Change of course, again

I had plans over the last 3 months to train with the Peris Horseshoe in mind and then step up to a long winter event. Training over the last few months has not gone well or been in any way consistent. I have the running mojo back, that bit of the jigsaw sorted itself out quite some time ago. It is just time. Moving house(no small effort), getting the new place into shape, getting the old one in a position to rent or sell has been hugely time consuming. If improving fitness was measured in arm strength, I would be doing well.

So I won't be doing the Peris this year (again) and anyway I am away with work around that time. However, the thought process has brought me to a different goal. I have done long and hard, the Bob Graham was that journey and a great one, but it is not time to repeat that sort of challenge yet and I just don't have the time to go our and run for 4 hours a couple of times a week at the moment. So I am going to try to get fast. Well, faster at any rate. I am going to work on the 6 to 10 mile AM fell race, see how much I can improve and these are the races I plan to do over the next 6 months. Lets see how the power of commitment and guilt works out.

• Arenig Race
• Ras Robell Fawr
• Cardington Cracker
• Cordon Classic
• Long Mynd Valleys race
• Ras-Y-Aran

I might also add in the Aberystwyth Twin Peaks race.

Part of the rational is if I am going for something like a Paddy in 2013/2014, it would be good to get faster 1st. 

The Tarrens : Corris to Aberdoevy

Last weekend, prompted by my good lady sister in law's wish to visit the Craft centre in Corris and the small peoples wish to ride on a donkey, a plan was hatched for them to do as they wished and me to get a lift to run the line of hills from Corris to Aberdovey which I had admired many times from the south.

While I did not quite run the whole length as planned (my taxi service ran out of patience), we did get as far as Happy Valley, but it is a cracking run, about 14 miles. The line was


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1st 1/2 was either very rough, either bog, heather, rough forest or very steep grass which her ladyship is perfectly suited to. 2nd half was fast and very enjoyable running, but Mist was a bit tired over the last section. We saw no one all afternoon, except the same can't be said of the top of Snowdon.

Dog + a pile of stones

Looking towards Bearded Lake

Looking towards Cader Idris

See, no people

In short, lots more to explore up in this range, some great running and some of the best views in Wales.