Fell running blogs

[IWCharters]

Just in case you haven't stumbled across it already.

Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge tales here

Some early tales here

[sbrt]

Just in case you haven't stumbled across it already.

Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge tales here

Some early tales here

Nice one Ian.

[Steve Chilton]

"Coached or uncoachable?" - some blogged thoughts on how much (or little) coaching has featured in some notables' efforts: https://itsahill.wordpress.com/2015/...r-uncoachable/

[Mounsey]

EPIC Lee Mill Relay yesterday. My new blog describes the experience... https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...bad-education/

[Tindersticks]

EPIC Lee Mill Relay yesterday. My new blog describes the experience... https://benmounsey.wordpress.com/201...bad-education/

Blimey Ben, I was properly gripped reading that!

Didn't realise you'd had such a tough time of it...pleasing to read an happy ending.

Every credit for your honesty on what you now realise could of been a very tricky situation....top man, take care mate.

[Mounsey]

Blimey Ben, I was properly gripped reading that!

Didn't realise you'd had such a tough time of it...pleasing to read an happy ending.

Every credit for your honesty on what you now realise could of been a very tricky situation....top man, take care mate.

Cheers Daz, much appreciated mate. The last 2 miles were a real struggle, just relieved to see the finish in the end. Thought it best to share the story so others learn from my mistake. No fault but my own and I'm not too proud to say otherwise. Great to catch up yesterday as always. Not sure even you would've done anymore than 1 leg yesterday in those conditions! EPIC

[zimmer]

Was on last bit before quarry on fence part for nearly two hours, legs 2 and three, just cheering good people on.So cold and wet and wind!!! had to go home. Saw Tom coming in at end, but sorry Ben too cold to wait for you. Great message to all that think that outside big hills fell running is easy/safe Live here and honest it was grim. Only live hundred yards from start, went home, shower, shiver, warm food. Once again well done to all, partic Rich and his team. What a fantastic event! Bring back Rossy fell race in February - would be as hard as Chew Valley.

[zimmer]

Sorry Ben, are you saying Tinders is a wimp like me. Greatest respect for all who ran yesterday. Ran alongside few who said first fell race, bloody tough start to you but keep going. Best sport in the world. Proud to have watched you all yesterday.

[Graham Breeze]

Thought it best to share the story so others learn from my mistake. No fault but my own and I'm not too proud to say otherwise. EPIC

I applaud this report from Mounsey because if this can happen to an elite runner on a relatively low level, short and flagged route (which I have run): then there but for the grace of God...

To my acute embarrassment I have been hypothermic in a race and I remember the efforts of Mrs Scoffer and others in trying to stop me shivering, get heat back into my body core and get my brain working again to leave its inarticulate state: all inside a relatively warm café at the finish area.

The FRA/RO, and rightly, can have rules about carrying kit but it cannot (yet) control whether or not people put it on, or put it on early enough in a race and, of course, once you become hypothemic your brain stops functioning as well as it should, especially in race conditions.

I have a photograph of the start of the 2012 Buttermere Sailbeck race. Some runners are wearing enough kit for the Arctic but of the dozens of runners in the picture only a single person is setting off in a vest and shorts. That runner had done the race several times before and he had the required kit in his bag and much later in the race he eventually put in on. The reasons for the death of Brian Belfield cannot be reduced to one simple, trite factor and runners have different metabolisms and will be "out" for different times in a race, etc; so there can be no simple rules.

But all the tragic deaths in fell races - Bob English, Ted Pepper, Judith Taylor, Carol Matthews and Brian - were associated with hypothermia (and going off-route); not from overheating for wearing too much kit or putting it on too early in something as trivial as a mere fell race.

As others have said, Mounsey should be congratulated for sharing his experience on here.

[dnf]

I applaud this report from Mounsey because if this can happen to an elite runner on a relatively low level, short and flagged route (which I have run): then there but for the grace of God...

To my acute embarrassment I have been hyperthermic in a race and I remember the efforts of Mrs Scoffer and others in trying to stop me shivering, get heat back into my body core and get my brain working again to leave its inarticulate state: all inside a relatively warm café at the finish area.

The FRA/RO, and rightly, can have rules about carrying kit but it cannot (yet) control whether or not people put it on, or put it on early enough in a race and, of course, once you become hyperthemic your brain stops functioning as well as it should, especially in race conditions.

I have a photograph of the start of the 2012 Buttermere Sailbeck race. Some runners are wearing enough kit for the Arctic but of the dozens of runners in the picture only a single person is setting off in a vest and shorts. That runner had done the race several times before and he had the required kit in his bag and much later in the race he eventually put in on. The reasons for the death of Brian Belfield cannot be reduced to one simple, trite factor and runners have different metabolisms and will be "out" for different times in a race, etc; so there can be no simple rules.

But all the tragic deaths in fell races - Bob English, Ted Pepper, Judith Taylor, Carol Matthews and Brian - were associated with hyperthermia (and going off-route); not from overheating for wearing too much kit or putting it on too early in something as trivial as a mere fell race.

As others have said, Mounsey should be congratulated for sharing his experience on here.

There is also a good video on the Lee Mill site on this forum, a view to the savage conditions on the day. ( sun usually shines on Rossendale by the way)