Can’t remember where I left this last time, but have had a busy time since last writing. Did I mention the Fleur de Lis pub run where (in the form of U2’s Rattle & Hum) “this was the run they tried to take from Mixy – Mixy’s taking it back”? A battle of wills was won, with the group following me eventually round Ham Hill. The following night was a cracking evening at the Thai in Yeovil, and the latest Hash over at the Catash Inn, North Cadbury – good turn out and nice run, and the carvery at the pub means that we’ll probably be back for a pub run.

The day before heading to Catash, I tried a long run with Mike Regan in the build up to the Red Kite Challenge and it was very nearly an unmitigated disaster. 10 miles planned, cut short to 8.7 where I was struggling, this despite a strong start. Ladies Walk saw Martin walk too, and the following hills weren’t much better. Tuesday’s club run was better and gave a bit of confidence before the race – although this was to be the last run pre-Red Kite as work took over.

Friday was a good day, travelling up to Llandeilo with Mike and Val to visit Aberglasney Gardens, which was nice, and as Val had never seen a Red Kite, it was good to see the reaction; nice day rounded off with a visit to Carreg Cennan, albeit that we’d made it to only the tea room by the time the heavens opened! The Red Kite Challenge takes place at Nant yr Arian and I told all present that this was where I want my ashes scattered (well, half of them) and a memorial bench opposite the feeding site. The lack of training (including an awful attempted long run the previous weekend) meant that a race strategy of walking all of the hills from the off was adopted, and actually meant that we didn’t lose out too much – you can walk up almost as quickly!

The Kites were out in force too, with 20 of the fantastic birds of prey swooping about as we started out, but my running companion was able to identify the Tree Pipits, Wood Warblers, Willow Warblers and Chiff Chaffs calling along the way – although on the whole, he was quite well behaved and there were no fern or fungi identification stops! We also both heard our first Cuckoo for the year – apparently you spend the rest of the year doing what you were doing when you hear for first one (trying to finish this bloody race, apparently!).

There is a fantastic stretch of a mile and half steep downhill after about 3 miles, which flattens out along the valley floor and then a hill of Exmoor Stagger proportions – steep climb, 90 degree turn and then up again – before a final 5 miles of Driver-esque “inclines”, both up and down. Mike’s feet blistered in the last few miles which slowed us down a bit, and he unfortunately turned his ankle with about 400m to go (was that language he used Welsh?!) but it was always more about the run than the race and we finished in 2hr05m with about 60 kites circling about for feeding time!

I had told Mike that his prime role for the weekend was photographer’s prop, but sadly the batteries in the camera died just before the start of the race so will have to go back next year for the course photos…

We’d been joined at Nant yr Arian by Shelley and Mike Allman and it was good to see them – though having non-running friends join you at running events is never the best idea, as Lynda has to entertain them whilst I look nervous pre-race and sweaty post-race! It was nice to drive round Aber and after a tour of the Uni site it was down to the town – and spotting Jem Writer wandering about the town. (He joined us in the pub for a break from drinking on his old boys’ reunion – and broke the code of silence as to what Lynda and I can expect during the month of October!). There was a stay at the George Borrow Hotel at Ponterwyd  on Saturday night which was quite nice, and then off round the Elan Valley via the famous Forked Spleenwort at Cymystwyth and then fish & chips in sunny Shepton on the way home!