I'm not too bothered about the weather on the day, but a dry week in advance would be great for the underfoot conditions. Running and orienteering over the last month or so it seems the recent relatively dry spell has done wonders for runnability.
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I'm not too bothered about the weather on the day, but a dry week in advance would be great for the underfoot conditions. Running and orienteering over the last month or so it seems the recent relatively dry spell has done wonders for runnability.
Fellsman virgin here. Just going back to the shoe debate of a few pages back. I was planning on wearing my 315's as I find them very comfortable. However on looking at them this morning the front of one of them is a bit scuffed/dented where I've obviously bashed them against rocks etc. Reckon I've only done about 150 miles in them and the grips look fine. How strict is the kit check in this regard? Was wondering whether to invest in a new pair of shoes anyway but more suitable for summer hard trail running like Terroc or Flyroc. But would they be suitable for the Fellsman as a back up?
Given the distance I'd be a bit worried wearing brand spanking new fell shoes; the last thing you'll need is blisters - I ran in fairly tatty fell shoes last year and passed the kit check okay. They did inspect the grips though and looked for splitting seams and whatnot. Scuffing can't be a problem can it - its rare to be able to actually see the scuffs on mine through all the dry mud and peat and, if in doubt, camoflage the scuffs with mud ;)
Feet is my biggest concern and comfort is the key thing for me. The last thing you want is sore feet at 40 miles. If you are confident in your 315's then better the devil you know rather than an untested shoe. You can always show the new shoes at the kit check. I'll also be taking a change of socks and some foot creme. I'm using a Walsh trail shoe, mainly fast walking and a little running.
Thanks for the advice guys. I agree. It is a bit late to start thinking of new shoes.
First time for me too. I'm going for tried and tested comfortable trail shoes and a shed-load of talcum power, with a fresh pair of socks in my pack as a little treat on the way round. Simple pleasures, eh!
How much food are people carrying outside of the emergency ration? I'm concerned about eating enough and would hate to be caught out by not being able to stomach what's on offer at the checkpoints. Being a vegetarian I might carry a couple of veggie sausages so I don't get jealous at the hot-dog stop.
I've got some comfortable Montrail Phoenixes, which have small holes in the top where my toes have started wearing through. I've been assuming these wouldn't pass the inspection, so was going to take my newer Highlanders - but these are pretty much guaranteed to give me blisters, as the uppers are more rigid. Or alternatively, my Mudclaws - but would expect my feet to hurt big time by the end of 60 miles!
It sounds from the above though that my Phoenix might get through?
On another matter - the Fellsman website said a while ago that they were looking into additional camping arrangements and that an announcement would be made. There's been no announcement, and my email to the organisers has had no reply.
Anyone know what the deal is?
usually more food than you can shake a stick at.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
carry food(picked up at CP's) for the longer sections and have extra for the night when you start to tire. It's easy to take too much food but don't be caught out with not enough
The 2010 menu is here.
I'd take both pairs to kit check and ask. I did it last year in Highlanders, as well as the LAMM A, the OMM Elite and Tanky's, as well as training runs and didn't develop a single blister. They're a great long distance shoe but you need to get the lacing right. I finally trashed them last month and have replaced them with a pair of Walsh Spirit Peaks which were fine on a 20-miler straight out of the box....and really comfy too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
Maybe you have delicate feet? :-)
Just funny shaped I think :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Duncan
The little toes touch the sides slightly. Which was fine on the old ones, as the sides were soft and could give a little - but the new ones have reinforcement there, so it's my toes that give instead!
try take the footbeds out, this should give you move space but try on a relatively shorter run first.
Wouldn't that risk the same aching feet problem I get on long runs with more dedicated fell shoes like the musclaws etc?
The only problem I had with my Highlanders was getting the laces tight all the way down the foot as there's a lot of friction in the sewn eyelets. Maybe tighter lacing is needed? I ended up with two laces on each shoe (one for the top eyelets and one for the lower eyelets) which solved the problem until the eyelets rotted from acid bog water :(
Not happened to me but like I say try it out on a shorter run. I have no footbeds in any of my running shoes, Montrail, new balance, Innov8, mizumas...Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
May give it a go this weekend :)
Yum yum. The pasta at Stonehouse actually saved my life last year :DQuote:
Originally Posted by RogerM
Twas so good that I had two helpings and loitered for nearly half an hour until the showers had passed over! That decent was my emotional low of the race last year. That and the last 20 miles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
And the rice pudding at Fleet Moss was just the ticket to keep me bouncing over the bogs for the next few hours.
On a separate note, does anyone please have a copy of the splits from last year? I'm keen to learn from my mistakes but don't have the numbers to hand. I was runner No 75. Thanks!
As far as I'm aware, the split times aren't taken.
My downfall last year was not putting more gear on when the icy rain started lashing down on Blea Moor. I ended up cramped up and freezing cold. It was incredible looking back, I went from absolutely fine to a total wreck in about 5 minutes.
Will be watching the forecast very carefully next week.
What's the best way back to Ingleton on Sunday from Threshfield?
About £50 in a taxi or 3 buses ... I'm leaving a car in Threshfield on Friday and staying in Ingleton that night fo a quick getaway on Sunday.Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerM
I guess some people may be driving back to Ingleton on Sunday who you could scrounge a lift with?
Book a seat on one of the coaches from Threshfield first thing Saturady morning; that way your car will be waiting for you at the finish.Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerM
Or if you've got the balls, run it. Direct line route ---> here; only 22 miles or so :D
(Marginally more sensibly that route would work with a mountain bike too)
From the entry notes : "Coaches leave Threshfield at 06:00 prompt on Saturday".Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
I'm staying at Ingleton Friday night so the above will mean too early a get-up for me. I'll probably do a mixture of thumbing a lift and busses.
It would've been better to stay in Threshfield ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerM
If you happen to finish... and if I happen to finish... and if we both happen to finish at the same time (stretching things a bit for sure) I'll be able to give you a lift.... assuming my legs will allow me to bend and sit in the car.
We still haven't decided where to stay!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Threshfield sounds more convenient - but we'll get an extra 3 hours sleep on Friday night if we stay near Ingleton :)
When the coach departs Threshfield I'll still be asleep in Ingleton. That seems a better deal to me but could go pear shaped if someone sets an early alarm in the YHA dorm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
My game plan is to clear Fleet Moss and group at Cray then finish in around 18 hours. But again, this could go very badly pear-shaped. I won't be rushing back on Sunday because I want to savour the atmosphere and re live the memories from 20+ years ago when I was last there. Thanks for the offer, it's too long a shot to expect us to be both leaving at a similar time.Quote:
If you happen to finish... and if I happen to finish... and if we both happen to finish at the same time (stretching things a bit for sure) I'll be able to give you a lift.... assuming my legs will allow me to bend and sit in the car.
Roger
I have reluctantly deicded the only option was the early start and bus. It means I will have a car in Threshfield at the finish. I live in Preston and would happily offer you a lift back there but would not really want to return via Ingleton.
Regarding the 300 grams emergency rations
What is the best to carry for this on the understanding that it is not to be eaten unless you retire or are in an actual emergency?
Would 300g of chocolate or 300g worth of energy bars sound like a good idea as it would be dense and not take too much space in the bag.
Any suggestions?
I weighed out 300 grams worth of Mars Bars and taped them together, satisfied the kit check and ate them a few days after. It's only a safety aspect, the food at checkpoints will keep you going.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly
I am still checking in a 300g block of Marzipan (same piece i checked in in 2005)
Marzipan for me too, it's very calorie dense as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
I raised a laugh at kit check with a malt loaf and a bag of pork scratchings from the pub the night before which weighed in at 305 g.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fly
I hope I can run in my New Balance 749's. They are a trail shoe but haven't got big studs or anything silly. NOT running in my fell shoes because i'll die and they will probably fail the equipment check.
I'll take some walking boots aswell and swap them for the 749's if I bloody fail!
Does anyone know if i'll get away with Montane Featherlight Trousers as waterproof trousers or do i need something a little more substantial? I
Are Merino liner gloves enough to satisfy the need for gloves?
Think i'll carry a bag of sugar for my 300g penance!
So, is this a wind up Freeloader, or are you being serious? :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Freeloader
Marzipan it is then. Just bought a 500gram lump from the co-op and chopped 200 off.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
Thanks Ian & John seems the ideal choice, you can mould to to any shape you want and it won't melt
I went over Ingleborough and up Whernside following the start of the fellsman today. If you know where to look you can see Gragareth, Great Coum, Whernside, Blea Moor, Great Knoutberry, Dodd Fell and the forested valley of Littondale by following the horizon left to right in this picture taken from the top of Ingleborough.
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/5...0140stitch.jpg
Here's hoping its just as fine and clear (but without the chilly wind) next weekend :)
The bag of sugar comment was a wind up. But why is the rest of it likely to be a windup?Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
As long as the trousers are waterproof you should be okay; if they aren't though you may not be ;)
Gore Tex isn't strictly waterproof. How very subjective.