Those of you who follow this blog on a regular basis (when I can be bothered to update it that is) will know that I have changed my focus over the past few months to more mountain runs and fell ascents. With this shift in my running, I have seen a significant improvement in my strength and stamina and more importantly, I just love to get out on to the hills. I suppose the fact that the training group that we have formed includes Anna Frost, Nick Swinburn, Rob Samuel, Gary Rees Williams and of course my coach Andy Walling makes for an enjoyable Sunday morning. That group includes a world champion, a former hill running champion, a half marathon Welsh record holder to name but a few of the achievements they have between them. The mountain running just seems to be more relaxed, more friendly and somewhat easier for me. I enjoy the ascents, the descents I can leave...I hate them but of course this will come with practice. Anyway, confirmation of the change in direction was a last minute decision to enter the annual 'Pipe Dream' race in Dolgarrog. A climb on nearly 1300' in the mile affords a real challenge but I saw it purely as a test of my stamina. I managed to run the ascent completely, and extended a lead over the winner of last year's event Andrea Rowlands of about a 100 metres but then all hell broke loose! I cannot run down hill! God it was funny, Andrea caught and passed me with ease and despite the fact that I felt I was going well, she made me feel like I was walking. It was so funny. Anyway, by the finish Andrea had pulled out 150 mts but I was pleased with 2nd in my first fell race and now I know I have to practice decents! I enjoyed the race so much, that I have now entered the Snowdon race in July....all I have to do now is practice running down hills!
Those of you who follow this blog on a regular basis (when I can be bothered to update it that is) will know that I have changed my focus over the past few months to more mountain runs and fell ascents. With this shift in my running, I have seen a significant improvement in my strength and stamina and more importantly, I just love to get out on to the hills. I suppose the fact that the training group that we have formed includes Anna Frost, Nick Swinburn, Rob Samuel, Gary Rees Williams and of course my coach Andy Walling makes for an enjoyable Sunday morning. That group includes a world champion, a former hill running champion, a half marathon Welsh record holder to name but a few of the achievements they have between them. The mountain running just seems to be more relaxed, more friendly and somewhat easier for me. I enjoy the ascents, the descents I can leave...I hate them but of course this will come with practice. Anyway, confirmation of the change in direction was a last minute decision to enter the annual 'Pipe Dream' race in Dolgarrog. A climb on nearly 1300' in the mile affords a real challenge but I saw it purely as a test of my stamina. I managed to run the ascent completely, and extended a lead over the winner of last year's event Andrea Rowlands of about a 100 metres but then all hell broke loose! I cannot run down hill! God it was funny, Andrea caught and passed me with ease and despite the fact that I felt I was going well, she made me feel like I was walking. It was so funny. Anyway, by the finish Andrea had pulled out 150 mts but I was pleased with 2nd in my first fell race and now I know I have to practice decents! I enjoyed the race so much, that I have now entered the Snowdon race in July....all I have to do now is practice running down hills!
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