Lake Vyrnwy (North Wales)

I REMEMBERED seeing a BBC programme on the drowned village at the bottom of Lake Vyrnwy in North Wales that had stunningly spectacular scenery. 

In the summer of 1877 the City Council of Liverpool were looking for a site for a new reservoir to provide more water for the ever expanding population.   Various sites were under consideration in northern England and Wales. In the summer Mr Deacon, the city engineer of  Liverpool, arrived in Llanwddyn to investigate the possibility of damming the river Vyrnwy at a point somewhere below the village to create a large, artificial lake.

Lake Vyrnwy before the flooding.

Mr Deacon presented his report to the Liverpool Corporation on 27th November 1877.   It was accepted in principle and in 1880 the Liverpool Corporation Waterworks Act was passed by Parliament, and received the Royal Assent on 6th August.   Work began on the site in July 1881, commemorated by a stone laid at the northern end of the dam on 14th July by the Earl of Powys.   This can be seen today with two others commemorating later stages of the work.


A further building task was called for in the re-housing of the people whose homes had disappeared under the waters of the lake.   In keeping with the quality of the dam, fine, solid, stone houses were erected on either side of the valley immediately below it, and these can still be seen and admired a century later.   The villagers were all moved out and the valley flooded losing two chapels, three pubs, 10 farms and 37 houses.

I googled Lake Vyrnwy and looked over the images and discovered they had a hotel.   That was it, I had this vision of me running across the dam and felt it just had to be done.

Lake Vyrnwy from our hotel room's window.

The wife being from South Wales was very happy with my plan. She has never been to North Wales so we booked it.   I went on Google Earth and discovered a "B road" that goes round the entire lake although I was looking for an off road route.  I am well used to road running and this was perfect.   I looked at a virtual run of the road and found that it was just under 12 miles in total, not far off a half marathon.   Now I was motivated to do it.

We arrived and booked into the hotel with our room having an amazing lake view.    I remember looking at it and thinking, "Oh crap".   I couldn't actually see the end of it because it was too far away, but it looked beautiful and I couldn't wait to give it a go.

The wife said, "You have two hours to get back by 9am or I'm going for breakfast on my own."   I set the alarm clock for 06:00 woke groggily, got my kit on in the dark and went down stairs for the warm up.   Luckily I was on my own so used one of the communal areas to get myself warmed up and raise my heart rate.

Out into the cold morning and I started the run down the hotel driveway.   At that time in the morning I had the whole place to myself.   I still had my wife's motivating words in my head which was why I had left at 06:30 giving me an extra half hour, just in case.   All I needed to do was reach the other end of the lake in one hour which would allow me another hour to get back on the opposite side.

Crossing the Dam.

Halfway around, and coming up to the top of the lake the road took a sudden turn to the right because there was a spur and I felt I was going in the wrong direction!   I needed to connect with the end of the Lake and and get to the other side.   Eventually the road went around and I went across the top of the Lake and started heading back towards the hotel.   I was only a few minutes behind schedule and was feeling good (I still had my 30 minutes safety blanket).


The right hand side of the road on this side of the lake had steep inclines with the most amazing small waterfalls.   I kept thinking that a car was coming up behind me, but it was water running off the mountains and feeding into the lake.   This has to be one of the most beautiful runs that I have ever done.

Running back to the hotel was slightly tougher.   The hills started to come in.  They weren't really big or really steep but they needed to be conquered.   Also the route back was a bit winding so the distance was longer.   I kept thinking, "Once I see the hotel I don't have much further to go."   Then I saw it and knew the goal was within reach.

The dam at the bottom of the lake.

Regardless of the spur at the bottom of the lake and the meandering water line on the other side of the lake the distance was still the same.   Just under 12 miles that I completed in 2 hours and 4 minutes.   I did stop for a while at the dam and take a few photos.   The sight of all the water going over it was amazing.   The view was enjoyed by me and two cyclists who had also stopped.

Back at the hotel the wife was up and ready and drumming her fingers.   Luckily I am not stupid enough to get in the way of a Welsh woman and her full Welsh breakfast.   A quick shower, dressed and off.   The wife sat there watching me ... bowl of muesli with nuts and fruit, two Danish pastries, full Welsh cooked breakfast (sausage, bacon, black pudding, potato croquette, mushroom, grilled tomato and beans), finished off with a round of toast with honey.

I don't normally have a big breakfast but it was included in the stay.   Come on!  I had just done a 12 mile run and 'hungry' just didn't cover it!

And finally the video of the run with some pictures.

Revew of the week w/c 18th March 2019

SAD NEWS this week as my mother in law's dog Mitzy passed away after being diagnosed with diabetes.   Mitzy was an adorable Schnauzer who I used to take for a run up the Penderyn Road to the whisky factory. Crikey, did that dog love the whisky factory!   I started a stint of annual leave on the Monday and the wife returned from a home visit to Wales the next day.

My workload in the last 12 months and more has been really harsh and I worked out that I have not had any annual leave for just over six months.   I was well and truly overdue for a break.

Monday

No boxing today as the trainer has also decided to take leave.   Having the day to myself I decided to go for a long run via the gym and have a weight training session.

Set off from my usual spot and headed down towards Lindfield and then cut back towards Haywards Heath.   Taking a detour past the railway station I headed for Sainsbury's and then the gym.   5.6 km later I was there ready to start the gym session.

One of the personal trainers at the gym is an ex England Athletics sprint coach.   Part way through the session we had a chat and he gave me a few pointers from the Harriers session I had last week.   It's good to have support from people who have had the training to identify poor technique and give you top tips.

Once complete I set off from the gym and headed towards Cuckfield via Blunts Wood, turning round at The Wheatsheaf pub and heading back towards the Heath and home.

Total run was 11.8km.   Great run and I felt that I had made the most of my first day of time off.

Tuesday

Back out with the Haywards Heath Harriers for a training session.   No strength and conditioning this week as Martin was off and we were in the capable hands of Marion.

Started off with a run down through Blunts Wood and round the back of the leisure centre and then going up to Muster Green.   Once there we started long and short loop hill training.   Going back down Paddock Hall Road towards the railway station and then back up Boltro Road to Muster Green.   The short route took a detour along Oaklands Road.

Boltro Road is a tough one to run because of the hill.   Great session which ended with the run back to Cuckfield.

Wednesday

Back to work briefly for a pre-planned training day.   Even when you are on annual leave the word 'mandatory' drags you back mentally to the daily grind.   A worthwhile day though and back on leave as quick as I can.

Friday

Went to Lake Vyrnwy for the weekend.   That was so good I have written a separate blog on it.

Review of the week w/c 11th March 2019

IT'S GOOD to get through another busy week and looking forward to some R&R next week as I get some time off.

Hybrid Boxing

Monday isn't complete without some boxing training!   I remember watching the last Tomb Raider film and there's a scene in there with Lara Croft in a boxing gym.   I flet quite inspired and started to find some where local that I could use.   The best I could come up with was the local leisure centre version of boxercise!

Box Fit gave me the aerobic exercise but they don't teach you any techniques.   I then discovered that one of the trainers had just got his Hatton Boxing certificate to teach.   It's him that owns the licence and not the leisure centre.   I decided to give it a go and if I could get the same aerobic exercise out of it as Box Fit then I would swap.   I got a lot more, so stuck with it.

Haywards Heath Harriers

Tuesday was another training event with the Harriers.    I was the only person who turned up for the 45 minutes strength and conditioning session, which meant I got a one to one with Martin the coach.   Very happy with that as we went through various exercises that will help me and my running.   Thank you Martin.

We then ran from Cuckfield down to Haywards Heath and did some loops with hills.   That was a tough session, but as someone once said, "What doesn't kill you just makes you stronger."   Once  completed there was the customary run back to Cuckfield from Haywards to end the session.   This ended the trining session at 9.5K.   By the end of it I was starving and got a KFC on the way home!    Oops, bad runner!

Park Run

Saturday and I was working a late shift.   My wife had gone to Wales for a few days and I had the opportunity to do a quick Park Run.   This is something that I love to do, but have not had much opportunity to lately.

I left the house and it was freezing cold but I had my long sleeve top and leggings on and knew that I would warm up when the running started.   As I arrived it started to rain and I sat in the car park watching it!   I came to the conclusion that I was going to get wet so I might as well embrace that and enjoy it!  What the heck!

By the time the briefings started the rain had almost stopped.   I managed my usual time which was good considering the gap since my last run there.   The issue with Claire Park is the course if x4.5 laps and just under 50% of it is uphill, with one really steep bit that saps your strength.

Lesson of the day is that I need to do more Park Run!   But then I think everybody should do more Park Run!

Twitter

Really good news on my Twitter account as this week I hit 50 followers.   That was inspirational and within a few days I was nearly up to 60.   I have to say that I am loving the Twitter, but need to do more with the Instagram account. 

Review of the week w/c 4th March 2019

THIS WEEK my shifts fell in a kinder way for me to get out a little bit more.   My twitter feed has suddenly picked up (@50running) with a few more followers which is really amazing.

Hybrid boxing

Monday was a great day as I finished my first early shift, having woken at 04:00.   In the evening I went to the Hatton Boxing session at the Dolphin Leisure Centre.   Another really good session with four of us there taking on upper body exercises and pad sessions.   Great session to compliment running, especially when you improve both upper body strength and core.   The downside was I had to get a fast shower, have something to eat and get to bed for another early start the next day!

Haywards Heath Harriers

On Tuesday I headed over to Cuckfield for Harriers training.   Turned up early to attend the 45 minute strength and conditioning session with Martin.   It was just me to begin with then two more people turned up.   So I managed to have a good one to one with the coach which was brilliant.   During the warm up the coach noticed that when running I clench my fists and tense my upper body.   We did a few exercises to release that so that I should run more freely; quality coaching right there.

After the (second) warm up we stayed in Cuckfield for circuits and hill reps.   Really tough but a great session.   Came away from that feeling the love especially after my second day of getting up at 04:00.   At least I was lates the following day so had the opportunity of a lie in, bloody luxury!

I took it easy for the next two days as things were feeling a little tight and it wasn't until Friday that I was itching for another run.

Friday Run

I had the morning to myself so went for my usual medium run around Haywards Heath.   Part way round I decided to get off the road and take a detour over Haywards Heath Golf Club.   It wasn't until I got to the end of Finches Lane that things suddenly started to get a bit muddy!

That was when the fun really started and I was past the point of no return.   So I took the bull by the horns and just tried to power through, hoping that I didn't end up anywhere too deep!   It was really good for both my ankle mobility and leg muscles so I can't really complain and I only went down on my knees once!

Came back on to the road with trainers, knees and bottom of my leggings covered in mud and headed for the High St. and back towards home.   I think I startled a few shoppers into making spontaneous purchases as I ran past!   Hot shower and a coffee with brioche was very welcome when I got home. 

 

Park Run

I was looking forward to Park Run on Saturday.   But I got stuck in the Bermuda Triangle between night shifts!   Shift working normally means you miss out on a lot and have to try and fit things in when and how you can.

Review of the week w/c 25th February 2019

THIS WAS one of those weeks where my shifts fell poorly.   My usual fitness class and training session with Haywards Heath Harriers wan't possible due to late shifts.   Even the move from lates to nights didn't work due to a change in shifts (finished 0200 then started at 1400).   So not much opportunity to get out and it feels like I have only been working and nothing else.   But things like that happen and you have to look for opportunites as and when they come up.

Cardiff Half Marathon

The missus was born in Wales and I only married her to get the passport (that didn't work well for me) but at least I don't have to pay at the bridge anymore!   So, this is her home turf that I am thinking of taking on, better not mess this one up!

I wanted to take this on last year but I couldn't get the time off work.   This year it falls during a period of pre-arranged annual leave and we have plans to be in Wales.   So it's all booked up and I'm looking forward to a running adventure through Cardiff  including running around Torchwood HQ, otherwise known as the Millennium Centre.

This is the third half marathon that I have signed up for this year and I have now added an extra page for my booked events.   I am waiting for dates for the local village days (Lindfield has a 10k and Ardingly has an 8k).   There is the usual National Trust run where places are very limited and they are talking about a second one at a different site this year which could be good.   They dates have been announced and I am just waiting for the places to be advertised.

The elusive 27 minutes

Friday was the day to get out for a run.   I had a friend coming over to go out for a beer (or three) and watch a movie.   I had the dinner all sorted out, knew which pub we were going to and the movie was all set to go, so took the opportunity whilst I could.

When I started taking part in Park Run I was trying to figure out what a good time looked like.   I settled on an impossible target for myself of 5k in 27 minutes.   I think the more athletic members were achieving that and I grabbed it as a target.  My first Park Run was 48 minutes!

So part way round my run I realised that I was close to the target.   I took a quick detour to see if for once I could hit the target and started to get quite excited about the whole thing.   Didn't make it though!  28:30!!   One minute and 30 seconds off, so close and yet so far.   Still there's always another day.

What is this weather doing?

Today was the last day of the week to get a run in and the rain and wind came down!   I don't mind running in the rain but not on days like this!

You have to take the positives where you can so I settled for a gym session to work on my upper body strength and core.   Managed to get a lot of weights in along with using the 10kg sandbag and did some core exercises.   I don't feel the day was wasted and my shifts fall better next week to get back into my normal (whatever that is) routine.

Back to work tomorrow morning ...

The body achieves what the mind believes