Three Peaks Fell Race

[Man from Del Monte]

Thanks to everybody who encouraged me to have a go. Awesome experience! My target was to beat the cut offs with a dream scenario of getting in under 5 hours. 4.55.01 Hurray!
The cramp was a surprise. From the top of Whernside it was real dig down deep inside yourself territory. I had a chance to get some salt tablets but forgot till it was too late but I did get plenty to eat. I couldn't get any steam up from Inglebugger. Everytime I tried to open up the crampy tendrils started to tighten on my legs. People kept pulling up all along the trail but somehow I kept going by maintaining a jogging pace. Just before Sulber Nick I took a massive p*sser but luckily it was a gravelly bit of path so only sustained a livid graze on my shoulder which is what I landed on. (How good did it look?) I passed the sign which said 1 mile to Horton then saw the marquees and screamed inside but it's miles away I'm not going to make it... I made it.
My wife said I looked much worse than anybody else crossing the line. Apparently my head was caked in salt so I looked like one of Davy Jones' crew in Pirates of the Carribean.
Thanks again for all the encouragement back in January. A lifetime's ambition achieved. And who knows... 4.40 next year?

well done. i was just in front of you. i will have to keep it that way for next year then

[Tussockface]

Skennaugh, just realised that I was running near you for the first few hours of the race. I did think (several times) 'That's a Manx runner, wonder if he knows Skennaugh...' Wish I'd had the energy to say something!

Stolly, hard luck to come a cropper so early, especially on your 'home race'. I thought you went up and down PYG so often that every stone was a personal friend? Clearly not.
I did a double take at the bottom of the descent, thinking I'd passed someone that looked like you.

I found it tough going even though I finished 13 mins up on last year. My section times were almost identical to when I did the race 5 years ago, apart from Whernside to Hill Inn which was 4 mins quicker, probably due to better choice of line. There were a couple of points where (despite nuun aid, ML) cramp struck both calves simultaneously and I was forced to stop temporarily. Not surprisingly, this happened on the rocky drops off the summits of Whernside and Ingleborough.
I'm edging nearer to 5 hours...should I have another go? Yesterday, I vowed "NEVER!"...

Well done to everyone, esp DT, Sunny and Merry, and thanks to the supporters.

[ratfink]

blimey my first three peaks - found the flat sections much more sapping than the climbs (maybe as had to run/jog instead of getting to walk). squeaked in just under 4:50 at 4:49:40 - having put on a final effort to beat the 50 mark - obviously that 20 seconds difference is really important (what weird ways the brain works).

had orange squash with a pinch of salt - didn't get cramp.

[IanDarkpeak]

and i had a great day yesterday and really enjoyed it

Was that your car with IOM three legged flag in the window?

Well done GD! Wondered how you'd gotten on

I don't know where you were hiding DT but I did look for you.

I carried some Nuun but never needed them but I was taking the High 5 anti cramp gels and Hi 5 extreme drink. I also think the pace at the start has a lot to do with it. why do runners try to go so fast up PYG to save one/two minutes and then spend an extra 10 minutes struggling to RH.

Check out your positions on each hill some of it makes a telling read. If you dropped significant places from there to the finish you were going too fast.

Legs felt good this morning so I went to the downfall race.

[Derby Tup]

Was that your car with IOM three legged flag in the window?



I don't know where you were hiding DT but I did look for you.

I carried some Nuun but never needed them but I was taking the High 5 anti cramp gels and Hi 5 extreme drink. I also think the pace at the start has a lot to do with it. why do runners try to go so fast up PYG to save one/two minutes and then spend an extra 10 minutes struggling to RH.

Check out your positions on each hill some of it makes a telling read. If you dropped significant places from there to the finish you were going too fast.

Legs felt good this morning so I went to the downfall race.

I saw the IOM flag too but didn't put two and two together.

Were you parked at the back of the portaloos Ian? Think I saw you briefly through the back window grill of one! You had a brilliant run!

[Man from Del Monte]

Legs felt good this morning so I went to the downfall race.

Masochist!!!!!!!!!!

[Witton Park]

Well done everyone. I was 5-6 minutes down on my first attempt last year, but enjoyed it more.
Severe cramp coming off Whernside last year, so planned better (just didn't have enough mileage), had some salt, nuun drink and a pepperami! (protein / salt and a treat!) for when I got to the top of Whernside.
Still had some mini cramp episodes coming off the crappy bit of Whernside, but got around there a few minutes quicker than last year and reached the Hill Inn in the same time.

Next year I will be back to try and get a decent time and run it a little more positively - I would say that yesterday was a "defensive" run - a summer of Lakeland Fells and a good XC season with increased mileage should be just the ticket.

A little stiff today - a hip problem from before the race - managed to mask it with a few painkillers - and a blister under my right heel, which I think was caused by dust getting in to my shoes.

Ady - have a good holiday - hope the injuries cleared up soon.

Anna-Maria and Ian from Chorley Harriers - thanks for the encouragement at the top of Whernside.

[Guick Dotto]

Well done GD! Wondered how you'd gotten on

Cheers DT!

[IanDarkpeak]

I saw the IOM flag too but didn't put two and two together.

Were you parked at the back of the portaloos Ian? Think I saw you briefly through the back window grill of one! You had a brilliant run!

yes I was one row back over the wall from the Toilets.

[owmeknee]

Any photos up yet ?