More PB reccying

Lovely evening last night in very warm and muggy conditions - reccying 1st part of the Snowdon leg of the Paddy Buckley Round.

Hebog PB reccying

Lovely day yesterday - spent most of it on Iain's parents yacht, catching fish and sunbathing, then did a 2 hr run over the first part of the Hebog leg of the Paddy Buckley round.

Rhinogs reccying

Just a quick post showing some pics of the Rhinogs race recce with Rob and Jackie on Friday. Top day - even managed to stop for a cup of tea half way round.

It's been a while

Haven't blogged for ages. Felt a bit unsettled the last few weeks, for reasons I will explain soon - but lets just say for now my running and racing goals have had to change and it took awhile to stop feeling disheartened with it all. Iain and I have been getting out heaps - first racing at Jura - which was, as always, a fabulous weekend. While the weather was good at times, it was clag soup for the entire race so spent the run studying the map - really enjoyed it though. Then it was Cadir Idris (roasting hot) and 1000m peaks race (coldest I've ever been on a race!!). In between we have taken two challenge groups over the Welsh 3000ers - both completing in under 24 hours.

I've picked up a slight knee injury which is a bit of a pain and put me out of Tebay on the weekend, but managed a good run with Iain up Snowdon yesterday (photo from summit above) - it seems to be a problem mainly on the transition between a steep climb and where it levels off - as long as I stop and stretch before a change in stride it seems to be managable.

I'll get some photos up of the last few 3000ers days soon.

Quality vs quantity...

Had another week of feeling like I'm running through mud. I'm waiting for that post ultra boost but still feel pretty tired. Nevertheless I'm doing good mileage and climbing and trying to get those quality runs in. Did 5min reps up Llanberis path on Monday, then a good hill session with Iain up Mynedd Mawr last night. Maybe it'll kick in for Jura???

Llanberis path (photo above) and Mynedd Mawr (running back down from the summit) photos below.

1000M peaks recce

Iain and I did a steady recce of the 1000m Peaks race yesterday - we both felt knackered. Got belted by high winds on the Berras and scuttled back. Had enough of that on Saturday. I usually love horrendous weather but I think the general tiredness was getting me down. The ankle is not too bad - turned it on the race yesterday. Probably wasn't the best run for it but a good test I guess...

Tuesday racing

Raced last night at Moel Y Gest - stunning evening and very warm. Iain was 3rd, I got first lady. Feeling pretty tired from training and yesterday's battle with the wind on the road bike, but otherwise starting to feel like I'm over the 53 miles now.

Photo by Gwynfor James

It counts

Last weekend was spent racing and reccing. Did Foel Fras on Saturday - probably the worst weather I've ever raced in. Iain got rather lost and came in a good 15 min behind me so I've finally beat him on a race (yes, baby, it counts!!!). Picture above taken by Alastair Tye. (ED: I DNF'd missing the final CP so the time span is irrelevant - doesn't count..)

Sunday was spent PB reccing the hebog section. Lovely day. Pics below.