Intro and a little back story..
Apologies to those who have already read my blog post previous to this one which covered my weekdays stay with Focused Performance in Snowdonia. As there were two different groups of guests including myself, I decided to split my blog/report into two specific blog posts as it was getting a little long as a complete 7 day report.
For the benefit of those who didn't read the previous blog I will fill in a little back story again and go into the intro.
I was originally due to go on a couple of trail running holidays in Wales with Focused Perfornance back in March and in June, but the covid-19 bus let down the tyres of the trail running fun bus, and it wasn't going anywhere fast, a bit like the availability of vegan options in some of the Welsh shops!
Focused Performance is a running coach company owned and led by Geoff Brierly and as an extention of his coaching he now does various trail running trips and holidays in Wales and now abroad too.
The holidays cater to all levels including beginners, intermediate and advanced and all are welcome as long as you are at least able to try some of the daily distances you will be offered and as there are usually two a day you can just do one if you think it will be a struggle.
I had previously been on a trail running weekend near Betws y Coed on one of Geoff's trips and I had a great time out and about the trails of Snowdonia as I have some experience out there. I found running with like minded trail runners a great buzz and a great way of making some new running friends who actually like the trails.
I met Geoff for the first time years back on a running forum when he was letting everyone know he was doing a free running 'Master class' at the expo for the upcoming Rock 'n' Roll maraton/half in Liverpool that year.
I have followed his Facebook page and company ever since. Geoff has gone on to do several 'Master classes' at the National Running Show too over the last couple of years.
Once lockdown had been lessened a bit in Wales and they finally let us over their sheep lined borders again, Geoff got in touch with me to see if I was interested in his new 'luxury' trail running break in Beddgelert in an exclusive 9 bedroom property in a great location just 20 metres or so away from the famous much photographed Beddgelert bridge.
As I had two previous deposits from lockdown cancelled trips already, I decided I would be very interested. The only problem was I don't drive and it a fair way and a train wasn't really a sensible option as train journeys in Wales are still for essential workers only.
As I didn't fancy been thrown from a moving train by disgruntled locals with my obvious 'tourist' back pack and attire, I chanced the request of a lift as has been offered a few times in the past.
Geoff said he may be able to get me there subject to a bit of logistical rearrangement with all the food and supplies etc, but he wouldn't be able to gve me a lift back as he was staying all week. Geoff joked 'unless you do both events!' and I promptly asked about the other event. It turns out there was a weekday event (the one I have already written about) and a weekend event of which I didn't know about.
A plan was formed and I asked if I book both , could he get me there and back?
Ever helpful Geoff said I'll see what I can do, and after a day or so of anticipation and desperate time off arrangements with work, Geoff indeed confirmed we were a go!
So I was going to be the lucky guest who got to spent not one, but two events in a row in Beddgelert in the exclusive Plas Colwyn accommodation with Geoff and his team of run leaders, a private Chef and two different groups of fun and friendly trail runners. I couldn't wait......
My blog for the first 3 night stay is available to read here if you haven't read it yet:
https://fitnesswithgru.blogspot.com/2020/09/a-week-with-focused-performance-in.html?
The inbetween time, what to do? what to do?
Obviously I am going to skip ahead here as my first 3 nights of my 7 day week in Wales with the other guests are already covered in my blog/report linked in the last paragraph.
After saying my goodbyes to the great bunch of guests and fellow trail runners who departed at lunchtime on Thursday, I had some time on my hands as the accommodation was given a professional clean by the accommodations regular cleaner and it was made covid safe again ready for the new guests.
I decided I would stay out of the way for the rest of the afternoon to let the cleaner do her job and at the same time Geoff and Chef went off to do another mega food and drink shop (emphasis on drink as it was now the weekend!).
I had already planned on going up Snowdon at some point in my time between events, and today was a clear day. I was a bit tired after this mornings trail run with the previous guests, but I decided to go for it as it was clear on the mountain tops, and I needed a clear view for personal reasons.
Those that know me well will know that when my Mum passed away in 2017 we spread her ashes as requested in a particular spot on the hillside overlooking Llyn Padarn and of course Snowdon.
Every year in June I along with my Dad go to Wales for a week to stay in a holiday farmhouse Mum and Dad used to stay in at Dinas Farm. We make a point of visiting 'Mums spot' and paying our respects.
When there for the week I usually do a personal and difficult charity challenge in the area to raise much needed funds for the local Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Last year I did 7 ascents of Snowdon in 7 days taking in a different route each day.
Sadly this year with the lockdown we were unable to go back in June, so when the Focused Performance events came up it was an ideal opportunity for me to at least be in Snowdonia I jumped at the chance.
This was the reason I needed a clear day and views from the top of Snowdon. I couldn't get to my Mums spot as it was too far away, but I could get up Snowdon whilst thinking about her and being with her in spirit at least, and I could actually see the spot on the hillside near Llanberis where we spread her ashes. The spot is actually viewable on the picture at the top of this section.
Geoff kindly dropped me off at the bottom of the Watkins path and I set off up the mountainside and tried my best to achieve what would be a fastish pace as the complete Watkins path was the only route I didn't take in last year as I diverted over to the South ridge last time.
I managed to jog a few early bits but my legs were suffering a little from that mornings activities and indeed the week so far. I managed to get up in a respectable 1hr 33mins and I sat at the top thinking of Mum and taking lots of pictures as you do when it's not the usual shroud of whiteness all around.
After half an hour and getting cold I donned multiple layers and set off for a descent via the South ridge. I have been up this before, but never down so it was great fun to try and jog a few bits. It was tough terrain in parts for foot placement but trail running experience helps a lot and confidence.
Once at the bottom of the South ridge I tried to find a route I had seen on a picture of Snowdon previously that led around the back of Yr Aran and towards the road that takes you back to Beddgelert and the accommodation.
I lost the path in the remains of a bit of a slate quarry as I was too far too the left, and over to the right seems to far off track. It turned into a cross country adventure to say the least and the navigation training I had received earlier in the week from Geoff etc certainly helped from this point, especially when my GPS clearly didn't know where North was!
Thankfully I had line of sight of where I wanted to end up and an A to B bearing would have been the norm, but I could see the road at all points anyway eventually, so slowly found my way around Yr Aran and Craig Wen and down to the road and just had a mere 0.9 miles back to base.
I was actually amazed to see my GPS route for the descent and my cross country effort as I felt like I was wandering all over the place, but my GPS route video actually shows a fairly linear route.
Here are the links for my Ascent via Watkins and another for my Descent via South Ridge 'Relive' route video with pics for those interested :
Watkins ascent: https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qV8E2rr3O
South ridge descent: https://www.relive.cc/view/vZqNPEZBw3O
After returning home safely to base I met up with Geoff and Chef Carl who had returned with new supplies and a fairly chilled evening ensued.
As the next batch of guests were not due to arrive until Fri teatime I decided to get out of the way again on Fri afternoon and took I myself off on two of the routes we had done earlier in the week including up and down Mynydd Sygyn again and it's cracking rocky descent down to Llyn Dinas.
I added a little run out to the Nant Gwynant cafe/coffee shop for a well earned and yes actual VEGAN friendly cake, but only just, as it was the last slice (clearly a market for it) and I sat outside and chilled in their spacious outside seating area.
I set off back for the accommodation along the road but sadly lost my GPS lock at that point and it would not reacquire a signal, so although I did 9 miles overall which my watch did record, it didn't record the route on the route video beyond the cake stop.
I thoroughly enjoyed my route that day and the previous and the freedom to choose where I went and when I went, and the mental freedom of exploring the great outdoors and all it's rewards.
Relive route video here for most of the above afternoons run up and down Mynydd Sygyn via the Aberglaslyn pass: https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4MZjKQRO
After a great day out and practicing all that I had been taught by Geoff and his team I was now truly relaxed and destressed and ready to meet the second batch of guests the 'Weekenders'...
The first night and guests arrive for the weekend of fun ahead!
So it was Friday night and just after teatime or dinner time depending on which side of the debate you sit on and as the guests arrived they were promptly welcolmed by Geoff and his team of run leaders.
The welcome included a quick rundown of the Covid-19 guidelines for the stay and an escort to their rooms that they would be staying in for the weekend and the relevant bathroom facilities if they didn't already have them in their room.
More importantly and as a first memory of all of Geoff's welcomes you are offered a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a soft drink if you prefer, or even a hot drink if you need a pick me up.
We started to get to know each other and chat in and around the lounge and the vast areas of the property and Geoff returned several times to offer tops ups etc.
Now as I was treating the week very seriously and I wasn't really a drinker anymore I had been turning down alcoholic drinks all week. But after my exhaustive in between exploits of Snowdon and this afternoons run also, I was well in the mood for a proper drink!
I politely asked for a glass of Prosecco and that was the start of a weekend of fun for me! Geoff exclaimed that I hadn't touched a drop all week and this was indeed a first for me, and from that point on everytime I asked for a glass of wine or leaned over to help myself it was usually accompanied with a cheer or a cheeky grin from the other guests. This was indeed to going to be a truly social weekend for us all.
Once we were pretty much all there we sat around the large dining table and were served our various 2 course meals that we had pre oredered pre trip. All the food was served promptly and was of high quality and went down really well with everyone as far as I could tell.
I am vegan so fairly picky, but my selections were tasty, nutritious and well presented and it was interesting watching everyones reactions to their meals. I didn't hear a single moan or grumble all week as well as this weekend and not a pulled face anywhere.
Introductions were done by those who wished and the wine flowed and literally everyone offered a glass or top up accepted it with glee, even me.
Geoff sat with us for a while to give little briefs on how the weekend would go and what kind of distances and routes we may be doing and everyone seemed content with what was on offer.
We made our way back to the lounge post meal or chilled out in the dining room for a while longer and people used the time to unpack and relax.
Geoff as ever asked who wanted to go to the pub? not so much a question but a hint that it was in his plans, and I promptly put my hand up, followed by a cheer from Geoff.
I had a good time in the pub to be fair, not too noisy, and I stuck to one large glass of wine as at this point the four I'd already had and a Prosecco were taking me into unknown recent territory and I had to get up early for breakfast etc.
A final round of hot drinks and after a late chat with several guests and my first past 1 a.m. bedtime this week, it was time to get some sleep.
What would the next morning bring? Will I have a hangover? Why am I so thirsty? Why does my mouth feel like I've been licking the carpet all night?....
Morning number one - Our first breakfast together
Morning was upon us and I'd been awake since quite early as my mouth was dry, I was thirsty and my head was a little woolly! I was too lazy to get up for a drink and I didn't want to wake anyone up.
Eventually I got up at just after 6:30am as I figured a couple of hours of coffee and a cleared head would set me right in time for breakfast, and to be fair I felt like I'd slept well anyway as the beds are really comfy.
People peeled down for a morning brew and sat and chatted in the lounge and a few even went out for early morning walks to check out local legend Gelert and his grave and old homestead etc..
Breakfast brought many happy faces all round again over the quality of the food served, and it was good to see the effort involved instead of the standard unhealthy fare of sausage egg and bacon etc that you get in most places.
If never fails to amaze me why people fill up on cholesterol and fat laden and even cancer causing unhealthy foods that will be to their detriment on the run and hinder their post run recovery, so it was a treat to see fairly healthy choices all round.
After breakfast we pondered where would we be going and what will it involve, will we get lost?....
Day two and morning number one - Morning Activity - Mynydd Sygyn to Llyn Dinas and back with nav training - 4 miles -
Once we were all ready for our first adventure together we were transported to the National Trust car park at the bottom of a path up Mynydd Sygyn just around the corner from the Aberglaslyn pass.
We got out of our respective cars and was about to start our statuatory car park warm up when Geoff realised he had left something at base. Something rather important, his big boy walkie talkies so the people at the back could hear his famous jokes or 'Geoffisms' as we went!
No, just kidding, it's so he can keep in touch with, and talk to run leaders and them likewise with Geoff so Geoff can highlight any slippy or difficult areas underfoot ahead.
So as Geoff went to retrive the walkie talkies Kirsty who was one of our run leaders led the warm up around the car park, doing our best to confuse other car park users as to why we were walking in circles around the same said car park.
Once Geoff was back it was time to set off up what would be a 1.8 mile fairly constant climb up some of Mynydd Sygyn.
We took it easy and everyone was reassured that the pace would be easy and with plenty of stops and obviously photo stops along the way was easily possible, especially as good ones were used to keep the group together and have little breathers on the climb.
I spent some time in front and some time at the back so I could take pictures and catch up again without getting everybody in pictures, as you never know how much privacy people want.
It had been noted that I had done this route before with Geoff and the previous guests, and that I was often the man to get info from when they didn't believe Geoff about how easy this adventure would be. I did my best to reassure people and yet not give anything away about what the day held ahead for us.
Once we had made some decent progress up the mountainside we stopped for our first official navigation lesson, which would be done in little bits as we went on each day.
The first lesson was 'Where are we?' Something I would hear Geoff say alot and mostly in jest lol.
We got our maps and compass out and Geoff explained about looking at the surrounding features and those we had recently passed etc and as we were in pairs for this particular exercise we took turns in guessing where we are.
Obviously I knew as I'd already been there twice, once with Geoff and the team and again yesterday on my afternoon adventure as I liked the route so much. I left it for my team mate to find where we were and she pretty much nailed it, as did everyone else.
We continued on further up the mountainside over some tricky bits of terrain underfoot and it was great all round training for aspiring trail runners, especially as to how slippy rocks can be subject to their angle or how damp they are, and especially at any kind of speed.
Foot placement and assesment is an art you will learn the more you do it and I highly recommend getting out there as often as possible and getting over any fears of falling over etc.
Plenty of photo stops along the way and especially good views behind us as we went, as you can see from the previous picture above.
As we neared the top or could at least almost see the ridge that would be the top, we stopped for another 'Where are we?' test and again everyone seemed to nail it really well.
Orientating the map was emphasized to enable us to gauge the land around us more accurately and starting to appreciate that not everything you see around you is on the actual map, mostly man made features.
At this point we were passed by a group of male walkers and one of them exclaimed 'Someone smells nice!' Geoff the ever slightly comically vain said 'Thanks!' Of which the walker said 'I'm pretty sure it's not you!'
After a couple of navigation training stops we plodded on to the ridgeline and caught our first views of the glorious valley on the other side, including over to Snowdon and we stopped for a breather and multiple photo's of the surrounding views.
The next part was my favourite part, the descent down to Llyn Dinas below which was roughly a 700ft+ descent at least and one done quite rapidly should you wish.
This was my chance again to have a blast downhill with others behind who wanted to stretch their legs too, again it was a rapid test on foot placement.
While Geoff and his team accompanied the others he was happy for me to go ahead but told me to stop at the top of the final descent down the rocky steps and wait there. This I did closely followed by others who had been chasing me down the mountainside , mainly Ahmed, Kerri and Louise who I had many a laugh with over the weekend, especially as I played cat and mouse on the descents.
Once down at the bottom of the descent and alongside Llyn Dinas Geoff gave a little lesson on foot placement on rocky down hills and how to gauge the rocks ahead and jump from one to another etc. A few volunteered to try it on the rocks Geoff had chosen by the lakeside and it was interesting to see how different people handled the same obstacle.
Once rested a little, we now set off back towards base and followed a route almost along the river as it meanders toward Beddgelert. We stopped several times for little nav lessons as we went and particularly how to accurately use the designated sign posts and check they are accurate and indeed where they are actually pointing too.
It was a nice route and fairly flat back from Llyn Dinas and I would recommend it for a short run or even a walk, as Llyn Dinas is well worth a picnic stop, more so than the roadside which doesn't have a pavement or safe roadside path as I discovered on my day off the other day coming back from the cafe at Nant Gwynant.
Once finally back at base we had refreshments waiting for us on the tables out front of the property and all freshly prepared by Chef Carl. One of the other reasons Geoff carries the walkie talkies is so he can radio Chef ahead as we are returning, and get him to put them out ready and also to check on lunch preperation and time.
After refreshments you could wait for lunch or nip in for a quick shower before it was ready, we would always have time to digest food prior to afternoon activities so there was never a rush for the showers. Often it was best to stay in your kit ready for the afternoon if you were running twice in succession or just change your top.
Lunch as always with the meals prepared for us was spot on, and I alternated my favourite choices each day and was always happy with my selection. Again looking around the table everyone always seemed happy and the menu was definitely a hit.
Geoff as per usual spent some time with us after lunch at the table and gathered feedback on the morning activity and then went on to brief us on the afternoon event and what it held for us.
What I found amusing was when Geoff would describe the difficultly or easiness of a route, several people would look at me for confirmation. Especially everytime he mentioned what would be the rather interesting final activity of the weekend and how much fun the previous guests had had on their unplanned adventure.
After lunch most of sat out front on the ample patio area and a few of us wandered off for ice creams and some for coffees at the local shops in the village and it was nice to be invited by what would have otherwise been strangers had we not all been at this event together.
I went with Ahmed, Kerri and Louise who tried out the ice cream selection. I initially wasn't going to go with me being vegan , but it was mentioned there was also a vegan option of sorbet etc.
It was certainly a popular place for the local tourists and we had just got there in time as the queues extended behind us more and more everytime we looked behind.
Once ice creams had been obtained and coffees by the others, we returned to base while we awaited what would be our next adventure...
Day two and afternoon number one - Afternoon activity - Beddgelert forest and nav training - 4.8 miles
Off we went in the cars again to the nearby forest of Beddgelert for our next run and some navigation training again. The weather was decent again and an ideal temperature for a run, as were all days so far over this past week.
We had the usual 'Tour De La Car Parc' with Geoff around the car park and we promptly all warmed up, but once finished Geoff looked a bit confused...
Geoff's now infamous Las Vegas fanny pack or as he likes to call it bumbag or carry all etc etc was nowhere to be seen. Had Geoff forgotten vital kit again? Had it been stolen? Was anyone that desperate??
Geoff actually at one point considered the option that he had left it back at base, especially after blaming Kirsty for nicking it and she claimed no knowledge of it whatsoever. But the other run leader Tania was looking a tad sheepish.
It had indeed done a Tour De La Car Parc and had tried to escape with the help of Tania, but had failed to make it's escape along with it's sweety treat contents, that would have amply fuelled it's escape had it managed to do so.
If it hadn't have been for the 'limited edition' yoghurt coated Skittles contained within, it may well have made it's escape, but I suspect they wanted their moment of fame again later as Geoff tried to convince the group of their wonder!
Off we went up the winding forest trails and through what was some stunning forest scenery with an eerie silence and coolness of it's own.
Further up the trail I had a little oportunity to open up my legs a little as we were told we could run ahead upto the crossroad at the top, so we all set off at our varying paces and stopped at the top of the steepish trail.
We did some more 'Where are we?' refreshment as we were tested again to find our location. Made a bit easier this time round by Geoff actually telling us where we started from this time round.
At this point Geoff offered volunteers a chance to step up and lead the group to the next spot on our route. Ahmed stepped up and took the helm and promptly led us to our next destination without any issue from what I could see.
We stopped at the crossroads that Geoff had asked Ahmed to lead us to and he did a check of our surroundings and highlighted things we should be looking for to identify where we were.
It was a useful guide and we certainly learned from it as people later recalled the same advice in other parts of our runs.
We moved a little further and we where now at Llyn Llywelyn, a quaint little lake that had previously earlier in the week at the other event been totally enveloped in mist.
It was time for more navigation training as we all intensely listened to Geoff with his advice on how to again orientate the map and indeed take and use a bearing from A to B...
Interestingly enough Geoff himself made a slight error and demonstrated how easy it can be if you don't check closely and concentrate on what you are doing, being distracted by the group around you is easy to do.
We carried on again and followed the bearing we had all just taken and we successfully got from A to B, albeit a small A to B but the practice was there for us to learn from.
We now carried on downhill for a ways and were now actually making our way back towards Beddgelert through some great trail and fire road trails etc. Again we had a test of 'Where are we?' and again the group all did well in identifying our location, so onward we went back toward base.
The run from this point was fairly uninterrupted other than a few rest stops and Geoff highlighting 'Right of way' or 'Route change' markers, one of which we had fallen foul of earlier in the week.
He also highlighted the fact that the green line of the footpath can change from map edition to map edition in line with those changes, so you could have two people and two maps and the common route be different on both.
We carried on our run with a final bit of downhill toward a station on the Welsh Highland Railway, which is what i was looking at in the above picture.
The route ran mostly in line with the railway for a while before then going uphill again for a bit.
I was beginning to get tired by now and I don't think I was the only one as peoples expressions on photo's were getting more tired including Geoff who was running back and forth between the group. It must have been a long week for him.
Once down this road we backtracked a little and took in the final part of the trail that goes past Beddgelert station on the Welsh Highland Railway, and then back into the village popping out near the ice cream shop, rather conveniently as some of us chose to partake in another batch of ice cream as every flavour clearly had to be sampled...I'm looking at you 3 scoops Kerri, Louise and Ahmed.
Back at base and it was refreshments time, again laid out by Carl and a chance to get showered and changed pre meal.
A pre meal 'Masterclass' on running nutrition, followed by evening meal and then chill time...bring on the wine!
It was now the start of our second evening together and prior to our evening meal we were offered fruit based beverages and not just for the Ladies!
If you remember Harry Hill you will know full well that fruit based beverages is code for 'wine' and a very welcome addition to a master class, as we found a comfy seat and settled in for a class on running nutrition and also a masterclass on how to take the mick out of Geoff once you we have consumed a few glasses of wine and know many funny stories about him.
Geoff told us his 'Welsh 3000's' story, it's a good one and an admirable one to be fair and he deserves full credit for it as he must have had some hard competition over the 7 years straight he won it.
For this fact alone I hold Geoff in high regard for mountain running advice and would recommend his coaching services to anyone, with the confidence that he knows what he is talking about.
Anyway Geoff continued with advive regarding proper carb loading and how it should be done and why it should be done and he covered nutrition during a race and after a race as they are all important.
Many questions were addressed and answered adequately and I'm sure plenty learned from the talk. I for one was looking forward to my evening nutrition about to be served up, that was going to get me through the next days running adventure.
We had our evening meal and used it again to get to know each other and ask questions etc and many were running related questions as you would expect. As ever I enjoyed being asked questions myself about my experiences and I found a fair few subtle ones about what the next mornings run was really going to be like as Geoff had left many hints as to it's 'unique' variety, route choices and all the fun to be had.
Most could only see the image of a rainswept morning out in the wild freezing our respective bodyparts off as the foecast was particularly wet, and the jokes about wet feet being the least of our worries were beginning to work.
I did my best to reassure people it would be fun, yet not giving away details. Everyone knew I'd already done the route with the previous group and I didn't want to give away Dick Dastardlys greatest adventure quite yet....
The wine continued to flow after the meal and we had many conversations around the dining table, including one about certain aspects of Veganism and what was and wasn't vegan and why.
This can be awkward when covering topics like this, because your answers can make people feel judged, even though as a vegan you have rightly judged yourself because at some point you did it yourself so truly understand why people do it and eat meat etc.
I tried to only answer direct questions about why I do it as this is less personal to those around me and I'm happy to answer questions.
After the meal we mostly moved to the lounge and some went to bed early or started to pack ready for the next day's lunchtime departure. Some went on walks in the now not to dry weather and Ahmed had by now set up a well established 'Gelert adventure trail'.
I could only imagine that he would tell the fabled sad story and try and scare the bejesus out of you at the same time by telling you about Gelert the dog and his demise, then showing you where he once allegedly lived, but forgetting to tell you there was a scary ass metal statue of Gelert just within the doorway of the same said dwelling!
A good evening was had by all, mine was relaxed after a mere three glasses of wine this time compared to the six and a half the previous night! and I was glad to have a final coffee prior to going to bed and then sloping off for an earlier night as everyone else seemed to be settling down early.
What would tomorrow hold? I knew already of course, and it involved alot of wet feet and fun memories!..
Day three - Morning activity - Llyn y Gadar and a mountainside adventure of ultimate dampness - 3.35 miles.
The final morning was upon us and sadly it was also the end of my week in my beloved Wales, as I class it as my second home and ultimately hope to retire there while I can actually still run or walk it's mountains and valleys.
As per usual on the final morning at breakfast it is a little more sombre as people realise the trip will soon be over and they will be on their way home, often on a longish trip.
We enjoyed our breakfast together and again I was getting questions about how bad was it really going to be on our final route, or what did Geoff actually have planned for us.
I did say it was fun, we would defintely get wet feet so don't wear the shoes you want to drive home in, but the previous group really enjoyed it!
Geoff obviously gave us all a brief on the morning, what time we would leave for the run, how long it would be and when we would back for our lunch and then departure.
By it's very nature of being a pre lunch run it couldn't be too long as we were going to be having lunch before 12 midday as we were due to leave shortly after.
Everyone by now I suspect was pretty much packed and some had already put most of their stuff in their cars apart from a set of fresh clothes for post run and the trip home.
We made our way down the road in several cars towards Rhyd Ddu and parked up roadside near the trail. It was a little mizzly to say the least but the forecast said it would clear, I for one looked forward to that moment because I don't like starting a run wet.
We did our statuatory warm up and set off down the trail and straight into a headwind, Geoff promptly turned round and said 'Not that way, too windy!' and took us off on a slightly different start route up the side of the mountain.
As Geoff passed me he mentioned it was actually the wrong way and I did laugh and comment it appeared to be different than the other days route.
We were soon back on the originally intended route and despite the wet weather everyone seemed to be in good spirits and finding it fun. I think compared to what they may have been dreading coming up later, this beginning of route and dampness was nothing.
Dick Dastardlys plan...I mean Geoff's plan had worked well and the mood had been set. We carried on up the rough trail up and along the mountainside along narrow and well worn troughs and on and off path as this was barren land and typical mountainside grazing land for local sheep.
One foot in front of the other has never been truer, as you couldn't get two side by side on this track. All good experience though and I didn't see people falling over so that was a good sign.
It wasn't long before Geoff's mini adventure obstacle number one appeared, a nice picturesque waterfall, but hang one the track goes through it!...
Hilarity and despair grew equally as it became apparent that with the added rain fall in recent hours this challenge was infact a bit tougher than the dryer day we took it on earlier in the week. The crossing I had used earlier was now too risky for those not familiar with slippy rock, and we ditched the normal crossing spot and used an improvised one with Geoff placing a rock in the middle of a shallower bit of the stream.
Geoff stood on one side and I stood on the other while people hopped across. I held a balancing hand out for those who needed and Geoff gave them a supportive push across the stream...
Shortly after the stream crossing we were into the forest and the mizzle had by now pretty much gone, so we enjoyed a decent forest trail run which was fairly undulating throughout.
Geoff let me run ahead with a few others as long we stopped at the next junction for him and the others and it was only a short distance anyway, but there was a nice little downhill too, much to my glee, but not so much my knees which were feeling it a little to say the least after a hard weeks running and adventure.
We gathered together at the bottom of the downhill and Geoff seized his chance to introduce us to his 'limited edition' yoghurt coated Skittles! I swear he has shares in the company as he wouldn't let our disinterest in them dampen his spirits and enthusiasm for them.
We carried on down a fire road from here and we were clearly going downhill and towards Llyn Y Gadar the lake where we started but Geoffs biggest surprise and most dastardly plan was afoot, and a foot you wouldn't see much of soon!
We arrived at the head of a trail that now suddenly had a discarded sign telling us it had subsequently been re routed to a more gradual, easy and yet longer route. But we weren't doing easy we were doing fun! fun! fun!
Geoff did a little talk, I can't remember what about, it may have been the last rites of the group or at least their almost clean and attached shoes for all I knew as I was loitering in the entrance of Geoff's chosen fun route with a big grin on my face.
Geoff went about explaining again about route changes and the route we were going to take and doing his best to make it sound daunting yet fun, everyone glanced over to see me still grinning from cheek to cheek and I think that said it all......
Off I went into Narnia....with Geoff and the others behind me as I suspect I was the guinea pig for where not to place your feet! We went down the trail of misadventure with warnings of don't trust it until you have put your foot on it, meaning basically all is not what it seems until you have at least made contact with it with your feet or hands and your foot hasn't disappeared further into Narnia.
I went first and trailblazed the route I had taken last time knowing those behind me would be safe, and as last time a gap in the trees shortly showed our exit point into more open land.
I think everyone though 'hey that was fun' and 'not as bad as he made out' but it was far from over. As you learn eventually when navigating from A to B or along a route, that all is not always as it seems. It looked simple enough from here on in, but both Geoff and myself knew what lay ahead!
We led the group along what was previously an established route, and the way was often still seen clearly along fencelines etc, but it was now really wet so you couldn't trust where you put your feet from here on in. This was a good lesson to put your best foot forward and test the water so to speak, and there was plenty of water under that ground belive me.
I had waterproof Hoka trail mid boots on and I finally got them a little wet as my feet often sank a good 4-5 inches as I tentively put my foot down one by one. We clambered over the odd downed tree that seemed the safe option as it had not sunk yet and seemed a fair bet.
It was funny watching people delicately negotiate the route with the odd scream and squirm along the way, and that was just Geoff!
Geoff led the way yet again across the field and bog grass of doom, and just why wasn't there any sheep in this field? I pondered. Likely all sucked under no doubt like the last lot of mad walkers who tried this way.
We all merrily crossed the challenging field of bog grass and moss that seemed to disguise a hidden surprise and we finally popped out on a downhill that joined up with the other end of the newer re routed stone crush path.
I for one was glad to have made it across twice this week and unscathed and pretty much still dry. It was a great laugh being part of Geoff's plan on the final mystery tour of Wales and it's various often challenging terrain, and all part of the excellent training from Geoff and his team of run leaders etc.
What followed was an abundance of happy pictures as we were now on a dry trail and Ahmed the ever talented photographer set us up in a selfie line to get a few goods shots to give us some happy memories of the day to keep as we were now indeed all new friends!
Our final lunch together and our final farewells!
The time had come for our final lunch together once we had arrived back safely from our morning adventure across the bogs of Llyn Y Gadar! I was glad to be dry and to get some rest but sad to know I wouldn't have the company of my fellow guests for much longer as we sat and chatted during lunch.
Several people chatted and offered to keep in touch and share pics etc via their social media, but I didn't want to presumptiously hold my hand up and ask everyone to add me on social media etc as I suffer social Anxiety as I'm sure many will have noticed through our time together.
Please do feel free to add me by the way (Les Jackson or Plant Based Gru), as you will now find me on the excellent 'new' Facebook Focused Performance group titled 'The Focused Performance Experience Club' an idea myself and Geoff came up with of our journey back to the North West as I gave my feedback of the weeks events.
As lunches were finished and bags packed it was time for everyone to leave. One by one we all left and it was a sad moment as I enjoyed my time with everyone that week, be it the group earlier in the week and indeed this group that finally got me to chill and enjoy the odd glass of wine again!
One thing I know for sure it I have some new friends and additions to my running family and I truly hope to see some of them again at somepoint, especially on more of Geoff's excellent trips and events, long may they continue!...
Farewell for now folks! I hope to be writing more blogs about Geoff's events in the future, and I have volunteered for any non official run leader roles in the future, and I do hope you read, like and share this blog post many many times as it would mean a lot to me as they are extremely time consuming and exhausting to write, but give me such great memories to look back on forever!
You can follow Focused Performance on Facebook and on Instagram or visit their website for more details about their services and trips/holidays etc:
https://focusedperformance.co.uk/
