The MET mountain forecast for saturday has veered between poor and awful most of the week, but does seem to have improved a little. Cold wind though...!Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
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The MET mountain forecast for saturday has veered between poor and awful most of the week, but does seem to have improved a little. Cold wind though...!Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
A great day out today, and some fantastic racing... 5 miles up, 5 miles back down, poor weather, poor visibility, felt like i'd earned it when i staggered through the doors of Bala chippy this afternoon...!
Rather than the usual jaunt along the A5 i took the B-roads through the gorgeous Tanat Valley and over the pass down to Bala, arriving early, but still a lot of people already around. Hello to GeoffB (hope Mrs Geoff was ok after her fall at the start), Hi to Daz Tindersticks as always.... and TheNoor, nice to chat briefly...
As to the race, found myself right at the back at the start-line, but soon worked through on a fairly gentle uphill start, ready for an hour of hard work to the summit. Turned at the summit and was rather dismayed to find the likes of Daz Tindersticks and Mark Agnew not far behind, ready to pounce on the descent (I need a gap on these guys going down!)... made decent fist of the descent until it steepened halfway down, which somewhat blew my legs to bits, and the effort started to tell, losing perhaps 3 minutes on those around me between there and the finish.
168th which is a 'pb' placing in a British/English champs race... just a shame i couldn't see out the final 20mins or so, when a top 150 place might have been in reach.
Fantastic day, some great racing and a proper tough route.
Pete
Well run Pete - tough race indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Thank you Daz… I see that 10 hard miles in Wales was not enough and you topped the weekend off by also running at Lad's Leap on sunday!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tindersticks
Thanks Pete - Sue's still got pretty sore knees. Apparently there was a parked car somewhere near the start line that caused a load of extra congestion, she got a push in the back and ended up on the deck! Lucky she had gloves on to protect her hands from gravel rash!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Yes... i was lined up about 2 or 3 behind Sue, over on the far left. There was a car parked up which nobody seemed to notice until the last minute and it caused a bit of a panic with everyone trying to swerve out of the way. But Sue bounced straight back up and there was someone next to her (possibly a clubmate) ensuring she was ok.Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoffB
Incidentally i started right at the back and took a slow run up the road , gradually working through the field, and i don't think it affected my overall result. Probably wouldn't want to adopt that tactic on a real short race, but over the course of two hours it was pretty immaterial...
I do enjoy the occasional race, you've no doubt noticed. See you around pal, in hopefully the not too distant future - take care.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Yes, that was Ellie, I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Seemed like a good tactic on a race like that, especially when you're clearly a pretty good climber!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
In March 2020 Ras Yr Aran was a British Championship race and a few days later we were in lockdown.
Two years on it was back and what a glorious day it was. I had set off in plenty of time, and just as well as the M56 was closed from junction's 5 to 9 causing me a 25 mile diversion.
Once at Llanuwchllyn and at registration I bumped into Dan Haworth. I suggested to him that the course record might be on due to the dry conditions but he doubted it as it was not a Championship race the pace wouldn't be too hot!
At the start, the heady aroma of sun tan lotion and cooking lamb burgers along with my nerves made me feel quite queasy and I was glad when the start bell sounded, although it took me over the first mile to get over it and at one stage I nearly packed in.
Onwards and upwards under a hot sun but once on the ridge proper a cooling breeze was most welcome. I met Dan on his way back down with a big lead whilst I was still at around a mile from the top. After much huffing and puffing the TP appeared quite quickly. All downhill now I thought but there were a surprising number of short steep rises that brought me to a walk. I was overtaken by 3 others on the way down but I managed to get two of them back and also overtake 4 others.
Slightly disappointed not to break my secret aim of under 2 hrs but after having felt crap at the start I can't complain at 2:04:59, 46th overall and 2nd M60
Back the village hall I saw Dan outside looking as fresh as a daisy wolfing down a lamb burger. He broke the 13 year old course record by 23 seconds. The dry underfoot conditions certainly helped but still a fantastic run in 1:23:03 and 3:20 ahead of 2nd. The first lady was Joanne Henderson 19th overall in 1:49:20
A long but great day out in a beautiful part of the world and the Lamb Burgers were delicious!
Nice one Llani, must have been a good day for it. I ran the race in 2020 (in poor conditions) and also harboured hopes of sub-2hrs (and also narrowly missed out).
We will be in Mid Wales on 23rd when this is due to be run. Trying to work up the bottle to enter, as having walked the course a few times I know how tough it is. Maybe after a bunch of beers on Saturday night I'll do the stupid thing. Hope there may be a few other also rans so I'm not to lonely at the back as the leaders race down.
Anyone from here doing this?
Llani?Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Apologies MattPo for forgetting to reply earlier.
No, not this year. I was going to do Edale Skyline the day after but just given my place to the wait list as I have realised that I would be kidding myself that Id be in any shape to do the race justice only a week after Flower Scar. Similar would apply to Ras Yr Aran.
I did it in 2022 on a beautiful day but still a tough race. Good luck and hopefully you won't be running into a strong south-westerly!
Oh, and don't forget to have a lamb burger at the end. They are delicious :p
I did it in poor conditions the weekend prior to the country shutting down for Covid. It was a champs race.
Conditions were pretty poor. Despite that it was a good tough race.
Well after celebratory beers having done a 10km road race today, I’ve entered!
Good man and good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattPo
Well having got the bottle and entered a nervous me drove to Llanuwchllyn, with a host of ancient cars on a hill roads of Wales rally. I went round the long way via Dolgellau having seen the snow on top.
Upon registering we were told it was to be a short course this year due to conditions. Mountain Rescue had said they weren’t happy with us going over both tops. Not surprised as there was snow from 600m and a very fresh wind.
Met a few folk I vaguely knew at the start - Eddie Lesniak and others. Off we went, up to near Benllyn and down. I was steady on the ascent, but managed to pass a few on the descent so ended up not completely at the back.
Great race topped off with a pint in the Eagle - lovely village pub, now run by the community.
Thanks to the organisers and marshals.
Well Done.
No doubt you'll be back next year for the full course. ;)
Yes, I might try and do all three in the Winter series.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
I've planned to do the Winter series on a number of occasions but never managed it for one reason or another.
They are really spread out and something always gets in the way!