We started along a cycle track which is pretty flat as a warm up, then we headed for Llanguicke hill, which climbs 553 feet in 1.7 miles and for the most part has a 25% incline. Although we tried, it was too much to run up this hill, so we walked, both agreeing that most people will be walking up Pen y fan anyway. The hill seemed never ending, rounding corner after corner expecting to see the top, but it was a long time in coming. Across the top and onto the Gwrydd mountain road we ran at a steady pace, chatting the whole time. Phil was surprised at how far the road actually went when I explained to him where we would be joining the main road. We ran back down into the town... is Ponty a town? Then we headed back up the golf course steps, Phil's personal Jacob's Ladder. I haven't been up these steps since I was in school, which would mean that the last time I ran up them was in 1985, I'd forgotten what a killer they were. At the top we both had a well earned rest then ran down the road with jelly legs. Then it was back to running through the 'town' back to the car park receiving the usual looks and comments, completing the 6.8 miles in 1 hour and 36 minutes. Giving a per mile time of 14 minutes. I have been using GPS tracking software but after seeing the data from the software that Phil uses I think I'll switch to that as it breaks down the individual miles. I'm looking forward to meeting Phil again and running with him.