Snowdon - Older but no Wiser

Ran Snowdon 4 years ago, and entering a new decade in 2008 wanted to revisit some of my favourite outings eg The 3 Peaks earlier in the year.

It simply is a great event with internationalists mixing with us lesser mortals; a superb carnival atmosphere in Llanberis all day, and excellent support from the villagers who turn out in numbers. Even the route is straightforward - up the tourist path 5 miles to the summit and back down again. This is even-sloped and runnable but on hard unrelenting rock/stone, and only steepens @ about 3/4's up where most are reduced to a walk.

The summit has taken such a battering over the years from millions of feet, that it is now paved with a flight of concrete steps to the cairn, and this year work on the new visitor centre/restaurant meant a route change, taking us down the railway track for about half a mile on the descent.

Four years ago had a great run in 1.28 and finishing in top third.

This year, felt i'd run my socks off but collapsed over the finish in 1.44, finishing in top half!

Realistically had hoped for 1.35ish (given the passage of time!!) , but 16 minutes? - impossible.

OK it was hot, very hot, but that was the same for all.

There were occasions on the climb, walking, when I thought "I ran this bit before"

So what was the problem?

We had a family party in Shropshire that weekend on the sunday so despite a tickly sore throat for a few days before, we headed south anyway. Saturday dawned and still not 100% we headed for N. Wales - it'll be a dawdle, 10 miles? - nae problem.!!

By monday I was coughing like a 40 a day smoker, and by wednesday in bed with a chest infection and soaring temperature.

Means of course the next week or two are out of action, and all immediate race plans put well and truly on hold.

And, ( in all probability ) simply because I didn't 'listen to my body' and ran when maybe deep down I knew I shouldn't have. But I'd paid my £12 quid!!!!

A salutary lesson to us all - next time you have a tickle - anywhere, and still fancy it, DON'T DO IT !!!

To see how the Scottish team got on and the others who had travelled south, see the excellent Snowdon Race website, and photies on the SHR one.

Good running to all.

Posted by Gordon Robinson on Thu 31 Jul 2008 | 1 comment

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