Blue tree, a grade 5 climb but I did it!

[coggerjogger]

Here in firebreak Wales we are still allowed out to exercise but must do this from home and stay within our own area. On Sunday I decided to have a go at another 10k. Where to go? Coed Nercwys is a wonderful woodland area just 4km from my house, in a designated area of 'Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The only problem is that it is up on top of Mynydd Du (Black Mountain).

I consulted my daughter (Blackberrypie) who started on C25K sometime ago and now runs like the wind. Her challenges in the south of England are different from mine. She also has a considerable age advantage of course. She was encouraging but non-commital I seem to recall. I planned the route on Mapmyrun which showed a grade 5 climb (what did that mean?) for 2.94km.

A break in the wind and rain saw me setting off on the route. It was downhill to begin with which felt good but also worried me as I realised that I would have to regain each centimetre lost! The first real challenge was the steep run down to the stream for the old mill and then (horror) a very steep hill up. I slowed to a walk. Could I ever start to run again? The terrain eased a little and to my amazement, I found myself back to running again, even if I was very slow it was good.

After another steep walk I reached the entrance to Coed Nercwys. It was an autumnal delight. I ran (feeling good now) all the way through the forest and out of the otherside. I turned right along the single track road past the Millenium Oaks then made the second turn through beautiful beech woods. I ran past the past the dead tree painted blue to remind us about mental health issues and then after a final turn I was back on the road past the old mill. Oh, and that hill again! I slowed to a walk but picked up to my usual trot as soon as I could. I was on the home straight and even managed a sprint for the final 200m.

I had done it!!! 10.56 km in 1hour 33 minutes with 231m elevation gain.

I am so looking forward to the end of this awful pandemic and maybe sharing this run with Blackberrypie. That will certainly be a day to look forward to.

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Wow, well done! That sounds like a fabulous run! And with climbs! That's fantastic!

[coggerjogger Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you. I felt good afterwards!

[Hidden]

Wow coggerjogger that's some truly jaw dropping elevation⛰️ that's needs a mountain 🚡 👍 well done you

[coggerjogger Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

ty. It certainly felt like a mountain.

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

I don't think I was that noncomittal - more a "go for it and don't worry about walking if you need to". Would love to run that route with you though I might need to see if I can find some hills to train on first...

[Cantsoimgonna Graduate10 in reply to Blackberrypie]

You are well and truly over your stomach bug now eh?! You are hot on my heels on lejog. I think I'll be high fiving you as you whoooosh past me pretty soon. Well done!

[Blackberrypie Graduate10 in reply to Cantsoimgonna]

I'm doing about three times as much mileage per week now than I was those first few weeks... it's very motivating! But you're seriously getting in the miles too, great work!

[Lifluf Graduate10]

That sounds like a wonderful run and in a beautiful place too. Good running!

[coggerjogger Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

Thank you. Yes it was a really good run (with a bit of walking!). I will try it again sometime soon with less trepidation.