Hello ManharOriginally Posted by Manhar
say Hallo & I may offer you a jaffa cake
Hello Manhar
say Hallo & I may offer you a jaffa cake
The Trog is ON!
However, the start route over the unadopted tracks and roads is too icy, so there will be an alternative start, kindly flagged by Bob the Dog this afternoon (everyone buy him a pint please!), which will take you to the moor. The finish will also be slightly different, but will be clearly flagged.
This to avoid the sheet ice which covers the whole of the tracks and roads we'd need to run on, at a point where it would be difficult for an individual to go slow since they'd be being swept along by the crowd. The new start route is not ideal, as it goes straight into a single file track, so please be patient - you have another 18 miles or so to get past the person in front. I am comfortable that this new start route means we are not sending people over unavoidable ice, at a point where individuals will be under pressure to move quickly.
That said, the moors are very icy, and the well trodden paths particularly so. You will need to take your time, look where you're putting your feet, and generally think about what you're doing rather than blindly following the person in front. It will be a VERY challenging race tomorrow, so if you are not comfortable with running where there are significant ice patches please think carefully before turning up for the race.
All stiles, rocks and gates are covered with a thick layer of very smooth and slippy ice. Please take great care when crossing stiles etc, and try not to stand on any rocks. I think it is this frozen rain stuff that has coated it all - quite beautiful but very very slippy. You have been warned, please take care.
If you are aware of these hazards, happy to accept them, and take suitable care, then I believe the course is runnable, if a little slower than usual. See you tomorrow if you still fancy it.
Hasn't Bob the Dog got a bit of a drive after the race?! Perhaps just a half....?!!
Hobbsy - spot on - cash donations will suffice or a guarantee of 3 points for the Superhoops at Ewood Park tomorrow !!
I have marked out the new course out to where it joins the existing course on the moor out that goes out to the first checkpoint. I then road tested it with a fellow Northumberland Fell Runner and he didn't put a foot wrong !! We went up to High Brown Knoll and then back to the finish and it isn't just frozen it is positively Artic tundra but with virtually no snow (as at time of writing).
Just to re-echo everything JBF has said common sense and plenty of warm layers will be your greatest ally tomorrow. However, tonight the bar folk at The Fox & Goose and Stubbings Wharf will be my greatest allies.
So, do you advise road shoes or ice skates?
One of each sounds perfect Tussockface :closed:
Poacher turned game-keeper
OK folks, I've put some pics on flickr so you can see the route changes and why.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jellyba...7629261691849/
Hopefully you're all as well informed as possible. Please make wise choices tomorrow. None of the prizes are exciting enough to warrant risking a broken leg!
Something with a bit a cushioning - its rock hard at the moment!
You put us other race organisers to shame JBF!! See you tomorrow - I'll be the one in the shorts & t-shirt....
The problem is finding cushioning with a low profile ... sore feet or broken ankles?
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