BG Training Diaries/Logs

Hi All,

I did not really want to mix this post with the current BG route choices thread. Im interesting in looking at BG training logs and diaries to see what kind of training a build up races people who complete the BG get involved in.

I have found a few good web resources.

Bob Wightmans Site

http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/bgr_train.htm

The Bob Graham Website

http://www.bobgrahamround.co.uk/training.htm

The two above are fantastic references, but I was kind of after a more race/ training diary or log.

I found a fantastic account on Northumberlands website

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pj.../nfr/bgr96.htm

Im keen on mainly building a little strength and experience this year and perhaps going for it in 2008.

It would just be interested to see how people build up to this event.

I know fellshoeshuffler did a fantastic blog, but I cant seem to find the link.

Thanks
Jamie

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Originally Posted by NotOnUrHelly

I know fellshoeshuffler did a fantastic blog, but I cant seem to find the link.

Thanks
Jamie

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http://iwcs.blogspot.com/ :)

Bill

Thanks for that Bill,

Plenty of reading to go at.

Jamie

Yeah doog site, depressing amount of training he did!

I've been happy keeeping up a minimum of 40 - 50 miles a week with 10,000 ft of ascent at least, he's been doing about half as much again!

Yeah, but a lot of the miles especially in the winter and during the week were on the road and if 1 fell mile = 2 road miles then I needed a higher mileage.

Hi Jamie,

The training schedule on my site was borrowed, err based :rolleyes: on that found here http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/bgr/

My own training log is at http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/diary_2004.htm and http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/diary_2005.htm

HTH

boB

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Originally Posted by Bob

My own training log is at http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/diary_2004.htm and http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/diary_2005.htm

HTH

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Bob - thanks for the links. This sort of stuff IS very helpful to would-be BGers as it gives a clear indication of a workload. I was intrigued by the change of downhill running style in Jun 2004. Was that a bended knees style or something? While I'm replying I would like to express my gratitude for your site generally. I really appreciate the time you must have put into it, and I have benefited enormously from your efforts there - thank you very much.

It was more of a case of not leaning back so much and thereby forcing the quads to do more work in braking (running downhill causes very strange muscle movements).

The site grew partly to get away from Coronation Street :D and partly due to a work colleague going "xxxx would be useful".

Bob

Ill second that Bob, I have been reading and looking at his site for a year now.

Fantastic source of inspiration.

Jamie

One thing I would definitely suggest is that you do all the long tough races that you can: Jura County Tops Ennerdale etc. I did, but at the time I didn't really appreciate how valuable they were as training sessions. I think those distances combined with the fact that you are racing and so ginong appreciably faster than on a long steady 'time on your feet' run really builds up conditioning as well as stamina. And don't forget the dates;) .







And the fish paste and marmite butties.;) :D .

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Originally Posted by Margarine

One thing I would definitely suggest is that you do all the long tough races that you can: Jura County Tops Ennerdale etc. I did, but at the time I didn't really appreciate how valuable they were as training sessions. I think those distances combined with the fact that you are racing and so ginong appreciably faster than on a long steady 'time on your feet' run really builds up conditioning as well as stamina. And don't forget the dates;) .







And the fish paste and marmite butties.;) :D .

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Just how many aliases have you got, Marg? Anyway, you told me you didn't eat any dates on your BG.

Thanks for that reply Marg,

Im planning on doing most of the longer races this year, I have quite a few pencilled in as well as one or two LDWA events.

Im keen on peoples views on my training plan of doing back to back days at the weekend taken from Bob Wightmans site.

On the friday or saturday Im planning on doing my long run, currently on about 16miles off road taking 2.5-3 hours. Im planning on building this upto about 30miles slowly but constant running around Lancashire

The following day after the long run, I plan to spend walking in the lakes. This is going to be a BG Pace on the uphills. Im planning on building this upto around 11 hours. Im currently on 5hrs on the back of the long run on the friday.

I may run the down hills or trot the flats, depending on how much my long run took out of me.

The second day is mainly to get used to time out there walking for long periods.

My burning issues really is how far to you go on your highest/maximum training weekend.

I was thinking 11hours each day.

Is this enough, as I stated at the start of the post, Im just going to try upping the training this year as well as perhaps getting involved in support.

I am completely aware and understand the issues of building up slowly and avoiding burnout. I just seem to lack experienced guidance on the training front

Many Thanks
Jamie

I'm a great beliver in 'time on your feet'...

I'd recommend the Wuthering Hike, Long Mynd Hike etc Some of the LDWA events are excellent for long days out in the hills... 'Open to Offas', 'Mid-Wales MM', 'Reservoir Roundabout', 'South Shropshire Circular'. All 20+ miles with lots of hills thrown in.

Runners tend to think that the only option is to do lots of miles in preparation for the BGR because it involves lots of miles. You do have to bear in mind that plenty of mountaineers have done it with very little running in preparation.

The first round I was involved with was my climbing partner's (when he was 17 rs old), who spent 6 weeks in the Alps over the summer, came back and did the BGR two weeks later. He had run a total of about 50 miles in the previous 6 months. Another successful BGRer from the climbing club has never been out for a run in his life, but if he's in the hills he trots along on the flat/downhill and walks uphill quickly even with a sack full of climbing gear just as a result of his enthusiasm!

Mountaineering, particularly in the Alps, involves lots of time out on your feet and it's not unusual to be on the go for 18 hours plus.

What I'm trying to say is, you don't need to get fixated on a requirement to do lots of miles of running - this could make the whole thing stressful and unenjoyable for some people. If you enjoy long days and nights out in the hills, they are just as valid preparation.

However many miles you have done per week, they are unlikely to have prepared you for staying alert and on the go for nearly 24 hours.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

I guess the thing is to get to 10,000 feet a week for week after week. Mileage is probably less critical (it isn't that far anyway) but BGR mythology says 30 miles a week on the high fells (with 10,000 ft) is enough and that 1 fell mile = 2 road miles.

Time on your feet is important but more more important is getting the climbing into your legs.

Hard weekends were doing individual BGR legs on consecutive days and, of course, carrying the food and water for each leg.

Easier weekends were doing LDWA events on the second day - easier because you don't have to carry food or water but very few of them offer enough climbing but you probably don't need that initially.

Finally make sure you have an easy week every now and again as well as a rest day every week or almost every week, if you are really keen.

The most important thing is to arrive at the Moot Hall injury free, full of enthusiasm and convinced you can do it - see Feet In The Clouds ("Its all in the mind" - not quite but maybe 85% in the mind)

Good luck

I think RichT's comments about climbers being pretty well up for it aren't (or weren't) too far from the mark. Certainly when I grew up in the Lakes and was out on the crags three or four days or evenings a week through the summer I was certainly very hill fit - a time of 45mins from Brackenclose up to Scafell East Buttress was normal, even carrying a sack of climbing gear. Compare with a BGR scheduled time of 75 mins to go no further though a little higher to the summit of Scafell. I certainly wasn't the only one!

These days I suspect that the climbers who get out for a good tramp through the fells is far fewer - they'd rather head for the indoor climbing walls when the weather isn't fine. Plus roadside or near roadside crags are much more in favour - Scafell crag can be empty even on a fine summers day.

Prior to my round, I only averaged 20 miles per week, I certainly could have done with more but I wanted to avoid a recurrence of ITBS from the previous year so kept the mileage down.

Long, long walks in the fells will give you the endurance - pack some food and a lightweight MM style tent and spend the weekends walking the route and/or getting as much ascent and descent into your legs as you can.

As FSS says, getting to the Moot Hall in good shape is as important as anything, plus being in the right mind - you have to want to do it - really really want to do it. Having your wife say that she won't be supporting you in your next attempt helps focus the mind as well :o

Bob

Thanks for your replies everyone

Some interesting points there and have me got me thinking...

Some very interesting and usefull comments on this thread.
My view is that it's time and climb that matter most and as Bob says you really really have to want to do it.
I also come from a mountaineering/rock climbing background, 20 years+.
I had been fell running for about 4 years before my attempt and had been thinking about the round for about 2 years before.
My regular weekend runs up to that point were about 2-3 hours and I trained only once in the week. I didn't start BG training proper until the January of the year I did it.
I gradually increased the time/length of my weekend run and as the nights grew longer evenings in the fells increased. But I found that if I went out more than 3 times a week I needed a lot more recovery time.
The single longest time I was out was about 8 hours. The only time I went out twice in two days was on the LAMM B class 4 weeks before my attempt. Although once or twice I did go out the day after a short race. A bit of speed work also helped and a regular hill rep session.
I new the route well and was really phsyched up for it. Get good help and be organised. Enjoy the day. Don't put pressure on yourself. I told my pacers not to tell me the time unless we were getting well down, and nobody did until Red Pike ( I was 1 hour up). I eventually completed in 22hr 40min from a 23hr schedule and the pace was very easy from Pillar onwards.
Good luck.:)

Aardvark

I shouldn't comment, as I have never been involved .... but.

Don't forget to train the 6 inches between your ears.

Just as important as all the above. ;)

I've just been reading this thread with great interest.

I've been contemplating the BGR for about 12 months now and i'm just starting to up my off road milage but am still well down on the recommended weekly ascent.

Jamie i'd be interested in accompanying you in some of your longer walks and general route finding if possible?

martin

No worries Martin

Drop me a PM, and Ill send you my email address and mob number.

Im planning on running fridays and long walks saturdays. Im planning on getting cracking after winter hill hill.

I know alwaysinjured is keen to help out

Whereabouts are you?

Cheers
Jamie

You can count me in as well Jamie.

Off to do leg three on Monday, well High Raise onwards starting fom Langdale up to High Raise and then right through to Wasdale before coming back to LD over Esk Hause on the motorway. There's a good long day! All shaping up nicely for the BGR in June.

Did 2 lovely hours on Moel Famau today by running the Clywdian Hills course and adding a bit; the visibility was incredible. Not only could I see Tryfan from this distance, but i could pick out the buttresses. Cadair was also very distinctive despite being 50 miles away.

Apparently the forecast is good for Monday, poss temp inversion, so I'm really looking forward to that!

Some good stuff on this thread. I've started a blog for my training which is just for me. However, I have a training schedule mapped out and wondered if anyone who has done this before would be willing to comment on it and offer any advice?

Cheers

ST

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Originally Posted by Swiss Toni

Off to do leg three on Monday, well High Raise onwards starting fom Langdale up to High Raise and then right through to Wasdale before coming back to LD over Esk Hause on the motorway. There's a good long day! All shaping up nicely for the BGR in June.

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How was it on Monday?
The weather does not get much better than this!

castlehill

send me a pm with your details and I'll have a look at the schedule if you like ST. i've done the round 3 times and have supported quite a few.

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Originally Posted by Full Moon Addict

send me a pm with your details and I'll have a look at the schedule if you like ST. i've done the round 3 times and have supported quite a few.

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OK will do

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Originally Posted by castlehill

How was it on Monday?
The weather does not get much better than this!

castlehill

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Decided to go to Snowdonia instead (much nearer) and did the Glyderau leg of the Paddy Buckley. Weather was magnificent, bitterly cold and clear as a bell.

Castlehill you have a PM