What is fell running to you?

[Tom Smith]

I think a lot of us came in to it (fell running) from a more general outdoor/mountaineering type background and for me at least it started as a way to move further/faster/lighter across the fells. I started doing a few races and mountain marathons etc from there but its always been more about being on the hill than racing across the hills although I do enjoy races as well as just going out.
I think the question to ask is 'If there were no fell races at all would you still go running across the fells?' For me the answer is a resounding YES. The follow up question is probably 'If there were no fell races at all would you enter road or track races instead?' For me the answer is NO - I'd be too busy running over the fells!

Couldn't have expressed it any better myself. I read a wonderful quote from Killian Jornet (the Spanish Ultra runner) who when asked what sort of a runner he is, he said "I'm not a runner, I'm a mountaineer who likes to move fast". I enjoy racing too, but only because it provides me with an opportunity to go and find other places to run that I've not been too before.

[Al Fowler]

This is one of Stolly's 'I just want to convince everyone that I don't take it too seriously' threads. Anyway in answer to the question I'd say fell running to me is Whooping (with a capital W) Al Fowler in the Auld Lang Syne race a few years back.

It has provided me with no end of entertainment since. Just hope he doesn't get his own back, I'd never live it down even though I might be 60 by then.

You'll still be retelling that tale in heaven!

[The devil's own]

Where's the "I'm mainly a forum poster option?" :w00t:

[Masham Man]

[QUOTE=Hes;466583] And I don't turn down the odd bottle of wine!

Em the odd bottle of wine, you are nearly falling over with the weight of your stash!!Attachment 5712

[stevefoster]

[QUOTE=Masham Man;466954]

And I don't turn down the odd bottle of wine!

Em the odd bottle of wine, you are nearly falling over with the weight of your stash!!Attachment 5712

Busted Hes, looking forward to Today's Piddled Poetry

[Stolly]

[QUOTE=Masham Man;466954]

And I don't turn down the odd bottle of wine!

Em the odd bottle of wine, you are nearly falling over with the weight of your stash!!Attachment 5712

And that was after Dave, the race organiser, had unfortunately overlooked Hester as qualifying for a prize. She soon sorted him out though and grabbed her crates worth

[PeteS]

Couldn't have expressed it any better myself. I read a wonderful quote from Killian Jornet (the Spanish Ultra runner) who when asked what sort of a runner he is, he said "I'm not a runner, I'm a mountaineer who likes to move fast". I enjoy racing too, but only because it provides me with an opportunity to go and find other places to run that I've not been too before.

Totally aggree with that sentiment. I used to spend a lot of time in the mountains - walking, climbing, scrambling - either alone or with the wife. Then along came kids etc. and its not realy possible to dedicate the time nor the distance (especially in all weathers). Having always been reasonably fit and done quite a bit of XC in my teens, fell running seemed to be a natural progression. Do the same mileage, explore the mountains - only quicker.
I only aim to do one race a month (XC, Fell or Trail) , and as I live in the midlands, only 3 or 4 may be fell races in any year. That said, I could quite easliy live with out any races and non-race runs are never seen as training per se - they are a just way of enjoying and exploring the wilder parts of this marvelous country of ours. I admit to doing the odd road race, but never normally run on tarmac other than to get to the start of a footpath - I just find it soul (or should than be sole!?) destroying.
That said, I've had to go with the middle option in the poll but definately fall into the wilderness end of things.

[LissaJous]

Wilderness? Where is this wilderness?

Wilderness or Sheep-erness??!!

Today, I finally made it up Moel Hyrddod without ending up knee deep in moss & heather! (It's on the way to work). The first trip involved brambles & gorse too.. Give me a rocky mountain anytime, as long as the lawns are kept in good order!

[plodding bear]

I'm wanting to do some lake district runs this year, hence my quest to lose some weight. I'm lucky really though, round where I live it's mainly moorland, heather and bog, and the southern bits of the dales. I think my favourite days are calm and misty days on the moors, but a change is always nice.

[sbrt]

Wilderness or Sheep-erness??!!

Today, I finally made it up Moel Hyrddod without ending up knee deep in moss & heather! (It's on the way to work). The first trip involved brambles & gorse too.. Give me a rocky mountain anytime, as long as the lawns are kept in good order!

Yep sheep and goats definitely keep the grass neatly trimmed.


I forgot to put a smiley after "what wilderness?" It wasn't meant to sound snotty. When the clag comes down it all turns into a be-wilderness for me.