[SA Chris]

Get into training now and do a few, by the time i hit the over 50s category in 2 1/2 years i might be in with a shot.

Or in a wheelchair.

[bigtuboflard]

Get into training now and do a few, by the time i hit the over 50s category in 2 1/2 years i might be in with a shot.

Or in a wheelchair.

I thought I might benefit the same when I hit the V40 category. Couldn't have been more wrong, they were even quicker than the open category! And judging by the speed of one of the V60 blokes in my club it may only get tougher...

[al]

not sure about the music, but nice input from the runners on this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0184vh6

[SA Chris]

http://www.deesiderunners.com/?page_id=29

http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/Graphics/Maps/RA-0102-main.jpg

Any thoughts on this as a first race for a virgin? AS is as easy as it gets right? I've hiked and snowboarded (at night) most of the way from the top before, so know the terrain fairly well. Looks like not too huge a field either.

There is the 5 k version I can enter as a Senior (I assume turning around after the first steep section) but think that would be a cop out.

[bigtuboflard]

http://www.deesiderunners.com/?page_id=29

http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/Graphics/Maps/RA-0102-main.jpg

Any thoughts on this as a first race for a virgin? AS is as easy as it gets right? I've hiked and snowboarded (at night) most of the way from the top before, so know the terrain fairly well. Looks like not too huge a field either.

There is the 5 k version I can enter as a Senior (I assume turning around after the first steep section) but think that would be a cop out.

Looks good Chris, a nice steep up and down, simple course though 640m climbing will be fairly tough in one go. As others have said in here though, go for it, you'll get round, you'll not be last and you'll (almost certainly) really enjoy it and want to do more.

[SA Chris]

Yeah, I'm working on hills now! Got a segment through middle of village that is 6.6%, so if I do that enough times I might be half prepared.

Only other one nearby this year is this, but it looks a lot more popular

http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0105

Be nice to have a bit of fitness once ski touring starts, and not be breathing out my arse on every ascent.

Doing a 42 mile charity bike ride on Saturday, can then focus on running a bit.

[DAVETHOMAS90]

Doing hill reps on your bike will help sort you out for the AS btw.

In racing terms, some of the AS routes can be quite savage, with a lot of the most competitive classics being straight up and down a bloody steep hill.

I presume you know the first letter refers to the height gained per mile, with "A" being the steepest at 250', B @ 125', C @ 75' I think.

I'm sure it'll be great fun. Better turn out often, for the short ones too. You'll be fine 

Would be good to have a few photos on this thread I reckon.

Thanks for the Beeb link Al.

[SA Chris]

I presume you know the first letter refers to the height gained per mile, with "A" being the steepest at 250', B @ 125', C @ 75' I think.

Yes, I read that, so know about it. There aren't a whole load to choose from locally between now and winter though.

It's mostly heather / grass bashing and jeep track, would these be OK, or something grippier;

http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/puregrit-4-mens-trail-running-shoes/1102021D473.105.html?mkwid=sMiyzCeYu_dc&pcrid=77135233489&pmt=&pkw=&gclid=CJOGg6fU6M4CFQsUGwodJSENmQ

[Stabbsy]

Anyone heading over to Glossop for Shelf Moor on Sunday?

https://glossopdaleharriers.wordpress.com/club-races/shelf-moor-fell-race/

There were a few of us there in 2014 (me, Mini, Steve, maybe some others?), but 2015 clashed with one of the rounds of the English Champs, so I missed it. Looking forward to returning this year - the last descent down Lightside is great!

[Monolith]

Hope you get stuck in Chris! FWIW, AS races are among my favourite. Blowing out your backside getting fully locked in is just so so good. I did the AS Kirk Fell race at the Wasdale Shepherd's Meet last year on my birthday and it was awesome. A hangover didn't particularly help but Joss was at the finish line which was a great source of inspiration.
Straight up, straight down. 

[JulieM]

That's extremely unlikely to happen and the best advice I was given was to just get involved. You'll only put it off and lose interest if you don't take the leap at some point. A local short evening race should be just the ticket to get you hooked.

I've been having a look around but can't find anything around the West Yorkshire area that fits the bill. I might have missed the window for a lot of the evening races. I've been away in the Lakes a lot of weekends recently but the next time I've got a weekend at home I'll see if there's something local. There's one called Beefy's Nab on the 18th of September that looks like it might be a good one though, or maybe Utterly Butterly the day after...

I did my mini mountain marathon at the weekend and it was brilliant! I set myself two aims - don't get lost and don't come last - and succeeded at both of them. In fact, I surprised myself by coming 6th out of 13 in my category and 100th out of 170 overall. It was a cracking event and I enjoyed the mixture of strategy, navigation and accurately estimating how fast or hard I could go and I signed up for the next one in November pretty much as soon as I got home!

**Edited because apparently I can't read a calendar!

[DAVETHOMAS90]

Yes, I read that, so know about it. There aren't a whole load to choose from locally between now and winter though.

It's mostly heather / grass bashing and jeep track, would these be OK, or something grippier;

http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_gb/puregrit-4-mens-trail-running-shoes/1102021D473.105.html?mkwid=sMiyzCeYu_dc&pcrid=77135233489&pmt=&pkw=&gclid=CJOGg6fU6M4CFQsUGwodJSENmQ

They look like great trail shoes - and with a wider last, so probably a better fit for most folk, but I'd prefer to go for something with better penetration.

If you'd prefer something less aggressive than a full on fell shoe, the Mizuno Wave Harrier might be a good compromise:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mizuno-Harrier-Trail-Running-Shoes/dp/B005MXJXP8

With a lot of ascent though, there will be sections where you want grip optimised. If it was me, unless there's a lot of hard pack track/stone slab - like Snowdon, I'd go for something more like the Inov-8 Mudclaw or Walsh. Some people even opt for Orienteering shoes with metal dobs.

The Walshes will take a couple of resoles.

These look like a great cost effective alternative. I'd give them a go:

http://www.northernrunner.com/shoes-c133/fell-running-shoes-c226/mountain-bear-ground-control-fell-running-shoes-p1777

I hope there's plenty of mud and clag for you  It'll be great craic after, as everyone says.

Best of luck! 

[SA Chris]

Thanks Dave, as per PM, I'll probably nip into the local running shop and ask what's best for local connies.

[bigtuboflard]

Those shoes won't be perfect Chris but you'll get round ok in them. Mudclaws are great for grip and if you're going to do lots over winter it's definitely worth getting a set.

To put footwear in to context, I reccied about 10 miles of the Marsden to Edale route a few years ago in a pair of these;

http://m.adidas.co.uk/superstar-shoes/C77124.html

I'd driven all the way to Crowden in them only to realise I'd left my proper runners at home so thought sod it. Made it to Higher Shelf Stones and Snake Top and back without too much problems though got a few odd looks from a Peak Park ranger up there.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SA Chris]

http://m.adidas.co.uk/superstar-shoes/C77124.html

got a few odd looks from a Peak Park ranger up there.....

I think they were jealous eyes because you looked so fly.

I'll see what the weather is like closer to the time and decide. Don't want to fork out £100 on shoes for something I hate!

[steveri]

Might have a peek at Shelf Moor Stabbsy - it's a Helsby counter again - depends what's happening family-wise so not promising

[bigtuboflard]

http://m.adidas.co.uk/superstar-shoes/C77124.html

got a few odd looks from a Peak Park ranger up there.....

I think they were jealous eyes because you looked so fly.

I'll see what the weather is like closer to the time and decide. Don't want to fork out £100 on shoes for something I hate!

I think it was a look of resignation that anyone would be daft enough. Probably only that I had proper fell running kit on the rest of me that meant I didn't get a talking to.

Definitely no need to spend lots on a range of shoes, you can run most races in steady trail shoes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DAVETHOMAS90]

Thanks Dave, as per PM, I'll probably nip into the local running shop and ask what's best for local connies.

Good stuff. A lot of the shoes would make great approach shoes after. As for something you might hate - I'll bet you'll feel like that at some point in the race.. then you'll sign up for the next one. Always seems to happen!

I'm disappointed by Bigtub's attire btw. I was at least expecting a pair of red stilettos. You'd get some penetration I'm those 

[bigtuboflard]

I'm disappointed by Bigtub's attire btw. I was at least expecting a pair of red stilettos. You'd get some penetration I'm those 

Stilettos are a pain to drive in though Dave



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DAVETHOMAS90]

I'm disappointed by Bigtub's attire btw. I was at least expecting a pair of red stilettos. You'd get some penetration I'm those 

Stilettos are a pain to drive in though Dave



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  And stockings slip off the pedals.. now, I'm not trying to imply anything! 

[bigtuboflard]

I'm disappointed by Bigtub's attire btw. I was at least expecting a pair of red stilettos. You'd get some penetration I'm those 

Stilettos are a pain to drive in though Dave



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  And stockings slip off the pedals.. now, I'm not trying to imply anything! 

Needless to say too Dave that I've been running with this bloke before too.....

https://twitter.com/mikew30/status/746414424328667136


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DAVETHOMAS90]

 

Ha ha, that's quality.

Bingley Harriers colours too!

Nice legs 

[steveri]

I managed to get to Shelf Moor but missed you stabbsy - I had a word with the other guy from your club and he pointed you out ...but then we were lining up for the off in no time. Presumably you were home, showered and changed by the time I got in

Anyway good run, enjoyed having the mist down and being not *quite* sure of the route. Saying that it was really well flagged. I ran ok for me and snuck in front of a couple of people that have been thrashing me recently, so all good. Mojo returning.

[Stabbsy]

Sorry, I missed you - we headed off fairly soon after the presentation to recce the route of the Gravy Pud (another Glossop area race coming up on 4th December - well worth looking out for it). Ended up being a big day out, 14 miles and 2,500ft of climbing with some at race pace. Definitely earned my Sunday roast!

Don't know what it is about Shelf Moor, but I absolutely love it! Ran a very similar time to 2014, although maybe worse conditions - I was faster up the climb and on the descent, but lost a bit of time on the section to and from the trig as I stuck with a group in the mist/cloud. Well pleased with 8th in the end - our other runner Harry was 3rd, so good day out for both of us!

[T_B]

Good luck to anyone doing the Glen Coe Skyline this weekend. Looks as though it may be a little windy. I think there are some UKBers doing it (wintermute?) and I know a few folk from Sheffield/the Peak who are too. Let us know how you get on!