read the thread sounds fun!!!
Down here in deepest devon the nearest we have to this is a race called Grizzly ,a 21 off roarer with @ 3500 ft up and down the cliffs on the coast and I remember getting cramp around here so I suppose I had better prepare for the worst .
the more I read about this race the more I m looking forward to the challenge.
Some one tried to talk me in to doing the Grizzly whilst doing the Axe to Exe, he said it was very similar, no big hills just lots of them.Originally Posted by R Ayson
The trouble with the climb up Whernside isn't the height of the climb at all - its the sheerness of it. One of the most impressive sights you can see in this race (especially from the nearer the back than the front perspective that I get) is the snake of runners going all the way to the top of Whernside before you. You start off this ascent in boggy moor land that undulates to begin with but then starts to steepen, steepen more and then for the last 2 or 300 feet steepen so that you couldn't imagine it being any steeper.
I've run the longer loop to the top of Whernside used by the 3 peaks walkers and have never got cramp at the summit - going straight up 'route one', as you do in the race, I've never yet not had crippling cramp at the top
Last edited by Stolly; 08-01-2008 at 08:12 PM.
Couldn't agree more with that Stolly. I've said this on this forum before - i've done longer races and races with more climb than the 3P, but this is the one where cramp is a killer. Once it sets in, on the way up Whernside, I get it for the rest of the race. Downhill and flat is fine(ish), but any ascent and the calves lock up. Hopefully, more milage in the run up to the race and softer shoes might help out, but I doubt itThe trouble with the climb up Whernside isn't the hight of the climb at all - its the sheerness of it. One of the most impressive sights you can see in this race (especially from the nearer the back than the front perspective that I get) is the snake of runners going all the way to the top of Whernside before you. You start off this ascent in boggy moor land that undulates to begin with but then starts to steepen, steepen more and then for the last 2 or 300 feet steepen so that you couldn't imagine it being any steeper.
I've run the longer loop to the top of Whernside used by the 3 peaks walkers and have never got cramp at the summit - going straight up 'route one', as you do in the race, I've never yet not had crippling cramp at the top.
Cramp! Real or in the mind? I did the 3P in 1985, 1986 and 2007, and the dreaded calf cramps set in at exactly the same point going along the top of Whernside on each occasion. I shall now be so expecting them this year that if they haven't set in by fifty yards further on the legs will seize up anyway with the shock.
Re: 3 peaks race
Mmm... I always seem to get cramp based on time on my feet, i.e. about 2 to 2.5 hr mark. it comes on quicker with steep climbs like full tour of pendle last nov. (after 1.5 hrs) ouch, not looking forward to the 2hr mark (and whernside) on this race. I have used Ibulieve gel and it did seem to keep it off for periods but its still present, especially after the climb.
I aim to get more mileage and ascents completed before the race, probably won't iliminate it but its worth a try eh.
I also aim to reccy it (as close as permitted) sometime in Feb.
must admit that generally don`t suffer to much with cramp BUT I`ve never raced in a fell race longer than 11 miles so the jurys out(and waiting no doubt!!) on when it might strike.
Just out of intrest as I have no idea of the course is 4 hrs a realistic target for a finishing time or should I just concentriate on finishing.
My off road mara time is 3.15 although there was less than 1000ft of climbing so not really a good conparison .
Absolutely agree with the comments by Real Ale Man, Stolly and Crowhill.
The stiles on the run-in can also be difficult when your calves are knotting with cramp. Even worse, I struggled to get up the pavilion steps to my cuppa at the end...
As for time, see how you go, especially if most of your experience is on road.
Why not aim for 4 and half hours? You can always speed up in the later stages if you've still got spring in your legs
The surest way of having a miserable time is to go off too quickly and pay for it later. One danger (especially for a road runner) is to take the long flat stretch to Ribblehead as if doing a 10 miler. Ten minutes gained on this section can cost you half an hour later.
If you go to the website and look up last years split times that may give you some ideas but see how slow some runners are up the first hill but come in in a fast time. These are the smart runners in my book. It's a big race with big runners and you do get dragged along at the start. Stay smart and go slower up the first hill you will catch alot of runners later.
I agree TF I also believe this is one of the reasons for so much cramp at the top of Whernside, it's so flat and firm you can get a good pace going then OMG there is a wall in front of you called WhernsideYou can always speed up in the later stages if you've still got spring in your legs
The surest way of having a miserable time is to go off too quickly and pay for it later. One danger (especially for a road runner) is to take the long flat stretch to Ribblehead as if doing a 10 miler. Ten minutes gained on this section can cost you half an hour later.
I believe the race for mortals starts at the top of Whernside, still plenty of running to do plus a big climb and that loooooonnnnnnngggg run off Ingleborough.
I'd add 45 minutes to your off road marathon time for sure especially on a warm day and, then, anything back from that target is a win. Dehydration on a warm or hot day is a big problem so carrying the right amount of liquid (for you), even though there are two water stations, becomes crucial. When I ran in April I really was'nt race fit. It wasn't especially hot that day other than in the valleys but I was in a dreadful state at the end. Cramps in my calves, cramps above the knees but worse than all that what I'd best describe as full body cramps making moving (and not moving) extremely painful. It took me a full 15 minutes to bend sufficiently to get in my car after the race.
I've since been told that these body cramps (think "is an alien just about to bite itself out from the inside through my ribs, back, chest and stomach") were caused by dehydration. Certainly there's usually a few runners on drips with the paramedics at the end.
This year I'm hoping for wet and miserable weather to be honest
Last edited by Stolly; 08-01-2008 at 07:49 AM.
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