Superb race, looks convoluted on the map, but somehow the race works and I didn't feel like I was running the same hill 4 times. Justifiably a classic.
Tough conditions, great organisation. Feels a lot more than the ascent its given, crawling up that last climb I felt as tired as climbing Cynghorion on the Peris. similar in stats to the Black Mountains but it felt much tougher.
Hope everyone had a good race!!
Gutted to have missed my favorite race, but spent the night in hospital after being knocked out by some local idiot, so wasn't able to make it!
I did manage to get a friend to collect my t-shirt, so its not all bad!
Now, you can't leave us hanging like that!Originally Posted by ukhursty
I had a great time, even though it was very tough. On the last climb I thought I was going to give up; it was just mammoth.
Many thanks to Kieron and everyone who marshalled. I was so grateful to see the man at CP11, that he was in danger of being hugged.
I know it caused some problems with the results but I think the 10 'o' clock start worked really well and this seemed to be the view of everyone I spoke to who started at that time.
Cracking race, but brutal ! Much tougher that the 3 P's, in my opinion. Great to see Simon Green &, as ever, Brotherton Lad. He really wasn't joking when he said he was going to wear his
1983 Walshes ! He's had new soles put on ! 3.14, so reasonably pleased. Can only repeat what has been said previously about the marshalls. Great job guys in poor conditions. Anybody know how quickly the official results appear ?
Thanks, Clem, very enjoyable race. Hills, wind, rain, hills, cold, hail, did I mention the hills? Marshalls were great.
My watch must have gone dicky as I started on GMT, but it must have slipped to BST around CP 8, nice pile of stones btw.
Nice to meet Amex in the flesh, still smiling, good luck with the rehab.
I'll beat you next time, Jez.
A few notes arising from today...
1. Always a pleasure to meet Forumites. Was fortunate enough to meet Amex, Manhar and Jez today, Jez was a bit of a lifesaver with the moral support particularly towards the end. Also nice to finally meet Dave Tait and a few other fellow Dark Peakers that I hadn't previously.
2. Was it my eyes or was that Stolly walking his dog in just a Helly and a pair of shorts (that was between CP1 and 2 when I thought I saw him) whilst the rest of us in the race were freezing half to death at that point?
3. FTOP is not a race. Its a whole other experience in itself. I was weak as a kitten on the first climb then bucked my ideas up, started to flag around CP8 and it was then a case of just holding it together. Finished in something like 3:13, possibly sneaked 3:12 but will have to wait for the results. But all in all I reckon that is by far the hardest race I have ever done. How, HOW is Lloyd's record 2:11?????!!!!!
4. I will never attempt to drive 60 miles home after that race ever again. I had to make three stops to get out of the car and stretch out the muscle spasms!!
Many many thanks to the organisers and marshalls for a great event. I think I enjoyed most of it.
Phew that was hard work. Felt a twinge in my lower back on the way to checkpoint 2 ie v early in the race & had to take it steady from that point. On the way to & down Geronimo was wondering if I should retire at the checkpoint & come back another day. Decided to carry on-like you do & managed to stagger round. Feel much better now that I have a good scrub & soak.
Thank you to Clem & the marshalls out on the course. Good to see the big man Amex in good spirits & Mr & Mrs Crumblydown-enjoy the curry tonight & a pleasure to meet Simgreen for the 1st time - someone fitting Stollys description gave me a shout between CP1 & 2.
Simon, kind words, but I don't feel I helped you a great deal. If anything I felt like a bit of a grump 'cos I was struggling ! I couldn't keep up with you over the last 2 miles. It would have been good to cross the line with a forumite ! Great to meet you & glad you got home safely.
One negative today. I counted at least 8, empty, gel wrappers dropped on the course. Very poor.
Right, I'm in my pyjamas, the Nero D'Avola is breathing & I've popped some corn. Time to collapse.
As someone who took advantage of the early start option, I have to say I thought it worked really well.
It was great to see the leaders and run (albeit for predictably short distances) near to some runners I normally see only at the start line.
As long as all the slower runners begin at 10.00, it has to better for the marshals, especially on a 'typically Pendle' day like today. The problem is, even if only one slow runner sets off with the faster ones, they still have to remain in place. Plus, one or two slower runners are in a worse position than 30 or 40 of them; route-finding becomes more difficult and there's no one around to give encouragement. Organisers could 'encourage' slower runners to set off first by making the cut-off more challenging.
A wonderful win for James Logue, and one for CVFR into the bargain (RA! RA! RA!).
Personally, I was delighted to get round - see my earlier post - and still can't understand why I unable to jog 3 miles on the flat on Thursday evening and yet complete the FTOP scarcely more than 36 hours later. In fact, I think my time was almost half an hour up on last year's! Weird, weird, weird.
Didn't see many forumites, but it was great to see Amex, and - at several points - Crumblydown. Del Monte Man disappeared into the distance after the initial climb. Sid was good company for the first half of the race, and I'm sure would have been for the second half, had he not moved a couple of minutes ahead. Also, it was good to meet Xavier (from Wharfedale via the Massif Central) - there aren't many French fellrunners around, though my son-in-law Nico has done a couple of races and loved them.
Thanks to all who make the FTOP an outstanding race. It somehow manages to retain the low key essence of the sport whilst being (in every sense) a 'big' event.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote