Kelly's Running and Walking Experiences: My First 20 Mile Run

My First 20 Mile Run - (Ystrad to Fochriw and Back)

Today I need to do my first 20 mile run!!! Ooo errrrr!!! This will be yet another

distance PB for me! I decide to do a new route - Ystrad, to Tir-y-berth, to Gilfach,

to Bargoed, cycle track to Cwm Darren Parc, to Fochriw, back to Cwm Darren,

to Bargeoed, Cycle track to Pengam, to Fleur-de-lys, to Ystrad!!!

The first 9 miles of this run are a slow, steady uphill slog........

I start in the centre of Ystrad Mynach and run downhill towards Tescos and take a left at the roundabout. This takes me under Hengoed Viaduct and on towards Tir-Y-Berth.

I continue through Pengam lights, through Gilfach and Bargoed Town.

I then, after running four miles, join the cycle track which

will take me all the way to Cwm Darren.

The trees are all covered in moss along the cycle track - everything is very green.....

As I near Deri, (6 mile in) all I can see to the right of me is dense forest.......

......and to the left, I can see craggy, fern-covered mountains.....

Further on, the track is lined with trees either side......

Suddenly, after Deri, the track opens out......

I am now nearing Cwn Darren lake.....any turn off to rhe right along here will bring

you closer to the stream flowing down from it, if you fancy going off road &
running parallell.......I take a right off the cycle track to join the path around the lake.....

Cwn Darren Lake..... Peaceful today....Shame the sun isn't out!

The water sparkles like jewels when it is! There's a track right around it,

with an assault course along the laft hand side for children......

At the end of the lake is the visitor centre which has a cafe and toilets....

Also, there is a campsite there.......I have now run 8 miles......

I get to the far end of the lake and continue along the cycle track
in the direction of Fochriw....

This track runs parallel with a stream........

View to the right.....

I look back from where I have run.....

The track veeres left and up an incline......View to the right.......

At the top, I take a right, over a cattle grid.......

View to the right.....buzzards fly overhead......

Sheep graze alongside the track freely here...

View to the right.....

After crossing another cattle grid, the track continues downhill and veers to the right.....

Again, sheep freely roam this area and don't seem
particularly bothered by my presence....

I have reached the outskirts of the villiage of Fochriw,

which means I have now run 9 miles.....Time to about turn.........

View on the way back to Cwm Darren......

I run the length of the lake and cross the bridge to the left hand side of the lake.

I then follow the country lane back towards Deri.... This maximum speed limit makes me laugh as I realise that I am proboably breaking the speed limit myself at the minute!! I am doing about 7mph!!

View of the mountain to the right.....

Here, I take a quick detour to the left to see a waterfall/pond, before re-joining this country lane, which continues down (past a lake on the right) and veres to the right to re-join the cycle track back to Bargoed...

I reach to the end of the cycle track and reach Bargoed once more.

Now I have run approx 14 miles. Only 6 to go.....

I run towards the new bypass and rejoin cycle track.....

The track becomes muddy for a while.....The river is to my right.....

I cross the bridge and double back on myself....

Now, I run back towards Pengam, with the river on my right....

A little incline, before turning right at the top......

I then turn right and run down some steps towards Gilfach.......

At the bottom, I turn left, towards Pengam. The track runs alongside the river...

I've done about 15 miles now....that bench is very tempting.....

I take a short detour off the cycle track down towards the river.
The track is very narrow here...

I reach the end of the cycle track at Pengam and take a left up the hill followed

by a right towards Fleur-de-lys.

I run along what is known locally as "Flower Lane".

At the end of the lane I reach Maesycwmmer. I take a left up a steep set of steps and a right onto the main road. Then I run up to the Wheel of Drams......

........and left across the viaduct towards Hengoed.......

I run past Hengoed Community Centre and join cycle track towards Ystrad Mynach.....

I continue along the track for a while, cross a road, re-join the track and carry further on towards Tredomen, until I reach a trail which veeres off to the right, downhill.....