Old County Tops

Would love to do this, but away training, so next year for sure.

Though there's plenty I haven't done, I think this is one the greatest of races. It's a true long-distance fell race with a bit of everything. I've done it twice and been disappointed with my time and placing twice, due to some navigational incompetence on my part. Last year, I screwed up the contouring round from the saddle north of High Raise to Stakes Pass. The year before, some time lost due to nav. mistakes, too.

If I achieve nothing else this year, I'd love to make good time in the OCT. Sliding back into Langdale, having come off Coniston, in the late afternoon is such a pleasure.

for those with experience of these things: is two weeks enough to recover from the Fellsman to be fit for this?

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Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo

for those with experience of these things: is two weeks enough to recover from the Fellsman to be fit for this?

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Both leading up to BG sounds a lot to me Zed! :eek: Don't get distracted or worn out if the BG is your real focus

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Both leading up to BG sounds a lot to me Zed! :eek: Don't get distracted or worn out if the BG is your real focus

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I'm not convinced you need to do either if your main focus is a BG :rolleyes:;)

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Originally Posted by ydt

I plead guilty:o (about to send entry in)
Yiannis

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Thought you might be in Wales then :confused:

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Originally Posted by Baggins

I'm not convinced you need to do either if your main focus is a BG :rolleyes:;)

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I thought one of them at least might be good training.

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

I've entered, any one else mad enough?

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I've wanted to do it for years but its at a time when lots of rounds take place :(

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Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo

I thought one of them at least might be good training.

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Then the OCT is it then as you'll get to know the lakes better :)

Its just if you have only a limited amount of time to get up north is it not best to concentrate on the BG.

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Originally Posted by Baggins

Then the OCT is it then as you'll get to know the lakes better :)

Its just if you have only a limited amount of time to get up north is it not best to concentrate on the BG.

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yes you're right: there are BG attempts in May that I might be supporting on, so ...

I think the OCT is great training for the BG; you spend nine or so hours on your feet, travel over much of the ground of the BG and it's just one to do if you love the long stuff.

37m/10'000....What a beast!

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

37m/10'000....What a beast!

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Errrm, yes! :confused:

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Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo

for those with experience of these things: is two weeks enough to recover from the Fellsman to be fit for this?

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Nope. But I'm entering both anyway because they're fantastic outings. And I'm not sure which one does the best catering so I need to do them both back-to-back for a fair comparison :D

Fruit Cake and Egg Butties at Cockley Beck v. Hot Dogs at Fleet Moss....tricky!!

I'd heard of this but never knew what it was all about. Now I've read, I'm gripped and want to do it. Trouble for me is, my schedule was to be Fellsman -> Marlborough Downs Challenge -> REST -> Heart of Scotland 100. Although I'm so tempted, something tells me it may be unwise to shoehorn it into what was going to be a rest weekend, unless someone out there is so desperate for a partner they'll carry me part of the way round to save my legs. Any offers? ;)

It's good that we're so spoilt for choice.

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Originally Posted by BritNick

It's good that we're so spoilt for choice.

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That's true and I wanted to do it too but don't think I'll be in the best shape for it!

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Originally Posted by BritNick

Now I've read, I'm gripped and want to do it.

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Thought you'd like it! :p

You shouldn't have spilled the beans, Mr D. This new dilemma has even put thoughts of not doing the HoS100 into my addled mind. :confused: Oh the torment. :eek:;)

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Originally Posted by BritNick

You shouldn't have spilled the beans, Mr D. This new dilemma has even put thoughts of not doing the HoS100 into my addled mind. Oh the torment.

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Aye, but consider yourself lucky to have such a problem! :p

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Originally Posted by jodg

It had crossed my mind, not sure I could get enough miles in before then, will see. And I'd need to buddy up.... :(

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I seem to remember we finished Borrowdale at the same time last year?

I might be available if I decide to enter. Need to check BG attempts I might be asked to support. :)

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Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo

I seem to remember we finished Borrowdale at the same time last year?

I might be available if I decide to enter. Need to check BG attempts I might be asked to support. :)

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That we did Zoot! :p Missed out on Tanky's though, how did you do? Will let you know.

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Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo

I seem to remember we finished Borrowdale at the same time last year?

I might be available if I decide to enter. Need to check BG attempts I might be asked to support. :)

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so does Jodg but he won't be supporting;) :D

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

so does Jodg but he won't be supporting;) :D

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God, is it just me (and obviously you Ian) who arent doing a BG this year!:D

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

so does Jodg but he won't be supporting;) :D

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This another of your attempts to get me to run a BG??? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

God, is it just me (and obviously you Ian) who arent doing a BG this year!:D

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well Ian's excuse is he has already done one! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by emmilou

well Ian's excuse is he has already done one! :rolleyes:

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... but there are things in the pipeline...so to speak...;)

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

... but there are things in the pipeline...so to speak...;)

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74 peaks?

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

... but there are things in the pipeline...so to speak...

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your pipeline :confused: what, you going round again on a pogo stick :eek: :D can I shove sheep poo in the end?!!! ;)

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Originally Posted by Al Fowler

74 peaks?

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hmmmm:D:D

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Originally Posted by IainR

Think we're on for this, husband and wife pairing so should be able to fit plenty of bickering over route choices in over the 37 miles.. :-)

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Iain, altho its not in the Calendar, there is a mixed record for the OCTs, currently in the hands of Martin Stone and Ruth Pickvance from a while back.

Can't recall the time, starts with a 7.

Worth a pop?

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

oh crap;) there goes our chance of the mixed trophy:rolleyes::D

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Always a problem getting hands on this.

Managed a third in 2007, then a second with Mrs BGSec in 2008.

Third time lucky, but it won't be 2010.

But I am looking forward to the BG with which it clashes. :D

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Originally Posted by BGSec

Iain, altho its not in the Calendar, there is a mixed record for the OCTs, currently in the hands of Martin Stone and Ruth Pickvance from a while back.

Can't recall the time, starts with a 7.

Worth a pop?

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I don't know, don't really know the route that well. I know most of it, we did quite a bit on the GL3D back in 2008, but not the quicker lines.

It's all a bit of an unknown and a race I've always missed due to wanting to be fresh for Jura.

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Originally Posted by IainR

I don't know, don't really know the route that well. I know most of it, we did quite a bit on the GL3D back in 2008, but not the quicker lines.

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You could do with sorting the quick line off Scafell Pike into Upper Eskdale.

Saves much time over the Little Narrowcove descent.

Yiannis might oblige if you ask him nicely. ;)

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Originally Posted by BGSec

You could do with sorting the quick line off Scafell Pike into Upper Eskdale.

Saves much time over the Little Narrowcove descent.

Yiannis might oblige if you ask him nicely. ;)

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That's the main leg that I'll have trouble with I think. Done the Coniston leg a few times, and Hel is fairly straight forwards..well looks so.. and I've been up there quite a bit. I've been up Wythburn but took a bad line through the bogs.

MrsJ and I are planning to do this as well.
Perhaps we can try to give you some competition in the 'married couple' category, Iain ! :D

Extra time to be allowed for heated bickering over navigational choices. ;)

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Originally Posted by Baggins

Thought you might be in Wales then :confused:

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Bill, Rob's Meirionnydd attempt is the w/e before the OCTs. I hope (and Pray?:p) Rob will not need to postpone the attempt:confused:
Yiannis

YDT I think Rob's weekend is 2 weeks before, he had 2 dates last time I heard, the 7th or the 21 st weekend.

Bill: ohh, tempted not to enter now...:-)
I think we'll win on the bickering stakes though..we did a joint race in NZ and won it, and were pictured in a magazine article on the summit me 50 yards ahead of her, scowling at me, just post row.. .:-)
Will try and recce that middle leg if we get the chance.

I might be in the Lakes Friday undecided about ice climbing or a recce of the OCT.

any one got a gps track of the route they don't mind sharing PM me if you want to keep it secret:rolleyes:
Ta ian

Hmmm...OCT, eh? This was one I had earmarked for this year, but I too need a pardner.

Will probably ask around at my club first, but then might start an OCT matchmaking thread on here if no joy.

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Originally Posted by southernsoftie

Hmmm...OCT, eh? This was one I had earmarked for this year, but I too need a pardner.

Will probably ask around at my club first, but then might start an OCT matchmaking thread on here.

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may be one of you HPM team could join you. it would be good BG training