With a spell of good weather seemingly arriving from nowhere I’ve made the most of it getting out on 5 succesive days, it was glorious & three local aids added to the fun.
Firstly on Friday’s run I decided to try out the Coed y Brenin’s new Short Sarn Helen run of course made a little longer than my running to the centre from my house. Matt Ward’s route may be short but is packed with a few trail highlights, to name a few; seriously demanding initial windy climb through majestic trees (don’t be put off by this start it does get easier & if you are forced into a walk you can simply admire the surroundings all the more), great view halfway round of the distant Rhinogs appears out of nowhere & then on a good descent heading back South the Eastern ridges of Cader Idris dominate the skyline, what a way to enjoy the late Autumn sunshine.
Saturday’s local aid was a little more of the practical kind. After failing to find any road running shoes in Shrewsbury on Tuesday I decided to at least sort my trail shoes out at my more relaible haunt of Cotswold Outdoor in Betws. Stephen & Rosemarry as helpful as ever as I purchased a pair of Salomon XA Pro’s which can also double up as Road shoes a bit too. That was all the excuse I needed to test them out on My loop around Capel an hour later. Heavier than what I normally run in but after the first couple of K they began to feel comfortable & just what the foot doctor wanted (see Iain I do listen).
Finally on Sunday the Local Aid was Jeremy in the form of the return of Eryri Harriers Sunday Morning Run (SMR). From Llanberis we did a route I’ve walked several times but never run in that direction taking in Moel Elio, Foel Gron & Foel Goch before returning down the Telegraph path & Peris route back to Llanberis. A very enjoyable couple of hours in the company of ten other like minded souls believing we could be doing nothing better on a Sunday morning.
The week ahead has some Ups & Downs & includes the need to make a Life changing decision before culminating in the Pen. race & Eryri Quiz Night on Saturday. Perhaps it is fitting that such a week starts with an evening meal with Dorina & ends with the sport which has brought so much to me in recent years, where would I be without them both?
