Peak District beginner

Hi folks, what a great forum. I've just moved to Manchester, never lived in 'the north' before, and I want to make the most of having the Peaks just a stone's throw away. I've been a road runner for a couple of years and just did my first marathon in 4hrs. I want to get into off-road running because I'd love to one day enter an ultra race, which is almost guaranteed to have a fair bit of off road, and because the views are better! I want to build up to 3hr+ runs like I do on road, but initially navigation, when I'm tired and wet, will be the big challenge. Oh, and probably the hills!

If anyone had any newbie route suggestions, or books with suggested routes, I'd love to hear. Lastly if anyone near me was interested in a running buddy, albeit a slow one especially up hills(!), do get in touch. I'd love to plan some challenges and days out. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by caity

Hi folks, what a great forum. I've just moved to Manchester, never lived in 'the north' before, and I want to make the most of having the Peaks just a stone's throw away. I've been a road runner for a couple of years and just did my first marathon in 4hrs. I want to get into off-road running because I'd love to one day enter an ultra race, which is almost guaranteed to have a fair bit of off road, and because the views are better! I want to build up to 3hr+ runs like I do on road, but initially navigation, when I'm tired and wet, will be the big challenge. Oh, and probably the hills!

If anyone had any newbie route suggestions, or books with suggested routes, I'd love to hear. Lastly if anyone near me was interested in a running buddy, albeit a slow one especially up hills(!), do get in touch. I'd love to plan some challenges and days out. Thanks.

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Hi Caity, you should come along for a run with Pennine on a Thursday night. We meet in the car park of the Royal in Hayfield at 7pm and cater for all abilities. A fair few of us, myself included live in Manchester/Stockport. If you want a bit more information about us have a look at our blog: http://penninefellrunners.co.uk/wordpress/ or our website: www.penninefellrunners.co.uk

Don't worry about being left behind or anything like that, we're a very friendly club and always look out for new folk on a Thursday night.

Hi Caity - Or you could come along to Glossopdale Harriers for a fell run. We run on Tuesday and Thursday's, offering an A, B and sometimes/as required a C run. A few members live in Manchester and catch the train to get Glossop Leisure Centre for 7pm (and then drive to start of the run). We are really friendly too! Details of runs on our website:

www.glossopdale.org.uk

caity - Welcome To Manchester! :)

go to Lyme Park and run up to Bowstones
go to Bollington and crawl up to White Nancy then along the Kerridge ridge
go to Hayfield and make your way up to Kinder Downfall

you are doomed! (in a good way)

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Originally Posted by caity

Hi folks, what a great forum. I've just moved to Manchester, never lived in 'the north' before, and I want to make the most of having the Peaks just a stone's throw away. I've been a road runner for a couple of years and just did my first marathon in 4hrs. I want to get into off-road running because I'd love to one day enter an ultra race, which is almost guaranteed to have a fair bit of off road, and because the views are better! I want to build up to 3hr+ runs like I do on road, but initially navigation, when I'm tired and wet, will be the big challenge. Oh, and probably the hills!

If anyone had any newbie route suggestions, or books with suggested routes, I'd love to hear. Lastly if anyone near me was interested in a running buddy, albeit a slow one especially up hills(!), do get in touch. I'd love to plan some challenges and days out. Thanks.

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Hi Caity,

welcome to fell running....which also involves walking up the hills (much to my relief when I started a year ago!). I joined Glossopdale Harriers and can vouch for them being a friendly bunch....its usually me who gets a C group going (A being fast/long, B being a shorter/slower)....C was for me a way to transition from just running alone to getting out and pushing myself a bit, meeting other runners. I'd be happy to join you for an easy slow run - I tend to run with the club on Tuesdays so just drop me a line if you want to join us.

my only advice apart from joining a club, would be to just get out and run. if yr worried about navigation then do out-and-back routes on well defined paths to start with. there are courses you can go on designed specifically for runners.

Lynne

Welcome :D

Endless possibilities around Manchester (north, south and east). In addition to the clubs mentioned already :wink: there is also my club Altrincham & District (mainly road and track tbh but also has a small 'fell' section and alternative Thursday evening runs in the Peaks). I guess it depends where you are based and how far you want to travel. I cannot speak for the others, but I suspect all clubs will be completely relaxed about joining in whether you are a member or not, so try them all!

In respect of routes, there are also endless possibilities that are well suited to nuddging up your milages and climbing over time (my 2012 objective) . If you are a nervous about navigation look up some of the medium race routes such as Roaches, Windgather Rocks, Kinder Downfall, Winterhill or Edale Skyline :w00t: (not a medium but can be easily broken down into sections) - all are pretty obvious on the ground. Any section of the well signed Gritstone Trail (runs south from Disley) will also give you a good run out if you don't want to venture onto the open moors around Kinder etc... just yet.

Enjoy!

Thanks for all this great info, I appreciate everyone's time to write it, nice to hear from you all. Sounds like joining a club would be a good option, how to decide though?! I might give a few of them a try if that's not considered wrong! I'm near Old Trafford. Glossop training appeals if I can get the train from town straight after work, I have a car but cycle to work, so by the time I'm home and picked up the car, and sat in traffic... I can hopefully make next Thursday (away on tues unfortunately, but the following week should be ok). Can a small bag be left in the leisure centre?

Will check out those route suggestions, good idea to look up race routes, and try out-and-backs. I was on Kinder last weekend walking, and then climbing at Windgather and loved it, definitely want to get out there running. Lynne - hope to meet you sometime with the club, I'm around some weekends as well so if you ever want a slow partner let me know. Thanks everyone, please keep any other thoughts coming.

A work colleague and I both run on Thursday nights with Pennine. Our office is in Trafford Park. You would need to allow for an hours traveling time to get to Hayfield from that part of Manchester. I would assume Glossop would not be much different . I have been with Pennine 3 years now and pig sick that I did not join much earlier. Best thing I ever done, they have lifted me to a new level as regards my fitness and running ability on the rough ground.

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Originally Posted by Dynamo Dan

Hi Caity, you should come along for a run with Pennine on a Thursday night. We meet in the car park of the Royal in Hayfield at 7pm and cater for all abilities. A fair few of us, myself included live in Manchester/Stockport. If you want a bit more information about us have a look at our blog: http://penninefellrunners.co.uk/wordpress/ or our website: www.penninefellrunners.co.uk

Don't worry about being left behind or anything like that, we're a very friendly club and always look out for new folk on a Thursday night.

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Hi Dan,

Could I join you all for this sometime soon? Who is the best person to contact to let know? Are there several ability-based routes available, or do you all go out en-mass and just go at different speeds?

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Originally Posted by Joester

Hi Dan

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Is it Dan from Pennine you are referring to?

If so, you just show up in the Hotel Carpark just before 7pm on Thursday nights. It has gone a bit mad the last year with the number of new runners that are showing up, its great! Typically there would be 15 to 25 people out and we usually all start of together. A subset of the faster runners would then tend to pull away and do their own thing. You can decide for yourself which group is more suited to your speed.

1:20 run from 7:10 to 8:30 would be typical

Most of us then pile into the pub afterwards.

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Originally Posted by caity

Thanks for all this great info, I appreciate everyone's time to write it, nice to hear from you all. Sounds like joining a club would be a good option, how to decide though?! I might give a few of them a try if that's not considered wrong! I'm near Old Trafford. Glossop training appeals if I can get the train from town straight after work, I have a car but cycle to work, so by the time I'm home and picked up the car, and sat in traffic... I can hopefully make next Thursday (away on tues unfortunately, but the following week should be ok). Can a small bag be left in the leisure centre?

Will check out those route suggestions, good idea to look up race routes, and try out-and-backs. I was on Kinder last weekend walking, and then climbing at Windgather and loved it, definitely want to get out there running. Lynne - hope to meet you sometime with the club, I'm around some weekends as well so if you ever want a slow partner let me know. Thanks everyone, please keep any other thoughts coming.

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Great stuff Caity, look forward to seeing you at Glossop Leisure Centre next Thursday! Yes, you will be able to leave bags, there are lockers and you can also use the shower facilities post-run. Let me know which train you're heading for and we might be able to meet up at Piccadilly.
Alison

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Originally Posted by Joester

Hi Dan,

Could I join you all for this sometime soon? Who is the best person to contact to let know? Are there several ability-based routes available, or do you all go out en-mass and just go at different speeds?

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Like Pat said you'd be very welcome.

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Originally Posted by wormstone

Great stuff Caity, look forward to seeing you at Glossop Leisure Centre next Thursday! Yes, you will be able to leave bags, there are lockers and you can also use the shower facilities post-run. Let me know which train you're heading for and we might be able to meet up at Piccadilly.
Alison

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Hi Alison, would love to meet at Piccadilly if it suited, what train do you normally get? There's a 17:59 which gets to Glossop at 18:30, is that too late, I'm flexible next week, will take your advice. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by caity

Thanks for all this great info, I appreciate everyone's time to write it, nice to hear from you all. Sounds like joining a club would be a good option, how to decide though?! I might give a few of them a try if that's not considered wrong! I'm near Old Trafford. Glossop training appeals if I can get the train from town straight after work, I have a car but cycle to work, so by the time I'm home and picked up the car, and sat in traffic... I can hopefully make next Thursday (away on tues unfortunately, but the following week should be ok). Can a small bag be left in the leisure centre?

Will check out those route suggestions, good idea to look up race routes, and try out-and-backs. I was on Kinder last weekend walking, and then climbing at Windgather and loved it, definitely want to get out there running. Lynne - hope to meet you sometime with the club, I'm around some weekends as well so if you ever want a slow partner let me know. Thanks everyone, please keep any other thoughts coming.

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Hi Caity,

Just come along to a club run one night, no need to pay up beforehand, we're very much a come-and-try (and see how friendly we are!) club. just drop me a PM so I can come and say hello (tho I only run Tuesdays)! if you let me know when yr coming I'll pass on a message to the club so they know to look out for you (we either loiter inside the leisure centre reception or outside - look for the runners in fell shoes!).
we have a couple of members get the train from Manchester, one who cycles to piccadilly to get the Glossop train There's always someone's car to leave a bag in so no prob about yr bag.

and yes, I'm up for weekend runs - I'll DM you my email address so we can sort something out

Lynne

Hi Caity,
I can recommend the area around the Roaches for running too. Parking up at Dane Bridge or Gradbach offer loads of options.
If you are training it out the the peak district I reckon getting off at Buxton would also be a good option.
Happy running

Tim

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Originally Posted by caity

Thanks for all this great info, I appreciate everyone's time to write it, nice to hear from you all. Sounds like joining a club would be a good option, how to decide though?! I might give a few of them a try if that's not considered wrong! I'm near Old Trafford. Glossop training appeals if I can get the train from town straight after work, I have a car but cycle to work, so by the time I'm home and picked up the car, and sat in traffic... I can hopefully make next Thursday (away on tues unfortunately, but the following week should be ok). Can a small bag be left in the leisure centre?

Will check out those route suggestions, good idea to look up race routes, and try out-and-backs. I was on Kinder last weekend walking, and then climbing at Windgather and loved it, definitely want to get out there running. Lynne - hope to meet you sometime with the club, I'm around some weekends as well so if you ever want a slow partner let me know. Thanks everyone, please keep any other thoughts coming.

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Hiya Caity,
I'm one of the Glossopdalers who gets the train from Manchester (2 stops on from Picc), you can use the gym changing rooms and showers, they have lockers too, just make sure you have a pound coin (you get it back though).
I'll be there on Thursday with my collie most likely, think there will be a good turn out with the nice weather, there was tonight anyway.
Tom

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Originally Posted by Skelton

Hiya Caity,
I'm one of the Glossopdalers who gets the train from Manchester (2 stops on from Picc), you can use the gym changing rooms and showers, they have lockers too, just make sure you have a pound coin (you get it back though).
I'll be there on Thursday with my collie most likely, think there will be a good turn out with the nice weather, there was tonight anyway.
Tom

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just so you know, there could be 2 collies...Julien also runs with his dog (Brae)...though Brae stays in the car and appears at the start of a run.

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Originally Posted by cyclops

...and appears at the start of a run.

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and then disappears somewhere on Kinder!!

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

and then disappears somewhere on Kinder!!

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..whilst the rest of the gang are on Bleaklow...
PS. I think Brae prefers to shower in the Downfall...or on special ocassions to drop all inhibitions and have a longer soak in Mermaids Pool...

Thanks everyone, some good tips! I'll be coming out this evening, can't wait. Even more excited by the prospect of some collies - I adore them! Looking forward to meeting people.

I did not write this, it is by Ronan Hickey on the IMRA forum but it is worthy of a bigger audience

Instructions for getting into Fell Running.

1) Get badgered into turning up to a race by mates calling you a wimp.
2) Rock up to what you reckon is the easiest race in the calendar.
3) Freak out at the fact that the competitors are leaner, fitter and meaner-looking than at road races. Hell, they look tough even while wearing lycra!
4) Panic when you can't follow the route description which is blurted out at the start of the race.
5) Die for the first 10 minutes.
6) Think about faking an injury to be able to stop.
7) Suddenly realise that while it's horrific it hasn't actually got any WORSE in the last 5 minutes.
8) Reach the top.
9) Become a kid again running down as fast as you can (note: you will redefine the word fast after seeing how the leaders do these descents)
10) Try NOT to get an injury (cos you know we'll think you're only faking it)
11) Finish and liberally apply batter burgers,chips and pints of Guinness
12) Swagger a little when you casually mention the race to people in work
13) Become obsessed with percentages, Enduro points, race profiles and marking that FECKING git who always seems to finish just in front of you but MAN is he gonna get his at the next race!
14) Laugh like a drain when road runners complain about hilly race courses

Thanks again everyone. Had a really fun time running with the Glossopdale Harriers last week, and plan to go along again when I get chance. Thanks to Ali for getting the train with me, and Tom for company on the way back. As for the 'Instructions for getting into fell running' - very useful! I especially like no. 7! Thanks for posting.

DrPatrickBarry, that's wonderful advice. Particularly the batter burgers, chips and Guiness bit. Oh, and the swagger of course. From a beginner butting in on this thread, thanks! :)

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Originally Posted by Thumbcandy

DrPatrickBarry, that's wonderful advice. Particularly the batter burgers, chips and Guiness bit. Oh, and the swagger of course. From a beginner butting in on this thread, thanks! :)

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As a beginner I think I need to practise my 'swagger' :)
From one beginner to another - hope you're enjoying getting started in the fell running world!

Caity & Tumbcandy you have got to read Jakesy report on his first fell race. Its a classic. He actually went for a pretty hard race for his first one.
http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...ighlight=cader

Thanks Patrick - Jakesy's is a great story. Seems quite a different beast to me, none of my miles at 7.27 could be described as 'nice and easy' on any surface :)

I'm hoping that the Yorkshireman at a C3 won't be quite so intense as Cader... or is that just wishful thinking?

Man, I'm looking forward to this. I hadn't thought about etiquette, I'll need to read up on this to avoid problems.

Cheers,
Andy

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Originally Posted by Thumbcandy

I hadn't thought about etiquette,

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I must admit it is news to me as well. I have a race in Ireland in the summer it is an out and back up a 3000 footer in Tipperary (Galteymore) so we will be meeting the race leaders on the return leg while still climbing.

Is there somewhere to read about etiquette/best practices/sportsmanship etc?

I started with Cader Idris as well. I reckon it was pretty good for a first race.

If you are coming from a road running background I would look for an out and back race or something well flagged as it limits the navigation needed. I think that the need to navigate and run is much more of a worry than the hills.

How long or hard a race you choose is really up to you, if you are fit I don't think there is any reason not to start with something hard as long as you are safe.

Jonathan

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Originally Posted by caity

As a beginner I think I need to practise my 'swagger' :)
From one beginner to another - hope you're enjoying getting started in the fell running world!

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Caity, you've not posted since this >6 months ago, and have been hiding your lamp under the FRA bushel.
Congraultaions on your rapid progress, including the recent prize at Lambs Longer Leg!
There, its in the open that you are a natural-born-fell-killer. Best wishes in 2013.

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Originally Posted by OB1

Caity, you've not posted since this >6 months ago, and have been hiding your lamp under the FRA bushel.
Congraultaions on your rapid progress, including the recent prize at Lambs Longer Leg!
There, its in the open that you are a natural-born-fell-killer. Best wishes in 2013.

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Thanks OB1, you're very kind. Actually I had forgotten it was so long since my last post! Thanks again for everyone's input, hope this thread might be useful to others as well. Glossopdale has helped me a lot - have fallen in love with fell running, love the training, races, banter, etc. Still not very fast but enjoying (nearly!) every minute of it. I see I still have to shave 3 seconds off at Marple parkrun to catch you though OB1! Best wishes to you as well for 2013, and look forward to training and racing with you.

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Originally Posted by caity

I see I still have to shave 3 seconds off at Marple parkrun to catch you though OB1!

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Oh sugar, I must dig out that Stanazolol from out of the attic. Maybe see you and the others tomorrow, I'm 50% on the way to a pass and rising.
PS. You would probably have been in the top-10 today at XC (Leigh), certainly top-20.