And sideways staggering with swearing will come in useful, too. Try the Grass Market in Edinburgh late on a Friday night
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And sideways staggering with swearing will come in useful, too. Try the Grass Market in Edinburgh late on a Friday night
I can run a half well within 1:50 and the 3P is something I'm aiming to do in the future. What sort of fell races do you need to do to qualify? and also how well marked etc.is the course? My biggest weakness is not my fitness as I reckon I can hold my own there, but my navigation which is as yet untested. 23 miles or whatever would also be currently the furthest I've run (ran coniston 17 mile race earlier this year but nothing further).Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
Do you reckon I could get my act together and race 3P next year? Any advice?
The route isn't marked, except for a bit of flagging for control purposes. However, navigation isn't a problem as almost all is on track or path (if I had to choose a stretch to recce, I'd do Hill Inn over Ingleborough to the finish and get someone to collect me). Can't remember the qualifications required, a number of ALs, check the website. Here you are:
Qualification
Entries will be accepted from men and women aged not less than 18 on race day who have either :-
Completed the Three Peaks Race in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
Since Jan 1st 2008 completed at least two different Medium A, Long A or Long B Fell Races. Note – only FRA definitions apply.
Runners who do not fulfil either of these requirements but who have endurance running experience should submit details on their entry - listing endurance races completed 2008 and 2009 eg road marathon within 3hrs 20mins.O.M.M. Elite A,B,Class or equivalent.
Overseas competitors must submit full details of experience.
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT AN ENTRY UNLESS YOU MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS
It is emphasized that the cut off times of 2hrs 10min Ribblehead and 3hrs 30min Hill Inn will be strictly enforced.
When I entered I'd done no ALs since 1987, though I had 30 road marathons under my belt and that was accepted.
Try the Edale Skyline in March (they need proof of experience, too), then 3P in April, which is what I did.
Don't go off too fast, which is what I also did! Got to Ribblehead in 1:42, but 1:50 would have been more sensible on my training.
My best half marathon is sub 1:30 so should be okay there, just got to a) actually get up to running that distance and b) do a couple of races to qualify.. Plenty of time left yet!Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
It's a different kettle of fish, Sam. My last road marathon was 2 years ago at 3:09 (at 50 years old and 39 mins off my best), the 3P took me 4:45. I was under-trained, set off too fast and had blown it by the ascent of Whernside. The rest of the race (which is about the second half) was merely a matter of finishing and still being upright, I spent an embarassing proportion of that time walking.
What sort of age are you and what's your longest race to date, what time and was it road or not? You need to get some fell running experience. The qualifying requirements are there for a good reason.
I did the the 3 P's this year in 4.31. I then followed that with the Wharfedale Off Road Marathon in 3.41. So, as you can see, there's a big difference in time there. I put this down to the 3 big climbs taking it out on your legs ! Get plenty of hill training/distance in the bag. Also, I was dehydrated coming of Ingleborough (it was very hot this year !), so drink plenty. I reckon I had about 1 pint of liquid all the way round which is nowhere near enough. i heard of people drinking 3 litres !!
You were lucky to do 4:31, Jez. I'll have you next time!
Seriously, though, I didn't even see Jez pass me on a one person wide path up the bank to Ingleborough. You mustn't equate road distance to fell runs, add at least 40% and you'll have a good feel for it.
Fell running requires different muscles, in some ways my road running set are a hindrance in fell running and, already this season, I'm developing new muscles for the fells which don't necessarily work well on the road. In fact, I'm beginning to see the connection between cycling (which I last did seriously in the early 70s) and fell running. As a road runner, I was always taught to avoid cycling because the two disciplines didn't mix well.
I think the 3 peaks as a route gets you both ways; firstly its a fast track with maybe 15 miles of the route being generally in the downwards direction (the 6 off of PyG being fairly undulating downhill admittedly) and the going up of Pen Y Ghent at the start is relatively doddlesville in a very misleadingly way, especially if you whiz off too fast. The climbs get you in the end though with Whernside being the killer climb which unfortunately commences getting on for 12.5 miles in. Runners without a lot of hills in their legs are crippled by cramp at the top of Whernside... which is a shame as there is still 9.5 miles to go to the finish at that point with Ingleborough in between. For some true, albeit extremely sadistic, entertainment, park yourself as a spectator on the slabbed track in the foothills of the climb up Ingleborough say 3 hours after the race started.... and watch for the flotsam (sorry spent runners) that the race has drawn in, chewed up and spat out as they trudge miserably on ;) :D
Very true, Stolly, it's a cruel, misleading course. About the only people I passed on that last 8 miles were the ones sat on the grass clutching their calves and grimacing.
Reading these posts is whetting my appetite already. When does registration open ? January ?
And BL, I have no doubt you will "have me next time" ! I did owe you after Blubberhouses mind.