I'm British so I'll start off complaining about the weather. It's so hot!.
There that's done. It is hot, and I wanted to get a long run in and be slightly comfortable doing it. So, the part of me that comes up with the 'bright ideas' thought, 'Do a night run'. That same part of me wrapped up in its sub-conscious blanket as I fought my way through tussocks and heather in the dark. Thanks.

Let's go back a few months. I love maps and enjoy looking over them and plotting my next adventures. When looking for a new route I worked out how to join a few areas together for a route which took me alongside the Rhobell summits. The Rhobell Circuit was born.
So, I had my bright idea, and I'd found my previously plotted route. The plan was to start at 19:30 and finish by 02:00. In reality, I started at 19:20 and finished at 05:30!

On any trail run I always try to remember to look back. If I don't, I could miss a view. It's the views I run for. Being able to see for miles and pick out valleys and mountains I've run on before and will run on again.

Breaking from the Sarn Helen Roman road I entered the first section of teh forest path and straight iinto a bog! There I am standing up to my hips in what can only be described as cold muddy porridge. I should think, 'get out, you don't know how deep it goes!'. Oh no, I'm thinking we're in a heatwave and I've found the only soggy area in Wales.

Finally, I pull myself out and confirm I now stink. I don't think the flies will come anywhere near me!On any trail run I always try to remember to look back. If I don't, I could miss a view. It's the views I run for. Being able to see for miles and pick out valleys and mountains I've run on before and will run on again.

Breaking from the Sarn Helen Roman Road I entered the first section of the forest path and straight into a bog! There I am standing up to my hips in what can only be described as cold muddy porridge, I should think, 'get out, you don't know how deep it goes!'. Oh no, I'm thinking we're in a heatwave and I'm found the only soggy area in Wales.

One thing the break through the forest gives me and that is the shade... Brrr it's nippy!
The route has been continuing south, but as the final light of the day gives way to night, I find myself on the 'challenging section'; there may be a path marked on the map, but its missing on the  ground. Great. Nothing for it but to take a bearing to the forest fence line and plod on.

Being caught up in the preparation for the next challenge I'd not taken in the view ahead of me so when looking up it again stopped me in my tracks. Ahead of me was Rhobell Fawr, looking to be re-enacting its previous life as a volcano.

For what felt like a lifetime I stumbled through tussucks of grass the size of small cars and purple heather that felt like it was welding pitch forks. The wildlife day shift had settled down for the night disturbed by the mumbling mantra of the strange human (that's me)... "Whoops, oh dear, ouch" (I'll let you fill in the real words!)

As the shadows of the horizon took shape of the forest ahead the sound of a dog bark froze the sigh of relief in my throat. Great! I'd come across the Welsh version of the 'Hound of the Baskervilles'. I hope he likes pop tarts!
The second bark was followed by a 'sush dog'. Phew someone was wild camping. My pop tarts were safe.
Following the fence line I came to the stile. Well, it was probably a stile 20 years ago. Basing the quality of the path through the forest by the stile I thought, 'Here we go again!'.

Now, I know, a forest is normally full of trees, but the stroboscopic effect the LED head torch made it look like the branches were leaning out to swipe me in the face!
Finally, I broke out onto a forest trail. To celebrate I leaned down to pat the surface and watched as a group of toads hop past. 'So, it's a race you want?'

The rest of the route was on well-defined trails, so of course the moon rose!

One thing about being out in the early hours of the morning is the smell. No, forget about my bog stinking legs. The air is cool, heavy and scent laden. The walls of felled pine trees seemed to billow out the smell of the pine. The flora which fought through the dry and cracked earth gave off its own scent. Beautiful.
As the sun rose to signal the start of the day, it lit the trail ahead and the adventures end.

I thought back on how this run had unfolded. There were moments when I regretted setting off. Moments of concern about running out of water. All but moments which now added up to another great adventure.
A friend of mine once said, 'It's just great to be healthy enough to get out and experience all of this', and as I climbed the last rise of the trail, the view made me think, 'I couldn't agree more'.
Until next time...