Yes the shops in Cham are all gearing up for the TMB, but there did seem to be a lack of raid light poles around -
I agree with Morgan, mine have been spot on so far, no problems at all
s
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Yes the shops in Cham are all gearing up for the TMB, but there did seem to be a lack of raid light poles around -
I agree with Morgan, mine have been spot on so far, no problems at all
s
Vasque Blur shoes and a 10 litre last drop rucksack.
Grip isn't too much of an issue.
Just be sure to get the colour coordination right, though.
very important to keep up with the French - colour co-ordination that is
A quick update on the poles, which featured earlier on this thread.
Needing as much practice as possible before trying to use poles in the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges on 28 Sept, I have been playing out with the Raid Light poles as often as possible.
Used them on leg 1 of Pete Beer's BG early on Saturday morning and managed to snap one of the shafts coming down from Calva.
Pole went in deep, weight slid forward (God it was wet out there), pole bent as far as it could, then could go no further..............and snap.
Continental use only perhaps?
Damn, need a new pair and fast. I'll try Likleys.
Morgan
I am not convinced poles are a significant advantage. I did the UTMB without and nobody at all overtook me on the ascents and I am not an outstanding climber. A few overtook on the descents but most of those with poles seem to carry them anyway.
It's perhaps down to individual preference but I rather have my hands free and just have to look where to put my two feet when I get tired without having to think about two poles as well.
MM, I think it's worth a go, at least once. I am only intending to use them later in the race when I start to feel a bit weary (the TdesAR is 54 kms). Although race experience may prove me wrong, tests so far suggest they help generate extra "oomph" on the climbs and I seem to cope ok with running downhill with 2 poles in 1 hand.
Time will tell....................!
I can bring a pair to the 3 shires race if you want? Not same make, but the Austrian ones that were sold at the UTMB show - fold down small enough to go in a rucksack & are easy to expand... You're more than welcome to borrow them!
Don't test them out in the 3 shires race though, or you'll set the ranters off again like I did training with them at Ennerdale!
Yeah - poles can make a massive difference, but only really on the longer races, especially on continental trails with a bit of altitude involved - and you've got to train a lot with them if it's gonna really help.
I only did the short race (CCC) in Cham this year - but it was interesting because for the first time a lot more people near the front of the field were using them very effectively - unsurprisingly they were all guys who do ski mountaineering races in the winter too + we'd all gone for carbon fibre nordic walking poles, rather than the foldable raidlight/camp bendy ones - ie much stronger, so you can push as hard as you like with them.
If you don't train loads with them, then they are of more limited benefit - but make progressively more difference the longer the race - ie for when your legs are shot later on. On the other hand though, if you do train with them a lot then they can really save the day if it all starts going wrong early on - ie I got bad cramp after first hour + all the rest of the way round this yr in the CCC, so had to shuffle the whole race, but pushed like hell instead & still did OK - without the poles I'd have been literally hours slower..
Killian Jornet (who got kit checked 4 times on the way round by the way & always had full compulsory kit with him - ie all the gear complaints were rubbish) certainly uses them far more effectively than Dawa for instance (who cuts more corners than anyone else, just to correct a few mis understandings about the 'worthy winner'...) On the other hand it doesn't seem to slow Marco Olmo down much...
If you are after a new pair - I got mine from a lass in Ilkley who sells Komperdell Poles online, or you can go round + try them out/pick them up in person if you live locally;
http://www.walkingsport.co.uk/index....c=list&catid=1
For racing I'd recommend 5cm longer than the nordic walking sizing chart.
http://www.walkingsport.co.uk/index....opic=equipment
'featherlight bamboo' model is slightly lighter than 'featherlight foam' coz it's got a cork grip - but both are made of carbon fibre, despite the name + graphics..
PS In Cham there's just been 50cm of fresh snow and it's fallen down to 1800m, so you might want a set of skis too for the Aig Rouges race!
Britta, you are an angel...thanks for the offer, but I need to replace the busted pole anyway.
New Raid Lights at Likeys for £79.99 and I suspect I can do better that in Cham so will hang on and trust I can get them when I get there.
Having been "training" with the RLs, I plan to stick with them.
AlP, thanks for your thoughts. I have a definite feeling they will help later on when tiredness sets in. I will wait and see, but this being my first pole race, it may be difficult to make a really accurate judgment, so may have to go back and do the TdesAR again to compare style. Shame!!
Snow on the ground........so much the better. Can only help someone used to rough wet ground!
Morgan
I reluctantly bought a pair of the Raidlight fold away poles for UTMB. I did loads of climbing for 8 months in training (maybe too much!) so thought I wouldn't need them, but I wouldn't have finished the race without them.
I did a bit of research into technique and apparently it's all about how you hold them- using the hand loop - which makes the difference. I did virtually no training with them which meant that I had problems eating and drinking on the move, so it's worth practising this or you'll lose time faffing around.
I've never owned a set of poles before so have nothing to go by, but the Raidlights seemed to do the job perfectly (although I did have to modify them a bit because they kept coming apart!)
Runningham
It's the usual story; some swear by them, some swear at them!
My mindset is flexible enough to feel they are worth a go. If you don't try, you'll never know!
I probably haven't done quite enough training with them, but I have done some, so feel happy enough at the prospect of getting them used in the later stages of the race.
The "faff" factor is perhaps the most important to me. Eating and drinking when 1 hand is occupied with holding 2 poles isn't impossible, just different.
It's not as though I'll be up at the front anyway, but it is always good to do your best.
(And no, I won't be training with them at the Shires this weekend!!)
Morgan
This is just an admin matter.
For the benefit of anyone who is intending to use a 2009 Bob Graham completion as their 4 pointer for entry into the 2010 (or later) UTMB, I have supplied the list of new members for 2009 (up to and including 12 September this year) to Michel Poletti at UTMB.
If during the application process anyone using the BG as a qualifiying "race" needs any further verification of their BG success, I will assist.
I can be contacted an [email protected]
Pre-registration opens 23 December.
http://www.ultratrailmb.com/accueil.php
nice one Morgan!
Cheers
Iain
One day hehe
Just a reminder that tomorrow is the day pre-registration opens for business.Quote:
Originally Posted by BGSec
Thats my entry done, Boing , Boing
My entry's in!
I'd be interested to hear views on walking sticks. Looking at the various footage it seems over 99% of the field use them. I have to say I've never tried running with them - I can't help thinking they'd get in the way and be more a hindrance than a help?
Good luck people!
What sort of training have you been putting in for it?
I ran it last year and it was the first time I had run a race with poles.
If the top guys use them and a lot do then thats good enough for me.
When I started out i tried to control where they went and landed and how I used them etc, but forget all that just run and it just happens.
Some folks like them for the climbs and dont use them for the downs, some only use on steep climbs etc.
I used them on anything that was not flat and it really does help.
I did 6 ultras last year leading up to UTMB increasing in distance from 42 to 95 miles and did a lot of hill work also quite a few days spent doing Ben Nevis reps and similar.
In addition to the running and long back to back weekends I did a lot of gym work both upper and lower body stuff.
They're a pain in the arse, shin, quad, kneecap... :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by chesterblue
It gives me great pleasure to overtake anyone using them when going uphill though. :)
Thanks for the reminder BGSec. I do keep forgetting, even though I stuck a reminder above my computer at home.
FitC, I agree. I had to take avoiding action a few times this year to avoid getting stabbed, and I trod on a few when they stayed on the ground on the push-back for longer than I was expecting. And yes, I derived great pleasure from overtaking the 'metallic clickers' on the uphills. My hand-held aids were two drink bottles.
There is a qualifier to all of this though. I didn't finish. :( So perhaps sticks do offer some benefit. (Too many have said so to deny it really.) I'll be back next year to get past Champex and prove to myself that it was lack of food, not lack of sticks, that caused my DNF.
It's interesting how different events in different countries have different rules. Walking poles are regarded as artificial aids and cheating at the Western States 100.
Yea some of our French friends dont take much care where they point them you do have to be carefull.
It is strange using them but its the way it is in europe, I am glad that SA / EA permit does not allow them in UK races.
Thanks for the reminder Morgan. The online bit is done, fingers crossed for the "names out of the hat" selection bit now.
Just a quick question, when i put in my qualifying races and confirmed payment i got a zero against the BG and the Fellsman on the final page. Wasn't too sure whether they should have had the qualifying points against them or not. Did anyone else find the same with their "races"?
cheers
Iain
IainQuote:
Originally Posted by Fellmincer
I have checked my saved enrolment form and I have zeros for Old Counties Tops and Trial des Aiguilles Rouges. :confused:
It'll be alright on the night. ;)
CCC for me. Want to break myself in gently. :D
Mine came up automatic with last years UTMB so just ticked it which is 4 points but on the print out it shows zero so think that must just be the system so no worries.
I too have a '0' after it on the pre-registration confirmation email/printout, so I guess don't worry about it. Though I was very impressed that it recognised my name and prompted my bg year and number!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fellmincer
Re the poles - thanks for the replies. I instinctively don't want to use them, though perhaps it makes sense to try them out on a long training run before hand. I shall add this to my list of things to worry about in the eventuality of getting a place confirmed after the ballot.
There was chat about poles and generally on utmb equipment on this thread
Cheers folks. Thought for a moment they weren't accepting the events. Did notice that as soon as I entered my name on the first page it automatically put the Bg and my membership number on the page, good man Morgan.Quote:
Originally Posted by BGSec
I thought about using poles this year - after failing to get beyond Champex in the 2008 race - but decided the DNF was not down to poles, more lack of salt and liquid on a hot day. I was right (like you will be Britnick) and finished it in a pleasingly swift time. I never thought “I whish I had those poles” at any point, apart from to hit the less conscientious users with.
I'm not sure re the poles. I carried them in 2008 and didn't really use them, so this year I decided to use them from the off. I used raidlights and taped them up, I'm not light, 80kilos, and found them fine. My main decision to use them was governed by the fact I had the Commonwealth 100K, 3 weeks later so I wanted to get through the UTMB with as least leg damage as I could.
On long gradual ascents I found them a god send. In normal fell races I often use hands on knees on the ascents, but with poles I could stand up straight.
I'm not doing it next year, 95% sure, but I said I wouldn't last year. Awesome event. Main advice would be start steady, get to Courmayeur feeling good and don't panic if you are slow early on, you'll make up loads later if you're feeling good.
Used Poles in 2006 and 2007 (both years only got to Champex) used them again in 2009 and got round this time, entered for 2010, will use the poles again, I use them purely for ascents, but not all the time only when having problems, found it faster to ascend without them, I used Leki Carbon poles (non antishock) raidlights would be no good for me (I weigh just short of 99k)
I do beleive if you did get a leg injury on route they would help you continue (not that, thats advisable) Ran in Salomon XT Wings in 2009, found them very good, right balance between cushioning and grip.
Doh! After being adamant that I was going to wait until 2011 to do the UTMB after having finally got round the CCC this year what have I just gone and done.......... pre-registered for the UTMB for 2010. Am hoping I come to my senses by the end of the pre-registration period!
I have used poles for both my failed and succesful CCC and don't think I would have coped with the descents in the dark without them based on how bad I was with them! That is just me though and I can understand people would rather not have to faff with them and are not such a shocking descender as me.:o
I have noticed a lot of the Europeans fling their poles around and aren't conscious that their poles are lethal weapons though. Have only used them in the Lakes 50 here and would obviously not even think about taking them to a fell race.;)
Its been a long day but finally places for this years races can all be accessed on site if they havnt already emailed you, about 160 out of 200 aplications in the long run have gained a place. [/B]
Our team of 3 have been accepted for the UTMB. What have I let myself in for. No excuse now for sitting on my backside doing nothing !!
Well done mate, get a blog on the go so we can see your training for it! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dog Breath
Well you could knock me over with a feather. I've been refused and I cannot imagine why. Does anyone know, if you assign yourself to a group like I did this year, if one is refused are all refused by default? I feel sick. :confused: :mad:
That's tough luck. With a group entry, it's all in or all out. I guess we were lucky as we entered as a group and all got in.
The event was heavily over-subscribed this year, whereas I understand that everyone who applied for the 2009 event got in.
At least you will have a guaranteed entry for 2011 if you want it.
Not had any email contact yet, but my CCC entry says "To pay" and I think that means I'm in.
Head says good, legs say :eek:
And I'm only doing half. ;)