Fetch Fell Runners

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Cog Noscensme AHA Feb 2018 2:51pm, 7 Feb 2018 476 posts	0 Cog Noscensme AHA An excellent set of suggestions. I was struggling a bit with the volume of events in the handbook and not being sure where they where. It really helps to have recommendations to focus the search. Many thanks!
Cog Noscensme AHA Feb 2018 4:25pm, 7 Feb 2018 477 posts	0 Cog Noscensme AHA Hi NE. When I was in my twenties I did a bit of climbing in the Peaks, Lakes and Scotland with a bit of winter stuff after a course at Glenmore Lodge. That was over thirty years ago but I remember enough not to take the hills lightly. Definitely agree that a Lakeland classic would be over ambitious at this point.
Cog Noscensme AHA Feb 2018 4:34pm, 7 Feb 2018 478 posts	0 Cog Noscensme AHA Good advice DT. I think my first question is on how it feels to run (at least partly) rather than walk up the fells. Then try something that takes more navigation. I should be able to do that but I imagine that doing it on the run and resisting the temptation to press on instead of checking the map will need practice
jdarun Feb 2018 4:48pm, 7 Feb 2018 2,428 posts	0 jdarun The other thing is that certainly some of the big races will be (quite reasonably) a bit sniffy about a novice entering. Anything in the "long" category (roughly 2h+ for the winners so easily 4h+ for the slower runners) could conceivably fall into this camp. I've not come across a short or medium with any specific restriction. I've not needed nav skills in any race I've done, but I've not done any really big ones in poor conditions For safety reasons you need a map and to know how to use it but you probably won't be using it unless something goes wrong. BTW most people walk up most of the steepest bits. There's a point where running is just harder work for no added speed. Obviously depends on the course though.
Cog Noscensme AHA Feb 2018 8:43pm, 7 Feb 2018 479 posts	0 Cog Noscensme AHA Thanks jda. I think I'll start with a medium and see how it goes. I expect I'll find my level fairly quickly in terms of sustainable effort. As you say, its the weather conditions that could catch you out. And I see a lot of photos in the mag with vest and shorts in the middle of winter. We're far too soft for that down here in Essex!
Derby Tup Feb 2018 8:57pm, 7 Feb 2018 24,910 posts	0 Derby Tup The folk in vest and shorts are the leaders Mortals wear plenty of kit
Hohum Feb 2018 12:26pm, 14 Feb 2018 2,711 posts	0 Hohum It is worth having nav skills, in my last two events they were needed, On top of Llyn y Fan visibility was poor, I lost the runner in front and went off course. School boy error. Next event Titterstone Clee (AS) clag down again, map and compass in hand from the start, many runners went off course from the turn, yours truly followed a bearing, and got in ok, though quite cold and wet. That was less than 2km to the finish with people going off course. It is easy to get it wrong. Once you are tired, wet, cold and generally miserable navigation gets harder and harder. Too many people pay it lip service, know it, you may be cold, wet, miserable etc, but you should get back safely.
Derby Tup Feb 2018 1:08pm, 14 Feb 2018 25,040 posts	0 Derby Tup Agree strongly
Derby Tup Feb 2018 1:10pm, 14 Feb 2018 25,041 posts	0 Derby Tup One wouldn’t go hill walking in the high fells without a map and compass, even if you have one of those modern watch things that tells you where to go
flanker Feb 2018 7:51pm, 14 Feb 2018 17,448 posts	0 flanker I think you mean “one shouldn’t” as all the MRT call-out reports show that many do