Utmb

[Sherpa]

I didn't get in either. I'd stupidly convinced myself I would get in as all seemed to get in last year! You get offered a place in TDS, but think I'll just skip it and wait to get my priority place in the main event next year and spend this year moaning about not getting a place.

I wonder whether there will be an amount of people who won't take up their place, do they re-allocate those? As you can see I'm starting to clutch at straws...............

[Fellmincer]

I'm in!

[Twister]

Used Poles in 2006 and 2007 (both years only got to Champex) used them again in 2009 and got round this time, entered for 2010, will use the poles again, I use them purely for ascents, but not all the time only when having problems, found it faster to ascend without them, I used Leki Carbon poles (non antishock) raidlights would be no good for me (I weigh just short of 99k)
I do beleive if you did get a leg injury on route they would help you continue (not that, thats advisable) Ran in Salomon XT Wings in 2009, found them very good, right balance between cushioning and grip.

On the subject of poles, wouldn't you expend more energy using poles, your arm muscles are going to be worked harder with the pushing action, so could you be drawing calories away from the legs? What about the extra mental effort used to think about how you are using your poles? Again more glucose needed for the brain... I think that if we were designed to be four legged then we would be four legged.

I think they are a great workout, Nordic walking looks good, as does XC skiing, but I can't help thinking that all of that tech stuff that is currently used to sell what is essentially a stick (and they're not cheep) strikes me as just another marketing ploy to grab our hard earned.

[Ronin]

I got in, 4th time for me, I feel greedy!!!

Poles, I see what you are saying Twister, but in all 3 races I have run in,at least 90 percent of competitors use poles, its a case of taking some of the 9000+metres of ascent of your legs and evenly spreading it throughout your body, they are also great to hold you up while you get your breath back or throw up. Its worth thinking a bit more about this!! The climbs are totally different from say a BGR and they become second nature to use after 30 odd hours! If you are a middle to back of the pack runner then use them.. if you are a talented runner say Ian Ridgeway, you can get away without them IMHO
But you will have a great time over their mate, Im sure

[Twister]

fair point that's a lot of ascent, perhaps I will look in to using poles one day... Got my sights set on the UTMB for 2012, which should give me enough time to get another 3 qualifying points...

[IainR]

I got in, 4th time for me, I feel greedy!!!

Poles, I see what you are saying Twister, but in all 3 races I have run in,at least 90 percent of competitors use poles, its a case of taking some of the 9000+metres of ascent of your legs and evenly spreading it throughout your body, they are also great to hold you up while you get your breath back or throw up. Its worth thinking a bit more about this!! The climbs are totally different from say a BGR and they become second nature to use after 30 odd hours! If you are a middle to back of the pack runner then use them.. if you are a talented runner say Ian Ridgeway, you can get away without them IMHO
But you will have a great time over their mate, Im sure

Thanks for the compliment but I think you're over rating me a bit there:-)
I didn't use the in 2008, but carried them, so had them out for the whole run in 2009. As you say because the route is very samey for hours at a time its easy to get into a routine. They made a massive difference. I couldn't believe how good I felt, and how strong I felt on every climb. On the latter climbs I was passing people continually, and that just pushes you on. Only on the last climb did I finally start to feel the ascents in my legs.

In fact one of the hardest climbs was probably the very last climb, a short climb up past the chairlift, telepherique station thing. That hurt so much.

Good luck Fell Mincer and Ronin, just get the mileage in but mentally prepare for a long day out and enjoy it.

The feeling after you finish is indescribable. We just never shut up talking about it for a few weeks.

[IainR]

On the subject of poles, wouldn't you expend more energy using poles, your arm muscles are going to be worked harder with the pushing action, so could you be drawing calories away from the legs? What about the extra mental effort used to think about how you are using your poles? Again more glucose needed for the brain... I think that if we were designed to be four legged then we would be four legged.

I think they are a great workout, Nordic walking looks good, as does XC skiing, but I can't help thinking that all of that tech stuff that is currently used to sell what is essentially a stick (and they're not cheep) strikes me as just another marketing ploy to grab our hard earned.

Energetically, maybe. I think they save muscle damage. Because you are going quite slow I think you can keep the energy going into your system, what you've got to minimise is muscle damage. Keep as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Poles help in that.

[duracell]

I'm in as well,

[BritNick]

My disbelief was after last year's undersubscription. I got some nice email replies from the UTMB organisation to explain the oversubscription this year, which led to a draw, and the TDS as an alternative option. (Whenever a draw is involved it's automatic curtains for me.) Also, goups are entered as one entity, so either the group gets drawn or it doesn't.

There is another alternative on the same weekend if it has to be 100 miles in big mountains - the Grand Raid Pyrenees. I'm drooling again.

[Dog Breath]

I got some nice email replies from the UTMB organisation to explain the oversubscription this year, which led to a draw, and the TDS as an alternative option.

I would be interested to hear what the organisers said about the over subscription. It seems strange that everyone got in last year, but this years was something like 1200 over subscribed.