Wasdale

[mikeynolan]

Quite an experience at the weekend! Lots of ordeals reported by forumites - perhaps we should train better and write less . As for me I tried to set off as slowly as possible but just kept getting hotter. Got going after CP2 and enjoyed the section though Pillar and round Kirk Fell. Really ran out of steam near the top of Gable and stopped for 12 minutes to eat all my food and considered dropping out. Got going again and felt OK round to the Pike - at last a cool breeze. Got even better as I descended until I clipped a rock and went flying landing like a sack of spuds. My screams were heard by most of the walker who came to rescue me - thanks for that. After a couple of minutes of groaning I plodded down. Legs felt fine to be honest just no power on the ascents and too hot ever to feel like pushing on. Think I got round in about 5:45. At least I might get a on next year. Well done to all who got round it was a day to survive I reckon.

[IainR]

I've always reasoned on an hour to an hour 30 without needing a drink. I certainly didn't bother with drinks / gels (not that they really existed!) on anything up to half marathon distance when I was racing (half marathon best of 67, never raced further). A gulp of water if it was a hot day at most.

I do think it's a very personal thing based on what you're used to and have trained to do.

I ran a recent half pb in strong winds on my own at the front of the race in 75 mins, pb of almost 5 minutes, and took nothing and felt fine.. always thought I needed a gel in a half but it was a nothing race so had a try.

Aye deffo personal I think your body gets used to how you train and prepare. I certainly need to eat before a run. I can do early morning runs but breaking an 8 minute mile is like bringing on a heart attack... yet if I get up an hour earlier, get a coffee and toast.. then meet people at 6 am I can run low 7's no issue at all.

[geofpet]

You meet people at 6 in the morning?? The milkman? Well done!! Just having my breakfast then : )

[IainR]

You meet people at 6 in the morning?? The milkman? Well done!! Just having my breakfast then : )

Aye.. he has young kids so needs to run before they get up.. so its 6 am for a 45 min run.. I'm shattered by 10 am then...

[Mountainrunner]

Pleased with 5 hours ish on Saturday. Took a small drink at Greendale but was feeling good there so didn't stop, filled a small bottle at the stream crossing to last. Had a gel on each big climb but took no solids on board. Getting long mountain runs in seems to be the answer for me, although not everybody has that benefit. I did 12miles around Scafell and Gable prior to the race on Tuesday, in the heat. 6 mile faster trail run on Thursday. Post race, day off Sunday (working), Monday 3 mile out and back on road in heat, 25 mins. Legs OK, body tired, breathing hard. Dislike road running. Tuesday club run with BCR, up to Seathwaite Tarn and Dow Crag descend Brown Pike Walna Scar, recovering well I think. Out for a longer run Friday. I hope everyone else is recovering after such a hot day, looking forward to Borrowdale now.

[Ben with the Beard]

My first foray, hello fellow fell runners, so Wasdale, I got round, in a patent full body cover and total immersion technique that kept me cool. all that army training did not go to waste. Sad for those 2 boys in the Brecons, and after experiences in hot combat zones, - some one is gonna be in trouble... I am surprised the results for wasdale are not up yet, am I being dim, are they some where i have not seen, its like i put me 50p in an envelope and I am still waiting for the xeroxed copy to arrive.. How delightfully old school, I just hope no one is complaining about cancelling this race because it was too hot. Those of us that prepared, or were lucky got round. I'll be interested if anyone even took a picture of the first 38 hand written out! Also - thanks to the organisers, marshalls and cake ladies, I also organise races and a Junior section in my club so i understand it can all go pearshaped sometimes! Ben

[LissaJous]

Welcome to the BIG forum Ben! (Assuming who you are..) Well done on getting round, sounds like you still have a bit of heat stroke there...

No-one's mentioning anything in public about shortening champs races due to extreme weather, no, but the tragic incident in the Brecons does put it into context (I recall from 'SAS are you dumb enough' that the TV-recruits were reprimanded for taking their jackets off). In places where the temperature is routinely so high, a race would often start at 8 or 9 in the morning.

Results: CFRA often take a few days to get the results up on the site, and it's a 50:50 whether they appear first on Powerof10 or Fellrunner... I bet the former! Did you finish 38th or summin?

LJ

[wharfeego]

I have quite a few pics taken on the final descent off Lingmell to the finish; if you let me know your race number I'll see if you've been framed.

[wharfeego]

Almost There!


Almost There! by Andy Holden, on Flickr

[Corniceman]

Almost There!


Almost There! by Andy Holden, on Flickr

Brilliant......and it almost makes it look like an overcast and cool day!!