I thought all the stuff about the legends, especially the very old guys was great, very timely. If he hadn't taken time to go out and interview them now much of what they had to say would have been lost. The guy who got the BGR to be what it is etc, not a runner, but still did no much for the sport.
Re: Feet in the Clouds
I really recommend you read past chapter 1. He is just setting the scene at the beginning and maybe he does go into a lot of detail however it is a great book if you continue past the first chapterOriginally Posted by who killed bambi
I came across FITClouds at the library and browsing it thought, "What's this? A book exactly written for me!" I've probably read a bit of it most days since (having bought my own copy).
He writes in a journalistic way, maybe over-egging it slightly in places, but that figures. One thing that gets on my nerves is his routine debunking of his own performances. If he's rubbish, what am I?
A great addition to mountain literature. Another volume? Loads of scope. There must be a lot of tales out there just waiting to be re-couched in print. I'd love to read about Eric Beard and why hasn't there been a biography of Pete Livesey? I think I'd buy anything Askwith wants to write about running etc. And I don't mind if he spends it on himself.
Not only will I buy his book I'll buy him a pint as well if he'll let me.
By the way there are some pretty good chapters about fell racing in Ron Hill's "Long Hard Road" especially about the Three Peaks Race. That's a book which has a strangely hypnotic quality even though it's mostly Ron's running log copied out.
Blimey. I liked it too, but not to that extent.
I thought the bit in Part II, where Ron mentioned his post-race rectal temperature was pushing the detail a bit far.
Askwith's book is OK: if you like that sort of thing.
However the most useful book ever written about fellrunning remains Sarah Rowell's "Off-Road Running" available from Amazon for £10.
Given that Sarah was a top marathon runner, a top International Mountain Runner, probably the second-best ever female fell runner, has a sports related PhD, is actively involved in International Selection, edits a sports-related magazine, has forgotten more about fell running than most Forum posters will ever know...
...well if you haven't got a copy you just aren't serious about fell running.
Maybe, but I dunno - I'm not interested in being an elite fell runner or dieting and training and taking it all so, well so bleedin' seriously. What I liked the most about FITC is that it felt as if it was written from something akin to my perspective on the sport. Yes I do run alot (maybe 40 miles pw and aim to up that to 50 once my house move goes through) and I am getting faster and stronger but no, I'm not interested in becoming an elite runner. I just want to really enjoy it.
I loved FITC. Askwith can write far better than I ever could, and I enjoyed the 'alternate' chapters idea. A real labour of love on his part & written with genuine affection. It has raised the profile of fell running too.
As for him making 'lots' of money from this particular work, you obviously have never seen a publishing contract !
You mean it's all over?
And you couldn't tell me to my face?
You'll find all your Silsden matchday programmes and Human League records on the doorstep. Good riddance!
Doesn't he get to open loads of new shopping malls and that sort of thing?
I was in Specsavers last Saturday, and they had Barry off Eastenders opening it. I don't know if he has to do it every morning.
You mean it's all over?
And you couldn't tell me to my face?
You'll find all your Silsden matchday programmes and Human League records on the doorstep. Good riddance!
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