Welsh hill climb 17

Cardiff 10k 2017

Cardiff 10k. Looking for a fast 10k to just get a pb in the bag, was running ok.but hadn't had any speed sessions all summer after our training group struggles to get time. House building taken priorities.

Great event with 8k people at the start line Inc the best in the UK.

Started off steady as I dare and picked up the pace seeing how the legs felt. Bit tentative to get going as my pace was definetly not with me but strong enough to hang on. Got passed by a few going to half way then I was able to keep the same pace in the legs as we hit 7k.

The faster starters started slowing and I picked off a lot of runners of the last few miles. Kept my splits the same all the way around and managed the 2nd half slightly quicker. Very strange but had no company for 90% of the run. People to quick at start and to slow at the end.

Saw the clock going to the last mile and I was close to sub 35. Passed 3rd lady and gaining on a few more but wasn't to be. 35.03. Pb for a 10k. But 10sec slower than my splits in Cardiff half marathon though.

Motivated after to get the training in order.

Nol yn rhedeg

Tally 5k

Friday's night in summer are made for these races. Fast and scenic. 17.03. Friday night sunshine run.

A large turn out. Started off chasing Mr Payne who went off like a rocket. Caught him after mile one and slowly kept the pace going. 2 runners from Carmarthen kept going with one only taller than my left knee. Started pulling away up the first hill and kept a solid pace to the finish.

1st place 1min ahead of a 14 year old.

Builth wells trail Race. Welsh champs

Not sure how this came about, winning the West Wales trail race this was now the Welsh. A new race based in builth show ground to go with the spring fair. So a large turn out and plenty to do. Some top runners in action and me and sion feeling strong were up for the race. Half marathon distance with plenty of climbing.

Had a fall 2 weeks before on Cader idris resulting in me missing the mountain race and missing 2 weeks of running. 3 stickers on knee cap falling on the last step by car park. At this point was training very well. Typical !

The race started with a big climb up from the show ground, some fast girls ahead of us which was a suprise. Very quick. Kept it steady then slowly upped the pace and picked of some runners. 2 lap course we knew we were getting close to the end so put an attack on to try and push on. Hung on to Sion and Aberdare runner with some great trail running, fast and flowing. Coming around to the decent to the finish were were a mile short of half marathon, me and another aber runner finished confused as it was 1.5 miles short. Don't think i would have gained much more with the distance. The Marshalls missed a loop of the show on the first lap.

Hey ho finished 5th. Sion in third and qualifying to represent Wales in France end of month. Or so we thought. It was called off and he was put on the reserve list. Then few days later he was told he was in the squad but on that morning twisted his ankle so had to decline the invite.

Red Kite trail race

2nd. 1min off win. 1.32.21

Half marathon, great route.

West Wales trail.champion.

Fron four fell race 2017

Fell race north Wales series.

Months off I needed a race to see how things were going. This one ticked the box. Took the new hound up with Tina and made a day of it. Route was top class with steep climbs and runnable descending. Started off steady but gave it the means after few hundred metres seeing the leaders taking off. A big 15min climb had me closing the gap on 2nd but soon had me struggling in the top. Got caught by 4th and we followed each other rounding the ridge before devending to the summit of Fron Fawr. On the mark we then turn back climb to the last summit and decend to the village. Got lost a bit as everything looked the same at this point. Found the gate I was looking for and headed for home.

 4th. Very happy