Week eleven - 28/6/09: Moel y Gamelin Loop

Distance - 9.5 miles
Ascent - 2350'

My time - 1:37:02
Position - xx/xx (xx%)

What was it like?

It was seriously hot. Both times i've done this race it's been scorching. Good news is that was was just over 1 min quicker than i was in 2006 and i remember thinking that day that i'd run well. Bad news is that i just didn't feel fast at any point, but i did rally towards the end.

Think maybe my race head needs some work. I ran well but let people pass me and get away, although i did pass someone towards the end as i seemed to descend quite well. Next race i got to work harder and empty the tank. Only then i'll see how fit i really am....

Route HERE

Next race - week 12, Hotfoot up Famau, Weds 1 July, short, sharp, steep....

Week Ten - 17/6/09 and 19/6/09: Two this week....the Druid and the Tattenhall Tough Team

Race 1 - The Druid

Distance - 5 miles
Ascent - 1250'

My time - 41:18
Position - 34/84 (40%)

What was it like?

I love this race, and the series it kick-starts. It's a real marker for me that summer is here. I love the low key atmosphere, the course, the fact that race HQ is a van in a pub car park and it costs three quid on the night....the joys of fellrunning.

Didn't have a great run, but better perhaps than the castles. Just not running with much confidence. Started ok, paused to tie my laces and couldn;t get going again. Felt like there was no speed but had a strong finish. I have started training regularly again so perhaps this was an early sign of my body responding. Need my mind to catch up.

Race 2 - The Tattenhall Tough Team Race

Distance - 8.6 miles
Ascent - @ 700'

My time - 1:08:18
Position - 7th team from 63, (11%)

What was it like?

Nick, Paul and I had a lovely run and it was the best i;ve run for weeks. Nick and Paul and both just a little stronger than me which only really showed itself in the last flat mile but i ran fast and well and held off a fast team of Liz, Sara and Andy. I enjoyed it, remarkable having had arguably one of the worst days at work of my career. I was pre-occupied and tense but ran well on a stunning and fun evening.

Who knows....maybe this racing and training is paying off....

Week Nine - 13/6/09: Welsh Castles Relay Leg 3, Cricceth to Maentwrog - hot and slow

Distance - 12.3 miles
Ascent - About 700', all on road

My time - 1:34:55
Position - 49/57 (85% - probably the worst i'll do all year)

What was it like?

Boy that was hard. I'm clearly not really running too well, there was no speed in my legs at all. It was a hot day with no breeze and no shade. A brutal hill to finish and a high class field as is usual in the castles.

Perhaps it was a result of tiredness after supporting Dave's BG last week? I just don't know. But it was quite possible one of the worst races I've ever done, just one of those days. It got so bad i couldn't run 8 min/mile on the flat. The heat was horrendous. I ended up counting paces just to keep going and focussing on not feeling crap.

Oddly, the hill, both up and down which comes at the end of the race was ok, perhaps showing that my speed is, well, not up to speed. It's clear where i need to focus, and quick...

Still, least i had some compensation at the end....thanks guys...

Week Eight- 4/6/09: Deestriders Multi-Terrain series Race One - The need for speed

Distance - 5 miles
Ascent - Trace amount - some short sharp little hills

My time - 32:49
Position - 27/82 (22%)

What was it like?

Fast. And right now, I don't really do fast. I arrived back from France after not much sleep and turned up without much mental prep for this - a 'just get round' job. It was a lovely race, nice and low key. The sun was out and the trail race was on an interesting course, especially for a contrived course amongst copses and fields within industrial Deeside.

I found that I liked running hard and fast, despite the fact i've done very little speedwork. I was well rested and felt ok, although i reckon that rich French food took it's toll and I'd added a pound or two... This race is part of a 4 race series (9th July, 6th August, 4th September) run on the same course so a good chance to track my fitness.

This was a very handy race in the pursuit of one per week as I supported Dave Sykes' amazing Bob Graham at the weekend and I was thankful for being fit for that.

Next race: Leg three of the Welsh Castles next weekend. Oh no, road racing....