Base miles and Muay Thai

Extended runcommute along the Severn Way, Worcester

Today is the first day of summer break for the kids. I cut back on work for 6 weeks (only working Saturdays) until they start up again, I normally work Monday - Friday 10-2 while the kids are in school. Finding time to run will become more difficult as my run commutes to and from work are obviously put on hold. My commutes have become an easy and tremendously helpful addition to my weekly mileage. There's really rarely a reason not to run a few miles to and from my car. I'm doing a little more research looking at maps to make this time even more productive and efficient time-wise. I like it as it has no compromise on sleep unlike the cumulative early mornings.  

Leapgate rail line

I've bailed on the half marathon this fall, just not feeling it and am excited to just put in a lot of really easy running and build a huge base. So no races in site, just anticipating race lotteries that start in December. Western States 100, Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, and Tor des Geants. I've got the usual aches and pains but am running alright. Just enjoying being outside. I've even stopped with podcasts, books, and music some days while I run. The early mornings and silence are very welcoming. I'm still up at 4am to get out before the wife goes to the gym. I'm glad she is enjoying exercise so am happy to accommodate her. She's definitely made it a solid habit which isn't easy but to do.

Muay Thai grading

I'd been joining in with the Muay Thai boxing classes for a couple weeks and was coerced into doing the grading. We do a fair amount of Thai boxing in Jeet Kune Do so I knew the basics anyway. The classes are very intense which I enjoy. The main focus is technique for now but there is a possibility of fighting in the ring in the future! Not sure if I'm up for that as Thai boxing is really violent but you never know! Being a sport fighting style it's a bit different as we use the gloves for blocking but it's a lot of fun with a great group of people. The academy really has become a fantastic home away from home. They all love to jokingly making fun of my accent and nationality which is always a laugh. I'm there Monday through Friday between my classes and my daughter's tae kwon do, just wish my son would take more interest. I've had a couple weeks I was there 7 days! 

The Thai classes are immediately after JKD so since I have the time available I may as well join in. You m usually really tired but always worth it. The few photos are from the grading.

Muay Thai grading, clinch sparring

The clinch sparring was super intense. Essentially you're fighting for control of the upper body while trying to knee the other person. After the grading our head instructor told me he noticed I had put the time in to prepare. With such a short time between the grading and the few classes I had I definitely did going over the handful of drills we needed to do. I knew the strikes but needed to hone my footwork, positioning, and range. 

getting my yellow arm band  

So that's about it for now. Nothing really exciting, I did get a couple new pairs of shoes! Brooks Transcend 6 for run commuting and the new Altra Torin 4, my every day road shoe, the previous version I had 800 miles on! Also had my buddy from Minnesota bring over some new running shorts to try out. The company Rabbit isn't available in the UK so I had them shipped to his house before he flew over here for a work trip. So far the Rabbit FKT 5" short is good, but still need some more miles in them. I previously had the Patagonia Strider Pro 5" which were greet but the new version they changed the liner and they're just a bit too tight for me. Both models aren't cheap but I feel they're worth every penny.

100 mile out, 1/2 Marathon in

Right up until the morning I needed to leave I was on the fence about South Wales 100. I decided not to do it. There was no connection to the race. It was just there to do. There was no real motivation. The thing that pushed me over was the amount of "emergency" gear we had to carry. It was just too much crap. I'm not here to backpack, this was a running race.  I understand the Welsh weather can be extremely erratic but isn't that part of the allure of these races? Ironically the weather was perfect, waking to blue skies this morning I kind of wished I was out there! Anyway.... I'm done with ultras for now. 

Instead I've pretty much committed to the Worcester City Half Marathon in September. My job is a sponsor, free entry, and it's a fast course. I haven't ran fast in a long time so that seems to be a fun motivator. As of this morning it's worked. I'm excited. I'm ready to train. It will be fun to run on the road and get a solid PR for the half marathon, something I've always raced on the trails which is an inconsistent medium. 

Thursday night we had a fantastic session at Jeet Kune Do. The head instructor took the class. He's extremely experienced and has a very commanding but fun presence over class. It was a very active class finishing with Thai boxing drills which always spike out everyone's heart rate. People know it was a tough class when I leave and my shirt is soaked in sweat! It was also very motivating. We are doing more higher level stuff within the back belt grades which has been fun. We've got this tool box to choose from now and we're working on flowing it all together. Using Bruce Lee's philosophy of throwing away what is useless and choosing the specific strikes, defenses, takedowns, etc. we personally prefer. It's really rad when things start to flow naturally, it's a fascinating sensation to perform without thinking. I'm so glad I joined these classes and stuck to it. The academy is my social life now. It's a super positive environment. Today is the party to celebrate and open a third studio which will have a full size MMA ring, gym equipment, new classes, and other surprises. Unfortunately I can't be there but I'm excited to take advantage of anything I can fit into my schedule. As my daughter changes classes it opens up more time for me to train either another art, take advantage of open mat time, or just use the gym while she's in class. I'm really psyched! 

Trying to juggle running, JKD, and my strength routine something always slips to the back burner, lately that's been JKD. I need a solid schedule to follow. It's amazing how little time it takes to improve or even start a habit. Beginning something for just 5 minutes 2-3 days a week usually builds in time because you're having fun. Start small and it magically lengthens. 

Today we are off to Cardiff in Wales to see the wife's sister and nieces. A fun afternoon at a place called the Imaginarium, I'd assume like the Science Museum, is planned. I'll maybe get out for a run tonight, then we'll dig around the beach tomorrow. Looking forward to hopefully a fun couple days away. 

Scotland, early mornings, rain, future races

I'm back I guess, or at least chipped out some time to blog. Life's busy as usual. I'm good at finding time for the things I want to do but it's tough. Anyway, since my race report I've fully recovered and am kind of running again. Have had trouble getting into the routine for whatever reason. It's odd how I can motivate when the mornings are dark and cold but now when the sunrise is beautiful and the weather is better (well for the most part!) I step back. I've always got this plan in my head organizing running, Jeet Kune Do, and my strength routine but it never seems to fully come to fruition. I'll keep trying. Maybe it's because Thames Path is over, I need a new goal.

Eas Mor Waterfall Trail - Arran

A few weeks ago we were on the Isle of Arran visiting my mother in law. It's a deceivingly busy trip but fun nonetheless. Where we stay there aren't many running options but it's fun to see new things. The weather was miserable but that doesn't really ever ruin the trip. I always have huge ambitions of running a ton of vert and getting in a big week of training but that has never happened. I said "deceivingly busy" because that's exactly what this trip is. There's a lot of social time, more drinking than I normally do, entertaining kids, later nights than usual, a lot of small things that really add up. My wife thinks it's a relaxing trip and says the "sea air" tires us out. Bullshit. It's busy! 

going to Loch Garbad - Arran

I did manage one day in the mountains. It wasn't the one sunny day we had but I was determined to at least try. The forecast was for heavy rain, squalls, and limited visibility. I took the bus as I normally do which is fine other than I don't get the super early start I prefer. I planned on 20 miles running ridge lines as you do in the UK. At lower elevations the weather was decent, cloudy, but no rain yet and probably low 50's. Everything up high was covered in clouds, fog, mist. 

I headed out Glen Rosa after running from the ferry terminal through Brodick. Glen Rosa is a nice run with normally awesome views of the mountains as you look up the Glen. All I saw this time was a few low hills and clouds. After running a while I headed up the start of the Glen Rosa Horseshoe, a fell running race that makes just what it says, a horseshoe around Glen Rosa running the ridges. I'd ran a fair amount of this before so knew where I was headed. 

Glen Rosa - mountains shrouded in fog, clouds, rain

Soon visibility was waning and it was a bit drizzly out. Still fairy warm though, I was in a t-shirt and shorts. The further into the clouds I went the lower the vis got as expected. I followed the faint social trail, checked my map, and watch to make sure I was on track. Slowly the weather began to degrade, the rain jacket came out, and I was up high on the ridge. It's hard to get lost on a ridge, or so I thought. I kept moving along as I slowly got soaked by the persistent rain and wet. The wind wasn't too bad. I followed the ridge peering down the steep drop offs, rocky cliffs, and couloirs that fell into nothing as they were filled with mist. 

on the ridge

Going and going the features I expected to see never arrived. I was confused but thought I knew where I was because I was on the ridge. I kept going, the weather got worse, and I decided it best to cut it short. It just wasn't safe, especially with the weather supposedly getting worse. I anticipated a couple couloirs that cut down to Glen Rosa and back to town but they never arrived.

Soon I was on a long descent I was sure was the down to the saddle where I cut down to Glen Rosa. But shortly I came to some boggy crossings and a deer fence/gate that wasn't on the route I had taken. I knew I had gone wrong somewhere. I figured I'm not going back and it's a small island so if I head down I'll hit the road and catch the bus, hopefully waiting in a pub by a fire! Not so bad! 

I soon realized where I was when I came to a deep cut creek with vertical cliffs lining it. I had gone south instead of north of the ridgeline! I had absolutely no idea! I'd been here before and knew where I was at least and I was doing the horseshoe in the opposite direction, a good thing now! 

I looked for the steep crossing in and out of the chasm but didn't see it, I must have just missed it but continued down stream, the water way too fast and high to cross. I soon came to the end of the deer fence and it crossed the rushing water. I contemplated climbing across it ninja warrior style, then looked around for another way over. No option but to traverse the fence! I climbed it sideways and was soon across! Ended up being a great option, I just wish someone got a photo of me on it!

fence traverse! 

 Four miles later I was back in town. I still wanted more miles so I zig-zagged, back and forth, in and out, all around Brodick as the weather was warm and I was soaked so who cares! Back at the ferry terminal the wife got in touch and said they were on their way into town for something to do. I met with them and changed clothes in a manky bathroom. I wanted more that day but the weather just wasn't cooperating, I still got out to play which was a good thing. These things are fun but would be more fun with someone. 

Back home in Stourport my morning running has been inconsistent, life's been tiring, and I've struggled to get back to the routine. Most recently the weather has been low 50's and rain which sucks! That could be part of the problem! In a week and half I've got the South Wales 100, a doozy of a race with lots of climbing. I was hoping with that looming it would kickstart my mojo but it hasn't.  

early mornings have their benefits

I looked at why I was entered into the SW100 and it was mainly to get enough points to qualify for Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, a race up there in profile with Western States. I thought about it and it's highly unlikely I'll get in. A second look at the qualifying, which they are changing, and I've actually already qualified! The changes worked in my favor! So unless I want to run SW100 I've already qualified for the UTMB lottery! Pretty sweet! 

I already qualify for the UTMB lotto!

So I'm unsure of SW100 right now. I won't get any money back so I may as well do it. There are a couple factors in not doing it though. That same weekend the martial arts academy I go to is having an open day celebrating their expansion by adding another studio with a full MMA cage, fitness equipment, and new/more classes. There are free taster classes, bbq, games, contests..... all sorts of fun things going on. That place being my social life I'd really like to go, BUT, that same weekend my wife is planning to visit her sister in Cardiff near where I'm racing. So if I don't race it's likely I'll be in Cardiff, not really a bad thing as it's always fun but I'd rather attend the open day at the academy. I'd hope my wife would try some of the free classes as well.

It's been raining like crazy here which sucks. The run commute in to work has been wet too. Yesterday was particularly wet. I figure get wet running or get wet walking so may as well run!   

  

been rainy on the run commute in - free shower?

Thames Path 100 Race Report

I left home in the car with what I thought would be ample time to get to Oxford. The plan was to park near the race finish, walk to the Oxford train station, then take the train to Richmond in London where I had a hotel room waiting next to the race start. Sounds simple, and it was. I was hoping for a free parking space within easy hobble distance from the finish line. 

The hour forty-five drive went smoothly however finding parking was a challenge. It always takes me a bit to get my bearings, I recognized the finish area, Queen Elizabeth Sports Ground, but drove too far past it. The clock was ticking and I was tempted to follow signs to the train station parking. I persisted though, wasting time, and was soon in the neighborhood I intended to park in. The side streets were packed solid with cars lining both sides allowing only a narrow single lane to drive through. 

Luckily I found an easy spot to dump the car in. I shouldered my duffle bag and started walking. Fortunately I had just driven the route to the station so I knew where I was going. I noted the name of the pub on the corner of the street I parked on. Power walking shortly turned into a mile and a half run through Oxford at 9pm at night! I made it with 5 minutes to navigate the self serve ticket machine. 

Now I had a 50 minute or so train ride with one change to Richmond. Planning ahead I had plenty of food to eat, I'd learned that lesson before. The train was quiet, you know in movies when someone's on an oddly empty train before something happens? Yeah, like that! Anyway, no aliens showed up and I arrived in Richmond around 1045pm. I grabbed some more food for breakfast at the station and walked the 5 minutes to the Travelodge. Richmond was a really cool looking hip area, and it was dripping with money, just as the wife had told me. Nice to visit but I've never been a city boy. 

At the hotel it took the guy way too long to get me checked in. I just wanted to go to bed. After 15 minutes of screwing around, no idea what the issue was, I was finally in my room. I dumped my stuff, brushed my teeth, and went to sleep. 

I really don't do myself any favors when it comes to relaxing the night before a race! 

morning of race pile o'kit

Even after a late night, at least for me, I slept alright. I had plenty of time in the morning to get organized and eat. There really wasn't much to do. I double checked my race vest and drop bags. Had a shower, and ate what food I had. The reality is running is a simple task that needs little preparation. 

I wandered about five minutes to race headquarters at Richmond Townhall. Passing restaurants I kind of wished I could just sit at a coffee shop rather than run 100 miles. I got in line to get my kit checked. The woman asked for my rain jacket and headlamp, despite the race requiring other items, I guess those were priority. She handed me a poker chip to prove I had passed her test. I next stood in line to get my race number. I told them my name and race number, handed them the poker chip, and in return I was given four safety pins and a number to pin to my shorts. After a few tries I sucessfully secured my number on. 

Richmond - downstream at start

Walking outside the sun was shining but the wind was cold. I was wishing I had a long sleeve on rather than my t-shirt. I soon found who to give my drop bag too. I'd have access to it around mile 51 at the Henley aid station. Shoes, socks, BodyGlide, extra food. I think that's all I had in there. More and more I'm realizing I can get away with far less, I nearly skipped the extra shoes this time however placebo is an amazing thing and a fresh pair of kicks could be nice if it happened to rain. 

Richmond - down stream from start

I gave my duffle bag to the guy transporting bags to the finish. Logistically this worked out perfectly.  I'll now run back to my car! Sometimes these races can be a pain without a crew but this one, despite a bit of a time crunch the night before, was working out extremely well. 

Richmond - runners gathering anticipating the start

Richmond - upstream from race tart

People gathered around the starting area seeking out the sun just as I did. The wind was surprisingly cold and wasn't warming up, I once again regretted my short sleeve shirt. Soon we were all called to the starting line for the pre-race briefing. I smiled as the race director joked about the race following the river upstream, assuming that everyone knew which way that was. I didn't! Otherwise nothing to really note, the weather was to be clear for the most part with a chance of spotty showers, night would be cold and clear, I was most worried about my hands freezing.

We were shortly off and I eased into a slow pace as I intended. This was my main goal. Go out easy. I notoriously go out too fast and then pay for it at the end. I didn't talk to many people, just didn't feel like it. I actually pulled out my phone once, took a few random pictures, and also called the family at one point. I don't like to have my phone out, being "that guy," but I guess that's what people do these days. 

random Thames Path photo

early in the race

Over much of the day nothing much exciting happened race-wise! I cycled through Clif Bloks and Tesco fruit bars every 30 minutes as well as one SaltStick tablet. Of course I ate whatever at aid stations. Nothing is ever really appealing. It's usually a waste of time trying to decide. I default to fruit but it's not very calorie dense so seemingly pointless. Fueling went really well all day. I drank only water as usual. 

it looks warm but the wind was chilly, see - gloves!

should've had my jacket on

The cold wind wore on me and once again could've used a long sleeve or jacket. I busted the gloves out of course. Growing up Nordic ski racing in thin gloves exposing my hands to frost nip has likely left them more susceptible to being cold. It's really annoying especially because the humidity here and the wet conditions don't imply it's going to be cold but it chills you deep. I fear my hands turning into "crab claws" making opening food packages difficult and messing with zippers impossible. 

Around mile 45 I was running by myself with no one around. I went through a gate and into some fields along the river. I soon saw people running on the opposite side of the river and still no one near me. Hmmm. I shortly realized I had missed a bridge! I'd ran maybe an extra couple miles on the wrong side of the river! Shit! I turned around and headed back. I crossed paths with a guy named Andreas, an Italian runner who'd done the same thing. The first footbridge we came to I saw the sign I missed. We crossed and were back on track. That could've been really bad because if you miss a turn you need to return to where you went wrong! Sure we'd likely have come to another bridge but it wouldn't have been allowed as we were off the official course.

The cold winds persisted and I busted out my rain jacket a couple times but it didn't breathe enough leaving me clammy and hot. A couple times the weather threatened rain but it never really built to much, that is until mile 51.

Andreas and I hit the Henley aid station at half way together, dark clouds rolled in and the skies opened up. Luckily I was under a tent doing what I do and stayed dry. I was trying to be more conscious of time at aid stations, especially this one, so I hit my lap button on my watch to see how long I was there. I did the normal things; changed shoes and socks, applied BodyGlide, grabbed my wind jacket. I also ate two big bowls of pasta. I was in and out in 20 minutes. Could I be faster? Probably, but that pasta has always been a life saver. 

On I went into the dark as night fell. Runners now had pacers and I ran with an English guy, Jack, who was being paced by his wife. This was his first 100. They had little kids and we discussed training around them, lack of sleep, etc. It was nice to see I'm not alone. We had good conversation and bounced back and forth. Later on I ran with another guy and his pacer who had a really solid run five minutes, walk one minute plan going. So I joined them for a while. 

Soon I recognized some of the course. Around 25 miles of the Thames Path was part of the Autumn 100 course and the aid stations were mostly the same. It was good and bad to have some familiarity. I was back running with Jack, sans pacer, and we worked together to keep running avoiding walking as much as possible. It worked well. I felt my sugars drop once during the entire race and quickly got more food on board. I'd tired of sugary energy food and had trouble finding things that were appetizing. Sugary was not what I craved. I soon switched to primarily coke and plain salty chips. I couldn't eat them fast enough! I subsisted on that at aid stations and via an extra plastic bag I brought with the rest of the race. I did eat more Clif Bloks and fruit bars but only if I had to. 

With maybe 15 miles to go Jack picked up another pacer. I forgot his name but he had experience and initially pushed us a bit too hard. Looking back it was a good thing. We ran a lot and at a solid pace into dawn. Leading into Oxford the dirt and grass gave way to paved bike path along the river. I surprisingly had to poop and the other guys pulled ahead a bit. It was the point where all goals digress to just finishing and being done. I didn't care about my place and hadn't looked at my overall time so didn't care much about beating them. Also I figured it best for Jack to finish with his pacer and likely have his wife at the finish. Having some random acquaintance finish your first 100 with you isn't that big of a deal but I figured it best to let them go ahead without me and they finished a minute or so ahead. 

I soon strolled into the finish very happy to be done. I received my belt buckle. My main goal had been met and secondly the most important thing was I got my pacing right and wasn't reduced to a walk! Race execution went pretty much perfectly. No major feeding issues, no blisters, no chafing, correct pacing. Sure I could've used warmer clothes, my only complaint. 

happy to be done

pirate's finishing booty

Strava screen shot

finisher's shirt

under 24 hours belt buckle

After a long hot shower I stumbled my way to my car, about a half mile. It was early morning and I'd guess most passerbys thought I was drunk from a long night out! I drove for about a half hour, pulled over and slept in my car. 

Post race looking back I was very happy. Training can always be better but I work with what I've got. The main thing though is I had zero sore muscles. Why? I'd been doing a muscular endurance focused strength routine. It'd leave me sore for a few days but obviously worked! My joints were pretty beat down though. I took a week off and now I'm slowly building my miles back up.

As I write this I'm in Scotland hoping for a solid week of hills as I build up for the South Wales 100 In mid June. I've never done two hundreds in a season and SW100 has a ton of vert passing through Brecon Beacons National Park. On we go. 

Paddy Buckley Round Recce

Snowdon Massif

The Paddy Buckley recce was as expected, a blast! Kind of disappointed I didn't get to do the whole thing but the remaining section is very do able alone if I decide to find the time. The two very long and tough days were pretty much just route finding and putting in the miles and vert.

I arrived in North Wales on Friday night at about 8 pm. Darkness was just beginning to fall and I was still able to see where I was. I drove through Betws-y-Coed, the start of the previous race I had done up here, and was at least a bit familiar with the area. A short drive on and everything opened up into more mountainous terrain. I could see Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, and soon was following  steep switchbacks up towards it. I felt like I was in Colorado passing through tiny old towns and following narrow winding roads. I finally topped out at a pass with a few buildings and limited parking, I began descending then  I soon realized that was Pen-y-Pass and the hostel I was staying at! After a half mile of no where to turn around I was able to and  headed back up.

driving into the mountains

I knew parking was an issue here but dumped my car and payed the 10 pound fee without thinking. I just wanted to be settled. I went inside the rugged looking old building and inside was like a hotel! This hostel had been fixed up and was immaculate, it even had a bar and restaurant! No surprise I guess, Pen-y-Pass looked to have access to at least three shorter popular hiking routes up Snowdon, makes sense to sell food to people!

I attempted to check in and see if anyone was here yet. I would only recognize one of the four other guys and had never met the others outside of e-mail conversations. I rattled off their names to the guy working the front desk until we found who booked the room, Nathanael Booker. It looked like no one was here yet and I couldn't check in without Nathanael. Not that I drink much but at least there was a bar.

ironic finding this in North Wales! I spent a great deal of time in Canyon Country!

I found a place to sit and decided to get a beer. I hardly drink any more, probably my first beer in a few months, but figured it’s not really coffee time. I had another and looked at the books on offer. I laughed as I picked up and started reading a book on the geology of canyon country in the USA! I decided to order some food and another beer. I really didn't want to spend any money since we had food but whatever I guess. I had a solid buzz on though drinking 8 percent beers so I could justify the food! I haven't really quit drinking it's just that there is no one here I enjoy drinking with. Most people around me here drinking alcohol seems to bring out anger and resentment versus the fun and stupid smiles, so I opt to not take part. Besides, with little kids I feel there is no place for being intoxicated.
After waiting a hour and half a couple guys showed up, fortunately Nathanael, and also my friend Neil. I worked with Neil at the outdoor shop in Birmingham. He was a good guy and the only person there that actually climbed and skied. When I did my first 50 miler at the North Downs Way 50 he was living nearby and stopped by to cheer me on, pretty cool of him. He's an actuary for an insurance company in Zurich now. He hates it despite living in the Alps. He said it's very easy, very boring, and pays a lot, but extremely unfulfilling. So, he's planning on quitting and is training to be a helicopter pilot with dreams of working in the mountains.

After a few short hellos we were booked in and getting ready for bed, everyone having had long days. We had a private room with two bunk beds. We'd use a communal toilet, showers, and planned on eating in the communal kitchen which comprised of four separate fully stocked "kitchens" (sink, fridge, freezer, dishes, etc. stove, oven, microwave) and an eating area through another door. The facilities were basic but in very nice condition. Many of these hostels families use instead of hotels and they're far cheaper.

We stuffed a shoe in the door so one of the guys arriving late could get in. The fifth decide to drive up in the morning.

We slept well and woke at 7am or so. No hurry really. We got what little gear we were bringing; basic ultrarunning kit I'd raced with, food, and water, and went to the kitchen to have breakfast. Plans changed a bit due to snow up high which was going to possibly melt off during the day. We decided to do the lower elevation section first. Capel Curig to Aberglaslyn.

first few tops

post hole fun

After a little patience shuffling of cars to save money on parking and setting up our car shuttle back from the finish we were off. The temps were cool, the sky partly cloudy, and wind up high cold. No precip in sight which was unheard of here in Wales! We headed up a rocky trail and soon were winding through moss covered woodland, I remembered these crazy looking forests from the the last time I raced here, beautiful and calming. As our elevation climbed we were soon in rolling grassy clumped moorland. It looks like fields of over sized bunch grasses but is bog. The cold water seeped into out shoes which wouldn't dry out all day. The bogs were relentless and unpredictable. Most of the time maybe ankle deep but when you saw a creek type flow you had to be careful. Dan, the guy who drove up in the morning, attempted to jump over one as you do and sunk in up to his waist!

Dan hauling himself out of the bog

It was slow going through the grassy inconsistent footing relentlessly climbing up and tagging "bumps" of hills that were GPS way marked as the official route. The terrain wasn't too steep, you were just always going up or down. Being off trail the downs weren't as fast as one would expect. Long, some of them, but hopping hidden rocks and bunches of grasses isn't quick work, and add in the occasional snow field of breakable crust.

The view appeared to be just rolling hills but soon they exposed huge drop offs into slate quarries abandoned over 100 years ago with distant views of the sea. I recognized sections of the Snowdonia 50 I had run previous. The quarries were open pit mines carved in to the hills that also had a plethora of underground tunnel systems bored deep into the earth, many of which are open to exploration. The remnants of building foundations were everywhere, built with carefully laid and stacked stone. The bluish black slate being so durable appeared recently built with construction abandoned, but the demeanor of the Welsh weather gave it a feel something very old and out of Game of Thrones. I love it up here.

Quarry down below, the far high points we dropped out packs at

We crossed a pass through a quarry and were on a trail, the pace quickened for a change and we traversed a narrow stony path built into a hillside. Soon we dropped our packs for a short but steep out and back section to bag another peak.

old quarry buildings, this is in the above photo at the pass

fun trail to the out and back

We crossed back over the pass and up to the final two tops on the map. A little technical scrambling and we were on the final descent to the car at Aberglaslyn. It went on forever but was fast and not so technical you had to slow your pace, fun running to finish off a wet boggy day. Soon we were on an old farm track littered with rocks, ruts, and puddles. Choosing the fastest line reminded me of mountain biking in Moab, planning ahead to make it down without tripping or keeping a smooth flow. Off the track and onto pavement. A narrow lane with sparse houses led to a busier road and shortly we were at the Aberglaslyn parking lot. Around 23 miles and 8,000 feet of climbing.

We were all pretty spent and ready to be done. A short drive, a little shuffling of cars to accommodate parking and soon we were showered and eating chili that one if the guys brought with in the communal dining area. No beers, no celebrations, just shower, eat, sleep. We had another bigger day tomorrow.

After a quick breakfast we were pretty much ready to go. Not too much to carry in all reality so prep time was minimal which is nice. It's great to be with people who are organized and ready to roll with the task at hand. Climbers are like that, which most of these guys were. They'll skip the party in order to focus on the goal, early to bed early to rise when needed, time is of great value to the overall experience.

One guy opted out of the second day's run so he dropped us off where we finished the day before at Aberglaslyn and would be picking us up in Llanberis at the end of the route. He had a beautiful day to sit around and read or do nothing, the morning was misty and cold but blue skies were expected, I was partially jealous. Sometimes when I'm driving to an ultra I think to myself, "I should be driving to Cornwall with a surfboard, not to run for 20 hours!"

We headed up of course through moss covered hardwood forest. Creeks flowed seemingly in every direction as we meandered back and forth on and off the path through the trees to find the easiest route. We popped out of the forest and into moorland. It was nice to have warm dry feet for the first 20 minutes, so much for that, the cold of the bog water seeped into my shoes soaking my socks yet again. The grassland was hilly and strewn with stone fences going in all directions. Remnants of sheep herder stone huts overlooked the valleys below.

old hut remains

The wind was cold as we hiked straight up steep grass slopes into the dense fog towards the first top, Bryn Banog. Before ascending into the white fog looking back down you could see the coast and sun beams attempting to pierce the clouds. This was by far the steepest section we'd done, the winds grew stronger as we climbed higher and became more exposed. We finally hit the ridgeline, wandered about hitting the correct GPS points and kept moving trying to keep warm. Down we went to escape the cold, lower we were greeted with the sun and more boggy moorland only to ascend into the clouds again.

a lot steeper than it looks, cold too!

really fun descent in the background

Up to the top to bag Moel Hebog and down again a long grassy slope. Some scrambling at the bottom and the weather was finally breaking. The wind however was still cold, but at least the sun made up for it. An easy couple waypoints led to a really fun descent. A steep, rocky, chiseled out route followed the ridge down. It almost looked like a trail, maybe it was, but any trail maintenance was obsolete here. Cherry picking our way down choosing the quickest line we jumped over and through the rocks, letting loose any not cemented into the earth. We paused to peer into a couple giant holes in the rocky mountainside, likely test pits or entrances to mines. Usually this is why you bring a headlamp, many of these are deep tunnels worth exploring, unfortunately we didn't have time.

Nantlle Ridge looking towards Snowdon

Soon we were climbing up to a portion of the Nantlle Ridge, a known fell running route. The temperature was perfect and we could see a small cloud over the Snowdon Massif which held the highest point in Wales and the final major ridge we'd traverse. The section of hte Nantlle we were on went over Trum y Ddysgl, Mynydd Drws-y-coed, and Y Garn. Try pronouncing those summits! Welsh is a fascinating language and still proudly spoken by many in North Wales. To the east we had steep grass slopes, to the west rocky impassable cliffs dropped off with the sea in the distance. This was a beautiful run along the ridge.

Snowdon Massif

We dropped steeply down into the Beddgelert Forest and met with our shuttle driver for the day. There was easy access so he brought us some water to refill before we headed up to Snowdon. Speaking of water, it was odd drinking from streams here. Sheep were everywhere however no cattle which I'm assuming are the grazers that carry giardia and cryptosporidium. I never filtered water in California but Colorado and the Midwest I always did. It blew my mind that such a small place had clean water.

We crossed through some farmland and followed an old stone fence, you guessed it, up. Grassy slopes with the occasional rocky break we continued to the next couple waypoints. The good weather stuck but Snowdon was becoming covered in clouds.

heading up to Tregalan and Snowdon

Up the rocky ridge we went ascending to Tregalan. A much more defined ridge with rocky sections of scrambling, both sides dropped off at a more aggressive angle than before. Soon we hit snow and were post holing or avoiding it by hoping on rocks. More and more people were out now mainly because we were approaching Snowdon which has many routes up it, both easy and difficult. People were floundering all over in the wet snowy conditions. It wasn't dangerous, mainly just a nuisance. We hit the summit, touched the stone memorial, and got he hell out. People were everywhere. Too busy for us. One more high point to hit before descending to the sun.

heading up towards Snowdon

 We stomped through snow to hit Carnedd Ugain then went straight down until we met the Snowdon Ranger Path and a portion of the railway that can be ridden to the top in summer. Rails and trails made for fast downhill running as we maneuvered around tourists and hikers. Shortly after we gained the grassy ridgeline again, in the distance we could see Llanberis and also the final four tops we had to summit. They were easy for the most part but you never know how much vertical you'll lose in between the lumps.

On our way down we saw a coast guard helicopter practicing touchdowns on a grassy knoll. Pretty cool. The North Wales mountains can be a very nasty any time of the year and mountain rescue is called out fairly often it sounds. The final few miles were nothing spectacular other than the finally of a another fantastic big day out. One long grassy descent into farms, neighborhoods, and finally the main street in Llanberis. We sat along the road enjoying the sun waiting for everyone to catch up and also for our shuttle. Around 23 miles adn 12,000 vertical feet. A doozy.

Llanberis High Street

We wandered into town and got food at Pete's Eats, a long time favorite of "hill walkers" and climbers after a long day out. We ate, drove back to the hostel, I grabbed my stuff and said my farewells. It was a shame that I couldn't do the final day or I can't join in for the full Paddy Buckley Round attempt but it sure was nice to hang out with some mountain folk in the mountains. I felt normal for once.

I'll hopefully be back on my own to finish the route and fingers crossed these guys get in touch for the Scottish version, The Ramsay Round, in the future.

The photos really don't do this place justice. It's very difficult to show the expanse of the area. It's odd also as it's still a really small place. Most of the photos you see terrain we either ran early in the day or did later in the day. This is definitely my favorite place in the UK and hope to be back again.Sorry about typos, formatting, and the lack of improving photo quality (you'll notice the couple I did do on Instagram). It takes a huge amount of effort just to type this with kids running around!