Three Peaks Fell Race

[that_fjell_guy]

I started with shorts, H/H and waterproof plus gloves. Buff on wrist just in case. I was a little overdressed for first two mile or so, but after that fine. I just adjusted with buff and gloves as I went. looing at my run now I think I once again started too far down the field which made me think I was fine for pace, should have pushed a little more up Pen-y-Ghent. I pulled through from Whernside, lost a few places on road etc to Ingleborough, then caught a lot through to the finish. Tricky race....100% confidence, and understanding of, strengths and weaknesses is key!

[Mark Smith]

Same outcome for me Rob, managed to keep walking whilst putting the jacket on during that sopping wet climb on Whernside. I have never felt cold in a race before but was starting to chill going up there. The ground conditions were awful and slow, the worst in my six PPP races and I felt i wasn;t moving quickly enough to generate the heat. I left the jacket on for Ingleborough and was glad, given the hail. I ran 4:08, with those ahead missing the wintry stuff i understand and those behind copping it worse than i did.

A good race for tactics and playing to your strengths. I always say that 'this will be my last one' but end up entering again....

Well done all, that was a tricky day for a long race

[Graham Breeze]

Obviously they're different races entirely but the contrast of gear that fellsmanners were wearing at the start of The Fellsman in Ingleton with the gear that the 3 peakers were wearing at the start was massive. The 3 peakers were still by and large in vests and shorts with the odd waterproof whilst the fellsman start looked like an episode of Fortitude (but without the polar bears). I think your mistake Rob was probably not putting the gear on at the bottom of Whernside - Pen y Ghent is more or less runnable all the way so you can get away with it there in poor weather but its only the two plateau-ey bits on Whernside where a trot is possible and its really easy to get cold.

I am currently researching the 5 deaths in English/Welsh fell races associated with hypothemia and I have been reminded, when examining the detail revealed at Inquests, that when runners start getting cold they behave irrationally. In these cases that led to their deaths including, of course, one in the Three Peaks Race.

[benshep]

I started with shorts, H/H and waterproof plus gloves. Buff on wrist just in case. I was a little overdressed for first two mile or so, but after that fine. I just adjusted with buff and gloves as I went. looing at my run now I think I once again started too far down the field which made me think I was fine for pace, should have pushed a little more up Pen-y-Ghent. I pulled through from Whernside, lost a few places on road etc to Ingleborough, then caught a lot through to the finish. Tricky race....100% confidence, and understanding of, strengths and weaknesses is key!

Totally right about understanding your strengths and weaknesses and having a plan including pacing, IMHO. experience and knowing your splits has helped me improve times three years on the trot (4th consecutive one this year). I was one of the few overdressed in waterproof jacket from the off but I hit my splits almost bang on (ie only one or two mins up on each CP split) against a 3:45 schedule based on past experience and studying similar times from last year. Hit ingleborough summit 2 mins ahead (ie 3:03) and had allowed 40 mins for final leg which took me 35. I only knew those splits would work because of experience of the course (3 years previous) and knowing my own comfort zones.

For me it's all about knowing what you are capable of and having a plan.

[benshep]

Hats off to the couple of guys in JUST vest and shorts!

they didn't have hats on either!

my mate ran 3:50 odd in a vest. I think he wished he'd worn more, but just beat the blizzard on Ingleborough.

[GregW]

Wet, windswept, battered with hail and snow....and every marshal still had a smile on their face and words of encouragement. Many thanks to each and everyone of you...hi Manhar, great to see you.

The spectators are always on fine form lining the route and yesterday's hardy bunch really helped to lift the spirits. Don't think I've ever ate so many sweets during a race, I couldn't resist the countless offers of a sugar rush....in fact I've probably put weight on.

PRE-RACE

For the last 3 years I've always been disappointed with my performance at the peaks. It's totally self inflicted brought on with my complete lack of training and the sub 4hrs I've been after hasn't materialised. Runners who I race side by side with on a weekly basis say I should be doing a 3.45hr...shoulda, woulda, coulda.
This year I was determined to do something different for the sub 4. The races have remained, yesterday was my 30th race this year, but I have done a few training runs...8 in total, all of a distance of 12 flat miles with the last 2 mile of each run being flat out blowing out my arse running. But once the mid week races started at the beginning of this month I've not done a training run.

RACE-DAY

In previous Peaks races I've been obsessed about split-times and constantly been checking my watch. Not this year....my watch was knackered and strangely I was kind of relieved. I had a rough idea of what times I needed to be at the check points and with nearly every runner wearing a watch I'd ask for times.

The strange thing about the Peaks race is that most runners seem to be racing for their own achievable goal. Racing week in week out you have your friendly battles with the same faces but for me this race feels different....you have your agenda and its best to try and stick with it.

Not going into too much detail, I enjoyed the race, didn't find the weather a problem and thankfully avoided cramp. Was it down to my 8 training runs, did I just feel good on the day? Not sure....but at 3.45hrs I'm well happy to finally sub 4......next year sub 3.30hrs?

HATS OFF

The incredible times the front runners churn out are extremely impressive, well done guys.....and echoing previous comments regarding Kieran Carr, what an inspiration. Also vet 60 Jackie Winn knocking out a 3.50hr....go on Jackie lad. Then there's Wendy Dodds completing her 32rd Peaks race after recently breaking her arm whilst skiing. And please correct me if I'm wrong but was yesterday David Scott's 47th Peaks race...gulp.

Many thanks to all involved.

Darren, interesting to read this, it was my first PPPs this year and I took a similar tactic of not wearing a watch and pacing on feel. I was behind you most of the way going up PYG (the black and white vest is very distinctive!) and let most of the runners I normally am around shoot off. I was initially worried that Id set off too slow so was relieved when i heard you say you were aiming for 3.45 which was at the top end of my expectations. I carried this steady pace on to ribblehead where I still felt fresh and decided to push on. I was waiting the whole way round for the inevitable pain to hit which so many people talk of at the PPPs but it never came and I still felt strong coming down off ingleborough despite a few twinges of cramp. I was very pleasantly surprised to finish in 3:31, miles beyond my expectations and in front of a number of runners who usually whoop me at fell races. Doubt Ill ever feel that good again at this race but it certainly taught me the virtues of running to feel and not a clock.

[Nayth]

Darren, interesting to read this, it was my first PPPs this year and I took a similar tactic of not wearing a watch and pacing on feel. I was behind you most of the way going up PYG (the black and white vest is very distinctive!) and let most of the runners I normally am around shoot off. I was initially worried that Id set off too slow so was relieved when i heard you say you were aiming for 3.45 which was at the top end of my expectations. I carried this steady pace on to ribblehead where I still felt fresh and decided to push on. I was waiting the whole way round for the inevitable pain to hit which so many people talk of at the PPPs but it never came and I still felt strong coming down off ingleborough despite a few twinges of cramp. I was very pleasantly surprised to finish in 3:31, miles beyond my expectations and in front of a number of runners who usually whoop me at fell races. Doubt Ill ever feel that good again at this race but it certainly taught me the virtues of running to feel and not a clock.

I had an almost carbon copy of your experience Greg, except I was aiming for 4.00 and finished in 3.38. (and it looks like I was very close to you at Ribblehead, so shows you paced it better!)

Just about stayed warm enough in a Helly with gloves and buff!

[mapper]

...............and echoing previous comments regarding Kieran Carr, what an inspiration. Then there's Wendy Dodds completing her 32rd Peaks race after recently breaking her arm whilst skiing. And please correct me if I'm wrong but was yesterday David Scott's 47th Peaks race...gulp.

That's right Daz ~ and all those mentioned run for Clayton-le-moors !
Kieran Carr broke the M70 course record with a time of 4:44:18; Katy Thompson completed her 21st Three Peaks; and despite a fall in the lane up Pen-y-Ghent and a full length dive in the river Dave Scott still managed to complete his 48th Three Peaks.
Amazing !

[eardstapa]

On my third attempt I took 21 mins off my previous best time and was elated as I crossed the finish, having felt strong all the way from the top of Whernside. So now I'm thinking: I could have gone faster... Roll on next year!

[Rob Furness]

Obviously they're different races entirely but the contrast of gear that fellsmanners were wearing at the start of The Fellsman in Ingleton with the gear that the 3 peakers were wearing at the start was massive. The 3 peakers were still by and large in vests and shorts with the odd waterproof whilst the fellsman start looked like an episode of Fortitude (but without the polar bears). I think your mistake Rob was probably not putting the gear on at the bottom of Whernside - Pen y Ghent is more or less runnable all the way so you can get away with it there in poor weather but its only the two plateau-ey bits on Whernside where a trot is possible and its really easy to get cold.

I am currently researching the 5 deaths in English/Welsh fell races associated with hypothemia and I have been reminded, when examining the detail revealed at Inquests, that when runners start getting cold they behave irrationally. In these cases that led to their deaths including, of course, one in the Three Peaks Race.

That's very true, I've experienced it myself before now, although not on this occasion so much. I once took a high line whilst out training when I got too cold in the rather stupid belief it would be faster to get me home into the warm but in actual fact it was exactly the same length but more exposed, and worse terrain, and more energy sapping as a result of both. I was very glad to reach my van and warm up at the end of that day.