well thats my third Ben completed with a PB by two minutes. still not as fast as I want but this is a beast of a race and dont think I will do it again even though there is a fantastic atmosphere etc etc . beer time now hic
well thats my third Ben completed with a PB by two minutes. still not as fast as I want but this is a beast of a race and dont think I will do it again even though there is a fantastic atmosphere etc etc . beer time now hic
Well smashed my PB 2:04 for me, nearly perfect conditions just a bit of clag towards the top, only down side is a twisted ankle coming down the grassy bank which lost me a little time, I was moving OK on the Pony path but it is hurting now.
Hi,
Does anybody know where and when this year's results are published? I had a look on the web site, but that doesn't even have 2013 results yet
Great run on Saturday, will never forget it!!
Edit!! oops, egg on face, they have been published on web site
Last edited by burdock; 08-09-2014 at 02:49 PM.
Not my best but neither my worst Ben.
Enjoyed the social side and the atmosphere on the day.
PS this forum used to be awash with experiences of the Ben weekend. Now too many nowt comments from pretend fell runners.
Too right Stags, I've been looking to read peoples stories but there's been nowt doing. End of an era I think.Originally Posted by Stagger
In which case...
Well pleased with my 2.23 (last year 2.35). Got to the top in 90 mins, back down in 53 mins. Superbly organised and great support (on and off hill). Had in my mind that worst part was top third, but didn't find it too bad. Just tried not to look up too often and stick with a lad from Todmorden who then overtook me on the way down.
My descending on the scree and track was OK, but a bit feeble on the muddy slopes, especially that first one on the way down (About where the cloud cleared - great view into the valley).
Think I heard the drone at about the same point!
Tarmac was not too bad and did a feeble sprint as I rounded the last bend of the track (would not normally try to sprint someone as I approach the finishing funnel, but there must be something about a loop round the track that encourages this type of un-fellrunner like behaviour). Glad to say the other lad (keighley & craven I think) out sprinted me.
I love this race and will be back. Still not sure that sleeper up is best preparation but got more sleep than last year. . .
My write up http://www.bar51.blogspot.co.uk/2014...race-2014.html
Lots of photos on the LAC Website http://lochaberac.co.uk/
Wharfee maybe you need to get yersel up there and catch the atmosphere with some photies?
Not my finest hour on the Ben and my worst time to date yet but still a fantastic weekend, the drive up through Glencoe on the morning of the race was stunning, not sure I've ever seen it look better.
Went well to the top and turned feeling pretty strong and looking for a PB, that soon changed though. A few minutes into the descent just as I was hitting my stride I took a spectacular head first dive (or at least I'm telling myself it was spectacular!) and gave my knee, hip and shoulder a good crack. Took a minute or two to compose myself again and then had to gingerly hobble my way down from there. Thanks to the runners who stopped on their way down to make sure I was ok, it was much appreciated. In hindsight I'm pretty happy with 2:27 given that I tip-toed down from the top. Thankfully I've just got a few cuts, bruises and a stiff knee and nothing more serious so I should be back racing again soon.
It got the better of me this time but I still absolutely love this race, roll on next year!
OK will add a little more to my post, I wasn’t looking forward to it as the last time I went up the Ben a month ago on Adnan Ramsey round attempt I struggled, but on race day I found it not too bad. I took an empty water bottle to fill at the Red Burn and glad I did. While it seemed cool at the start I found it hot on the climb and it only got cold 15 minutes from the top.
I hit the top in 1:24, then had a good descent taking 40 minutes to the bottom and if I hadn’t turned a ankle it would have been a couple of minutes quicker. I managed to pull 7 places back on the road; this must be an advantage of continuing to road run and hills.
The strange thing is I never tapered for this event doing 23 miles on Tuesday and 17 mile on Thursday so I was not expecting to run that well, but as said in the event I smashed my PB.
None of our club stopped over we travelled up and back the same day, which was good for the Running/Family balance but we did miss the crack of the post event awards bash.
ATB
Tahr
Love this race! Full of tradition and ceremony. A shinty competition for local kids before the start. The bagpipe procession. Whisky. The simplicity - up and down the biggest hill around.
5th year in a row and best time yet - knocking 5 mins off my previous best to get up and down in 2:24, and finish in the 1st half of the field. Chuffed with that - these are the ambitions of us 'middle-of-the-pack' runners!
The ascent is made easier by the distraction of the superstars hurtling towards you out of the clouds just as you're starting to feel tired. RObb Jebb and MArtin Mickleson-Baron were a good few minutes ahead descending together and Findlay Wild taking a different line to the left. It must have been a great last mile as he caught them and won by seconds.
I took a tumble near the end of the descent. Legs shot, and losing coordination. Left some skin on the path and brought some of the hill home subcutaneously. Will be proudly sporting these scrapes at running club tonight.
The last mile - for all it is downhill and on tarmac is perhaps the hardest mile in any race!
I hope I get a chance to try and knock a couple more minutes off next year.
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