June 30, 2013

Where am I ?

I spent last night gear and food carrying on the Arran section of the Meirionnydd Round. I had only been on part of that section and our navigator(Rob Woodall) knew the section(and the entire round) rather well, so I just tried to keep up, but spent most of the 4 hours in the dark not having a clue where I was. Visibility was down to about 15ft in places, though at no time was the weather unpleasant or even wet. The same can't be said for the middle section under foot which was just bog with added slippy planks. I enjoyed being out at night again, the company and having a long run.

Bad luck Stewert, much respect for a great  effort and look forward to supporting you when you have your successful attempt.

June 26, 2013

Drygan Fawr

Starting out about 8.15pm (on my way back from Reading) I got to about 15 minutes from the top of Drygarn_Fawr. This is a place you can guarrantee that on a Tuesday evening in June there will be no one else.

I would have liked to get to the top, but just after 9pm, the sun was starting going down behind the hills, I was *very* lightly kitted out with no torch and there was a significant cooling wind, so decided not to risk a push for the top. The other motive to get down before the light started going was the descent which was fast path over moorland and a very fast run down a gentlly sloping track which was one of the most fun runs I have done for ages. So backing off on the push for the top was a good call.

Out for about 90 minutes, did 6 miles and very much looking forward to going back, next week maybe, but come in from the south.

June 23, 2013

Properly humbled

Properly humbled by Ras Cwm Pennant last Saturday with a solid last. Still, if I was to pick a race to be humbled in, that would probably be it. 17 miles and 5500ft with lots of rough ground, but a cracking race all the same. Well done to the team (Matt in particular) for putting it on. I did not like the last 4k on the road, but will be back to do it again next year, something to prove.
My lack of training showed, but at least I finished.

It must have tiggered something as I was out 3 times running this week. Couple of miles in the hills about Cwmystwyth on Wednesday morning followed by a dip in the river (a bit on the cold side), 1000ft of steep hill reps on Saturday and 30 mins of less steep, but faster hill reps on Sunday.

Lets see what we can manage this week !


June 2, 2013

back on the air waves

I know this blog has been dormant since late January. We have been out training a bit.  Have done a few races including the Moelwyn Race in April in super weather.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Phoenix in Arizona at a customer site. Quite hot for a welsh man with temperatures just below 100 F. I did have a couple of morning runs in the hills around Phoenix, lots of people getting out early and lots of cactus!

As the customer was not working over the weekend, I drove a couple of hours north to the Grand Canyon. Loaded up with food and water, I decided to wonder downt he Kieber path and see how far I got.  The advice was to start very early, but I concluded that doing the climb back out of the canyon in the evening would probably be more comfortable. The paths were well marked and very clear and I even took a torch.



I encountered a pair of adventure police (Park Rangers) as I was running down, dodging Janpanesee families as best I could and the conversation when something like this

  • Ranger : Hi, looks like you are on your own
  • Clive : yes
  • Ranger  : How far are you going
  • Clive : 3rd of water in, 3rd out and 3rd as backup
  • Ranger : I like your thinking
  • Ranger : said something else but Clive had run out of ear shot
Took about 1 hour 30 mins of not particullary fast  downhill to get from rim to river, with a few photo and water stops.





maybe the bird of prey knew something I did not




I made it to the bottom of the canyon, fill up the water bottles (added about 2 litres), hung around, drank, eat among other things a cliff bar I had left over from the Pacific Trails race in January and waiting till 4pm to start going back up on the assumption it would start to cool down.
At the river it was 97 F (hot for a Welsh man) and a lot hotter than 5,500ft higher. It did start to cool about 5pm, but was still warm and it did cool as I climbed up. The return took about 3 1/2 hours but I did not flog myself, particulay for the 1st 2 hours when it was still very hot.
 

I stopped about 300ft from the rim to enjoy the sunset, take some pictures, it was quite something. It is true that you don't get the scale of the Canyon from the rim (or indeed the river), but go maybe 1000ft into the canyon and the scale becomes very clear.


so what would I have done differently. 1st time in this type of environment. My conclusion was 1 thing I would have changed. I would have brought some Nuun tablets with me.

Going forward we have a Merry round to help out on. Might try Moel Hebog race next weekend for a change, something short. Been wanting to do that race for a few years. I also have a big hairy challange in mind, just need to get some serious training unde rmy belt before "coming out".

     and I was stupid enough to pre-register for the Dragon's back in 2015