On a positive note and ever the optimist, Mountain weather forecast for Sat hints at possibility of some sunshine later on. Say 2pm onwards !!!. Although will be windy on top. See you there. Hope all forumites and Virgin Ben Runners have a great weekend.
Good Luck
Cheers Tomsk. See you in the Imperial tomorrow night with your predicted time ready to go public on!Originally Posted by Tomsk
Anyone need accomodation? I no longer need the Friday/Saturday night that I've booked and payed for at the Glen Nevis youth hostel (I've had a better offer). PM me before tomorrow lunchtime if you're interested and I'll email you the booking reference.
Good luck Marvin.
And the rest of you for that matter.
I've always thought a sub two hour Ben is at least the equivalent of a sub three hour London Marathon. Either way, I know which I'd prefer. Disappointed not to be joining you.
Don't forget, overtaking someone whilst horizontal (face or feet first) is cheating.
One more chestnut of advice. A few years ago myself and a mate arranged some last minute canyoning at Vertical Descents the day after the race. They're based in Onich if my memory serves me correctly and it is amazing fun. All that cold water is excellent for aching legs. Makes for a full on weekend though. Take care!
Thanks Al. The sun's shining now in Fort William , and we've had a pleasant walk up Glen Nevis this afternoon, but the Mountain Weather forecast (now available) isn't brilliant for tomorrow. http://www.mwis.org.uk/mountain/WH.PDF.
At least there's no chance of it being too hot
Provisional early results here:
http://www.shr.uk.com/NewsItems.aspx?NewsItemID=142
Is the 2008 race full?
Damn! I'm not in the top 70 then!
I think I was 2:16:03ish - my first Ben race and blinking hard it was too. I got to the top in 1:27 so should have finished in about 2:11 (adding half my ascent for the descent) but I really woosed out on the way down - everything was very wet/slippy/loose and people were falling about everywhere!
Still a grand day about and it was nice to get a reminder of it today in the bath when the 100's of grazes I have on my posterior (stupid grassy bank!) reacted to the bathwater somewhat!
Cheers,
Derek.
ian holmes wins it , and was second at snowdon !!! and over 40 ! gives us all hope eh ?
It was the pipers fault, they led me to the slaughter!
After the start I saw Holmesy talking to others as he led the way around the field......wonder who's going to win today then?!
Passed a few on the road but then the steep climbing and started to feel rubbish and weak. Lots of folk including walkers clapping which was nice. Very steep off path bits still cr*p and tired....apologies if I'm slowing you lot behind me. First race where I didn't really want to look up at all and/or speak to anyone. Someone even offering sweets near to Red Burn. I just thought f*** *ff and leave me alone which probably reflected how rubbish and unfocussed I was. I said just leave me alone. Relentless scree and know I knew what it was like being a caravan on the M6 with all the other irritated drivers trying to pass. Many passing me and I passed no-one! Suddenly appearing out of the cloud, Holmesy with another runner on his tail. Bet he won't be that close at the finish. Massive gap then others hammering down, some just missing my staggering gait. Still not feeling good even though I desperately tried to have a serious chat with myself. Wanted to cry and give up, but not the best idea near the top of Ben Nevis.....in fact a great motivation to at least finish, being stuck up here. Hey just hang in and at least get back to the park.
Chocolate sesame snap good instant hit and woke me up for a few seconds.
Able to jog the last bit to the summit and now the descent to look forward to.
Whooooaaaaaa, here we go.
Now following the fast descenders and passing quite a few. Slipping but just balancing and staying upright (how does that work then?). At one point two of us fast (ish) descenders sandwich a tentative (sensible?) runner and we all crashed. Sorry! More fast descending then the inevitable, a nice pleasant grassy fall with a gambol.....9/10?
More descending, eventually on path. Claps from well wishers and considerate walkers who stood out of the way. Thanks, much appreciated.
At last the pub and the road . Upped the pace, passed a strong female runner then bang! Lack of energy and cramp (why o why do I get bl**dy cramp!). Slowed right down. Was passed by a few. Hanging on for dear life around the field. End. That's it. A highly disappointing 2h21m for me.
Nice to see Rachael my other half at the finish, but for the first time ever, "I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!"
Walked back to Glen Nevis YH in a solumn mood.
Very much looking forward to post race pi55 up but didn't happen. Instead, bed at 1945!!!
POST RACE: Set off too fast? Too much training for L'Etape and not enough running? Not enough distance trained? A big tri 2 weeks ago? Blah blah blah blah......excuse blah blah
Would I do it again? yes, have Big Tri at end of Sept which after a small matter of 1.25 mile sea swim and 53 mile mountain bike, finishes with the Ben. Aha, revenge!!!!! My time will come!
Many thanks to all organisers and helpers. Really appreciated. All the supporters and runners as well.
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