Things so obvious that you shouldn't have had to learn them the hard way... Just add what ever you think you've learnt running up and down the dales of this fair land. :o
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Things so obvious that you shouldn't have had to learn them the hard way... Just add what ever you think you've learnt running up and down the dales of this fair land. :o
1, Sun cream is a poor substitute for vaseline...
Don't overtake or jump the wall / fence when others are queuing for a style.
Don't overtake in the finishing funnel.
Don't overtake the slow down in front of the person you've just overtaken.
Don't overtake ...
I think that would be more of a matter of consideration for the stone wall structure itself rather than politeness. If it were a cemented wall i'd be the first to jump a queue for a stile, waiting is just lacking in resourcefulness i think...it is a race after all.
I read in a fellrunner that it is bad manners to sprint someone to the line who has acted as a navigator.
Take all the kit you could possibly need to the start just in case.
Don't be in too much of a hurry to eat or get your map out.
I would disagree with you on that. Someone who had helped you all the way round, for you to then go and out sprint. I'd be more than pissed off if that happened to me!
Obviously having no directional sense, or an ability to sprint, let alone jog or walk near the end of a race, possibly makes that a moot point.
NEVER jump a queue at a stile, if you want to be over it quicker run faster, it is a race after all !!!!!!
Re Navigator absolutely!! :)
If the runner in front stops to tie their shoe lace just as a paticularly nasty route choice or big bog appears do not not speed up to lose him/her. they may know the better line ;)
When the runner in front takes an obviously wrong turn, always tell them (but only after waiting 30 seconds or so).
If you're feeling a bit rough, always offer the runner next to you some of your water or scran.
Always always inform the organizer if you retire unlike the knobs at borrowdale that didnt
Never turn up to a race that you've pre entered, collect your number then go home without telling anyone. Like some knobs (5 of them) did at Cader this year. Marshalls were looking for ages for them in pretty crap weather.
Why anyone would do this is beyond me???? unless there was a genuine reason, but 5!!!!!!
There are a few unwritten rules (during the race) I guess, but would have to be in the right mood/frame of mind to obey them hehe ;-)
At Noon Stone this year i was at helping at MP1 at the top of the main ascent, a runner on his way back instead of following the flags and our instructions to go round the stones cut between Wayne and myself avoiding the stones and flags completely. Wayne didn't see because he was facing the oncoming competitors but this fella made up about 8 places at least. I'd call that thoroughly unsporting but if a particular crossing point isn't in any way restricted or liable to damage, for example stepping over a wire fence, then i'd still call it resourcefulness rather than cheating...but then i am rather new. Point taken though Ian ;).
Watch where you spit especially if there is a headwind :eek:
Always check your laces before the start.
Always find a river or stream to have a soak in after, and always say thank you to the marshalls and organiser without whom we'd have no races to run:wink:
Don't hog the front row at the start if you know you are likely to finish in the bottom 20%
Don't pester the the time keeper for your time/splits/positions/pictures whilst the race is still in progress
Don't warm down on the run in looking all smug and athletic like
Don't interfere with the sheep/wildlife
Don't manhandle other runners. I was running down the scree run off scafell pike during borrowdale and some arse tried to move me
to one side as I passed him. He put his hand on my shoulder and held
me and we were both speeding along on very loose and steep ground. I felt like I was going to fall but held back and passed him later on. I decided not to tell him what was on my mind. I even ran off piste to give him room but he held his arm out first and then grabbed me!
I could have fallen and got hurt. I was very pissed off and the guy behind me asked me whatbthe guy was playing at? Very odd.
if the chap/ chapess in front falls in a bog..... heartily thank them for locating it as you storm on past
Enjoy it. What's the point of being there if you're not.
If you're having a crap run, preetend you're enjoying yourself, I find it helps me pass the time as everyone overtakes me and at least makes me think I'm happy when cold, wet and near the back (ie Noonstones this year)
The other one I forgot is argue with the marshal if you get accused of being my clubmate and popular forumite 'antisocial' in a race!!!!!!
Ooh, do say. Is it DB (or RB if you're posh), I've often wondered.
This sort of happened to me at Dunnerdale, i was about to run into a huge bog after following a bunch down an alternative route when the guy behind shouted me back. There was urgency in his voice so i would imagine it was a known area to avoid. He slowed down for the final descent so i took the decision to overtake, but i waited at the finish to thank him for his guidance and to apologise if my overtake had been uncalled for. He didn't mind at all but i do think that it's important to thank people who give you even the smallest route tips.
Here's one that my 4-year-old learnt:
If you're marshalling, telling people that they need to go "back the way you've come" isn't normally received with the humour it was intended.
Don't 'Bite Off More Than You Can Chew'.... Me, after finishing Julys 'Holme-Moss Fell-Race' - my longest ever event (or indeed run!)
That's written (jokingly) in the course guide to the 'Trunce'
"Whatever you do, don't jump the fence at the kissing gate as you will probably get pelted with rocks"
Never ever be jolly and chatty during a fell race with fellow competitors, spectators or marshalls, especially two thirds of the way up a killer climb.
Picture me, totally out for the count, staggering forward on fumes alone, completely out of gas and energy, extremely cold and wet on the final f-f-f-fricking climb up Big End in the FTOP 3 years ago. A fellow runner, cheery as the day he was born ambles past, and starts talking to a marshall or fellow supporter about a night out a couple of days before. I would have stabbed him to death with my whistle.... if I wasn't actually in the process of dying on my feet on that godforsaken hill :mad:
Never draw a sharpened whistle, unless you mean to use it.
Ensure that your emergency food consists of at least 4 polo mints!
All seem like good unwritten rules to abide by!
Picked up most of them now, in just about my first years fell running :)
If you've never done a race before and don't know where it goes, it can help to let those in front of you get out of sight. That way, when they go the wrong way, you won't follow them.
I think I've gained places twice due to this (in relatively short peak race too). Conversely when I've been close enough to people in front, I've followed them the wrong way a few times.
I wish more people would follow this advice, particurly those behind me. ;)
I've only got very limited experience of all this, but there seems to be an unwritten rule:
Never run on the footpath - even if its quicker!
I've gained a couple of places going a direct route following a path which everyone else seemed desperate to avoid, is that considered as cheating :confused:
Not sure if it's the reason for that one, but alot of runners prefer grass or heather to stony paths, if they have a choice.
Give extra thanks to fell running legends if they provide much needed food and support. Had the luck of getting a chunk of mars and a shout from Joss Naylor at the foot of the Gable in last years Borrowdale. Didnt realise it was him till someone mentioned it post race. Thanked him this year when we met at Keswick following a night with fell legends.
If you pass someone twice or more having gone wrong and they ask how the hell you are not ahead of them, attribute it to your poor navigation and not their lack of fitness :D