BG Training

IanThat looks like a really strong training plan - I would echo the comment about the terrain you are on and getting time running on rough and steep stuff - also I think a Huge part of getting round a bg is in your head so for me having done a day longer than half a bg was really important in terms of confidence - (16 hrs doing the cullin ridge). Back to back running days sound good though family life made this a non starter for me. One thing I would have liked to have trained more for was running in the darkThough in the end sucsess seems to be more down to the ability to eat than the ability sucsessfulGood luckKate

Good day out with Ashstroller on Saturday over leg 3 cw. Very cold but amazing views and scenery.
Perfect running on crispy crunchy ground.
Nice and peaceful, Didn't see anyone till Langdale.
Rocky ground covered in frost slowed us a wee bit.
Saw a couple of runners on Great End and a couple more on Scafell Pike (one in shorts :w00t: )
Great fun up Lords Rake then up snow and ice filled gulley.
Long wet slog down to Boot where car was parked.

Great fun.

Saw empty tupperware box at Dunmail with 'BG 14.1.12 on it and a few studmarks on the summits, anyone know if anyone did a round on Sat?

Auld Ken

Funny that I was just trying to post about our recce on Saturday.....yes it was great fun

I have a bruised shoulder from my fall early on in the day :o and two very bruised shins from the "paths" that you took nee bother on!
I somehow think that on my attempt in June I will not be going up Lords Rake!!! That was scary stuff

More training to comlete before June 15th 2012. :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by parkovski

On an aside on this subject, on my round I deliberately carried my own sack with clothing and some food to dunmail in order to delay this feeling of being let off the leash. Has anyone else ever gone for this approach?

---

All the way to Honister on mine, though by that stage being "let off the leash" was a purely theoretical concept!

Agree with the broader idea of seeing the first two legs to Dunmail (on a C/W round) as a kind of preamble, get there in as good shape as possible then reset & recharge mentally for the real work ahead.

Re. back-to-back big days training I avoided them as I've got a long history of knee & calf trouble and needed to minimise the risk of re-aggravating them. But I can see the benefit if your body will stand up to it... basically just interval training on a grander scale with on/off times in hours not minutes :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nee Bother

Saw empty tupperware box at Dunmail with 'BG 14.1.12 on it and a few studmarks on the summits, anyone know if anyone did a round on Sat?

---

Most likely Steve Ashworth who went round in 18:45 on Fri/Sat, see the "This weekend's attempt" thread.

I don't think you can prescribe the "correct" training approach to the BG or other similar rounds. So much depends on your initial level of fitness, your genetic make up and whether you want to get round in under 24 hours or go substantially quicker.

If you've been running regularly (by which I mean at least 3 times a week, 20-25mpw) for a few years and are naturally fairly quick, you may be able to get round in <24 hours with relatively little training. 8-12 hilly runs of over 3 hours (including two or three 5-8 hour runs) in the Lakes/Snowdonia/Highlands in the 4 months or so before attempting the round could well be enough for someone who is quick enough to come in the top third of a medium or long fellrace. Some of these training runs can be in the form of races - eg Edale Skyline, 3 Peaks, Old County Tops.

Other factors such as weather, digestion and navigation are just as important as fitness, as is the mental side of things, especially expecting a bad patch and being able to come through it and keep going. Getting use to eating well while on the move is really important.

This isn't to knock the 40mpw 10,000' a week school of thought, but I would say try not to let it become a burden if you're falling short of that benchmark.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elliptic

Agree with the broader idea of seeing the first two legs to Dunmail (on a C/W round) as a kind of preamble, get there in as good shape as possible then reset & recharge mentally for the real work ahead.

---

This is sort of how i saw it. Getting to Dunmail was no different to a normal training day (easier in fact as i'd have rested, eaten well, had gear carried and was unusually focussed that day) but after that it felt like the 'round proper'. I just read my blog from my summer round and the phrase i used was that at Dunmail, the round started in earnest, which sounds about right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elliptic

All the way to Honister on mine, though by that stage being "let off the leash" was a purely theoretical concept!

---

So, Elliptic, when is your anti-clockwise attempt? Don't tell me you've not considered it. :)

Tell you what, you go clockwise and I'll go anti-clockwise... see you on Bowfell :)

Well!! Completed my first back-to-back training sessions yesterday! Not really as far or as high as I'd like but a decent starter. Did Leg #3 as far as Langdale Pikes, and back...so 14m/3500'. Then yesterday Skiddaw up-and-down via Latrigg and Little Man....10m/3000'. Pace was ok and feel ok today! So roll on next run!! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

Well!! Completed my first back-to-back training sessions yesterday! Not really as far or as high as I'd like but a decent starter. Did Leg #3 as far as Langdale Pikes, and back...so 14m/3500'. Then yesterday Skiddaw up-and-down via Latrigg and Little Man....10m/3000'. Pace was ok and feel ok today! So roll on next run!! :)

---

Good work! Are you coming on the leg 1 and 2 recce next Friday?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hank

Good work! Are you coming on the leg 1 and 2 recce next Friday?

---

Unfortunately I can't as I've got to go to Harrogate. Family 'do'.

Well after a good training week last week, including the recce of leg 3, this week has been below standard, suppose I should still have easy week every so often anyway?

Only managed 3 runs this week...My hill session, speed session and just s steady run (total 24miles). I still managed two core sessions, 2 spin classes and a weights session.

I hope to get a good quality session on Friday night or Saturday daytime depending on how things pan out. Do most people seem to so one long day on feet weekly, fornightly or monthly?
I have me pencilled date for BG attempt (mid June2012)

Purely my thinking: everyone is different but if you're say a genuine mid-pack fellrunner with some ultras / MMs / long fell races under your belt then you have a chance of getting round on one decent run (say 5,000ft-7,000ft, 4-6hrs) per week for maybe 8weeks (plus other training). I'm around the last 20-30% in races and had to throw myself into the BG to have a chance (12weekends running on Sat / Sun, 150,000ft Jan-end April) . Very strong runners could get away with a run as above per fortnight but you'd have to be exceptionally talented / strong to do one long run per month!

Not being injury-prone or susceptible to blisters, being able to eat well on the hoof, becoming obsessed by rhe challenge, simply loving the mountains, having a strong mountaineering / hillwalking background and / or being mentally tough can be all positive factors in whether you succeed too. I suspect you'd need at least one of these in your favour however strong a contender you were to get round

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Not being injury-prone or susceptible to blisters, being able to eat well on the hoof, becoming obsessed by rhe challenge, simply loving the mountains, having a strong mountaineering / hillwalking background and / or being mentally tough can be all positive factors in whether you succeed too. I suspect you'd need at least one of these in your favour however strong a contender you were to get round

---

I think that's so right DT, & I suspect you need more than one of them too. I'm hoping that's what's going to get me round: it worked on the Joss Naylor. The main one I haven't got is the strong stomach, hence my Kendal Mint Cake diet.

@Ashstroller.
Having read a few people on various threads I think that the first few months are almost a case of training to train. I feel I am a little behind myself, and in honesty I'd say I'm doing less than you.

November 40 mile run with 10,000' climb, 40 mile cycle, 30 mile walk + 6 gym sessions ( 4 Cross Trainer)
December 30 mile run with 1,000'(!!) climb + 9 gym sessions ( 7 Cross Trainer)
January 60 mile run with 10,000' climb, 20 mile cycle + 5 gym ( 5 Cross Trainer)

I KNOW I need to do more, but am sure I have the time to get it in. If you had the basics in place last year i.e. long races/runs, ultra's or whatever, enough to feel you can complete I'm sure a SOLID three months before your attempt will get you through! What you do now I think will mainly improve the comfort with which you get round. Resting up, intentionally or not, I would guess is as important as doing your 10'000/40 miles per week. February could well be a poor month for me, but come March, April, May I'm out there, getting the hills done!!! :thumbup:

Thanks good advice.
Well I managed a good day of running/walking on Saturday. It was 24miles in total completed in just under 9hours, the conditions were knee high snow in places, icey on other sections, so all good fun!! A big loop heading out of Ambelside up the struggle/kirkstone pass over a fair few summitts towards Gatesgrath where we joined the L100 route which takes you to Kentmere before retruning to Ambelside.

I was hoping for a big monthin January, but things haven't quite gone to plan.

Since (and including) the Tour de Helvellyn on 17th December I've done 210k and 12000m of climb (that's about 130 miles and 36000ft for you oldies out there). A few other short bits and bobs from the house, but I don't really count them. TdH was great, but it seemed to inflame my ITB, so no running from then until 31st December and then a few relatively shorter runs between then and mid-January making sure all was in order with the knee. Had a good run out on the 16th (36k/2300m), then again on the following Monday and last Friday, meaning I did over 60k and 4200m last week. The plan was to pile on another big week this week, but since Friday have been full of cold (lesson: don't spend 9 hours in the snow if you think you're getting a cold!). All being well I'll get out on Friday for a big day, and then as much as possible it'll be two big days a week until mid-April.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hank

I was hoping for a big monthin January, but things haven't quite gone to plan.

Since (and including) the Tour de Helvellyn on 17th December I've done 210k and 12000m of climb (that's about 130 miles and 36000ft for you oldies out there). A few other short bits and bobs from the house, but I don't really count them. TdH was great, but it seemed to inflame my ITB, so no running from then until 31st December and then a few relatively shorter runs between then and mid-January making sure all was in order with the knee. Had a good run out on the 16th (36k/2300m), then again on the following Monday and last Friday, meaning I did over 60k and 4200m last week. The plan was to pile on another big week this week, but since Friday have been full of cold (lesson: don't spend 9 hours in the snow if you think you're getting a cold!). All being well I'll get out on Friday for a big day, and then as much as possible it'll be two big days a week until mid-April.

---

Eight or ten good weeks on top of where you are and you'll be fine. Better off having a cold now than mid-March when you'll be hitting the hills hard :closed:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ashstroller

Thanks good advice.
Well I managed a good day of running/walking on Saturday. It was 24miles in total completed in just under 9hours, the conditions were knee high snow in places, icey on other sections, so all good fun!! A big loop heading out of Ambelside up the struggle/kirkstone pass over a fair few summitts towards Gatesgrath where we joined the L100 route which takes you to Kentmere before retruning to Ambelside.

---

I reckon hard days in tough weather conditions have extra added training value. We had one or two good ones last spring including a morning where we did four or five thousand feet up the 'dale in p*ssing train. Full waterproofs went on in the car and we ended up half drowned but happy with our work. Ken will tell you, they're the best days of your life and he knows about that stuff :thumbup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I reckon hard days in tough weather conditions have extra added training value.

---

I certainly agree with that statement!

Yes Ken has a story two to tell, so I will ask about that one:D

I wonder what people think as too whats the bare minimum training one could get away with for a 24hr round? Would a few long power walks in the fells do on top of a generally decent base level of fitness? For sm1 who doesnt have the luxury of being able to nip to the lakes when they want, I wonder if this is do able......

Well there's one way to find out...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Splatcher

Well there's one way to find out...

---

If this sodding injury of mine doesn't clear up soon I might be finding out the hard way :-(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Martyn P

If this sodding injury of mine doesn't clear up soon I might be finding out the hard way :-(

---

I hope you're on the mend soon Martyn. So far all I've got from increasing my training is sore feet & what my doctor thinks is a minor knee niggle that shouldn't stop me training. I'm only too aware it could go belly-up any time though.

Too much running and not enough walking.Don't bother with races, just train for the BG, races are a waste of time, you could be out walking/running and getting time on your legs

Went out today, Dunmail Raise over towards Langdale Pikes. Bit dissapointed with my effort really. 12m/3500', must do better!!! Started out later than I wanted, and then probably ran more than was good for me. Did want to get 6 hours in. Probably struggle to back it up tomorrow too, if weathers as bad as it seems its going to be! Ho hum!

Knocked Skiddaw off this morning 8m/2700'. So second back-to-back 'session' 20m/6,150'. Not horrendous, but I need those proper long days started I think.

Upping my time on my feet and now have a programme of training uns on the calender upto the start of April.. some round here and some in the Lakes. The Lakes trips will involve staying over and doing days back to back.

Currently aiming for 10,000' a week (have been doing 4,000+ regularly) but this snow (and even more so, the ice) slows me right down, so can't get get the climb in with the time I have available... but it's early doors (ish).

SERIOUSLY overdrawn on the brownie point account, but need to just get on with it.

Getting a few extra twinges and aches despite stretching plenty but not enough to stop me.

Will be attempting in May alongside one or two others from Macc. Plans are coming together nicely.:thumbup:

The balance of running and walking is a good point Funkier...

February is going to be a little bit sparse, due to getting married etc! But I've got March-May to pile it on then see where it takes me. I am hoping for June 10th possibly, but I need to sort a lot out. I think if I can get a very big three months in I'll be ok!! I might have to very long runs and shorter ones for height initially then as I progress combine them. I'm trying to get as much back-to-back as I can too. I'll get out long walks with our lass too.

Hi

Just a quick one, Im training for a May Bgr, Im more an ultrarunner than a fell runner, used to distance and 12 to 40 odd hours on my feet, (UTMB, West Highland Way Race, Hardmoors 110, Lakeland 100 etc etc) still get to the Lakes and the highlands to do a spot of hill work. Ive recently moved to Tadcaster and am looking for the nearest decent hills for hill reps etc, any recomendations? Ive used the Cleveland Hills in the past, but noticed a lot of mention about the Ilkley Hills? the nearer the better to Tadcaster so I can pop up there after work (I work in York City Centre) any help would be fantastic

Ronin, two options I've done are from just above the cattle grid on Wells Road in Ilkley up the hill-side past White Wells and then up to the big cairn above the stone steps above Rocky Valley or straight down from Surprise View car park North as far as you can and back up

Ilkley rep is roughly 550ft in 3/4miles, Chevin about 600ft in slightly less

if you're coming over drop me a pm and I'll have a run out with you if you fancy a bit of company

Theres a hill with a 'keep' on in York city!! :thumbup:

Ronin, I wouldn't be surprised if time and traffic-wise it would be easier for you to hit the SW North York moors for hill reps coming from York/Tadcaster after work. I bet there's some proper suffering to be had around Sutton Bank for example!

Ronin, The closest option to York (at a rough guess) would be Millington / Bishop Wilton (about 20 mins from York). A look on the OS map will show a few options around 350ft, and there are plenty of deep valleys for some more variety. As others have said, if you want something bigger than that, it'd be Ilkley or Sutton Bank.

Hi Ronin

I might be able to help - I live in them there Ilkley hills or maybe hillocks would be the best decription. From the valley bottom it is easy enough to get in 1000ft ascent in 45ish mins. Start by the old bridge and head north up towards Beamsley and Round Hill, drop down to the A59 on the northern side and back. Or head south up towards the radio masts and get the hill reps in. Alternatively a good training run I used to do at the weekend was to start at the old bridge again head out to Simon's Seat (north) and back - it's around 24 miles but is probably around 3500ft and good terrain to practice on. Good luck with it all and if you fancy a route finder let me know along with Derby Tup

Just a quick one, Im training for a May Bgr, Im more an ultrarunner than a fell runner, used to distance and 12 to 40 odd hours on my feet, (UTMB, West Highland Way Race, Hardmoors 110, Lakeland 100 etc etc) still get to the Lakes and the highlands to do a spot of hill work. Ive recently moved to Tadcaster and am looking for the nearest decent hills for hill reps etc, any recomendations? Ive used the Cleveland Hills in the past, but noticed a lot of mention about the Ilkley Hills? the nearer the better to Tadcaster so I can pop up there after work (I work in York City Centre) any help would be fantastic[/QUOTE]

Thanks guys, thats all pretty good stuff, will do a combination of all 3, Will get to Ilkley and look at the routes mentioned, its only 20 odd miles for me now, love the area (did Rombalds the other week) Will also head for Sutton Bank too (One of my training runs is from Osmotherley to Blowarth Crossing, via the Cleveland Hills and back over them again, great run but it must be 35-40 miles away??) I know Millington Wold is exceptionaly steep so will take a look there too. El and Derby Tup Ill pm you guys when I get back from a week away (going to Oman to do the Wadi Bih, a 45 mile Ultra with 1000m climb, should help a little)
I hope to get a few weekends away in the Lakes (Feb,April and early May) Once again thank you!!! I Fly in 12 hours so ill sign out

Hi All,

Just to introduce, DPFR, and have the BG in my sights for the last few years, bit of a plodder, based in Derby.

Have just made contact with Adders and train together Tues/Thurs mornings.

At the moment i am covering:

Sunday - Longish day not less that 11 - 12 miles/4,500ft
Monday - 6.5 miler - 1,000ft
Tuesday - 7.45 m/ 2500ft - Sometime run with local tarmac club
Wednesday - REST
Thursday - 7.45 m/ 2500ft - Intending to do hill reps when the clocks change
Friday - REST
Saturday - Choose a local fell race route - Riber / Black Rocks / Chevin - Run at Pace -

Any more thoughts on this,

Completed the Grindleford at the weekend, and knock 28 mins of previous PB, 3hrs 36min, can't complain!

Cheers Martin

Martin, if you're looking to do the BG this year then you need to do some long days (at least a leg of the Round) and soon. Your current training might get you round Borrowdale or the Three Peaks but looks short of climb to me. 40miles and 10,000ft per week for 12weeks doesn't guarantee success but gives you a decent chance all things being equal

Hi Derby Tup,

Yes this is just the core training for two more weeks,

I have planned in long days, 2 legs at a time, to get out for longer periods, have a rouet around Thorpe Cloud for more local stuff which i can do 25m/10,000 + Ft, but the climbs are not long enough!
The idea is to recce legs during April, each weekend, upping miles and ft,
Just wanted to get core fitness right before looking to transfer to the route,

all advice is really very welcome! Thanks

Just trying to also get some support together!

Good luck with training and drumming up support! :)

2 legs (any 2 legs!) will be hard first time you do them :closed: