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...
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).
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?
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.
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).
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