This fair evening (assuming I get this published tonight) I took the opportunity of getting some decent mileage in, getting some trainer on tarmac. Downside was I didn't really know where to go, so I spotted a path/trail going under a bridge close to where I started and away I went! The trail was marked 47 and I now know it to be called:
I picked up this trail in Trelewis and followed it for 9 and a bit miles to Sirhowy Valley Country Park, which until today I was unaware of the existence of, via Parc Penallta! Quite a pretty route, little hilly 19 miles got me 1100ft in elevation, mainly in a few consecutive uphill miles at the turning point. Took in a viaduct, many trees, a few small waterfalls and a collection of McDonalds cups left by the side of the path.
Was dark coming back and I can hand on heart say that Parc Penallta is a little spooky in the pitch black. I also had to briefly halt a few times to get my bearings in the somewhat lack of light. Especially when I just caught sight of a gate just before impact in the last couple of miles. Am very much looking forward to lighter nights!
Route is good, challenging, but achievable, I will be using it again at some point no doubt.
My main positive from today has been my pace, I was really not focusing on speed, I was out to enjoy the run, but I did make an extra effort to push up the hilly section, as why not! It appears the not stressing and checking my watch technique makes me go faster, or at least at a more consistent pace.
While I was predictably tired when I got back to the car/child I didn't feel awful at all. I think I could hold that pace for a little while longer. Next race for me is the St Davids Day 10k in Cardiff, suppose this and my Lliswerry pace bodes well. Have to be looking to go under 50 minutes for the 3rd time in my existence (PB 48:11).
Kind of makes me wish I was training for a long un, but only the (apparently simplified) Merthyr Half could be considered 'long'.
Only issue I can see is since returning home I have began feeling very flu'y (is that a word?). Which I can only assume is unrelated and about to make me sneeze for several days! Oh and:
I can be such an amateur on times!
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