If you had to give a runner/walker 10 top tips for getting into fell running what would they be?
I'll start off with
1. Join a club
2...
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If you had to give a runner/walker 10 top tips for getting into fell running what would they be?
I'll start off with
1. Join a club
2...
Er...
1. Run off road as much as possible
2. Don't. Look. Up.
3. Vaseline is your friend
4. Cut (or pick) your toenails regularly
5. Wear new fell shoes as every day trainers for a couple of months before running in them
6. Get so that you love running up hill and f***ing love running down
1. Sit the wife down and explain it's only mud and will wash off
Wife? I'd tell them that fell running and marriages don't mix very well.
Errr... please don't anyone tell my wife that I posted that one.:o
10) Don't believe anything that is written on this forum.
What :confused:?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
Tell them its not elitist and we are not all mashochists, well im certainly not
never share a lift to a race with anyone that is likely to win a prize. You don't get home very quickly.
I agree! Did 17 miles round Borrowdale in a brand new pair Walshes a few weeks back! No blisters or rubbing at all!Quote:
Originally Posted by david
Don't assume that runners from the club organising the event know their way round!
I once raced in Walshes straight out of Pete Bland's van when I forgot my shoes :o.Quote:
Originally Posted by dominion
I really have to 'tread carefully' with new running shoes; I think its because I have wide feet :). Inov8's seem fine but I've had problems with the narrower New Balance shoes. I tend to start wearing a new pair around the house whilst my old pair are in their last viable couple of months and in that way never have problems.
I'm a masochist.
1/ take an old mat to stand on to change your socks and fell shoes aftera race
2/ always try to take the organiser the correct money not a £20 note
3/ never push in at a stile
4/ dont jump over walls at stiles
5/ always give thanks to a helper at a checkpoint
6/ ensure your fell shoes are not slipping about , make sure the laces are tight
7/ always smile at forum ladies
8/ never ever hoover your car out after your first race
9/ learn to brush off loony comments as you walk like a bow legged dan dare in motorway service forecourts after races
10/ every now and then take in the fantastic views
1. Keep 4 pins on your race vest. They do go through the wash!
2. Vas your feet.
3. Take a photocopy of the race route.
4. Whatever shoes you prefer make sure they are low and have easy to tie/undo laces.
5. If you need to wear a second layer, put your race vest underneath in case you get too warm. Flash yer number at Marshals when you say hello!
6. Find a water carrying system that works for you. 10 miles into a Long is not the time to find it chafes or wobbles annoyingly.
7. Trial various foods to carry. Chocolate is usually hopeless.
8. Don't worry about a club, just do it!
9. Be honest with your self. Will you love and respect what you do and where you are doing it? Act accordingly.
10. The Hills are in charge. Always remember that.:cool:
Learn to use a map and compass thingy - one day you will lose sight of the runner you are following and your life may depend on it.
Enjoy the hills, that is why we are up there.
Ultimately the hills have the last word - forget that at your peril.
All good advice so far but the best one I have been given is:
The map and compass is right, its you that is lost
[QUOTE=daz h;55719]
8/ never ever hoover your car out after your first race
Certainly don't bother hoovering out the car BEFORE a race!
I like all these tips!
Must revise my map reading/compass using skills :rolleyes:
That is called doing a runner....you were expected to pay for them first.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by david
Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I often wonder how fell runners find out where there are just by using a map and compass after they have got lost in the clouds when the visibility is only a few feet around them and there are no distinguishing features in the landscape.:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by AJF
I think you need to go on a FRA navigation course :DQuote:
Originally Posted by XRunner
Bill
Another crucial tip.
Go before you start :)
Because if you don't, running, especially up and down hills and for long distances, sure as hell gets things moving.
Try out new carb drinks before using them in races or events, because they can get you going too...:o
Dont assume the runner just in front knows where he is going.
(AKA most runners are lemmings)
Dont assume the runner a long way in front is even part of your race.
(AKA how several people end up at 3 shires on the langdale race)
Dont assume that just because the runner in front has a compass, he knows how to use it. (AKA it could be desparation!)
well the 10 we went for were in no particular order:
1. Keep Navigation Simple
2. Be Safe when out alone (descending/gear etc)
3. Enjoy it
4. Don't be intimidated, it isn't as hard as you think.
5. Join a club (not essential but useful)
6. How and what to eat
7. Get racing
8. Take your time, prepare to be fustrated, walk bits etc
9. get kitted up, Road shoes are Ok, but fell shoes needed eventually
10. Techniques, descending and ascending, no hard and fast rules, just general views.
Like 'em - good beginners tips them :DQuote:
Originally Posted by IainR
lol, I have to go through this almost every race with the wife. Makes a race a short 1 hr trip to a longer evening.Quote:
Originally Posted by macc ladd
BTW thanks for all the suggestions. The BMC approached us to write a short article for the next issue of Summit, in the form of a top 10 tips for beginners style. They had a cancellation so we had to get it together in a few days. Anyway its out in August. It was unpaid, just thought I'd get some wider views.
Cheers
Iain
Or make sure that the prizegiving is in a pub and your mate is driving!Quote:
Originally Posted by macc ladd
dont decide to dance for 5 hrs after a 3 hr fell race
especially pogo dancing :o
second that motion :oQuote:
Originally Posted by daz h
even worse in heavy walking boots!:(
and you was jumping higher and fasterQuote:
Originally Posted by emmilou
If you find yourself running with someone who says he is employed in the medical proffession ......... quickly find another partner, the former is almost certainly barking mad :p
You may live to regret that M'sieur Mole!:D
I think this is probably correct:eek: :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
Some great advice on here. Maybe just an idea to dish out a free sheet when someone joins the FRA , suggested first races etc, just a thought.
The article is now published in 'Summit', The BMC magazine, it will be available on line but not for a while, called 'Uphill Battle - An introduction to Fell Running'. BMC members should recieve their copies today week or early next week.
They gave us 3 pages in the magazine, and some big photo spaces, so very happy with it. One photo is wrongly labeled as Foel Goch when it is the Gey Corries, but that could be our fault, not sure.
Just been reading it. You got the centre pages so prime space. Good read and nice picture of you and the dog descending Yr Elen.
With regard to the incredible records bit - my knees ache just thinking of descending from the summit of Tryfan to the A5 in 8 minutes!
Cheers, that's why I included that record, the others are quite well known, but anyone who knows that terrain knows how good that is. Mike's our builder, we know him through the club though. It used to be a race, stopped for safety reasons, Mike broke his wrist chasing his record, but still made the road in something like 8:30.
I can do it in 15 minutes or so. The first few drops are quite high, I lower myself down them.