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Following on from the advice given on another beginners thread to 'join a club', what can those of us who are 'geographically challenged' do about this?
Are there clubs for southern runners where we can learn the arcane secrets of training for and racing on the fells? Or is my best bet to hang around on here picking up pearls of wisdom as they are cast, and making journeys north as often as budget and family permit?
Cheers - Raymond
I hear a lot of talk about 'Tring Running Club'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond Hickman
They are based somewhere in Hertfordshire, I believe, and, from a quick look at some race results appear to have a few good fell runners. I know they put teams into both the FRA relays and Calderdale and have noticed they have a shed load of entries on the list for Edale. Could be worth a look?
MH
There was a guy on the old forum who was looking into setting up a southern fell club with the proposed name of FellDown Harriers - if I remember rightly he was concentrating on the Chilterns London and the North and South Downs - I'm sure he'll reveal himself when/if he sees this thread.
Tring and Milton Keynes AC is the Hertfordshire local derby transported to Calderdale every December. They've (Tring) won it the past two years, anyway. We (Milton Keynes) also have a few experienced full runners and are presently trying to "formalise" the organisation of that section of the club. We're (a few of us at MKAC) also putting together a Bob Graham attempt in the next 12 months or so. PM me if you want any more info.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mountain Hare
Brighton! Isn't there a World Mountain running champion from there; Nigel Gates?
And Brighton isn't particularly flat.
When I lived 'Down South' I found a good beasting on the cross country circuit would set me up just right for the fells,.
For your location, the best you can probably do is join a local club that organises runs on the South Downs. I don't know any particular ones, but a bit of websearching should find out. Ask on the Runners World forum as well, e.g. on the Steyning Stinger page if there is one (upcoming hilly off-road marathon).Quote:
Originally Posted by Raymond Hickman
My theory is that hills evolve hill runners, which is why you get the odd southern club with strong hill running tendencies, like Tring, Stroud, etc. I don't know what gets the Essex lot (Springfield) going, but they seem to be keen too.
Just to correct you, Mountain Hare, Tring running club is not based in Hertfordshire at all, but in Tringshire!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mountain Hare
Yes indeed. This covers areas you might otherwise know as Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, but is in fact entirely independent! The precise area covered is defined by where I can run to, or care to run to, and back, from my house in Tring. So it covers the Chiltern Hills from the north end of Dunstable Downs right down to Princes Risborough to the south west. Heading north west it ends abruptly at the Icknield Way at the foot of the hills, and heading south east it peters out as the hills fade into the mess of towns down there - I forget those foreign names. But many local gems are included in Tringshire - the Ivinghoe Hills, Wendover Woods (containing the Chiltern Summit, a Marylin in its own right!), Coombe Hill, Pulpit Hill, Whiteleaf Hill etc etc.
Really, you must visit one day, you will be graciously received. :)
We’ve got some bumps in Essex (300 feet) but our training is done by racing whenever we can. We sometimes travel 40 miles to train on the North Downs in Kent. Probably explains why we’re not very good.
Two of us at Springfield have been fell running for 20 years and have spread the gospel for most of them. We have our own fell championship. We even have our own contrived hill race 1.5miles 450 feet.
We took 30 to Box Hill last week (140 mile round trip) and there are similar numbers going to Long Mynd this weekend (400 mile). If we lived any closer we’d swamp the races.
God only knows what our carbon footprint is.
Unfortunately, Raymond, there are no clubs around our way that are too interested in hill running. My club, Steyning, is about the only exception. A handful of us prefer the Downs to roadrunning, which seems to be the norm for Brighton clubs.
Annoying as it may be, you just have to accept the solitude of running on your own and look down on those who prefer the monotany of pounding the streets. You are more than welcome to come running with me when I've gotten over this PF.
Don't do yourself down, Mr Invisible! Your commitment to fell running from deepest Essex is to be admired!Quote:
Originally Posted by invisible
Yes we saw the droves of white and yellow Springfield vests at Box Hill (mostly behind us ;) ), and I've seen the entries for Edale, where we have a dozen entries ourselves. But I think you are going to outnumber me at the Long Mynd this weekend, where Tring pride rests on my solitary shoulders. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by invisible
Commitment might be the right word.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevie
Look forward to seeing you at the weekend
There a few fell runners who live on the Isle of Wight!
Have a look at http://www.rydeharriers.co.uk/
We organise the SEAA Fell Running Championships and a few of us travel 'up north' now and again to do the odd fell race.
Hello Pav - fourtunately I do really like trudging over the downs on my tod; I like the physical and the mental benefits of pushing yourself without other distractions. If either Sam or Phil are reading this it doesn't mean that I don't also like our Sunday morning group outings; the truth is I'm happy doing both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pav
The club thing is more about learning from others experience (which this forum seems pretty good at) and taking part in races not as some individual who has just traversed half the country on his lonesome (and who will run round and travel home the same way), but rather as part of a team which has some social connection and support. Luckily by posting up this thread I have made contact with a fellow Milton Keynes AC runner so there's some possibility there.
All of which doesn't mean that I wouldn't be up for a run out with you sometime; just promise you'll be gentle with me...see you at the 3 Forts if not before.
Cheers - Raymond
A mention of Stroud on the forum. What a pleasant surprise! The town itself is at the meeting point ('confluence' being the correct term I believe) of 'the Five Valleys'. There's some great hill running to be had on a variety of terrains, hence the fairly strong turnout at Snowdon, the Ben etc. Having said that, it would still be great to be that bit closer to the Lake District and be able to get familiar with the territory and run some of the races up there....
FellDownHarriers? Yes there was some debate on that and I got momentarily involved but it came to nowt. I did meet up with Pav at the Lancing SteepDown last year (hope the PF is better) "which was nice" and got a few email addresses from people but we seem to be few and far between. When I speak to people I know about running on the Downs they just think I'm mad. I will / do post up dates for any hilly Southern races though so keep your eyes peeled.
Downsman - are you joining me at the Meon Valley Plod on Sunday? Twenty hilly muddy miles - great fun!
Wasn't aware of that race but it sounds 'fun'! It's nice over that way - do you do Butser as well?
Details are on the Portsmouth joggers site www.pjc.org.uk you can normally enter on the day. The course includes Butser as well as a few other bumps.
Thames hare and hounds, while predominantly a xc club (and the oldest one in the world at that) have a few fell-minded individuals. Some of them did the Long Mynd Valleys Fell Race last weekend in preparation for the manx mountain marathon. The Welsh castles relay (while not strictly fell it does have a few ups and downs) is also their main summer fixture in the off-season for xc.
Based on Wimbldon common adjacent to Richmond park the undulations wont prepare you for northern fell but its the most off road running you'll get in London and not far from Box Hill and the Surrey hills.
http://www.thameshareandhounds.org.uk
Great club - can thoroughly recommend (we're members "up North" but he as in Jerry is still first claim Thames). Think they won the 3 Peaks team prize last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Do one
Just sending our club's entry off tonight - Bath hope to have three teams / 60 runners out for the week-end - highlight of our Club year!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Do one
I just had my first taste of fell running at the Box Hill Fell Race, and really enjoyed it...although, perhaps if i'd started out at a tougher race, I'd have lost all interest in fell running immediately!
I too am a geographically challenged and will be keeping an eye on this forum for ideas of where to train/race.
In the meantime, back to the small hills around Croydon...
Matt
Although Box Hill isn't really a proper fell race, it is a great introduction. Try making the occasional trip up north for a taste of the real thingQuote:
Originally Posted by mkmorgan
Cheers...will do!
Anyone recommend anywhere to train/race near Ladybower?
I used to train there from time to time when I lived in Sheffield (although pretty much entierly on the flat), and I still visit family up there from time to time. I figure it might help to start somewhere I'm a little familiar with.
Matt
http://www.sloweb.org.uk/events/20070528/index.htm
Surrey hills race 28th May. 18, 10 and 6 miles options