Round Wales Challenge Part 2: Flint to Prestatyn

I'm not going to lie (this is an honest account, not some sort of running fantasy), that was a tough one.

I made a bit of a schoolgirl error. In an attempt to be as self-reliant as possible on this challenge, I've looked at start and finish points that have stations. This is so I can park my car at the finish, get on the train to the start and run back to the car. Easy. In theory.

In my original plan for this section, I had thought that the 18 miles between Flint and Prestatyn stations was too far for one leg. Last week, for part 1, I finished at Bagillt - which would have given me a 15 mile run to Prestatyn. However, as there is no station in Bagillt, I would need a drop-off or running buddy. 

Instead, I thought it would be a good idea to change the plan. I missed a bit of the Coast Path through Flint last weekend, and I felt I should go back and do it right. I know I can run 18 miles, so I didn't bother arranging drop-offs or a running buddy. I just drove to Prestatyn, parked up and got on the train.

Once in Flint, I walked about 10 mins (in opposite direction to my run) to find the bit where I went wrong. I'd missed a signpost and stayed on the road too long. It was quite easy to spot today, but I am starting to realise that I'm not quite a sharp as normal when I've been running for a while!!!

So I carried on my way along the actual Wales Coast Path, filling in the Tracker on my Wales Coast Oath app as I went (the yellow line of the Coast Path route turns blue when you've done it). 

I much prefer running on the actual coast, rather than the road nearest to the coast - especially as there doesn't seem

to be much residents parking around here. Running along the pavement means running around and between parked cars, which is far from idyllic running conditions.

That said, neither was this...

I think my trail shoes would have been better for parts of today's run. That's the trouble, I never really know what surface I'm going to be running on. Every surface imaginable, perhaps!

The path from Flint to Bagillt is good, although a bit uneven in places. It seemed much easier than last week, as I wasn't 11 miles into my run this time. My legs were still fresh 😃🏃

There were happy thoughts running up to and past the spot where Jules was waiting for me last week. I was so pleased to see her then. I carried on through Bagillt, which was unexpectedly interesting.

One of the things that makes this challenge so enjoyable is the interesting sights to see along the way. Some just nice to look at, and some I'm itching to find out more about once I get back to internet land! 

On Bettisfield Hill, at Bagillt, the Coast Path diverts up the hill to the Dragon Beacon and then returns passing the old Bettisfield Colliery (now a car parts yard).

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/north-wales-beacons-ablaze-jubilee-205228

http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/North/Bettisfield.htm

A little bit further on is Miltwr Tunnel. I never would have realised how interesting this was had I not spotted the plaque and then did a bit of googling when I got home. Of course, I probably would never have even heard of Bagillt if I hadn't have started this challenge. Isn't it weird (and wonderful) what running leads to?

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plan-revitalise-flintshires-milwr-tunnel-2666547

The path carries on with a nice steady run to Greenfield Dock, and another beacon on the way. The terrain along this part of the path is varied, man-made and grassy/muddy fields but all good underfoot. It's well marked too, lots of markers along the way (to remind me I'm on the right track - there are lots of different paths in some places).

 

As I ran along the next part of the path, I could see what looked like a huge great ocean liner in front of me. I thought I must be running towards a proper big dock that I wasn't aware of. As I got nearer, I realised it was a massive ship, but it was a dry dock and it had been there a while. I do recall a vague conversation with Jules last week (we had lunch very near here after I'd run) about a ship...along the lines of:

Me: "Is that a massive great ship over there?"

Jules: "Yes, that's a ship"

That's all I remember and I'd even forgotten that until I saw it again and realised it was where we were last week. My mind is most definitely not at it's best after a long run!

This is definitely part of the path I will bring the boys back to see, they will love this. It's also another bit that geeky me wants to find out more about (cue web links).

After this, it was back on the road for a bit. A wide pavement along the Coast road. Clear markings (those little discs in the Tarmac again) but lots of waiting for lights at pedestrian crossings as the pavement kept swapping sides.

A little run through a nice village took the path off the main road for a short time, but the cars parked along the pavement was again a problem. Last crossing of the Coast road and back up a nice wide cinder track towards Talacre. 

A had a bit of doggy company on this bit. A young couple were walking their two dogs, they were very friendly, as I have found with pretty much everyone I pass on this run. One of their dogs decided he wanted to run with me, and kept on coming!!! I was just at the stage where I was contemplating stopping so his owners could catch up when I spotted a gate. We ran to the gate, I threw a stick for the dog and nipped through! I tried not to look at those beautiful blue doggy eyes when he realised I was carrying on without him!

Talacre was where my run started to go downhill - and I'm not talking about elevation (if only). Don't get me wrong, this is another place I will bring the boys back to - they will love it. So much good stuff here, sand dunes with lots of paths, good stretch of beach, even a lighthouse. However, I was really tired. I'd now run 16 miles. I couldn't yet see Prestatyn, all I could see was sand dunes and beach. 

My legs did not want to run at all, much less run on sand. My phone battery had died, so no tracker, music, camera, contact with friends and family to keep me motivated. I walked a fair bit. I hurt. I almost cried. 

I got to Barkby Beach in Prestatyn and actually thought it was a good idea to take off my shoes and socks because my feet hurt so much. They soon got back on, the sand was freezing! I think I was delirious or something. It's February - what was I thinking!!

I pretty much staggered up the road from the Coast Path back to my car. I don't think I've ever been so pleased to sit in my car (after a nice long stretch of the achy legs). The drive home was just as tiring - but Kendall Mint Cake saved me. I forgot I had it until halfway back home in the car.

A bath, cup of tea and dinner cooked by my lovely hubby, sat on sofa in my onesie - just about started to feel normal again. I did it. It was hard, it was very slow but I still did it! Parts of it weren't the most enjoyable but it's not all going to be amazing and I feel so much more positive about it thinking back on it now than I did over those last few miles.

Lessons learned. Be more sensible with distances, find running buddies and scrounge lifts etc where possible. I also no longer feel it is necessary to go back and fill in bits not tracked, I still did it. And make sure phone is fully charged (I will add missed pictures later).

Round Wales Challenge Part 1: Chester to Bagillt

A whole five weeks later than planned, I finally managed to start my challenge. 

My bestest friend Jules offered to meet me for lunch at the end of my run, and then drive me back to my car at the start. Much simpler!

I set off pretty early for a Saturday (not as early as last Saturday, thank goodness!) and arrived in Chester at a decent hour. However, it took me a while to find a way to get to the start of the path. I parked about a mile along the path and jogged back to the starting point. 

The first part of the path was, as expected, along the shared foot/cycle path to Queensferry. Lots of friendly cyclists and a few walkers...no runners though. I did wish I had brought my headphones for this bit. I don't usually listen to music when I run, I like to listen to the sounds of life going on around me. Today, I would have appreciated the extra boost that some beats can give. The first part wasn't the most interesting run I've ever done to be fair...

however, there were quite a few different birds around, so I kept my brain occupied whilst running by trying (not very successfully) to work out what they all were.

After passing Saltney Ferry, I crossed the bridge at Quennsferry and the terrain immediately changed from tarmac to boggy riverside field, complete with ducks and cows!! One fine specimen decided it wasn't going to move from the path and looked at me as if to say 'What the ... do you think you are doing running across my field?' Needless to say, I took a little detour - but not without getting a photo!

There were quite a few interesting buildings on the way too. I'm going to do a bit of research and try to find out a bit about their history.

Soon, the field turned into paths again, through a fair few gates and along to Connah's Quay. Somewhere between Queensferry and Connah's Quay was my halfway point (or so I thought...)

The next section varied quite a bit, down little back lanes, along pavements at the side of A roads (definitely not my favourite, I don't like the bits where I'm not next to the sea - it's the Wales Coast Path!!!) but always back to the water in the end.

Connah's Quay Dock was lovely. I had to stop a lot to take photos. I'm going to have to remember to include photo time when I plan expected times for these runs!!! I knew when I started there would be lots to see, and I haven't been disappointed at all.

Loved this sign (on the way into Connah's Quay Power Station, if I remember rightly).

Running through Flint was not a favourite either - big roads, lots of traffic and the WCP was not very well signposted around here (well, not that I saw). In some areas, the only indicator that I

was on the right track were little markers buried in the pavement. I think I missed some...as I was away from the water quite a bit here and I didn't like it. I'm going to have to go back and redo that bit next time!!!

Once I found a way back to the path, past the third football ground of the day (That's a whole other challenge...), it was gorgeous! For the first time I was definitely running by sea, not river, now with the beautiful Flint Castle in front of me. 

Right by the castle is the first Lifeboat Station of my journey. I'll be passing a few of those. It reminded me that I need to set up my fundraising page, as I'll be fundraising for RNLI for the Wales Coast Path part of the challenge.

By this point, I'd had a text from Jules, waiting for me at Bagillt - wondering if I was OK! I was, just stopping far too much to take pictures of all the great stuff I was seeing and, if I'm honest, struggling a bit on the last mile...I'd not expected to still be running at this point. 

Flint Point was beautiful, and spotted what I later learned was a Millenium Beacon, but the last bit was tough. 

A long straight of uneven path, past loads of grumpy fishermen. It just went on and on. But...I turned a corner and there was Jules!!! So happy to see her (and get some lunch 😃). Thanks for your support, lovely lady.

Yay! Finished! 13.4 miles, a Strava CR (?),  2 bridges, 3 football grounds, a stubborn cow and too many gates to count. 

RWC Part 1 completed. 

So glad I had this idea, can't wait to do Part 2. 

False starts

Just a quick post to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about the challenge, or abandoned ship.

I have tried to do my first section a couple of times now, but it seems it's just too blinking difficult to organise drop offs and pick ups from hubby (and places he can entertain the kids for 2.5 hrs in the wind and rain) when he doesn't really know Chester and North Wales well at all. Last weekend we just couldn't fit it in with all the post-Christmas and back-to-school stuff we had to sort. Today By the time we got up there, I was worried I'd be left freezing at the end with a very stressed husband and narky kids not being able to find me!!! 

So I bailed, for now at least. I've got a few weeks to sort a new plan for the first couple of legs, without having to drag hubby and kids with me. I'm busy with other running/family stuff for the next few weekend, so now looking at the start of February. Oh well. These things happen. It won't stop me.