[Brannock]

Edale Skyline entries have opened, usually fills up pretty fast.

Re Dark Mountains, it was disappointing and a poor effort, suspect the people who were out 10+ hours and didin't get round might have had a worse time of it.

[Monolith]

TWA is probably the best race I've done.

That's great to hear.

Bit of a tech question/scenario if anybody can assist:

I've drawn a GPX track in Strava Routes and want to export it for use on a Suunto Ambit watch. If at the start of a race/run I load the route to nav with on the watch but simultaneously record my activity, will the final output file be a trace of the actual distance and elevation ran or the one computed by Strava Routes when I've drawn it?

e.g. TWA race comes in at a reputed 7300ft ascent but my (painstakingly drawn) trace of it in Strava routes computes 6634ft. I know it won't be 100% correct but still....

 

[Brannock]

Pretty sure the Strava trace will be where you've been, rather than route followed. That's how Tomtom watches work anyway.

Ill try and dig through a friends strava tonight to see what ascent it recorded for the TWA.

[T_B]

1983m - 2012m depending on who you are. There's a segment for the entire course 'Causey Pike (TwA)'.

[Monolith]

Cheers guys. Reckon it should be actual route covered as would seem wrong to log a route that would be subject to micro variants during the actual activity.

[Brannock]

Yes, 6550 feet.

[Monolith]

Anybody in for the High Cup Nick race on Saturday? I'm tentatively in.

http://www.northernrunner.com/blog/high-cup-nick-fell-race-2017/

[ajh]

I was tempted by the High Cup Nick race but it's the orienteering northern champs on Sunday and I need to get some work done on Saturday so I'll probably give it a miss. Good luck if you go - looking at the forecast it might be wise to pack a canoe and some armbands, just in case.

Went to Flower Scar last Saturday which was a cracking blast around the moors and quite bit tougher than it appeared from just looking at the map. Felt like a bit of a Pennine fell running Greatest Hits - a bit of everything with long, runnable climbs early on, mega fast descents, tricky rocky descents, horribly steep climbs through old quarry workings, bog, bog and more bog and a sting in the tail climb right at the end. Got to hear the words "we've caught Simon Bailey" which I can guarantee I will never hear again (and only heard this time because he'd accidentally taken the scenic route in the mist - still not going to stop me mentioning it at every opportunity) and the cake at the end was excellent. Highly recommended; good work from Tod Harriers putting it on.

[T_B]

My first race of the year this weekend (Hope Winter). Anyone else doing it?

Despite the fact it's exceedingly muddy in places, overall it felt like a pretty fast course when I recced it last weekend. The last 3km will suit those who can run fast as it's gently downhill or flat. I'm pretty psyched as I've been running very consistently over the past two months and feel fitter than I was last year. I've got a bit of a question mark over my left foot/ankle at the mo, which I've damaged fairly badly in the past falling off rocks, so will be taking it a bit easier on the descents and not sure I'll be able to go flat out at the end on the road in my fell shoes!

[Plattsy]

Flower Scar...... a sting in the tail climb right at the end.

What a heart breaker that last climb is.

You'll find something extra at the end T_B if your place is under threat. Have a good'un.

[Monolith]

Good luck Tom! Sure you'll run a cracker!

High Cup Nick was awesome and I felt really good during the race from a stack of stair reps these past few months. Only regret was not going off faster at the gun as finished pretty fresh. That's the price you pay if you haven't reccied a course I suppose!

Off on some Ennerdale reccies soon if anybody has designs on it and fancies meeting up.

[T_B]

Yes, good work on HCN. My Dad used to live near there, can't say it's my fave part of the world.. especially in winter (unless on skis). All a bit bleak!

I've got a few races lined up over the next few weeks, all being well. Going to enter the Coledale Horseshoe as my mate is doing it as part of his 40th b-day weekend. I think the AM Lakes races suit me reasonably well in terms of ascent/distance combo (Buttermere-Sailback was my best result last year). So looking forward to that.

If only there was some fingerboarding-fell running duathlon event, I might finish in the middle of the field

[Monolith]

Hear you on the bleakness but the valley is a shrewd winter choice in terms of shelter from the wind. Pretty wild on the tops but better than overheating!

Love the idea of a fingerboarding/fell running duathlon too!

Perhaps we should run our own UKB club championships. 

[Brannock]

I should be doing Hope Winter.

Looks like its going to be quite hard to pace it right, steep slog up win hill at the start but need to keep enough left for the fast second half. Achilles is a bit sore so I'm not going to pushing to hard, looking forward to it though.

[SA Chris]

Anyone use the Salomon Speedcross shoes for out on the hills? Tried on a pair while wandering round decathlon and they look pretty good, and not too pricey.

[JulieM]

I've got a pair of Speedcross 3s. I love them, they're the most comfortable shoes I've used and they're my shoes of preference for most of my fell running. Unfortunately they're pretty dismal in claggy mud so if I think I'm going to be trekking through loads of bog I'll wear my Mudclaws instead. They're also quite warm, which I guess can be a good or a bad thing depending on the time of year.

I'd definitely buy another pair if my current ones died, although they seem to be standing up to abuse pretty well and look pristine still.

[SA Chris]

Sounds great thanks. Up the Scottish hills we rarely get proper claggy mud, so should be OK.

[Monolith]

Anybody doing Black Combe tomorrow? Gutted I can't make it as have a pal coming to visit. Last year's clag chaos was hugely enjoyable!

[T_B]

No and didn't race last weekend as my ankle has been causing me bother (overdoing it, plus too much road running I think. Seems to be getting better. Hope it will be OK for Wolf's Pit next weekend...).

In other news, X-Claws on Wiggle for £60 if, like me, you're looking for a bit more cushioning!

[Monolith]

Did you manage to recover for the race Tom? Hope you're bouncing back!

[T_B]

Nope. Saw my GP last wk, have had an X-ray and waiting to get referred to see a foot and ankle specialist. Tis not right, though I *suspect* it's a ligament/tendon 'issue', causing me to strike the ground too hard when it's tired and thus affecting the entire joint. Rather than bone/joint damage/arthritis. Said tendon/ligament still feels inflamed after a week of not running (played football with twelve 6-year-olds on Saturday, which maybe wasn't that wise).

Gonna hold off running for now 

[Monolith]

Really sorry to hear this beast. Hope you heal fast and get some good advice to get back to full power.

[T_B]

Thanks Tom. Yeah, I'm pretty gutted as was starting to feel fit but am thinking long term and trying to be sensible!

[Monolith]

Always the best way. Sure you'll be able to do a programme of cardio in some form to help keep you up and at em.

[Monolith]

Does anybody happen to be out on a recce of anywhere tomorrow? Have the day free and keen for a long day out in the hills.