TNH

Yes I am doing it again. Blogging about the Thursday Night Hill session. This week it was going to be Waunfawr. I love that area! But I was a bit apprehensive. Last year we did a run there too, and it had been the only time someone had to pull out injured. She had slipped on mud and hurt her knee on a rock. And since my spring knee sprain, I have been more scared about injuries than usual, and my usual levels are already quite high. Additionally; the forecast for that day was rubbish. So all slipperiness would be extra slippery.

I drove up through quite heavy rain. When I arrived at the parking lot which was the meeting place, I saw there was an issue. A van was trying to negotiate the height barrier. It was either going to just fit, or just not fit. But nobody could get past while the trying was ongoing. A lot was attempted, including having three runners standing on the bumper, but in the end we gave up. The van parked outside the barrier.

Now we could get past and get ready. And when we set off I saw we seemed to be doing last year’s route backwards, with a steep bit first. Steep uphill is fine, though. And soon we were by an outcrop, in rain and strong wind, that overlooked last year’s incident site. Ominous! I was extra careful on the downhill. So much so Dyfed gestured at me to take a shortcut, together with the ladies who had the dog. Good idea! 

Running past ruins

Some bits were on asphalt or gravel roads. That worked for me! No fear there. But I stayed careful on the more precarious bits. And there was one descent on so much slippery mud I made everyone wait. Oh well! Better that than getting injured. And we had even had to wait for a bit for someone else on Moel Tryfan. Nobody minded. So I know it’s ok. 

In the fog at Moel Tryfan

We did one bit northeast of the road from Waunfawr to Rhyd Ddu. That was entirely new to me! It was pretty. But it was getting late and I needed the toilet. Fortunately, at least I had jelly babies with me this time (after forgetting them last time). 

Some route I was unfamiliar with 

When we were back I was relieved I had managed another week without incident! I hope I will get some of my fellow running confidence back over time. I never had much, but now it’s really low. Time will tell! Hopefully another step in that direction next week…