Round Rotherham 50

[IainR]

Yeah I find I break down, pace drops, mentally struggle, with about 80-90% of the race done, come back for the last 5%, but that happens whether 40,50 or 96 miles.

It's far worse when I run solo, as I seem to go into a world of self pity. On the WHW my wife and mates left me at Kingshouse, met me at the bottom of devils staircase and couldn't believe how I'd mentally and physically fallen to pieces within 5k.

I'm worried about doing the UTDMB on my own for that reason, so it'll be an interesting experience.

I think that's why I like point to points like WHW where there's nicely defined legs, although I find say Rannock Moor, that bit too far a leg so do like a pacer with me over there.

When I did the RR I didn't know the route or the legs so found it hard to break it into sections, luckily we ran together and also the weather was good so I managed OK, but I think I'd have struggled more this year in the bad weather.

Felt jealous last night when she came home knackered.

[daz h]

Hi All,

Well that was bloody hard, I set off with the workmates with the plan to stick with them. We ran walked to 14 miles at that point we had started to catch walkers and my mates wanted to get round. So I agreed to start walking at that point. As we approached the 24mile doubt was starting to set in with my workmates and they realised it was going to be a long long day. Probably another 10 hours if we kept walknig. So I decided to start moving on, on my own from the 3rd checkpoint so started running again, I was already 6hours into it.

I ran most of the way until it started to go dark, then I caught a few runners and we decided to slog it together. It turned into a whole new world after dark. The Wainwright maps where not as much fun, it was pissing it down and to be honest, if I was not running with this group iof runners I would have been pretty scared out there on my own. Especially as the frequency of people and headtorches in the distance became less and less.

Anyhow, we all worked together and slogged it out, and that was great complete strangers each with the same goal working together. I think we got round in over 14hours. TBH by that time I was not really interested in what tiem I got round in.

Those fields where horrendous, I really did not think it would be that hard

I also saw the idiot without kit, namely a young lad with tracksuit and T shirt on and nothing else. At one point I was going to lend him a thermal, but then I thougght why should I he knows the score. At that point he was at the halfway point and luckily for him he decided to jack it. He'd probably still be out there.

My ankles have swollen up is that normal.

Thats my longest day out every, the hardest thing I've done.

Cheers
Jamie

well done jamie mate , we was thinking about you

[Luv Shack]

Well Done Daz H, brilliant race report!
In that absolutely shocking weather as well
Loved the post race encounter.....
really made me chuckle,
lucky you didn't get carted off to a padded cell!!!!!
PS (we missed you today, maybe you can be tempted to Calderdale in 2008!?)

[daz h]

Well Done Daz H, brilliant race report!
In that absolutely shocking weather as well
Loved the post race encounter.....
really made me chuckle,
lucky you didn't get carted off to a padded cell!!!!!
PS (we missed you today, maybe you can be tempted to Calderdale in 2008!?)

yep, i will be there in 2008
been thinking of you lot today

[NotOnUrHelly]

Cheers Everyone,

It was really a run of two halves for me, I took it easy with my chums till the Checkpoint before Woodsetts. They decided at that checkpoint that they would go as far the next one. So I left them there and picked up my pace a little. I'm guessing due to taking alittle slower earlier ie walking. I was'nt doing my self any favours due to having a lot more darkness to contend with.

In hindsight, it was a very tough event to invite my work colleagues on. Although they are used to walking in the lakes for 7hours +. So I thought they would be alright just walking round and running bits. Alas it was just a lot tougher than I expected, and I thought it would just be on Bridlepaths and easy trails.

Im chuffed I got to have a long day and take things to 14hours. Quite an unknown for me. I would definately not have worn road shoes, due to slippy fields. I did not get any blisters which is fab.

All in all I enjoyed it, very well done to Emmi, Daz and Calf, and great to meet Derby Tup early doors.

Shame I did not get to meet you John but well done on your run.

Jamie

[daz h]

i found one thing very dfficult , map reading as your mind starts to go, at one point id lost the plot with it and started telling the map that it was crap and no good, as soon as id had a gel and some coca cola at the checkpoint i was ok.
didnt realise coca cola could have such an effect

[JohnK]

as soon as id had a gel and some coca cola at the checkpoint i was ok.
didnt realise coca cola could have such an effect[/quote]

It`s the caffeine but you knew that anyway, the coke is better flat though

[Swoop]

It`s the caffeine Daz but you knew that anyway, the coke is better flat though

Don't tell him that. He'll stamp on the can.

[SteveS]

At one checkpoint with coke I had a load of that, and ate tuna sandwiches, jam sandwiches, chocolate squares and jaffa cakes. I was desperate to get something inside me, not really finishing off the last mouthful before starting the next, but somehow it all combined to the most awesome taste! I think the coke really set it off.

I consider it a real achievement for those who kept going in the dark, I doubt I'd have had the staying power after being out in the cold all day. To start off slow in the dark, and know you have going to spend even more time in the dark later because the early pace yet still carry on to the finish, I admire anyone who could keep it going under those terms.

I found there were an awful lot more easy underfoot paths than I'd expected, and in a way the wettest fields weren't as bad as they could be a little drier, they were just too wet for the mud to really stick on your shoes. I guess it's just the kind of terrain I'm used to from local runs and LDWA stuff, so I never found it too bad, though I'd have been useless if had been on the fells.

I thought the strip maps were great, mine were unusable by the end as they'd disintegrated in the wet, but the route description I resorted to was excellent too and got me back.

Sorry I missed you all, was probably sitting on the next table after the event without a clue who you were

[IanDarkpeak]

as soon as id had a gel and some coca cola at the checkpoint i was ok.
didnt realise coca cola could have such an effect

It`s the caffeine but you knew that anyway, the coke is better flat though[/QUOTE]


I think I've mentioned this to Jamie but I use HI-5's Xtreme energy source, it comes in a powder sachet to go in 750ml bottle, I always carry one in my bum bag on the long stuff, possibly would have had two on the RR.

Apart from hi carb and high electrolyte anti cramp ingredients it also has L-Carnitine, Taurine and Caffeine. When I start hitting a big dip in performance or start cramping I knock some of this stuff back. It's amazing stuff and has saved me from feeling like death to jogging away in minutes. Great for when you concentration is going too.

However it's not a recovery drink so don't use it for that otherwise you'll never get to sleep



I get it from Accelerate UK by the 12 sachet box. I'm sure other places sell it.