Utmb

[jhb0510]

Well I don't know either of them but feel incredibly proud that Brits won both the men and ladies sections!
Well done Guys.
James

[Alexandra]

Well I don't know either of them but feel incredibly proud that Brits won both the men and ladies sections!
Well done Guys.
James

Yes, I thought I was above such petty nationalism, but me too. The french WILL be cross. I hope they won't be accusing the Brits of doping (a la Lance Armstrong - they have taken many years to forgive him for winning their other great race.)

[Feet in the Cowclaps]

The french WILL be cross.

I doubt it. They're quite used to non-French runners (Jornet, Olmo, etc) winning.

[Fellmincer]

Yes, I thought I was above such petty nationalism, but me too. The french WILL be cross. I hope they won't be accusing the Brits of doping (a la Lance Armstrong - they have taken many years to forgive him for winning their other great race.)

I doubt it very much, it's an international competition they almost sell it on that basis.

[IainR]

Yes, I thought I was above such petty nationalism, but me too. The french WILL be cross. I hope they won't be accusing the Brits of doping (a la Lance Armstrong - they have taken many years to forgive him for winning their other great race.)

Lizzy Hawkers victories there are pretty much the norm, 3 wins in 4, the reaction from the locals to all the international runners is first class.

[Fly]

jez was right not to use sticks as well. Thats made my mind up as well if i ever get a chance to run UTMB

[IainR]

jez was right not to use sticks as well. Thats made my mind up as well if i ever get a chance to run UTMB

People have great runs with and without. I think for the faster runners sticks are less necessary.

I used them in 2009 and found them superb. I was steady early on, well down the field, but the last 12 hrs was probably my best few hours of running ever and I moved through the field easily finishing just outside the top 50 in 29:15. I'm sure it was because I was using the poles.

But I don't think there is a definitive answer. I'm quite big for a runner and think poles make a huge difference. The hands on knees walk that us fell runners use isn't possible for 30 hrs.

[tinyman]

But I don't think there is a definitive answer. I'm quite big for a runner and think poles make a huge difference. The hands on knees walk that us fell runners use isn't possible for 30 hrs.

When you say big Iain, do you mean weight or height?

Sorry if that's a personal question but I've been curious about the whole issue of the body shape of distance runners ever since I started. I'm short and bulky and I don't see many people my shape on start lines for fell races, but ultra start-lines seem to have a much greater variety of sizes and shapes.

One particular area of interest is the mechanics of having short legs. I've convinced myself that short legs equals short levers and that puts less strain on the moving parts. I've never had any leg joint problems despite putting in some big mileages, and I seem to experience far less pain in my quads that other runners on similar days out.

Reading this back it seems a bit anal I guess that's what happens when training sessions go on for hours and hours.

[Alexandra]

Lizzy Hawkers victories there are pretty much the norm, 3 wins in 4, the reaction from the locals to all the international runners is first class.

Yes, of course it's daft of me to generalise about "the french". However, years of following the TDF on french radio plus reading Lance Armstrong has shocked me. For years the french riders did rather poorly in the TDF, and french commentators naturally were very sad about that. In compensation, they heaped vitriol on LA and persisted in speaking as if he were a proven drug cheat, when test after test carried out by themselves had shown no such thing. I am not just quoting LA's books, I heard this for myself and it was sickening. French libel laws do not offer the same protection as ours. I also have the impression that "anglo-saxon" winners are less popular than EU ones.

I am actually franco-phile rather than franco-phobe, so I am very glad to hear that the locals supported the winning Brits. Perhaps fans of mountain running are different from TDF supporters - after all, one doesn't hear of UTMB spectators shouting threatening abuse at participants, which does scarily happen from time to time in the TDF.

[Alexandra]

When you say big Iain, do you mean weight or height?

One particular area of interest is the mechanics of having short legs. I've convinced myself that short legs equals short levers and that puts less strain on the moving parts. I've never had any leg joint problems despite putting in some big mileages, and I seem to experience far less pain in my quads that other runners on similar days out.

I think you may be right. Certainly as a 5'9" female, I do get tired of people assuming that my long legs give me a terrific advantage. I try to explain about power weight ratio, but it cuts no ice.

PS Just watched the video of the UTMB finish (thanks BritNick, I had tears in my eyes watching LH finish, I think maybe she was crying too) and I notice JB is quite muscular and well-built, not your average marathon stick insect at all.