anyone here done any serious off-road running? long-distance fells? anyone read Feet in the Clouds?

[hatwoman]

I did the London marathon this year. and, having moved to the Peak District, have started fell running. I haven't done any races longer than 6 miles (yet). I'm (possibly rather rashly) reading Feet in the Clouds (brilliant book about nutty fell-racing, stuff like the Bob Graham round) and can't help wondering if I could tackle one of the more challenging races - a 20 miler perhaps, next spring. My big fear though is navigation. and having to do as much, if not more, training as I did for the marathon. I wondered if there was anyone here on mn with any relevant experience (too scared to go on any of the fell-running forums...)

I lived here as a kid. then spent 20 odd years down south. came back a few months ago. and loving it.

anyone still around? I need to know if I'm a complete softie - I just finished Feet in the Clouds and am really quite overwhelmed. definitely feeling my eyes prick a bit. I found it really quite moving. hard to say why exactly. I guess I've always had this soft notion about the land (round where I live) being in my blood, being part of me. and I guess it's moving to read a book about so many other people who feel some similar sort of quite primitive, base, connection.

Hi HW - am still around although I've been down in Devon for the weekend. One of the things I like about fell-running and FITC is that it is all basic, no frills, no image, no logo, just get out there and connect with the land/nature etc. There must be something about running in the landscape which makes you feel younger and so therefore, more alive. It was strange being in Devon because it is very lovely, but also, strangely flat..

You'll end up rereading Fitc. I keep dipping into mine and reading the odd chapters. You could start on some of his source material, if you want to become an expert in your area?

I've already read most of Joss Naylor, MBE, was Here, and I've got 42 Peaks on my bedside table

oh and I've just booked a couple of nights in the Lakes I quite fancied going to Grasmere to watch the Guides' Race - but shied away from it as it's on the bank holiday weekend. But I'm plannin ing to get up early one morning and sneak in a quick run before dh and dds get up

Am going to HAVE to do some running tomorrow as I seem to spend a lot of talking about it, and very little time actually doing it. An early morning 8 miler would set me up for the week.

Is the Guides Race the August bank hol?

it's on the bank holiday Sunday. looks great doesn;t it? wouldn't dare enter

Yes, it does look good and no, I wouldn't dare enter; bit too public and and hard going for me.

hawesmead - I did Old Man, maybe I saw you!

Are you doing Grasmere this year? I will if it's dry. Don't fancy that grassy descent in the wet.

have you done it before branflake? round me the fell races are quite mixed - you get the serious people who do 6 minute miles and you get the daft people like me who drag themselves round in twice that, plus a handful who I pay to kindly turn up to make sure my 12 minute miles don't make me last. But Grasmere Guides, has such a name and history to it, and looks all serious, that I'd be too chicken. or does it in fact attract the same spectrum?

The 2008 results show that Rob Jebb won it in 12.38. The last runner finished in 33.03, so you would have to say that it does attract a very broad spectrum. It is the Lakes, so noone will know you...It would be awful to stand there watching it thinking 'it could do that' wouldn't it?

'I could do that'

anyone else noticed that the men outnumber the women by loads? Gives me a secret thrill to be one of the few women daft enough to do this. and I can't deny feeling rather chuffed when I beat a few men (esp if they're younger than me. they're all bigger than me as I'm five foot nothing)

Yes I know. I always feel pleased when I beat a few young lads; usually lads who look like they have entered a race as a novelty, mind. I wonder if being relatively small is an advantage on the fells?

Yes, I've done it a couple of times.

There are the usual 6 minute miler whippets in it but equally plenty of huffers and puffers at the back (and I include myself in this!) and only the very front of the field actually runs the uphill.

I wouldn't be put off by its history, if anything it is becoming more inclusive.

hatwoman you MUST do it. You know you want to. It's a long winter to wait for another year.

too late - have booked our days in the lakes for later that week. maybe next year...

You can go and reccy the route in prep for next time.

you can't reccy it as it's private land (but you can stare in uneasy awe at it from the road!)

do you know the area? we're staying here. It looks gorgeous - can't wait. the second pic here gives a really good idea what it's like.

Langdale - yes, very nice! You've chosen a lovely spot.

Langdale pikes are a great walk and the valley is very pretty too and has some easy flat walks if you have young kids or fancy a quieter day.

Enjoy!

I'm not doing Grasmere this year (am 7 months pregnant) But have done it before and even won in my distant past
Hubby will be running though and hopes to come in the 5.
I know it is private land but if you leg it up the first field you can usually get away with it if you want to reccy it, just plead innocence.

Was up at Burnsall Feast at the weekend. Ran the 10m road race, which was hard going all the way; very hot. Stayed to watch the fell and really enjoyed it. Will run it next year.