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It's still a good result and, although you might not see it at the moment, you should be fairly happy with it as you were very close to your target and not minutes away from it. I hope you'll be able to use it as motivation for future racesQuote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Given the weather it looks like complacency to me. By the sound of travs report the cloud base was below the fell, and looking at the short distance of open fell to the turn the potential for deviation was minimal. Did he have his compass out?Quote:
Originally Posted by noel
One problem I encountered on my historic ascent of Meugher was the indistinct, rounded profile of the hill. It was very tricky to locate the trig pillar as the curvature of the hillside offered bugger all guidance. The foot of snow hampered me too. This is what makes Yorkshire awkward in poor conditions, the whole place just looks the same. By comparison the lake District tops draw you ever upward by virtue of being mainly pointed in profile.
This is why I feel cat b races ought to be included in the champs selection pool, when conditions are at their poorest the lie of the land will make navigation the most essential skill to possess.
I'd say potential for deviation was still significant. From the intake/gate there was probably still around 1.25 mile of climb, and it was pretty featureless.
Certainly one where if you're out in front on your own, unless you were bang on with your line/navigation, you could miss the top...
One could question whether he was using compass.... but there by the grace of god go all of us.... i did exactly the same the previous weekend on a race i've done 5 years in a row, careered off into the mist and lost the race.
I never trust the herd, i'd have dead reckoned it on a straight bearing if i'd have been running.
The compass isn't the infallible solution to the problem of finding the summit. At the Half Peris race, I followed my compass through the clag to the summit of Elidir Fawr. I did get to the summit - across a massive boulder-field that I might have avoided if I had followed the runners who were going slightly to the left.
Last Saturday's Maesgwm Detour was the last race in this years British Champs and the penultimate one in the Welsh. It has been a champs race a couple of times previously, but with a slightly different route, as the Maesgwm Muddle. I haven't done that so cannot compare.
Setting off to Llanberis at 0700am in what was monsoon like rain, with the forecast for it to get worse, I wondered what the day was to bring.
The rain eased and the skies looked less threatening shortly before the start which enabled many of us to remove a layer of clothing. The first 3 miles and 1,500feet was a bit of a drag, on varying terrain, up to Bwlch Cwm Brwynog. From here it was steeply up in a westerly direction to the first hill, Moel Cynghorion, aided by an easterly, but cold, tailwind. I was so glad I had a long sleeved HH baselayer on!
From the summit it was a blustery but lovely ridge run along to Foel Goch, Foel Gron and over to Moel Elio. Some great views when the clag allowed. At the end of the long descent off Moel Elio to Bwlch y Groes my legs didn't want to play anymore but spirits were buoyed by seeing runners ahead returning from the out and back to the TP at Cefn Du. Still running in a westerly direction I could hear the voices of runners, who had passed me in the opposite direction, on the easterly wind saying "well done Darren" and knew that Tindersticks was chasing me down. I pushed on as best I could and as I ran around the TP I was face to face with him. He offered a me high five as we passed which I accepted :rolleyes:. It was the first time I have participated in such a greeting, but shan't be making a habit of it.
I went full gas from here, but there was little left, and managed to overtake a couple of runners in the short, fantastic bracken section but dared not look behind as I was expecting the black and white striped one to come flying past but fortunately managed to hold him off.
The race was won by Joe Steward of Salford AC who managed to hold off Matlock AC's Billy Cartwright, the pair of them over 3 mins ahead of third. Nichola Jackson of Keswick was 1st lady.
I was 6th M60 in 88th place. Darren was just behind me in 91st. Great to see you Darren and thanks for pushing me on. I was also 1st M60 of those in contention of the WFRA champs title and it looks as if I have an unassailable lead going into the last race, The Peris Horseshoe.
The 1st M60 was fell running legend Colin Donnelly who finished 41st overall! A pleasure to run in the same race. I believe he still holds the Welsh 3'000er's record set in 1985 and there is a great video of the attempt on You Tube.
A great effort by Mike Blake and his troops to put the race on and thanks, especially to the marshals on the summits, and to Dave Farrow for shouting abuse at various points on the course ;)
Nice one Llani, i browsed through the results but must admit i didn't spot your name.
Be interesting to see how you go on Peris which is a real test. Do you know the course well....?
Oreet Bob
Great report and well run!
Sedbergh Hills on Sunday - 11:00 start, clashing with the Women's World Cup Final which, if it completes in ordinary time, will be a Schrodinger's result for the runners.
Final race in the British Champs so all to play for; English Champs will become more clear after this with only one race left after it. I've not had much time to digest the tables of late!
Alas a dodgy calf and lack of stamina means I'll most likely be spectating or helping. First trip to a champs race for Ba-Ba junior. I'm back training and racing but taking it fairly steady in build up and I think a trundle around Sedbergh would cause more harm than good at the moment.
Some photos from yesterday here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjARRU7
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e279447b_c.jpgDSC07223-Edit.jpg by Greg.May, on Flickr