my toes It was a dark time. Arrived at the summit with my lead halfed and hoping I had something left for the last down hill mile.

 

Somehow held on to the downhill and opened a nice gap to Win with a painful smile. Top Stuff.   

Cerist Duathlon 13

Another event which really suprised me with the step up in training stepping up the results.
8.5km run / 38k Bike /8.5 km Run

Having completed few of the Cerist events in previous years this run route was familiar to me and a really bitch which kicked up at 4km mark before a decent down to the main road.

Training going well I was hopefull of a good day but always had doubts of my cycling ability especially as the route was pan flat and potential head winds at play.

A Competitive field I headed off from the front and slowly gained a substantial lead up towards half way mark on the run. Came in to transition with a 2min lead and shot off on the bike towards mallwyd which was turn around point. With no company up to the turn around point I had a good lead and enjoyed every moment with the bike going well. I arrived back for the last run section with a 4 min lead. Felt horrible off the bike which was no suprise and felt I was going backwards but I think this is normal for and TRi or Duathlon. Strong finish I came in 6 Min ahead of 2nd place to take the Win.

Aberystwyth Triathlon 2013

Having really focused on this event for the past months, (avoiding marathon training the real reason) I felt strong on all aspects. Arrived early to set up and got in a gd bike and run warmup to get things moving. The swim was calm and I made sure I was first in to avoid the chaos behind. Got passed by a few but felt I was top10, came out in 11th in 15.33 and having sprinted to the bike I then started to unzip the suit which was tough going with limp fingers. Shot off on the bike and flew up penglais hill taking some notable scalps in the process. Little  concerned about my flat speed due to no tri bars but flew past some tri bikes to make it to 3rd overall and on 2nds toes going into aber. With 3 cars ahead of me going down penglais hill I had no ability to speed  and I lost the gap to 2nd. Came into transition 20sec short but with a quick change I was on his tale, but once off the bike the legs felt dead. I kept with 2nd for the first half but lost a minute at the finish. Excellent race which I feel I should have had 2nd if I'd trained the run legs better. 1 33.24

Poppit sands 5k (2)