Three Peaks Fell Race

[stringman]

Hi Peeps.

Not been on here for a while so here's my two-Pennorth of advice having done 18 consecutive.... hope it might help someone.

My main advice would be DON'T take this race for granted.

KIT;
Carry the kit (WATERPROOF, not "windproof" Pertex or "showerproof" shite) and pace yourself around the course.

I have run the race on a beautiful Spring morning with bright sunshine and blue skies and been BATTERED by hailstones on Whernside. The weather is so unpredictable up there.

FOOTWEAR;
I will again be wearing Inov8 Flyrocks, they are blue with yellow-ish piping (with the trail shoe type soles). They are very comfy and give me adequate grip for this race.

PACE;
Unless you're Rob Jebb, set off nice and steady. The race is like no other fell race, with a fast runnable section down off PenYGhent, then from Whitber Hill (after Hull Pot) to Ribblehead. Pace it, or you may be caught out as the last two climbs are long drags and are close together. Set off too fast and you will be found out on the long slog off Ingleborough.

DRINKS;
There are two extra drink stations on the course this year. Make sure you keep well hydrated as cramp is always a major problem to competitors in this event, especially as it's a decent forecast.

If any of you who know me want to tag along on the day, I have done around 4 hrs 30 min (+/- a minute or two) about 12 times and I'm looking for similar this year. (Best time 4-20 in good weather and dry underfoot, slowest about 4-50 ish)

(( NB re- the hailstones experience; Others may recall similar freak weather at the Pen Y Ghent English champs race (June) a few years back. Those who wore just a vest and shorts (most of the field) looked like they had a wicked suntan down one side of the body !!))

Good luck everyone !! AG

[Marvin]

My first time on the race was last year, but having tried out a pair of Flyrocs over the last few days I'll definitely be wearing them on Saturday. There's far too much firm path, track and road for fell shoes.

[Marvin]

P.S. I recall a very lengthy series of posts on the forum about cramp last year. I suffered badly from near the top of IngleBG, and then much of the way back to the finish, but it isn't something that normally troubles me. There's just something about this race that results in cramp. Start from this point on last year's thread to read all about it http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...ht=three+peaks

[IanDarkpeak]

P.S. I recall a very lengthy series of posts on the forum about cramp last year. I suffered badly from near the top of IngleBG, and then much of the way back to the finish, but it isn't something that normally troubles me. There's just something about this race that results in cramp. Start from this point on last year's thread to read all about it http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...ht=three+peaks

I've mentioned before that I Think the big difference with this race is the long (dare I say Fast Road like) section between PYG and RH followed by the nr verticle climb of Whernside. Most other races are up down,up down. The flat section lulls people in to running that section far too fast.

My plan is to run this section between 5-10 minutes slower than last year (I was 10 minutes up on the 4.00 hour pace.) and then go for it after topping out on Whernside.

Good luck what ever your target.

[daz h]

P.S. I recall a very lengthy series of posts on the forum about cramp last year. I suffered badly from near the top of IngleBG, and then much of the way back to the finish, but it isn't something that normally troubles me. There's just something about this race that results in cramp. Start from this point on last year's thread to read all about it http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...ht=three+peaks

you need salt tablets andy

[AJF]

My plan is to run this section between 5-10 minutes slower than last year (I was 10 minutes up on the 4.00 hour pace.) and then go for it after topping out on Whernside.

Good luck what ever your target.

So Ian is 4 hours your target time?

Just want to know who to try to keep up with for a 4 hour finish. Obviously follow you all the way then sprint past you when you least expect it near the finish

[Marvin]

I was just outside the 4 hours last year, so that's my target this time. Plenty of gels required.

[PaulH7]

Stringman, the advice you have given is probably the best anyone (especially first timer) can take. I did the race last year for the first time and was new to the fell scene. People told me it was a glorified road race, so after ascending Penyghent, I pushed on to Ribblehead and died climbing up Whernside! The cramp was terrible from the top of Whernside all the way to the finish, I nearly quit at the top of Ingleborough it was so bad.

I didn't drink anywhere near enough and ate only power bars, which to my mind are a waste of time. The addition of 2 water stops this time will be great and I think I will elastic band a banana to each of my bottles being ferried to Ribblehead and the Hill Inn. I am aiming for under 4 hours, if anyone wants to share the pace, especially that bloody boring bit to Ribblehead, i'll be the one of 2 in the Eryri green and red vest!

Good luck and see you all at Horton.

[detritus21]

Its my second this year and hope to run 3:45 my pacing is never the best and probably won't be this time either. At Ribblehead last year I was on for 3:30ish and had a mare up inglebg but didn't suffer cramps. I carried a water bottle last year for the first section as it was so warm and will probably do the same this year. I was drinking before I had got to the steeper part of PyG planned to drink every 5-10 minutes early on last year and it worked. A lack of carbs did me in on the final climb till someone passed me an energy gel. I found that the fell runners staple of jelly babies ain't good for me jsut couldn't stomach them to sweet. This year I'm on Gels and hopefully this year I'll hold it together a bit more.

[IanDarkpeak]

So Ian is 4 hours your target time?

Just want to know who to try to keep up with for a 4 hour finish. Obviously follow you all the way then sprint past you when you least expect it near the finish

Hmm possibly, I was sub 4 hours on Tankies which is rougher underfoot, just over 4 for the Skyline but ran badly. Did 4.30 last year but I know thats easily beatable if I'm going well but apart from the week end in Scotland there been a dip in my training due to injury and a cold.

I'd like to try though.....