Great read Ben. Super to hear what its like at the proper sharp end.
Mid pack ramblings from me.... same leg of the relays, funnily enough.
http://testedtodestruction.blogspot....lays-2015.html
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Great read Ben. Super to hear what its like at the proper sharp end.
Mid pack ramblings from me.... same leg of the relays, funnily enough.
http://testedtodestruction.blogspot....lays-2015.html
Cheers! Ditto on the blog front, I love to read different perspectives on the same race/route. I thought leg 2 was excellent, really enjoyed the whole day! Hopefully see you at a fell race soonQuote:
Originally Posted by zephr
Entertaining read! I remember hearing the announcer describing karl as one of the three calder valley hobbits.
congratulations on a great team performance and good luck in Italy with Rob and Tom.
Ben, Ilkley Harriers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mounsey
Thanks Ben! The lads couldn't work out how the commentator knew everything about them all. I've a feeling there'll be some payback now they know I'm responsible!Quote:
Originally Posted by benshep
Great blog Ben
THISis my all time favourite video. I've lost count how many times I've watched it. Extremely beautiful b&w photography, masterly editing, moving on a lot of levels, right up to the post-script. I can't imagine a funnier, more touching or more authentic tribute to fell running and also an individual fell runner.Quote:
Originally Posted by fellephant
It's that time of year again, for Ba ba's annual blog http://somewhere-in-the-between.blog...s-preview.html
My latest blog update if anyone's interested...
https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...trofeo-vanoni/
Good read Ben. Sounds like a fun race
Ben, you write nearly as well as you run, which on current form is extremely well. What a year you're having!
Great read Ben! Top run
Excellent read Ben! What a result:)
Jeez Ben, tough act to follow!
My overlong Mourne Skyline race report...
Great read Ben. Rob Hope is a legend .... and now maybe you too.
Thanks everyone for the kind words and more so for taking the time to read my blog. Both very much appreciated!
Ben
My latest blog post...
https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...red-and-white/
Ben you legend! Obviously these baubles and trinkets you've collected aren't as prestigious as winning Forumite of the Year but well done
Cheers DT! Much appreciated mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
With not racing this weekend I've updated my blog to include a Shepherd's Skyline race report...
https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...herds-delight/
Hi Ben, thanks for sharing your blog entries, really enjoyable and informative reads.
I was speaking to Rob yesterday after the Pendle race. When I mentioned your recent trip to Italy his face cracked a massive smile, seems like you guys had a fantastic time out there....every credit.
Cheers Daz, I'm really glad you enjoyed reading my blog, cheers for the kind words.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tindersticks
Rob is a total legend, it was a brilliant 5 days in Italy! Looks like the great white Hope was on top form again yesterday!
See you soon mate :-)
Just in case you haven't stumbled across it already.
Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge tales here
Some early tales here
Nice one Ian.Quote:
Originally Posted by IWCharters
"Coached or uncoachable?" - some blogged thoughts on how much (or little) coaching has featured in some notables' efforts: https://itsahill.wordpress.com/2015/...r-uncoachable/
EPIC Lee Mill Relay yesterday. My new blog describes the experience... https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...bad-education/
Blimey Ben, I was properly gripped reading that!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mounsey
Didn't realise you'd had such a tough time of it...pleasing to read an happy ending.
Every credit for your honesty on what you now realise could of been a very tricky situation....top man, take care mate.
Cheers Daz, much appreciated mate. The last 2 miles were a real struggle, just relieved to see the finish in the end. Thought it best to share the story so others learn from my mistake. No fault but my own and I'm not too proud to say otherwise. Great to catch up yesterday as always. Not sure even you would've done anymore than 1 leg yesterday in those conditions! EPICQuote:
Originally Posted by Tindersticks
Was on last bit before quarry on fence part for nearly two hours, legs 2 and three, just cheering good people on.So cold and wet and wind!!! had to go home. Saw Tom coming in at end, but sorry Ben too cold to wait for you. Great message to all that think that outside big hills fell running is easy/safe Live here and honest it was grim. Only live hundred yards from start, went home, shower, shiver, warm food. Once again well done to all, partic Rich and his team. What a fantastic event! Bring back Rossy fell race in February - would be as hard as Chew Valley.
Sorry Ben, are you saying Tinders is a wimp like me. Greatest respect for all who ran yesterday. Ran alongside few who said first fell race, bloody tough start to you but keep going. Best sport in the world. Proud to have watched you all yesterday.
I applaud this report from Mounsey because if this can happen to an elite runner on a relatively low level, short and flagged route (which I have run): then there but for the grace of God...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mounsey
To my acute embarrassment I have been hypothermic in a race and I remember the efforts of Mrs Scoffer and others in trying to stop me shivering, get heat back into my body core and get my brain working again to leave its inarticulate state: all inside a relatively warm café at the finish area.
The FRA/RO, and rightly, can have rules about carrying kit but it cannot (yet) control whether or not people put it on, or put it on early enough in a race and, of course, once you become hypothemic your brain stops functioning as well as it should, especially in race conditions.
I have a photograph of the start of the 2012 Buttermere Sailbeck race. Some runners are wearing enough kit for the Arctic but of the dozens of runners in the picture only a single person is setting off in a vest and shorts. That runner had done the race several times before and he had the required kit in his bag and much later in the race he eventually put in on. The reasons for the death of Brian Belfield cannot be reduced to one simple, trite factor and runners have different metabolisms and will be "out" for different times in a race, etc; so there can be no simple rules.
But all the tragic deaths in fell races - Bob English, Ted Pepper, Judith Taylor, Carol Matthews and Brian - were associated with hypothermia (and going off-route); not from overheating for wearing too much kit or putting it on too early in something as trivial as a mere fell race.
As others have said, Mounsey should be congratulated for sharing his experience on here.
There is also a good video on the Lee Mill site on this forum, a view to the savage conditions on the day. ( sun usually shines on Rossendale by the way) :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Thanks Graham, I certainly won't be making that mistake again in weather like that. As you've quite rightly said, hopefully we can all learn a lesson from my stupidity. Let it serve as a stark reminder for anyone who races in similar conditions in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Well, I was clearly overheated and hyperthermic when I typed my post or I would have spelt hypothermic correctly (with thanks to Richard).:D
I was present, when Ben was being revived. As the father of a man also in his thirties, it was deeply sobering to watch someone in such distress. To put this incident in context, Ben was 7th fastest overall in just over 52 minutes for 10Kms. Thus anyone and everyone can be vulnerable. The relief in the room when he started grinning again was palpable.
Ben's very honest blog should be a powerful wake up call to all fell runners. Carrying kit and knowing when and how to use it matters. Put bluntly, those who choose to avoid the requirement are risking lives, and not just their own. They have no place in this sport.
Newt special but I've probably bumped in to a few of you this season...check it out if you're bored on this Sunday night;
http://calferguson.blogspot.co.uk/20...ce-season.html
70 races that is awesome... Well done. this year was my first season, and by comparison I've only done 10 fell races... (albeit I live miles from the fells, and only started in may)...
I'd say to anyone who reads your blog, to just turn up and have a go... I was nervously on the start line of my first race in may, thinking about possibly doing a 'long' race before the end of the year... Next thing I knew I was doing 3 longs in 5 weeks (Stretton Skyline/Black Mountains/Langdale)...
I'm also looking ambitiously at next year... 3 peaks in April, Lakeland classics over the summer, at least 1 of Jura and Welsh 1000m, and possibly Manx mountain marathon...
I also packed up football a few years ago, then packed up kickboxing at a decent level to concentrate on running, and don't regret it one bit...
Good luck for 2016...
Thanks mate. Yeah, the main message is that if I can do it then anybody can, just give it a go & don't think about it too much or the enjoyment is usually taken away...Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Hopefully see you at a race next year
Nice one Young Feller
Here's my latest blog on the Really Wild Boar race: http://marknixonsblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Sorry it's a bit long, and kind of goes of topic.
2015 review, it's been a bloody good year.
https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...mountain-goat/
What an inspiration you are Ben