Twin Peaks 2012

Top event of the year, local, hilly and usually full of top runners to set the pace high. Coming into the event on the back of some decent training I was optimistic of a PB and with the football boots finally hanging up under the stairs it was time to up my game.

Arenig fawr the week before got the mountain legs tested and with the overnight rain it was promising to be a damp route, I chose the new road shoes thinking of the long tarmac section in between the climbs. Stayed with the top 4 until the Pen dinas climb where the lack of up hill training hit me for six, struggled to the top holding on to 5th with runners closing in behind. A fast decent down to the marina I was comfortable in 5th but to far from 4th to chase. A steady climb up Consti hill I turned around to see 3 runners closing in, luckily down hill legs were on form and managed to put 1-2 minutes on them and a few seconds off 4th place. 50min 4sec. PB and getting quicker.

Ras y Mast 12

 

Ras y Mast, Llanybyther.

A clash of dates with the Sosban 10mile race was always going to hit the entry list, with around 50 turning up to a damp day on the hills. Record rain falls over the last few weeks was showing on the day with talk of water logged roadsand with 3 river crossings there was no avoiding the water.

Started well and held on to 3rd with a small distance between the guys in front and behind. Excellent varied terrain with a superb down hill dash into the last mile before a uphill kick up towards the finish line.

Finish with a smile, down on last years time of 46.12, to 46.32. But conditions a little different.

Hoping to catch Carrington Cracker on Sunday otherwise it's the Aber 10k for the last of the year.


Caught the Aber park run 5k on the saturday which I needed to clear the cobwebs from my Las Vegas trip. Not a PB on the course, but 18.20 nice to get some speed work done.

Ron Skilton Half M 2012

A new event which happened to clash with the 1st leg of the Gwent league in Bridgend. A 45min drive from home I was looking forward to this event a half marathon Trail race which was hosted by the town of Llanwrtyd wells. Not a huge amount of runners turned up which was dissapointing but enough for competition. Started off at the front where 4 of us quickly set a tempo and time over the chasing pack. Route started climbing within the first mile, with twisting single track, forest roads and stunning views over the hills. 20min of climbing we then stuck to the forest roads on the way down, losing 1 it was now a 3 horse race with us all keeping a high pace. With the route returning to the village after 7 miles and 5.5 to go a break was made and a gap was put between us which stayed until the finish. Road shoes not the best solution to the boggy climbs on lap 2 with the terrain involving more grassy sections, steep decents, couple of river crossings and some relentless long climbs. The last 3 miles involved a fast decent on a rocky dirt road to the tarmac before a sprint back to the village.  A very enjoyable run, a nice distance, great climbs, superb scenery and nice sandwich selection to top it off.

2nd

1h 35min.


21st October 2012

Arening Fawr

Arenig Fawr 7th Oct 2012.  (Bala - Traws)

You turn up , full of promise and enthusiasm get a good warm up in, scout the opposition and then 100 mtr's into the race, boom. I've been here before!

Glorious sunny day 6 miles north of Bala it was promising to be a great event. A large crowd at the start was informed that the start line was 1mile jog down the road, excuse for a warm up. The route started up towards the summit on a solid track before hitting the fell towards the summit of Arenig fawr. Naturally went off with a blast hoping to hold on but gradually fell off the leaders. Reached the summit in 7th with the climb never ending with the terrain boggy with a few rocks ready to catch out a loose foot. The decent was a little silly with the 4 year old Solomon's struggling to hold onto the wet grass. Lost 4 places on the run down with the route catching out most runners and over the last 2 miles the scuba kit would have helped with the boggy terrain knee deep coming into the finish.   Good to get a fell run in before the winter season, motivation to train back on track. Finished 9th.

 

Aberystwyth Triathlon

Cobwebs off the wetsuit and dragged the tri suit out of the cuboard it was time to hit the pain barrier and take to the open water. A few days on the sofa with a cold it was always going to be a test but the kill or cure approach was always on. Tri consisted of 750m swim - 18mile bike to trerddol and back then a run up to Aber golf club before a blast down to the prom. The first event held in Aber so an appearance was a must. Came out of the water in a decent position within the top 6-7 and really enjoyed it, a poor bike leg wasnt helped with brakes sticking, gears flicking, and having put new bearings in the night before, it didnt feel gd,  Cruised up Penglais hill and was really struggling. Having reached Talybont with out any of the front group coming to meet me my hopes grew and I decided to make a push for it. Only making up a couple of places on the bike it wasnt gd and once a runner sprinted away from me from transition I was alone in 5th to cruise home. Great event which will be a must on the calender next year.

Ras dau Fryn, Crymych

9th Sep 2012 - A lovely sunday run which was always going to bite harder than expected. Starting off in the quite village of Tegryn we headed off in the direction of the hills, a lumpy climb, short road section then another peak climb through fields before darting down a unmarked bushy trail returning to the tarmac road and heading back home. Finished 4th in a time of just over 40min, winner home in 37.33min.

Developments - Prynnu car newydd Fiesta Diesel zetec s, a priodi 25th Awst. Be nesaf?

Entry in for Aberystwyth Triathlon, time to get back in the pool!

Angela Davies Memorial Race 2012

Cat 3/4 Cycling Road Race held in Aberystwyth and the surrounding mining valleys of Pontrhydygroes and trawsgoed and the 1st cycling race of my cycling career.

What a day!