Heptonstall Fell Race

[nippersmith]

I've put my expected time down as 3.10hrs (in 2001 it was 4hrs) so that should see me clear of the masses.
I reckon this training plan of repeated Heptonstall 15 mile recces is going to pay-off; it might be a bit shorter, but London lacks a 500ft ascent to the finish line and there's far fewer tussocks. :wink:
What was your time BTW???

Hi Trig, my London time last year was 4:17, and Palma was 3:54 6 months later. I am aiming for sub 3:45 for my next road marathon. I had a bit of a diary malfunction, I have entered Manchester which is the day after the Three Peaks so I don't think I will manage sub 3:45. 27 miles of tussocks followed by a 500 foot ascent will surely count towards your marathon training plan.

[nippersmith]

I've done London twice - the last time being in 2006 in 4.32 and a bit. I enjoyed the event but have found I favour the lower key events now. My best time stands at 3.18 from Windermere in 2011 now. I've got my sights set on the sub 3.15 (maybe even 3.10) for the autumn though. Have you done Chester or Liverpool?

Hi JD. Road marathons: I have only done London, Edinburgh and Palma - (only!) - I can't remember much about them really, it's all a bit of a blur. I didn't realise I had run past Buckingham Palace until I saw the pictures on the internet. I might do a different road marathon but can't really decide which one to do. The Wharfedale off road marathon, the Yorkshireman and the Lyke Wake race are treasured highlights from last year, for me. Which Autumn marathon do you think you might do?

[joeyd]

Hi Nipper. I'm not sure which one to opt for in the Autumn roadwise. Chester and Liverpool are both allegedly pretty quick. I did the Yorkshireman last year too! (having done the Half the previous year) and really fancy another go at it. I went out a bit 'optimistically' last time and got some chronic thigh cramps around miles 19 and 20 which slowed me down quite a bit. (I also confidently ran down a nice valley and crossed a stream that I recognised from a family walk for about 1/4 mile until I realised it wasn't the right way and had to turn round!) I've not done Wharfedale or Lyke Wake yet - but fancy Borrowdale and Langdale again as repeat visits; both really enjoyable. From your earlier post do I take it you're doing the 3Ps one day and Manchester Marathon the next??? Hardcore!!!

[nippersmith]

Hi Nipper. I'm not sure which one to opt for in the Autumn roadwise. Chester and Liverpool are both allegedly pretty quick. I did the Yorkshireman last year too! (having done the Half the previous year) and really fancy another go at it. I went out a bit 'optimistically' last time and got some chronic thigh cramps around miles 19 and 20 which slowed me down quite a bit. (I also confidently ran down a nice valley and crossed a stream that I recognised from a family walk for about 1/4 mile until I realised it wasn't the right way and had to turn round!) I've not done Wharfedale or Lyke Wake yet - but fancy Borrowdale and Langdale again as repeat visits; both really enjoyable. From your earlier post do I take it you're doing the 3Ps one day and Manchester Marathon the next??? Hardcore!!!

Well, I am tempted as is it good training for the West Highland Way (on the reserve list) but... there are more civilized alternatives, aren't there, than a road marathon the day after the Three Peaks. Plus it is pushing it, I need to get fit for the Three Peaks, really.

[Trig]

Well, I am tempted as is it good training for the West Highland Way (on the reserve list) but... there are more civilized alternatives, aren't there, than a road marathon the day after the Three Peaks. Plus it is pushing it, I need to get fit for the Three Peaks, really.

Hi Nipper - sounds like injury territory - both races would be fast paced and on hard surface - 3 peaks feels like a road race in pace but much more demanding with the addition of 3 mountains (cut offs force you to put the hammer down) running a road marathon the next day could hurt

Had a good meet today with a timber yard, and joiner, looks like we might be able to build large temporary stiles to avoid bottlenecks after the wooded valley (Colden Clough) 1 mile into race. Was nt a major problem last year but if the entry increased it would avoid potential stile-rage scenarios.
What do you reckon???

[nippersmith]

Hi Nipper - sounds like injury territory - both races would be fast paced and on hard surface - 3 peaks feels like a road race in pace but much more demanding with the addition of 3 mountains (cut offs force you to put the hammer down) running a road marathon the next day could hurt

Had a good meet today with a timber yard, and joiner, looks like we might be able to build large temporary stiles to avoid bottlenecks after the wooded valley (Colden Clough) 1 mile into race. Was nt a major problem last year but if the entry increased it would avoid potential stile-rage scenarios.
What do you reckon???

Two long runs back to back as you say, yes, it does sound like injury territory. That will teach me to enter races without checking my diary.

That is a good idea about the temporary stiles, but please, how am I going to get my breath back if there isn't a queue?

[Trig]

I've heard orienteering events often make use of temporary stiles; not seen one on a fell race before.

With 200 runners last year we had a bit of a queue - you could argue that runners need to do their homework, being aware of wall crossings and pinch points, making sure they set off at an appropriate pace to reach the stile before the bottlenecks develop; if we get a big increase on last year then even the faster runners may end up in a frustrating snarl up, whilst the rest of the pack might be stood waiting for even longer.

Anyone got any useful tips??

[joeyd]

Run like 'ell to get to the stile before the bottle neck starts to build - a technique I've seen you use once or twice in the past I seem to recall Trig . My favoured method is to have a chat and catch my breath in the queue, then feel 'refreshed' and go off far to fast over the next section until it dawns on me that I feel like I'm going to have a nasty turn until I get to the next queue, catch my breath and repeat ad infinitum . All good fun though. If temporary stiles will protect fragile walls and keep landowners happy (happier?) then it might be worth while. Most runners are pretty careful and respectful though aren't they?

[Trig]

Run like 'ell to get to the stile before the bottle neck starts to build - a technique I've seen you use once or twice in the past I seem to recall Trig . My favoured method is to have a chat and catch my breath in the queue, then feel 'refreshed' and go off far to fast over the next section until it dawns on me that I feel like I'm going to have a nasty turn until I get to the next queue, catch my breath and repeat ad infinitum . All good fun though. If temporary stiles will protect fragile walls and keep landowners happy (happier?) then it might be worth while. Most runners are pretty careful and respectful though aren't they?

Had a walk up there today; looks like we will definitely use a new wider path to climb up through the woods to access fields around 1 mile in (many of those who have done our guided recces will have used this route). This new route variant still involves a narrow gate at the tree-line; farmer is OK with us building the temporary stile, so off with my tape measure, timber, and saw this weekend (plus someone who actually knows what they are doing:wink

[nippersmith]

Run like 'ell to get to the stile before the bottle neck starts to build - a technique I've seen you use once or twice in the past I seem to recall Trig . My favoured method is to have a chat and catch my breath in the queue, then feel 'refreshed' and go off far to fast over the next section until it dawns on me that I feel like I'm going to have a nasty turn until I get to the next queue, catch my breath and repeat ad infinitum . All good fun though. If temporary stiles will protect fragile walls and keep landowners happy (happier?) then it might be worth while. Most runners are pretty careful and respectful though aren't they?

That is so weird, that sums it up for me too the first part that is although I am careful and respectful also