Holme Moss

Hi I am new to both Fell Running and this website, but wondering if it would be ok to give this race a go or am I being too ambitious?
I am fit, I can run the distance on hilly terrain and have been practising on Holme Moss both on and off the paths so I know what to expect. I have looked at last years times and I won't be one of the fastest but will be able to finish in under 6 hours so hopefully won't be last! What is really bothering me is that I don't know what to do about any of the equipment and stuff they say you need in order to enter.

Where can you get windproof gear preferably cheaply etc (presumably it folds up small?)
Also I have no map-reading skills, is this essential? I usually take the OS when I go out in case I get lost but fear that in a real emergency it wouldn't be much help or I wouldn't be lost would I?
Also will any compass do?
What do runners do about water? Is it better to have one of those back packs or do you take bottles to carry? Do you get refills at the checkpoints? Again, recommendations please?
Have I got time to get all this gear together by mid-July?
Thanks in advance for the benefit of your wisdom.

MM

Minnie

You may wish to copy this into the 'Equipment' section & ask there, it may get more replies

I'm not going to offer advice, as I'm a 'newbie' too, as HolmeMoss will only be my 3rd 'proper' Fell-Race!!

You might enjoy the 'Trunces' as a (short distance) taster, if you live within reach of Penistone (sadly you've missed round 4, it was this evening, & jolly good fun it was too!)

See here;
http://undeadmonkey.org.uk/trunce/
http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...hp?7155-Trunce (2010 race 'natter' starts from page 13)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minnie Mad

Hi I am new to both Fell Running and this website, but wondering if it would be ok to give this race a go or am I being too ambitious?
I am fit, I can run the distance on hilly terrain and have been practising on Holme Moss both on and off the paths so I know what to expect. I have looked at last years times and I won't be one of the fastest but will be able to finish in under 6 hours so hopefully won't be last! What is really bothering me is that I don't know what to do about any of the equipment and stuff they say you need in order to enter.

Where can you get windproof gear preferably cheaply etc (presumably it folds up small?)
Also I have no map-reading skills, is this essential? I usually take the OS when I go out in case I get lost but fear that in a real emergency it wouldn't be much help or I wouldn't be lost would I?
Also will any compass do?
What do runners do about water? Is it better to have one of those back packs or do you take bottles to carry? Do you get refills at the checkpoints? Again, recommendations please?
Have I got time to get all this gear together by mid-July?
Thanks in advance for the benefit of your wisdom.

MM

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Hi MM

... maybe worth popping down to Holmfirth harriers and asking some of the folk down there - they are the organisers and are on your doorstep . Check the website for meeting times etc ... I've heard that some of them are friendly but can't vouch for all of them ..

Thx, I'm already a member of Harriers but thought I would ask here first as I thought if I ask them they would just say I didn't have enough experience! But will do.

Re Trunce have just been given the same links by Cake from Fetcheveryone, so may well be giving that a go too! Only problem, it clashes with tri-swim.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minnie Mad

Where can you get windproof gear preferably cheaply etc (presumably it folds up small?)
Also I have no map-reading skills, is this essential? I usually take the OS when I go out in case I get lost but fear that in a real emergency it wouldn't be much help or I wouldn't be lost would I?
Also will any compass do?
What do runners do about water? Is it better to have one of those back packs or do you take bottles to carry? Do you get refills at the checkpoints? Again, recommendations please?
Have I got time to get all this gear together by mid-July?
Thanks in advance for the benefit of your wisdom.

MM

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Hi MM. You'll be fine with getting kit in time. Montane do light and quite cheap windproof tops and bottoms: http://www.montane.co.uk/products/me...hon-jacket/103
http://www.montane.co.uk/products/me...lite-pants/105 These can be bought from many places - shop around.

If you live close, you should probably reccie the course in sections, then you shouldn't need to have any map-reading skills on the day. Having said that, you should always carry a map (small printout in a waterproof cover) in case you get lost or confused, and it's mandatory. Compass: small and light is fine. Water: some people take a bladder, some carry a small bottle. Some don't carry it if they expect to finish quickly. It's up to you. Don't forget some jelly babies, or lumps of chocolate bar etc for emergency food.

Good luck

I've entered this now, first champs race for a few years.

MM there are bits of the course where if the clag is down you will need to use your compass so recce the route and write down bearings on the map ready to use etc.

Thx & thx, I am looking into the gear, hopefully a bit cheaper than £90 but will look around now I know what sort of thing I need, and am recce-ing the route on Sundays so should be familiar with it by July. Am feeling fairly upbeat about entering - if not this one, I'll find another one fairly soon.

I would recommend that any first timers give this a thorough recce. The descent down Ramsden Edge is quite tricksty & the ascent up Herbage hill offers several choices. The line off Bareholme Moss & up to Laddow is one that needs care also. It isn't a typical peak slog, there is plenty of steep ascent & descent too. It is quite technical in places. Last week I did a 21, a 15 (in 2:51), & the recce (15.4). The recce was by far the hardest of the three taking 4:42!

Over 320 entered already, don't wait too long.

320? It's not filling up as quick as some championship races then. Is there an entry list somewhere?