Rowbothams Round Rotherham '12

Anyone considering this, this year?

Never done an ultra, but in the last few months there's that many people round me getting the worst kind of diagnosis.... it makes you think "live for today, go for it"? I still trying to work out if it's a good enough reason....

Anyway, RRR is on my doorstep. Around the start of leg 7 and I've watched it come through for the last few years. Even when it was torrential rain all day!

So whilst I consider whether my families going to spend the next few months thinking I've lost it, anyone else doing it? Thinking of doing it? Got any advice?

ta

It was my first Ultra last year, great race to do as an intro! Well organised, well supported, friendly, forgiving time limit (some people obviously walk the whole thing)...highly recommended! And it's cheap.

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Originally Posted by No vice

Anyone considering this, this year?

Never done an ultra, but in the last few months there's that many people round me getting the worst kind of diagnosis.... it makes you think "live for today, go for it"? I still trying to work out if it's a good enough reason....

Anyway, RRR is on my doorstep. Around the start of leg 7 and I've watched it come through for the last few years. Even when it was torrential rain all day!

So whilst I consider whether my families going to spend the next few months thinking I've lost it, anyone else doing it? Thinking of doing it? Got any advice?

ta

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I'd agree with No Vice. Though having not actually done it. Read a fair bit and looked at it myself as 'one to do'. Its an old LDWA event so I guess there'll be tea and cakes at checkpoints, manageable cut-offs and there's a good linear map supplied which guides you round so navigation is fairly well sorted. My mates doing it, I think, so look out for him...Adrian Murray-Walker. Enjoy! :)

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

I'd agree with No Vice. Though having not actually done it. Read a fair bit and looked at it myself as 'one to do'. Its an old LDWA event so I guess there'll be tea and cakes at checkpoints, manageable cut-offs and there's a good linear map supplied which guides you round so navigation is fairly well sorted. My mates doing it, I think, so look out for him...Adrian Murray-Walker. Enjoy! :)

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I did it last year, to try a flat ultra for a change. I really enjoyed it. I think it would be a good first ultra for you. A good 2nd one would be the Highland Fling.

Did it last year as my first ultra, minimal training due to a new baby and it was fine. Surprisingly pleasant route, superb checkpoints and generally a great day out! Hoping to be there again this year, probably raising money for the Children's hospital again.

I entered this a week or so before I did L50, partly as an incentive to keep training, sometimes I can lose motivation once a much anticipated race has been completed. It will be my third ultra, after the Highland Fling a few years ago and the L50 this year. I know nothing about the route but there's not too much climbing so I reckon it'll be a piece of cake :wink:
I have to say I'm looking forward to it, might even try to run the whole thing.

Is the course mountain bikable?
I was thinking of reccying it by riding round it.

There is a nice little book by Ray Matthews called 'Me and My Shadow' about his double round. He co-ordinated his first round to finish about the start of the race proper then went round again. Privately published but non the worse for that. It is nice because it has a very local feel and Ray is no spring chicken- quite a feat.

I was pondering this too, did the high peak marathon a few years ago as my only foray into ultras and am quite keen to try and get back into it... and I like the sound of the flatness :D

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Originally Posted by RachFR

I was pondering this too, did the high peak marathon a few years ago as my only foray into ultras and am quite keen to try and get back into it... and I like the sound of the flatness :D

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Flat it is, the danger being that on a dry warm day its very runnable!!! which I found to my cost last year :o ... no steep hills to walk up whilst pretending not to catch your breath. I'm in again as it's on my doorstones ... I wrote about it last year and took a few pics along the way ..

http://mike-viewfromtherear.blogspot...m-50-15th.html

there ya go, give it a go its surprisingly rural for a lot of the way and Henrys strip maps are perfect!

It's not that flat, Mike. More undulating I'd say, though I'd agree with the runnability and potential trashing of self.

Rach FR, here's my report to expand your information banks before taking the plunge. I'll be there again this year. I hope you make it and enjoy it, though don't bank on similarly nice weather; it surely can't last. ;-)

Well I've pressed the big shiny enter button - hopefully see some of you in October!

I read Mike D-H's report and it seems like its not quite what I thought it was!? I was under the impression it was footpaths, roads and tow-paths...all very steady away. What are the field crossings like as a rule, and the navigation (I know theres a nifty map!). Its just my mates doing it and he seems to think like me. I'm wondering if he's going to be in for a bit of a surprise if it rains etc.

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

I read Mike D-H's report and it seems like its not quite what I thought it was!? I was under the impression it was footpaths, roads and tow-paths...all very steady away. What are the field crossings like as a rule, and the navigation (I know theres a nifty map!). Its just my mates doing it and he seems to think like me. I'm wondering if he's going to be in for a bit of a surprise if it rains etc.

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Well, field crossings are heavily dependent upon the weather, some of the spud fields are about a yard deep! ok if you running in the direction of the harrow:) rest of them are grass fields and go on, and on, and on, .... once after half way that is. First half is a bit urban, last mile or so the same but plenty of fields `tween ... a real mix really. It's my manor so to speak and I was pleasantly surprised by the route. ... Henry Marstons strip maps are just great, they do the job perfectly! never used owt like that afore but they get you round no probs at all.

I did this last year and I was really worried it wouldn't be my cup of tea, but it is surprisingly likeable....sure there's no big hills to plod/have a rest on, but the organisation and support, from the start to the finish is excellent, and for such a modest fee :) The fact it's listed in the LDWA Strider magazine speaks volumes, and the support is what you would expect from such-like events. I really like the way it's set up, with the walkers going off first, then the runners, then the relay runners, last year I had company for probably 70% of the route..the relay runners are really supportive because they like your mad doing all of it. Henry's strip maps are great, I never got to recce the route before the race, but got round unscathed. The weather was favourable last year (road shoes for me), some of the fields have the potential to be a bit claggy if it's wet, but nothing terrible. I think of it as a cross-county ultra. There are a few bits that are not so nice (industrial estates etc), and some of the tracks trails can be tedious, but they don't last long and the areas such as Roach Abbey are lovely.

Here are my photos from 2009, 2010 and 2011. Shall we all put our hands together and pray for good weather once again in 2012, the keep the record going since it was brought forward to October?

Personally I would like to see it go back to December and have the horizontal rain, mud and general good fun that more challenging conditions create.

Well to try to help me decide if I am up for this, last weekend I did the Elsecar Skelter, on 2 days notice and with 12miles being my longest run for a considerable time. I guess I wanted to see how I felt when I was completely knackered? Well I got completely knackered, gained 2 massive blisters and they've got to heal before Belper 30k on Sunday!
Am I any closer to making a decision?
... Maybe, probably

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Originally Posted by Henry Porter

There is a nice little book by Ray Matthews called 'Me and My Shadow' about his double round. He co-ordinated his first round to finish about the start of the race proper then went round again. Privately published but non the worse for that. It is nice because it has a very local feel and Ray is no spring chicken- quite a feat.

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Bit of info - Rays on about making it 3 circuits this year!

Question. Looking at the pics, the majority of the runners had rucksack type hydration systems. Are they needed/recommended?
Though I knew I'd be out for a while in hot weather at Elsecar, I figured there were plenty of checkpoints, so just took a belt, with a waterbottle and space for a couple of gels. Partook of a bit of the offerred food en route.
That not recommended for 50 milers?

No Vice, that sounds ok to me. I carried similar last year and was fine

I used bottles- easier to fill, i think and also I struggle to 'suck' and breathe when running. Plenty of chaces to fill and plenty of food- but as always have a bit with you fo a bad patch in between checkpoints or if you don't fancy what they have on offer when you get there. I had a sack- but only because a bumbag hurts my stomach on long runs.

I agree, you definitely don't need a bladder. One water bottle (or two for balance?) is all you need and fill up at the checkpoints. As Karen said, take your own emergency food to get you through a low point between checkpoints, and graze on the checkpoint food.

John, I too enjoyed the challenge of the cold wet years in December. (The weather becomes irrelevant if your clothing is keeping you dry and comfortable.) I also remember the wall-to-wall sunshine and T-shirt weather we enjoyed one year in December.

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Originally Posted by BritNick

I agree, you definitely don't need a bladder. One water bottle (or two for balance?) is all you need and fill up at the checkpoints. As Karen said, take your own emergency food to get you through a low point between checkpoints, and graze on the checkpoint food.

John, I too enjoyed the challenge of the cold wet years in December. (The weather becomes irrelevant if your clothing is keeping you dry and comfortable.) I also remember the wall-to-wall sunshine and T-shirt weather we enjoyed one year in December.

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Yep I was distinctly over dressed for that one.

It's my first attempt having pulled out last year. I've recced the first stage to Grange GC and found that fine. Planning to recce from Meadowhall to Swinton in the next couple of weeks. Around 34 miles if anyone fancies joining me?

I have entered but cannot now run. Would anyone like my entry as they won't refund it so I need a change of name? Thanks
rachel

rachel- see reply in sales and wants Karen

No vice, I am thinking if you dont try you will regret it. I did it last year and enjoyed it - though running through that sewage works was "esoteric", Roche Abbey was more to my liking - yeah the food is good and its a pleasant vibe. Enjoy,

Well, after the exterminator, I was unsure. Then a couple of weeks of short highly races made me realise I have some big gains to make and need to increase my speed as a start point.
So I dismissed RR and figured I'd enter a load of 10k races and do Bridlington Half or the first SYXC on the day after Rowbothams. Give myself plenty of time to build up to RR next year.
It wasn't as easily dsmissed though, looks like I'll be there.
Just waiting to hear which leg I'll be doing in the relay :-)

Is anyone sleeping the night at the Sport Centre? Has anyone slept there before? Is there anything set up to make a hot drink in the morning? Any other suggestions/recommendations would be great!

Theres a gang US doing rr then brid half on the Sunday if you wanted some company you're more than welcome to join us in our shuffling. There's a lad doing his first half too so it will be a sociol plod with a bag of chips at the end :)

Is there a map/route available to look at at registration/on the day? I haven't had a chance to recce so was doing some map-geekery using the maps on Henry Marston's website, but it does say that "the actual route can be significantly displaced from that depicted" - ie. I may have an incorrect route drawn on my map??
Cheers

Rachel- I cannot remember if there are maps on the am (suspect there are) but it is too early for me and I want them before then.
There are two sets of maps on their website.
I printed off the OS style ones and the wierd strip maps. The strip maps actually work pretty well although the scale is not consistent. I have done it the last 2 years and not got very lost. I have usually been with or near other people.
In the end it would not matter if you came off their route as long as you got to the next checkpoint- that is an issue with the funny strip maps as once you are off them you will not know where you are! It is why I did not only take those.

It is a nice event- funny mixture of landscapes but very friendly and great checkpoints and marshalls

Karen

Thanks Karen, I'll print off the strip maps as well then have the OS map as backup and hopefully I'll be fine :)

Rachael the strip maps are fine once you get your head round em, i recce'd section from grange to micklebring recently and found them a lot easier than os map i had, suppose you need to keep an eye on where you are all the time but that seemed to keep me focused and not think about miles left, just got my entry in will be first attempt at this distance:)

Hi Rachel, I agree with Karen and dogruf the strip maps are fine but not to scale and plenty of features on them to keep on track theres alsotrail marker discs on post and gates on the way round too. It's nice route and better than you'd expect ( for a flat one) . I'm sure you'll enjoy it :)

Done it a few times and strip maps are great OS maps will just be dead weight, good luck and enjoy

The thing is this: I enter this event every year but for different reasons have never actually managed to start.
Coming off the back of very long-term injury and a recent calf strain, I'd completely given up on this year as well.
But I managed a gentle, slow, flat 5 miles at the weekend.............


Can you guess what I'm starting to consider?
Just how stupid would it be?
I mean, it's not like 5x10 is such a big sum, is it?

you could go and just aim to finish! Tell yourself it will be a nice day out?

I operate at a different part of the athletic spectrum from yours, Karen. "Just aim to finish" is my target when I'm fit and and on form!

ha ha. I've done RR50 twice now and both times have ahd a dreadful bad patch. At roughly the same place? perhaps I need to learn something from this. On each occassion it has taken all my will power to keep going and has reduced me to tears of frustration, pain and despair (and we do this for fun!)
Keep telling myself that I WILL set off slowly along those cycle tracks at the start.......

Hi tussockface you could set off with a jog walk frame of mind of a very steady route and plenty it walkers to chat to should the calf play up. You could always set off and get half way or 30ish mile mark theres a couple halls as checkpoints and plenty of others in between if it all goes pear shaped. Theres plenty of us other spectrum types on it mate so there'll be company ;) nothing ventured nothing gained,