Another new boy...

[davetrave]

Hello all, another newcomer to these parts...

Having developed a love of the outdoors, growing up on the edge of Saddleworth Moors, at an early age, starting with hill walking, developing in to skiing, rock climbing and MTB in my teens, Mountain Rescue in late teens and early 20s (Oldham then Swaledale) I then fell in to a career in the military, which has taken me to some fantastic places and given me some great opportunities but ultimately curtailed my outdoor activities in the early years as I tried to make a name for myself.

Once my early career settled down and I established my priorities in life, the outdoors came to the fore again and I've spent a significant amount of time either gaining outdoors quals through the military or pursuing my favourite activities. MTB racing led to road racing, which led to cyclocross racing to keep competitive during the winter, in particular in what is my favourite event - the 3 Peaks Cyclocross. If I could only do one bike race a year, it would be that one... In order to become better (although I'm never going to be challenging the likes of Jebby) over the last 18 months I've started to develop fell running as a component of my training.

Of all my general cycling, MTB is my favourite because of the ability to cover distance and appeal to get to places otherwise unvisited in the hills. I now find myself even more drawn to fell running as it takes that opportunity even further - there is no need for a track or path to follow. I also enjoy the solitude of the fells and dare I say it the romance of fell running - the freedom of being unencumbered by boots and pack, to explore wherever in our remotest lands.

I'm also lucky in where I can run - although currently based in Nottingham, the White and Dark Peak are but a short drive, I still have family and friends on whom I can impose if I fancy heading over to the homeland of the north west Peak, my parents live in Ambleside and I get to visit regularly and my wife is based at RAF Lossiemouth (she's in the RAF) so the Cairngorms are a stomping ground when I'm up there.

Anyway, hope to see you all out and about sometime!

[Grouse]

"The romance of fell running..." ooo aye you can say that chuck. You've fair warmed me cockles.

[Tahr]

The romance of fell running, feet are numb border line frostbite through running in snow, the shins are bleeding and red raw from braking though the snow ice crust, fingers are numb though raynards just waiting for the blood to rushing back in and the pain of pins and needles to come shooting though, lips chapped from the wind, eyes blood shot from the ice and snow blown in from 70 MPH winds on the tops, knees aching from the mad downhills, peraforma aching from too much climbing oh the romance of fell running. Much better than road running any day, :thumbup:

ATB

Tahr

[davetrave]

"The romance of fell running, feet are numb border line frostbite through running in snow, the shins are bleeding and red raw from braking though the snow ice crust, fingers are numb though raynards just waiting for the blood to rushing back in and the pain of pins and needles to come shooting though, lips chapped from the wind, eyes blood shot from the ice and snow blown in from 70 MPH winds on the tops, knees aching from the mad downhills, peraforma aching from too much climbing oh the romance of fell running. Much better than road running any day"

Pretty much describes the run I plotted t'other weekend when I parked up at top of Woodhead in 50m visibility, ran counter to all the racers coming back over Cut Gate, then back round then watershed. Thought I'd be OK with the bog trotting - "nice and cold" thinks I... Fingers and toes numb by the time I'd completed the 11 1/2 mile loop, but enjoy it I did...!

[davetrave]

PS I'm an Infantryman, I'm used to, nay crave, hardship...!

[snewby]

I love to Run,
nothing better than winter hill peat bogs :thumbup:
http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.de/...gton-pike.html
Jake

[Tahr]

PS I'm an Infantryman, I'm used to, nay crave, hardship...!

So you are a professional then, you get paid for running over hills with a big rucksack.

I have help out with a small local charity up here that supports lads coming back from Afghan’ , we had a couple of troops of Bomb disposal lads with us, real great lads but most of them would have struggled to do even a short Hill race. I guess you cana out run a IED in fairness.:thunbdown:

Well come to the site David. Long live the Sherwood Foresters.


ATB

Tahr

[sbrt]

Hey up davetrave, wellcome to the forum.

Nottingham! Oh well at least you are near to Derbyshire:wink:

I am heading up to your old stomping ground tomorrow, the New Chew http://saddleworth-runners.co.uk/races/new-chew/. Can't beat a bit of off piste bog trotting.

[sore legs]

Welcome Davetrave,

Like you I am also serving - Royal Signals though. I dont know if you are into Ultras, but a few people are looking at setting up an Inter-Service Ultra competition. If this does take off in some way then there is the possibility to get Fell Running accepted as a strand of Army Athletics.

All the best mate and you certainly have some cracking running grounds that you have mentioned.

[IanDarkpeak]

welcome Dave

Glad you enjoyed my local run. Next time you are near here give me a bell and I'll give you a tour of the wilder parts

"The romance of fell running, feet are numb border line frostbite through running in snow, the shins are bleeding and red raw from braking though the snow ice crust, fingers are numb though raynards just waiting for the blood to rushing back in and the pain of pins and needles to come shooting though, lips chapped from the wind, eyes blood shot from the ice and snow blown in from 70 MPH winds on the tops, knees aching from the mad downhills, peraforma aching from too much climbing oh the romance of fell running. Much better than road running any day"

Pretty much describes the run I plotted t'other weekend when I parked up at top of Woodhead in 50m visibility, ran counter to all the racers coming back over Cut Gate, then back round then watershed. Thought I'd be OK with the bog trotting - "nice and cold" thinks I... Fingers and toes numb by the time I'd completed the 11 1/2 mile loop, but enjoy it I did...!