UTMB etc 2011

[andyhartley]

In terms of ruck sacks I've got a small 10 litre Deuter pack that I've used in recent long races. Anyone any thoughts if I will I need more space for the CCC? I intend to carry drinks on the ruckasack straps rather than a bladder. Is this enough water if I carry two bottles in this way? How much have people been quoted for a medical certificate- my GP wants £ 140 for a medical. Is there an alternative? Final question- insurance. Do I need special insurance just in case I need airlifting off the mountain. Incidentally, if I fail in the CCC it's because my girlfriend has said I can't do the three peaks fell race because we live in the same village as the Kate Middleton's parents and if I did the race we'd miss the village festivities. My Socialist Workers membership card has just been revoked.

[BobL]

Your GP is a crook. Mine has charged me £10 for these for the last 4 years.

[markdalton99]

I'm starting to like my doc.....i went last week and there wasn't even a mention of a charge....There was when i made the appointment with the receptionist over the phone and i was supposedly going to receive a mail with details of cost (an email that was never received). Radio silence from me and the doc thereafter and i was in and out of there in 5-10mins with my stamp

[Tom R]

£140 blimey. Whats he going to do to you? He / she should have enough info from your medical records and a brief chat to be able to assess your fitness

T

[MorganW]

In terms of ruck sacks I've got a small 10 litre Deuter pack that I've used in recent long races. Anyone any thoughts if I will I need more space for the CCC? I intend to carry drinks on the ruckasack straps rather than a bladder. Is this enough water if I carry two bottles in this way? How much have people been quoted for a medical certificate- my GP wants £ 140 for a medical. Is there an alternative? Final question- insurance.

1. Rucsac. I reckon 10 litres will be fine if bottles are on the straps. I use an OMM i-Drate which is 12 litres. Last year I went with 1 bottle on the right strap and a bladder with about 1 litre in the relevant pocket. I still had some space in my sac and I carried a little too much food with me.
2. Water etc This year, no bladder and 2 bottles at 0.75 litres which I hope will be fine. Yoo have to carry a small mug or similar. I know where all the streams and water troughs are now and there is plenty of capacity for extra drinking on the course.
3. Med Cert - my doc does these for nowt. Last year he did send me for an ECG; I hadn't had one since 2001. There aren't any hard and fast rules. Someone I know as regards other races on the Continent where they don't prescribe a form sends the same letter year after year with the date changed! £140. Ouch! That's more than the entry fee.
4. Insurance - I carry year round outdoor insurance for everything up to and including climbing 4,000 metre peaks etc so am fully covered. You could look at maybe BMC, Trailfinders and Dogtag for what you can get. I recall its strongly recommended. I wouldn't leave home without it. Remember no MR on the Continent, so you end up paying a fortune if you need coptering off/out.

[The Midge]

I faxed the certificate to my GP who left it signed at reception for me to pick up. Haven't seen her for years but she is a very sensible lady. Insurance - I use BMC - main benefit of membership.

[andyhartley]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be passing on your comments to The Lancet regarding my GP and his money grabbing ways. Anyway I've exploited my contacts as a teacher and found a student who's Mum is a cardiologist at the local hospital and she will see me for free! Result.

[MorganW]

Worth saying a word about headtorches.

The rules usually require you to carry a torch plus spare batteries and a spare torch and spare batteries for that.

I opted for the Petzl Myo RXP which performed well:

http://www.facewest.co.uk/Petzl-Myo-RXP.html

I took a Petzl Tikka as back up but this year will take this:

http://www.facewest.co.uk/Silva-Siju.html

Takes calculator-sized batteries!

[stonewaller]

I use 2 Petz Tikas together,since you have to carry both you may as well use them both together, alot of runners do this. New batteries will last most of the night before they start to dim despite what the manufacturers claim . The Myo seems very heavy to me and a bit of a faff if. you have the battery pack stuffed down your pack.

[MorganW]

The Myo seems very heavy to me and a bit of a faff if. you have the battery pack stuffed down your pack.

Not sure 175 g (inc the batteries) is heavy, but everything's relative.

Mine doesn't have a battery pack either. 3 AAs on the usual head mounted set up.