Printable View
Originally Posted by Ronin View Post
Im not planning on using them, but are poles aloud?
Spelling Bee, I love your avatar. Is it your mission to correct all our spelling mistakes? How about split infinitives etc etc? We could be seeing a lot of you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spelling Bee
Yeah, he could be a busy little Spelling Bee :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Alexandra
Hey chester - when I did the UTMB in 2007 I was also drawn into the pole v no pole debate.
I'd never used poles before and generally didn't like the idea. However, a couple of weeks before the race Aldi did some at 4.99 each so I bought a pair and decided to take them. My plan was to give them a whirl and if they were rubbish I'd chuck them in the nearest bin.
I didn't get them off my pack for the first 30 miles but then decided to give them a try - once they were out they never went back - they were absolutely fantastic. As they were cheapies they were pretty done in at the finish and I've never used them since but I honestly believe they improve your stability, make climbing and descending easier and save your quads on UTMB type terrain / distance.
I've been training with the Raid Light poles through the winter/spring.
Managed to break one of the poles over Easter sadly. Suspect a combination of quite a few freezing cold days, leaving them up rather than collpased for too long and lack of maintenance on my part will have contributed.
Decided to have a punt with the Mountain King version available via Likeys to see how they go.
Look almost identical, but a good bit cheaper.
I've still not tried 'running' with poles yet. Might give them a spin on tonight's hill rep session before a proper trial at the L,R and W event on Sunday :cool:
Have acquired a cheap pair, which I think I'll try out on the calderdale hike this weekend.
How have you been getting on?Quote:
Originally Posted by BGSec
I've a love/hate relationship with poles, great when the weather is good but when I'ts raining a lot my hands freeze and I end up carrying them in my sack :(
If the weather is ok I might use mine as they make a difference on the climbs.Quote:
I've still not tried 'running' with poles yet. Might give them a spin on tonight's hill rep session before a proper trial at the L,R and W event on Sunday
Not bad at all Bill really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
On some runs I have carried them from the off, which has the benefit of slowing you down a touch. No bad thing with ultras in mind.
They are definitely helping on the climbs. When training with the wife, my uphill pole-assisted walking speed has sometimes been faster than her running speed (she probably wasn't trying!) They help you keep much more upright and put less strain on the lower back, which suffers less over a long run.
Downhill, they take some time to get used to when running, but now the hand, brain, eye co-ordination seems to have it sorted out, and I haven't tripped over them for ages. :D
They help most on steep gradients I find, and reduce pressure on the quads. This seems to help me feel fresher later in a long run, when I might struggle more.
On gentler gradients, I cary them in one hand which reduces speed somewhat, which again is a good thing on a longer run.
I may not use them right from the off (and I'm using the Raid Light bag with the pole sleeve so can get them out of harm's way) but they will put in an appearance both in the Marathon du Mont Blanc and in the CCC.
Still, more practice required. ;)
Thats something that suprised me and one of the reasons I like using poles on long climbs.Quote:
They help you keep much more upright and put less strain on the lower back, which suffers less over a long run.
I think that's the main benefit for me too. The walk I use in fell races is just too painful to use for 30 odd hours. I also get strange tendony pain in my elblows from pushing on my thighs, and using the poles saves that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Baggins
I thought I was the only one who got elbow probs!
I always assumed it was from "jogging" my forearms up/down on descents - never thought it might be from pushing off knees...
Hello
I am new to the forum and this is my first posting, I have just returned from the Heart of Scotland 100 (whcih was actually 104.4 miles but hey whose counting), now looking forward to the rest of the race calander for the year, whcih got me thinking about the UTMB whcih I have entered and all being well competing in for the first time in Aug.
Has any forum members completed the UTMB and if so any tips for this novice especially keen to hear about navigation, cut off times, coping with the altitude etc.
Thanks :cool:
have a look in the long distance challenges thread...
This is the most recent thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twister
There;s no nav really. Be careful at night its easy to lose the path, last year, in thick clag we lost the path a few times.Quote:
Originally Posted by walkingman
But offs - don't worry about them, worry about height distance heat altitude hydration food....
Altitude. last time I went out a week before and walked part of the route, I felt in much better shape because of that,
Hello,
I am pleased to say that the first two events in the our new series now carry qualifying points (3 in total) for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.
http://www.mightcontainnuts.com/even...t_details.html
No doubt the last event will follow when they start excepting 2011 events.
Cheers.
Just back from the Alps where I managed, with Mrs BGSec, a two and a half day recce of the CCC course. Sadly, the race book arrived just after we left, so we didn't do the exact route, rather following the TMB path.
I now have a much better idea of the scale of the challenge; and a great sense of respect for UTMB finishers who have to cope with this as their last 98 kms or so.
Walked the ups and jogged some but not all of the downs, plus spent much time looking at the map/guide, eating and stopping for cold drinks. Even with that, and too heavy sacs, the elapsed time was around 23 hours.
The key looks to be the climb up to Bovine (the third big one in the CCC) which is quite technical in parts and will be done in darkness.
A very worthwhile trip, and I'll happily answer any questions about this section of the course.
Thanks to the Mrs for coming along with me.
BGSec, you reminded me. A nice post on Jezz Bragg's blog re UTMB.http://www.jezbragg.blogspot.com/
Thanks for that link DT. I'm heading out next week to run/walk the UTMB over 3 days. Will pack the Yaktrax as he mentions snow not just on the cols.
I don't mind bovine. In fact it was the climb from the valley to the Lac which hurt, but then it's a steady plod and a steep walk up to the traverse and past all the cows. I think because I'd heard such horror stories when I eventually walked it a few days before the UTMB I was pleasantly surprised.Quote:
Originally Posted by BGSec
Fellmincer, even over 3 days it's a hell of a trip. Might be worth considering getting a bus around to miss out the start section, which to be honest is a bit mindnumbing. Worth checking out from St Gervais? on wards, because that's in the dark.
We also bussed from L Fouly to Champex Lac which is just a trail along a valley and a climb out to the Lac. It saves a good few hours.
Would be excellent training though. Good luck very jealous.
Fellmincer - I was out on a 3-day recce last weekend. You won't need Yaktrax/Kahtoolas - the few patches of snow remaining on route are negotiable in trail shoes. It was a hard 3 days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fellmincer
Cheers Iain, thinking of starting at Les houches then as you say skip out the la fouly to champex bit. We should have an extra day in hand just in case of bad weather so may just be 4 relaxed days.
Footlesscrow - cheers for the update. Did you do the full course over 3 days then?
IainQuote:
Originally Posted by Fellmincer
There was a bit of snow on the run down from Col Sapin to the stream crossing and also on the descent from Grand Col Ferret, which is the high point of the course.
After that, basically nothing.
Can't speak for Cham to Courmayeur section tho'.
I was fine in a pair of Speedcross; what snow there was was soft.
You could probably get away without Yaktrax
And I'm looking forward to having a beer with you in Cham.......and being fit enough to walk back up the course to see you hurl yourself down the final descent...........:wink::DQuote:
Originally Posted by Fellmincer
Thanks Morgan for the info. I'll look forward to that drink with you.
Does The Paddy Buckley count as a qualifier? i couldnt find it listed but The BG is? Do you think/know if the organisers would consider the PBR as an equivelent of the BGR?
I'd really like to enter in 2011 but as my BGr was in 2008 I think the points have run out on that now so would be relying on PB.
It didn't used to, I emailed them and they said they'd look into it, but I think the informal nature, no need for verification, witnesses, no formal list, will count against it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corniceman
ian
Thanks Ian, that was my gut feeling too and probably confirms the bad news I suspected.
what did you use as your qualifiaction race/races if you didnt use PBR?
I had Highland Fling and the WHW I think. I did the WHW in 2007 so I think that still counted for 2009? Now I'll have the UTMB 2009 for a few years.
You can use the Fellsman as well I'm hoping to do it 2011 but my BG ws 2009 so covered but i also did the Fellsman that year.
Bovine is o.k. on a nice day in daylight (2009). But if you are a bit slower (like I was in 2005) and it is dark and raining it is a horrible climb, and hard to spot the reflective tape. My advice is get there prior to darness if you can, and ease off after if necessary.Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR
Could be tricky for me Alan, doing the CCC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Lucker
If I did get there before darkness, there would be some hideous form of payback...............
Sorry Morgan, I was meaning in the TMB. In the CCC I don't think it will feel as bad as you wont be as fatigued at this point. On my first ascent of Bovine in 2005 it was dark and drizzling, I had to hold my head torch to spot the tapes, which were fairly widely spread. Last year in daylight, and dry it was much easier.:)
Anyone know if Kilian Jornets running again ?
He is registered to defend his title.
Hello i am new to this forum.... i would like to ask some questions if anyone would be kind enough to answer would be appreciated....
1) If you wear compression socks up to the knee and a 3/4th capri does it COUNT as (Long tights or leggings) as the list of obligatory equipment describes ? or do HAVE to have an extra pair of leggings in your ruck sack ?
2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ?
3) I have weighed my hydrobag 1,5L + all the obligatory equipment and it weighs about 3.4 to 3.5 Kilos is this too much for the utmb race ?
Thank you
Can't help with 1.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agiofws
2. I am using Raid Lights for the CCC. They are not hugely sturdy, agreed. I have had breakages, but these usually occur when a pole goes deeply into a hole between rocks or sink into very boggy ground, and in either case the body weight comes onto the pole. I think you'll be fine.
3. As regards water in the hydrobag, I am using a 750 ml Raid Light bottle in an OMM i-gammy (bottle holder). This will allow me to limit the bladder to another 750 mls, cutting down on the weight. I would be surprised if my sac came in much under 3.5 kiloswith all the compulsory gear.
1) As I understood it last year; if you intended to wear (set off in) anything that is below the knee in length you did not have to carry any leg cover in your sack.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agiofws
2) BG sec seams clued up on these and I dont use poles, sorry.
3) My rucsack weighed 2.6 k with 1/2 litre of liquid. I managed most of the way only carrying 1/2 litre. There is some longer sections when you will need neared a litre, but I carried an empty Gatorade bottle in my sack for when necessary.
[QUOTE=Agiofws;350366]
2) I will be using Poles in the race specifically Raid-lights but they don't seem sturdy or strong enough but i am not a heavy person X<60Kgr will these poles take the stress on the race or will they break ? /QUOTE]
I am very enthusiastic about poles for walking, haven't tried them yet running, haven't tried the Raidlight ones, only the very light top of the range Leki ones. If you haven't used your poles much, I strongly reccomend you use them as much as possible before the UTMB. They do take some getting used to, and a time when you will have the stress of the race with lots of aspects which I presume will be new to you, plus great fatigue by the end, is not the moment to learn to use poles. Tripping over them is always possible, also getting them stuck between rocks, swiping other people. There is also deciding how to handle them when you want your hands free. There is collapsing and stowing them or opening them quickly. My poles have become almost part of me, but I still fumble with them from time to time. That said, I think they will be tremendously valuable. Good luck!
Ok thank you all for your insight
I still have another question and i guess many more will come up as we are getting towards the start of the race...
Are there Energy bars at the aid stations ?
Are we allowed to take/put some of them in our Back packs or do we have to CONSUME them ON spot ?
Thankyou
* as for the poles(Raidlights) i have been using them i believe they do take the strain off your legs in such a big race ... i just hope they wont snap but i have seen that the paths are quiet clean ...