[steveri]

A mate of mine is talking about doing the Dragon's Back next year...

One of my running mates did the 1st (of the reboots) and helped out on the 2nd ...running quite a lot of each stretch to flag, etc. My take on it is that it's Flipping Hard and has a huge drop-out rate. When you bear in mind that Day 1 is longer and tougher than a Welsh 3000s and then it gets more off-piste in the mid-section. Chris was towards the bottom of the timed finishers and was in sub-20h Bob Graham shape at the time. Went from the finish straight to hospital to have his feet treated. Brilliant event - don't let me him off though

[steveri]

Whilst we're on, this might be some light relief to the constant rain and mud here - Dave MacLeod's ace new running film. Warning, may induce envy:

[mini]

Cheers for the vid Steve, not all envious! 

2015 turned into a bit of an annus horribilis for me on a personal level (mother suffered an aneurysm in March and has only just been discharged, and my bro' was diagnosed and later succumbed to cancer in November) so a lot of time was spent travelling and visiting family. So not much racing went on towards the back end of last year for me. That said I did enjoy doing Rivington Pike fell race for being a classic, Accrington 10k for being alongside Ron Hill on the start line and a highlight being a wee trail race in my home town of Chorley which gave me my first win!

So, I'm gonna carry over last years objectives which is do more races I haven't done, go a little longer with a view to doing races of the ilk of Y3P or the Lakes classics for example.

About to send a cheque off for Kinder Downfall race in April...

[galpinos]

About to send a cheque off for Kinder Downfall race in April...

Are entries open? I'm keen for that as it doesn't clash with the Highlander this year and erm, sam usually does it

[mini]

About to send a cheque off for Kinder Downfall race in April...

Are entries open? I'm keen for that as it doesn't clash with the Highlander this year and erm, sam usually does it

Yes, opened earlier this week. Unfortunately after posting above I realised I go away on holiday that same day - gutted I'll miss it for another year! It'd be good to get  UKB possie there.

[erm, sam]

I've sent my cheque off for the Downfall.. Psyched you are finally able to do it Galpo.

[galpinos]

I've sent my cheque off for the Downfall.. Psyched you are finally able to do it Galpo.

Cheers for the heads up........

I think Tim (my Highlander buddy) will be coming up too.

[Muenchener]

A mate of mine is talking about doing the Dragon's Back next year...

One of my running mates did the 1st (of the reboots) and helped out on the 2nd ...running quite a lot of each stretch to flag, etc. My take on it is that it's Flipping Hard and has a huge drop-out rate. When you bear in mind that Day 1 is longer and tougher than a Welsh 3000s and then it gets more off-piste in the mid-section. Chris was towards the bottom of the timed finishers and was in sub-20h Bob Graham shape at the time. Went from the finish straight to hospital to have his feet treated. Brilliant event - don't let me him off though

Well, he's signed up for a single day ultra in the Alps in the spring so it looks like he means it. I suspect that, while trail running in the Alps is probably great aerobic training with longer continuous height gains than in Wales, he has absolutely no idea just how unlike the average alpine path the Rhinogs are.

[Stabbsy]

So, I'm gonna carry over last years objectives which is do more races I haven't done, go a little longer with a view to doing races of the ilk of Y3P or the Lakes classics for example.

About to send a cheque off for Kinder Downfall race in April...

Just spotted the Downfall race in the calendar, so might do this as final prep for the 3 Peaks. Was originally going to do Coledale Horseshoe or Anniversary Waltz, but I'm probably going to go to Spain instead.

Martin - If you decide on 3 Peaks, entries open end-Jan. I'll be heading that way for some training/recce runs over the next few months.

[Brannock]

Only Lakes AL I've done is the Teenager with Altitude which was brilliant, great route, really low key with a good atmosphere, well organised, if with a brutal amount of ascent and descent. Its at the same time as the Anniversary Waltz.

Planning to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks and Wasdale Horseshoe this year, might do Glencoe skyline again, hopefully end up less injured than last year.

[al]

So, what are people's plans for 2016?

starting with my usual under-prepared tigger tor end of jan, could be a mud bath but its always great to shake off the cobwebs at this! also love kinder downfall too, best race in the peak IMHO - must get used to pre-entry only these days and send off the ££ - also would like to do a welsh race, the Arenig Fawr sounds good...

[wintermute]

This is going to be my first full year of running, so true to form I'm going to get carried away and probably do myself a mischief...

My main goal for the year is to get into the fell running report section of the Wezzy Gezzy.

Then, to a lesser extent, the Kendal winter league, English champs, Lakeland classics and as many other fine looking races as I can squeeze in basically.

[bigtuboflard]

High Peak Marathon in March. Slightly terrified at the prospect. Also plan to do the Peak Intro Ultra properly this year after last years mess of having to go to a christening instead after training for it solidly for 4 months (not religious in the slightest but ended up running the course the week before anyway). Probably do Round Sheffield Run or Trailrush again as like the route. Other than that, usual suspects of evening summer series of Peak races like Burbage Skyline, Castleton, etc. Oh, and Sheffield half marathon somewhere in the amongst that lot.

[mini]

First race for me will be in a couple of weeks, Ashurst Beacon near to Skelmersdale. It may not be a classic, but it's close to my folks and gentle introduction for not having too much racing in my legs. Should be fairly close to the likes of Monolith, Steveri...???

[GCW]

I'd have signed my lardy arse up for that, but I'm busy!  Bugger.

[Monolith]

2015 turned into a bit of an annus horribilis for me on a personal level

I'm really sorry to hear this beast and sending 100% positive and delightful vibes your way for 2016. Stay strong and run hard.

First race for me will be in a couple of weeks, Ashurst Beacon near to Skelmersdale. It may not be a classic, but it's close to my folks and gentle introduction for not having too much racing in my legs. Should be fairly close to the likes of Monolith, Steveri...???

Indeed it is close! I might very well be keen for this though I have zero hills in my legs at present from two weeks out in The Bahamas drinking beer and snorkelling. I'll keep you posted.

[steveri]

Ashurt Beacon very lightly pencilled in - busy both days next weekend with the Four Villages race. Weekend of 30 should be Northern xc champs, so might be due some home time over the Ashurst weekend. Kinder Downfall was one of my first races and a good one, might look at doing that again?

[GCW]

Anyone else following the Spine Race with great interest and thinking "that looks an amazing event to have a crack at!!"? Inspiring!

[mini]

Anyone else following the Spine Race with great interest and thinking "that looks an amazing event to have a crack at!!"? Inspiring!

Yes. No. 

[mrconners]

 Brutal.

[chris20]

Anyone else following the Spine Race with great interest and thinking "that looks an amazing event to have a crack at!!"? Inspiring!

It looks like a great event and I was glued to the moving dots all last week and enjoyed the daily video updates on their facebook page.  Eoin knocking 15 hours off the record was incredible, and Javed Bhatti is now doing the return journey back to Edale  I reckon he must have dropped his keys somewhere

[mini]

First race for me will be in a couple of weeks, Ashurst Beacon ......

Looks like I'm gonna fail on my own shout out! Picked up a bit of a niggle on the outside of my left knee during a long run out a couple of weeks ago which doesn't seem to be abating. Visiting the physio' tomorrow, but doubt that will quite be in time to recover before Saturday.

I know there are some pretty handy runners on here going off the Strava group set up by Mono' who getting plenty of both miles and ascent each week - do any of you supplement this with stretching / rollering / cross training to keep the niggles at bay??

[bigtuboflard]

First race for me will be in a couple of weeks, Ashurst Beacon ......

Looks like I'm gonna fail on my own shout out! Picked up a bit of a niggle on the outside of my left knee during a long run out a couple of weeks ago which doesn't seem to be abating. Visiting the physio' tomorrow, but doubt that will quite be in time to recover before Saturday.

I know there are some pretty handy runners on here going off the Strava group set up by Mono' who getting plenty of both miles and ascent each week - do any of you supplement this with stretching / rollering / cross training to keep the niggles at bay??

Sorry to hear about the niggle.

I'm far from a handy runner but try to do a bit of stretching after a run, in particular focussing on hamstrings and hip flexors as they tend to be the problem areas for me. Only foam roller if I have specific niggle or problem to loosen off. Don't really cross train but try to mix my running up int terms of fell and occasional road. With knee stability problems and niggles in the past i've done single leg partial squats concentrating on keeping hips level as opposed to how far you dip. But see what the physio says of course!

[galpinos]

I'm not handy and do most of my running on the road at the mo but......

I get fewer niggles when running with my club as we always warm up, warm down and stretch. It’s something I struggle to do on my own but it makes a massive difference. The club run is normally a slower first mile, 4-5 at whatever pace we are doing then a slower final mile followed by “formal” stretching lead by the run leader. I noticed that the faster the runner, the better they were at warming up and stretching, i.e. doing things properly. The sub 6 minute mile chaps are very regimented!

[mini]

I've gotta say, I do find human bio-mechanics fascinating!

Went to see my physio' today, who himself is no slouch in the world of running and is a great guy to chat to. The complaint was a niggle right on the outside edge of the left knee. His target of attack was right in the arse cheeks at the source of the notorious IT band, nowhere near the point of discomfort! I experienced similar last time I went to visit over a calf strain and mentioned that occasionally I get a tingling on the top side of one of my feet. The source was way up in the shin muscle getting tight around one of the nerves which manifested the issue much lower down. Love that connectivity kinda shit!

I'm sure I'm like many others who baulk at laying out cash to see specialists and would sometimes see if the injury will go away given time and rest, but more often than not its worth the few notes to see someone who knows what they are actually talking about. Walked away with some exercises, stretches and a golf ball to do some rollering with. Back on it hopefully next week!