Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Dragon's back: a summary in finishing positions:
Day 1: 4th
Day 2: 4th
Day 3: 4th (just)
Day 4: 5th
Day 5: 20+
Day 6: 50+

C • Done! 2

One day more!
Felt much better after yesterday's walk and a good trough. Felt pretty good on the first climb and the run to and into Merthyr. Still moving well on the ascent of Merthyr common, but started to slow a bit into the support point. Stopped for a while to feed up, then also stopped at Nelson coop for a meal deal. Managed a few shuffling runs but then it was a long walk into the water point and on into Cardiff. Had some good talks with other people walking, but once onto the Taff trail I felt like I collapse was never too far away, so just kept eating and putting one foot in front of the other. Eventually made it in and immediately went for a lie down and a warm up.

Struggled from the off. Orran Smith (1h behind overall, having taken ~30mins out of me yesterday) came past and went by number 1. Kept moving on the roads, Katie came past in the wrong direction as she'd missed CP2. Pasty in Llandovery was consumed as I power-walked up the next road climb, before shuffling on to the Usk Reservoir in about 3h.

On to the fell finally, but I struggled up Fan Brycheiniog as Katie came past and Matt caught me at the summit. Thankfully it was cool and misty. Worked well with Al Hubbard on the descent, over the bump and up the steep climb to Fan Gyhirych, though he dropped me at the top. It was now a struggle over the rougher western Fans and there was plenty of walking going on. Stopped for a bacon butty at Storey arms, which seemed to work a bit as I caught ROb on the climb to Pen y Fan. But on the descent from Cribyn I was dropped and I waled every step from there to the finish. I even had to stop to put my synthetic layer on at one point as the evening drew in and the wind got up and my reserves dwindled. Just about managed to stagger my way in without requiring my headtorch.

Climbed the first hill well but then went a bit off-line early on so had to chew some tussocks. Also managed to slightly overshoot a junction of a not very distinct path. And drop my dibber (thankfully found later by Phil). I had a real issue at one point deciding which path to take, nearly turning on my GPS before getting a grip of myself. The decent trail through the windmills was a case of keep moving fast but not too fast, but I was also having GI issues for a lot of the day.

Russ (2nd) came flying past as we hit the road, I settled into an OK pace on the climbs and enjoyed cruising through the terrain and passing people on decent trods. Took a nice alternative line to CP 3, but then started feeling a bit off just before the support point - I even tried to run down the wrong path at one point but Katie shouted me back. Simon came through on a a mission.

Took time to sort myself at the support point and was soon moving well, passing Katie and Rob, seeing Mark, Alice and Rich C, and enjoying the climb to Drygarn Fawr. The first bit of road to Abergwesyn went well - maybe too well, as the small col after was interminable (maybe due to it being muddy, boggy, rough and hot!). The final bit of road wasn't great but I got going OK, cut some corners and had some pats with a lovely little collie. Chased in by the medical team (out on a jog) to keep me honest.

Pork roll and half a pint in the Towy Bridge Arms.

Felt very low pre start but a cooling breeze on Cader and a fun ridge to run helped matters, maybe enjoyed it a bit too much as struggled a bit towards the end. Coop meal deal in Mach went down a treat, though i did get the world's slowest checkouts. Was asked if I was doing the cycle race (tour of Britain)

Cader was great, including my sneaky line to miss climb after the pony path. The Tarrens were mercifully cooler than I anticipated. I'm not particularly sure about the direct line - getting to the forest track is rough, the track itself has quite a bit of false flat (going in later may be better), and the 300m climb at the end is a bollocks - but Matt had just gone past and I fancied giving it a whirl. Moved OK into Mach before a shopping spree.

The initial traily section after Mach was OK as I chatted to Katie, the leading lady. I pressed on but never got too far ahead. At one point I got out-descended by a Belgian, but was still moving OK. Followed the wrong path on the initial climb to Llyn Lygad so had to do a bit of rough-housing before the final climb to Pumlummon which went OK. The descent went on for ever though. The download tent was full of people retiring/going home, taking up lots of time, and I nearly had a diva fit, but decided to just sit down instead.

Really warm. Started feeling really good in the shade and cool but once up top all energy was sapped. Kept plugging away and played about with some rhinog lines. One worked, one executed less well. Windier tomorrow will hopefully help.

Started a bit earlier than suggested time to avoid heat. Good bit of running to ease the legs, then climbed Cnicht wellpassing most of the tent-mates. Descended well, passing Phil earlier than anticipated. Set to work climbing the Moelwyns, climbing well but the earlier perky feeling had gone, especially when leader Simon came charging through. Descending to the valley I started feeling weary and the roads to the water point were very slow (Phil catching me back up). But we were now into rougher ground and I set to work keeping moving. 3rd place (Matt) caught me and was moving well but nothing spcetacular - basically how I felt I should have been moving. Outlined him a bit but he got away into the support point a bit and I had a more chilled transition.

New line up Rhinog Fawr worked a dream and I popped out infront of Matt. New line off was taken to try and rough him up a bit. Execution wasn't the best but good fun, and nice to be alone on the climb of Fach. Dropped to Llyn Hywel for necessary water and splash before the last 2 climbs - Matt came back through. Struggled a bit, having to walk bits of the gentle grassy descent from Y Llethr, had a bit of a rest at the topof Diffwys but got down the road and into camp OK.

Warm. Didn't feel myself but one foot in front of the other is the name of the game.

Popped to the toilet before starting to purposefully start a bit further back, chill my beans and hopefully be continuously catching people. A bit of queuing at gates but nothing too bad. Shortly after CP2 Rob Barnes (3rd in 2019) popped out from a duff route choice, and I was surprised that he didn't shoot of or at least run with me. Reeled in a few people as we headed up to the Carneddau, it always took a (purposefully) long time to catch people, but then they were suddenly nowhere to be seen despite me maintaining pace. Passed Marcus Scotney on the phone dropping out at Carnedd Daffyd. Caught Steve B dropping off Pen yr Ole Wen, he was already dehydrated. Hit Ogwen CP with Phil W, who I know from helping in 2019. Quick stop and some chat.

The Tryfan climb was much harder than expected, mercifully shaded, but took the 45min Phil said he'd expect to do when fresh. I followed a Fin on the climb to the Glyders, losing a bit of time but having fun though feeling very tired. I opted to take 5 mins in the shade at the top of Glyder Fawr and this seemed to work.

Bit mincy on Crib Goch, yoyoed with Steve B who was still suffering in the heat and appeared to only have 500mL water carrying capacity. I felt naff coming off Yr Wyddfa and over Lliwedd, but managed to pick up and pass a group, finishing with Phil (actually being 5 minutes ahead on time) in a surprising 4th place. I was just ahead of Steve when he stopped so missed all the drama there.

First taste of tent life - sharing with Phil, Rob Barnes and his brother, someone who's just started working for OMM and only eats meat (Sam), Marcus Scotney (so never saw him) and a wildcard of Mark from Dark Peak.