Tuesday 31 May 2011

Counting contours, Ras Y Gader 2011


Top right is Penygader, our turn around point

As you may have guessed from the number of posts about Gader Idris(Cader Idris), this is one of my favourite places and races.

The race is a strait forward  out and back course of 10.5 miles(16.9 km) and 3000 ft(0.9km) of ascent. Here is the race map . Starting at sea level, from the town of Dolgellau, well marked and marshalled (no navigation required), just a trot up to the trig point and back down again. Simples.
   
Dolgllau, the start and finish line

Simple yes, easy no, not for me anyway. The amount of ascent and descent  is much higher than any of my local runs or anything in the Peak, also much of the course is pitched stone and rock  .

from the start its a sharp tarmac climb out of Dolgellau to the only level part of the race. A mile or so of easy running, which goes through shaded woodland, around Llyn Gwernan and then across the boggy meadow. Even after seeing the runners in front struggle with the marshy section, we all did a little comedy dance.

comedy moment in the boggy meadow 






Onwards and upwards

#63  navigationally challenged,  backmarker,  MV 40+ and  numpty. Stephen Burt.
In spite of having "special needs", Stephen manages to enjoy a happy and active life

Moody mountain

From the Car park at Ty-nant  it is all up hill. 750metres upwards in 3km, give or take a bit. I don't use GPS or have any digital mapping for this area,  so all measurements are thanks to Ordnance Survey map OL23 and a piece of string.

Enough of facts and figures, that's not what fell running is all about. Much as I enjoy looking at maps and pondering routes. Its sections like this that float my boat. the steep climb and the 'brain out, brakes off' dash back down. I am not fast or fearless enough to be a great descender but I love it. Going with gravity not against it, a bit like falling without hitting the ground. 

Yep! going up has its own rewards but downhill is where the fun is at.

One up one down

One of the faster runners enjoying the descent off Penygader.

After the drop off the mountain, it was jelly legs and mardy bums all the way back to Dolgellau.

Other  highlights;

It was  good to see  fellow blogger, John, aka Lightning of http://mytrainingandracing.blogspot.com/ and also to meet Mrs Lightning.
All the very best for your plans for this year.

All runners received a commemorative mug.

It didn't rain.

A lovely cuppa tea and a scone.



Back to facts and figures;

This was the 21st Ras Y Gader . Happy coming of age!

Lloyd Taggart won, with a time of 1hr 21min 27sec. Only 9 seconds short of the record.

I finished 4 minutes slower than last year. Taking 2hr 16minutes (oh dear! Again, I really must try harder).

More Gader results and links to race photos from the excellent Mud Sweat And Tears site.


Many thanks to all who made the 2011 Ras Y Gader possible. See you again next year.










Saturday 14 May 2011

Midweek on the moors

Photo By Allen Williams (Thanks Al)
Several friends including Ray (My Team Ibuprophen partner) have done this midweek race in previous years and all of them had said how enjoyable it was. This year Ray and I were both working the morning shift so off we headed to the Dark Peak, for my first Burbage Skyline.

The race is a fast and furious 5 and 3/4 miles. When I say fast and furious, in my case it is more like, not quite as slow and mildly annoyed. The route is over typical Dark Peak terrain, with moorland paths and gritstone outcrops and is a joy to run.

It was good to catch up with Martin Griffiths of Toenails n' Quads . Martin had a great race Knocking nearly 8 minutes off last years time and is looking good for his Bob Graham attempt this year. Good luck Mate!

Unfortunately I didn't get to see Simon, another friend and fell running blogger. Simon wasnt racing  but was there taking pictures and supporting his clubmates. You can catch up with what he has been up to and what he has planned @ Adventures of a Fellmonkey

The race went well. After a short climb we all went heather bashing. The leaders were directed slightly off course and the rest of us followed. Many thanks to those at the front for trampling down  the heather and making it easier for us shufflers.

More (moor) ups and downs then a lovely run along the gritstone edge. We weren't the only ones enjoying it, there were several groups of climbers playing on the rock.



The final run in was a gentle downhil, on a well made gravel path. For the more able runners this meant a fast finnish. For me it was a less punishing end to a great race.

Many thanks to Ray for driving and Dark Peak Fell Runners for putting on a great event.


Update:

This link from the DPFR shows a  Google map of the course.

Results;

354 starters

1st place Stuart Bond 37min 37sec.

211th place  me  55 min 50sec (oh dear, must try harder)

Full  results here







Sunday 8 May 2011

Well seasoned

Bluebells
One of the joys of running for me is, seeing the seasons change.This year the changes from winter  to spring have been clearly defined and its been a privilege to be out and about, enjoying it.

No mountains in this post, just a few snaps from  local footpaths.

Church bells

The local rabbits are now open cast carrot mining


gnarled

Sheep to Ducks " hey up me ducks!"  Ducks to sheep " hello ewe!"


Thursday 5 May 2011

Gader again


 The  Cader Idris Fell Race comes of age this month. It is the 21st birthday of the Ras y Gader and I have just posted off my entry for this cracking race.

Mrs sbrt and I have been returning to this beautiful area, since our first camping trip together, many moons ago. It was love at first site. Long sandy beaches, the unspoilt Rhinnogs and of course the iconic Chair of Idris (Cader Idris, Gader Idris, or Cadair Idris).

 These Photos are from  a camping holiday two years ago (2009). I nipped out for an early morning run, stopping for a cereal bar breakfast, at Llyn Cau.