Joss Naylor attempt Sat 7 July

[RobW]

I'm planning to have a crack at the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge on Sat 7 July (or Sunday if weather dictates). Sub-12 hour schedule. Say 0700 start (0500 if Sunday). If weather forecast is poor both days, it won't happen.

Any offers of hill support would be very welcome. Route knowledge appreciated but not essential, although navigation on Leg 4 Sty Head - Greendale would be desirable as I might be losing the plot by then. Ability to run fairly quickly is, however, decidely necessary!

Thanks
Rob

[RobW]

I was going through Monica Shone's JNC email and attachments last night. She mentioned that there's a tendency for MV50 contenders do the first 2 legs too fast and grind to a halt later. It's noticeable that the Gofar timings are about 30 mins ahead of Monica's sample times to Dunmail. I eased my 1+2 schedule back to about 3 hours accordingly. Any views, anyone?

[GeoffB]

I was going through Monica Shone's JNC email and attachments last night. She mentioned that there's a tendency for MV50 contenders do the first 2 legs too fast and grind to a halt later. It's noticeable that the Gofar timings are about 30 mins ahead of Monica's sample times to Dunmail. I eased my 1+2 schedule back to about 3 hours accordingly. Any views, anyone?

It's an interesting point, Rob. We started pretty quick (2.38 to Kirkstone), but that wasn't necessarily the reason for slowing down later - more likely a long term ankle problem, hence lack of training!
I wouldn't expect you to grind to halt over 12 hours with all your long distance experience.

[RobW]

It's an interesting point, Rob. We started pretty quick (2.38 to Kirkstone), but that wasn't necessarily the reason for slowing down later - more likely a long term ankle problem, hence lack of training!
I wouldn't expect you to grind to halt over 12 hours with all your long distance experience.

I hope you're right Geoff! For me a slightly easier pace early on should work better, anyway.

[RobW]

Well, not a great forecast for Saturday (heavy rain, thundery showers, but winds should be light). It's the lightning that puts me off, somehow... Sunday is sounding a bit better, but less convenient.

What do folks think? Any advice appreciated!!

Rob

[Splatcher]

My first attempt last year was with a bad forecast, & we had to abandon, since the weather really was bad. But it was the high winds against us that stopped us, not the clag or rain. And how often do you get a bad forecast & it turns out better than that? I don't like pulling out of things if the forecast's bad, unless it it an obvious no-brainer (ice, gales as you try to start etc). The downside of that is that sometimes you fail due to the weather, but so what? It's not you that's failed, & you'll probably succeed next time. There'll be plenty of us out on the fells this weekend anyway (SLMM) so you won't be on your own!

As far as the lightning's concerned, just make sure one of your pacers is taller than you are. It's like the old joke about the bear. You don't have to outrun the bear, just the mate you're with!

[molehill]

Rob, good luck if you go (probably long gone by now). Thought you had given up all this running mullarky ?

[RobW]

Rob, good luck if you go (probably long gone by now). Thought you had given up all this running mullarky ?

Yes I have - this was just an aberration

Finished in 11:29

Incredible effort by just 5 pacers - Alan Lucker and Richard Davies somehow handled legs 1 and 2 between them, David Waide and Mark took the 7 hour stint from Dunmail to the finish at Greendale with Mary Gillie joining from Sty Head. Even the weather behaved - dry throughout with mostly good visibility and a tail-breeze. Coundn't have asked for better.

[RobW]

My account of yesterday's adventure: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/39139373/20120707_JNC_RHW.doc

[The Navigator]

Very well done Rob. A sub 12 hour Joss is no mean feat!
As you say, just about perfect conditions yesterday. We were out on a recce of the Borrowdale race route and bumped in to Cliffy with Wynnie's kitchen at Sty Head around 2pm. He said you were going like a train!