Excellent - I am not quite at that distance yet - I could do it physically but just wary about getting injured so taking it quite steady. I might try for 8 miles on Wednesday as my family are all away for the night.
Forgot to say, my long runs are slow. Like 9.00 - 9.30 min per mile slow. Similar theory to riding Zone 2 when getting cycling base miles in.
That's not slow, my 50k on Saturday was about 2 mins slower than that! 😅
I like mixing it up, parkrun, track sessions, tempos, long runs, sociable work runs, long runs with my wife, but my favourite discovery has been hill running.
I always thought it was solely for wee skinny bastards, and I was always a big lad with questionable joints due to a life of football.
Turns out, well it is for wee skinny bastards, but I'm no bad at it either! Mid table obscurity is a result for me!.
Running has been the best thing I've done for my knees and ankles, and hill races combine my love of running and the hills, and also allows me to get a look at potential bike rides!.
Grand.
Yeah my 10k pace is (currently) around 9 minutes albeit in hilly areas around my house (I can do <8min miles on the flat ParkRun I do. Will be interesting to see how I fare on a flatter 10k but unfortunately I can't do that from my house as we live on the top of a hill.
Wee thought for those involved in the like of BGR, PBR, CRR….etc.
How do you find folk to run with you? Assume it can’t all be people you know, and you’d really need local folks for the knowledge etc?
Are these support runners folks that are keen to try a round for themselves? Or maybe veterans of the various rounds?.
Not that I’m anywhere near even thinking about such madness, but, well, 18 months ago (with the exception of an embarrassing Edinburgh marathon years ago!) I hadn’t ever done any proper running really, now I’ve knocked out a few hill races, half marathons, got an ultra this weekend….
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that in a couple of years time, I could be a few steps nearer….
Who knows?.
When I first attempted the BGR, there were very few forums about and it was certainly pre-FB, even the FRA forums hadn't started. I didn't get much help from the running club I was in either but I was asking the wrong people. I eventually asked on UKClimbing and got a couple of people offering to help along with a few mates. I didn't make it round that time (or the next) but managed it on my third attempt. My success was back in 2005.
These days I'm a bit more involved in things and I usually point people to the FRA forums and the FB group (though I'm not on FB myself). There's plenty of folk out there willing to help, often as part of their training for their own attempts, and many will repay the help received with helping on future rounds. Local knowledge? There's a lot of info available these days, Harveys do maps of all three big rounds for example, but a recce run or two of each leg should be enough to figure things out - does depend where you live in relation to the rounds themselves of course as to how practical that is.
This isnt really running as most folk would understand it but it does say 'whatever' in the title so I'll share it anyway!
Over the last few summers I've been messing around with running style ascents of big peaks in the Alps. Nothing technically difficult but a bit more involved than just trail running. The sort of stuff that people traditionally do over two days with a night in a hut but done in one day from the valley.
You see quite a bit of stuff on social media from people doing this sort of thing but its actually still quite uncommon I think. At least thats the impression I've got from the comments and funny looks I've encountered!
Anyway, to cut a long story short I did the Mont Pelvoux in this style a few days ago, Pic Coolidge tomorrow and weather/persistent knee niggle depending I'm going for Mont Blanc at the weekend / early next week.
I never set out deliberately to do any of this stuff so I guess the reason I'm posting this is to show that if you follow those little daft ideas that pop into your head, have a crack at stuff and keep asking 'what next?' then who knows where it will lead.
Pic Coolidge is a dead easy summit (assuming the one in the Ecrins), there's a walker's trail over the col and from there it's a very shallow angled rock ridge to the top, just one step that's awkward IIRC. Not quite hands in pockets but not far off.
Mont Blanc from the mid station of the Midi télépherique is also very non-technical, the hardest bit will be the crossing of the Bossons glacier. Only done it twice (in descent), once was a right maze the other was relatively simple.
Yes,the Ecrins one.Seemed like an obvious choice being pretty much unglaciated.
My feeling is that the Gouter Route on MB is the best choice for a solo runner so thats what I'm going with.
Is the Gouter Route the one that crosses the Grand Couloir? If so that's a shooting alley, literally!
The Gouter Route is the voie normale and it crosses the Grand Couloir. I'll be across it very early and very quick. All the other routes are to heavily glaciated for a solo imo.
I last posted in this thread a year ago. I still mainly use my 'barefoot' running shoes for walking in. My toddler on his balance bike has recently got me running more frequently however. I still fear I'll get shin splints as I got them really easily, so haven't actually gone out specifically for a run.
@whitestone: great wee jaunt up the Pic Coolidge this AM. Its a great view point. 5.48 campsite to campsite. I'm happy with that. 🙂
Haven't checked in for a while, did anyone run at Ambleside today? My first fell race, great experience although I ran like a total muppet, out of gas on the way up to Fairfield, a few were talking about dropping out due to the heat , it was not pleasant running temps!
So, wobbly legs and dizzy, walked most of the descent and still managed to turn my ankle. Thank gods for the beck at the bottom. Limped in an hour after Ricky, not last so happy with that. Next race on Sunday at Kentmere, if anyone is going up let me know!
Nice one bob and good luck for Sunday.
My Mont Blanc in a day with no uplift thing is going to have to wait for another year. Miserable forecast for the days I had available for an attempt.
Back in the UK on Wednesday and hopefully my knee will be up to a Paddy Buckley attempt over the coming weekend / early next week.
In awe of your running Spin, keep us posted on the PB if you go ahead with it mate.
Cheers Nobeer, I don't think I'm doing anything particular awesome, I've just found a niche in running that suits my abilities and skill set!
Does anybody have any experience of the Dark and White Events trail runs in the Peak District please?
Yeah, good luck with the pb Spin.
Kentmere went ok, climbed well but lost tons of time over the descent. 10 or 15 mins on the runners I was with at the top. Total rubbish, can't put my finger on why I go downhill so slow but need to work on it.
Next up is Turner landscape in Seathwaite... Anyone?
Went out for a longer training run to prepare for the GNR and ran at a slower pace (as suggested to me earlier in this thread). Managed just over 10 miles in 1hr 40min (with over 700ft of climbing) which I was pretty happy with as it's 3.5 miles further than I have run in over 15 years. Going to do a couple of shorter high pace runs this week to help get my pace up a bit.
@bob_summers - I'm an infrequent visitor to West Cumbria with work and can't make any of the races work this year I don't think. Although up here today and planning a run out of Buttermere, into Ennerdale, up onto Pillar then loop back to Buttermere. Looking forward to getting out in the fells 🙂
Eeek! Just decided today that I really should enter the Great Eastern Run (Peterborough Half Marathon), so have just signed up.
Not raced since running for Thames Valley Harriers in my teens (hmmm, so about 25yrs or so!) and that was 400/800/1500m and winter x-countries.
Might go out at the weekend, aim to stick to 6min/km and see how far I can run.
I did 11km last week at 5:25 pace and probably had a few km more in my legs but had to get back home for my daughter's bed-time.
Time to look for a running GPS, I think 😉
Loathe to go with Garmin, but they seem like the best option. I was all set on the Forerunner35 around Christmas but the 45 is now out which looks much better & the Forerunner235 can now be had heavily discounted for about £165. Hmmmm. Decisions decisions....
Wilfred and I ran at the Sri Chimnoy 5k at Battersea Park last night with the intention of setting a Guinness World Record
16:11, 10th out of 189 runners, pretty happy with that 🙂
Will have to wait a while to find out in a while after submitting all my evidence if the record gets accepted, and how long I keep it for. Might need to do it again next year when child #2 is big enough to go in the running buggy, Wilfred at 16kg is getting on the big side!
Wow, Turboferret, that is outstanding. Good luck with your entry.
Blimey TF - that is stellar!!
After some advice from you Runnerists, if I may. I run a couple of times a week, nothing serious, reasonable pace, and either 5km or 10km, over the last few years. Recently changed my running shoes after hammering my Salomons to death over that time - my bike kit gets better treatment - to some Asics. The fit is great and comfy, and give me no problems over 5km's but after about 8km, they really rub the pad of my right foot? No blister, rubs till its a bit sore and I find the last couple of km's a real struggle. I wanted to attempt half marathon distance soon but this is putting me off. Any thoughts? I dont have any running socks, I just use what I MTB in.
The normal advice is, once you have found a brand you like, stick to it (Saucony for me). Your problem sounds like the shoe is too wide and your foot is moving around a little. Don't try tightening laces more though or you'll get pinch points that'll become very uncomfortable.
@turboferret - that's a cracking effort!! Good luck getting it validated!
Had a cracking run in the fells last night. Such a clear, sunny night after a horrible murky start to the day with cloud down to valley level etc. Underestimated timings a bit as the climb out of Ennerdale straight up Pillar was steep and slow as lots of wet ground and running water. Didn't see a soul in 3 hours of running!
Some pics to follow if I can figure out how to upload them!
I've got a Suunto Ambit 3 sport with HR belt and chargers etc up for sale, let me know if you're interested.
@dashed - a tale from my climbing days.
We were heading for Pillar but one of the group had been sharpening a large circular saw blade for a guy that lived just past the locked gate by Ennerdale Youth Hostel so we had to deliver that.
The guy looks at us and our kit and asks "Where are you going lads?", "Pillar Rock", "Oh, hop in, I'll give you a lift to the bottom of the track up to it."
As we were walking down to his car a couple of friends pull up in the car park. By the time they've got ready and walked over the crest of the small rise we are long gone. "They'll be just round the corner, put a bit of speed on and we'll catch them up". Round the corner and, "Crikey! They're shifting, long straight coming up, we'll see them then."
We are sat at the foot of Pillar Rock sunning ourselves when I notice two figures coming up out of the trees. "Is that Dave?" "Bloody hell it is!" They'd only taken about fifteen minutes longer than us to get there. "You lot don't half shift!" he notes on arrival. Err ...
jolmes Member
I’ve got a Suunto Ambit 3 sport with HR belt and chargers etc up for sale, let me know if you’re interested.
Thanks. I just had a quick look at it. It looks like a good activity watch, but perhaps not really what I am after; it looks a bit overkill for my requirements I think.
Thanks for the heads-up though.
@whitestone - must be quite a slog up to Pillar with rack / ropes etc but looked good rock and will definitely need to make the effort to climb there some time soon!
Great pics Dashed.
Club social run this evening, Coniston Old Man from the Sun. Forecast looks pants and I've no way of finding out if I'm the only one going up (all done via Facebook which I don't have) so might be a lonely trot up in the rain.
Thanks Jondoh. So how can I negate this? Good socks that have the banding in the middle of the foot?
@dashed - I were fit back then! Pillar's great, always quiet. Looks "dirty" but it's just because it's dark rock and the routes themselves are fine. Despite it being north facing you can pretty well climb in the sun all day: start on the Shamrock (the left hand side of the crag) in the morning and work your way round to the west face for evening climbing.
Thanks Jondoh. So how can I negate this? Good socks that have the banding in the middle of the foot?
I am certainly not an expert but I would say that socks won't help, you would need to get better fitting shoes I am afraid.
Looks like Sunday into Monday for my PB attempt. It's not ideal weather but it's not looking significantly better at any point in the window I have.
After a few big goals that haven't come off I'm hoping this one will!
Fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you bro! 💪🏻
Best of luck Spin!
Does anybody know someone who repairs Garmins? My fenix 3 hr isn't charging, and a replacement port hasn't worked. The stock answer is send it to Garmin who will take a flat £129 to repair a three year old watch that goes for about that on eBay.
@paulneenan6 I tend to get hard skin on the balls of my feet as I land on the forefoot then twist slightly on push off. It gets sore sometimes but tends to adjust so it must toughen up. You could try twin skin socks, they may help. They are a faff to get on but maybe a solution until your feet man up 🙂
Cheers Surfer and Nobeer.
A friend's son has just gone under 20 minutes at parkrun for the first time.
At 9 years old.
More tales of excellence on here I see. That’s amazing for a nine year old!
I trying to build up again. Just did 2 miles and my knees didn’t hurt! I think not pushing myself is the key.
However, my toe hurts! Is that normal? Maybe should do the laces tighter?
Dunoon half marathon yesterday, was all going to plan for a sub 1.40 then the wheels fell off, average speed just kept drifting and drifting...😂
Was just incredibly hot for the 6.5 outward miles, then turned back into a headwind. Oh joy.
Ended up with a 1.47, which given the conditions, I'm not too unhappy with. Going by the chat in the pub after, everyone did the exact same, even guys that have been running for years.
It's all good, miles in the legs and a lesson learned.
