My Forum

I think the general consensus was that the L100 was harder than UTMB. I cannot comment myself as I was trying to use this as my last qualifier for UTMB2009. However, that seemed to be the view from all the UTMB vets I spoke to.

I met the two guys who came second on the train back to London and one of them claimed this was harder than MdS and they are seasoned semi-pros!

It will be interesting to see how this event grows. I wish the team all the best as this was a cracker. However, I doubt that the Nat Park would allow the scale of razzamataz that goes with the UTMB. And there is a certain quality that goes with smaller events that suits me more than the big ones!

So I hope that it grows and that Marc and co can make money out of it....but just not TOO much that it becomes just another BIG event. At least, we can all say we were there for the 1st one!!

Marc,

As you know I am perfectly capable of asking stupid questions, but are these leg times correct? Leg 2 seems generally too short, legs 5 and 8 too long.  I wish I had run leg 2 in 1:35 but glad that i didn't take 5+ for leg 5....at least I hope I didn't!!

Great to see all the positive feedback from the event and to hear that there were no serious casualties.

Should be good for 2009, especially for those of us with unfinished business!

With my colleague and I both DNF - it is taking some persuading to encourage our work colleagues to join us next year but we are working on it!! 

Kev and Fiona - glad to hear you are both in one piece. Sorry that we lost you somewhere at the end of stage 1 Fiona. I though that you were also behind us during CP2 but obviously not. Good luck with UTMB.

Well done getting to PB, Kev. Did you see the Scottish guy who hurt himself just after B'mere. I hope that he was OK.

mandH - sorry I missed speaking to you but not sorry that they had obviously moved the dead cow!

I hope that Marc gives us some accrediation for getting to/past half way. The IH was the tougher of the two after all!!

The only fault, I could really see, was the lack of grid references on the maps.

I will be back next year with more sensible travel plans plus the following lessons learned:

• Do not book lunchtime train from Oxenholme on Sunday – you will not catch it!
• Kendal mint cake remains the best energy food by miles
• Spend money on good socks. Your feet will suffer badly
• Salomon shoes are not nicknamed ‘slippy Salomon’s’ for nothing
• Lycra + sudocreme was the correct choice – no chapping at all!
• Montane jackets are fantastic
• Revise your navigation before the race – the simple Mountain Navigation For Runners tips were very valuable and saved me making any route finding cock-ups
• A GPS probably is a good idea – but note how many GPSs malfunctioned during the night. No substitute for a map and compass!
• The compass never lies. It is more trustworthy than the guy ahead! Trust your own judgment!
• Take timings to judge distances on the flat sections. This avoids map reading cock-ups
• Take much less time through CP. Think ‘transition’ not ‘lunch break!!’ We wasted too much time at CPs
• Eat more food on the go to avoid too many energy dips. I was always sluggish immediately after the CPs which was probably due to body adjusting.
• Standard HIM training is not enough for this event. Needs more specific hill work.
• The camaraderie among runners is probably the best bit. Thanks Dave, Mark, Fred, Andy, Kevin, Fiona and the others whose names I never caught. Congratulations to you all wherever you finished!
• Support UK events – who needs UTMB when you have this on our doorstep!! See you next year!!

I hope everyone is safe and well. See you next year!

Longer (boring) report on Runnersworld and Tri Talk