Bob Graham Round & Other fell challenges - Ultra / Adventure racing

Fell Running

06/10/2005 at 11:46

To provide some balance to the (albiet humorous) anarchy taking place on the Candy Ollier thread bearing this title, I though I'd start up a semi-serious thread for those contemplating this or any other of the well known fell challenges (ie: Paddy Buckley, Cullin Ridge, Welsh 1000's, Bradfield Boundary, Joss Naylor, etc,.)

By "Serious" I mean tips, experiences, gear, requests for support, pacers, information etc,.

If you want to take the p*ss, pick a fight, or whatever please go next door - plenty of room for fun in there - Please don't stomp all over this thread with tri v fell v ultra bickering, its intended for anyone who has a genuine interest.

So post away: My starter for 10 is a couple of info sites

For the Bob Graham try here:-
http://www.aqvi55.dsl.pipex.com/run/bob_graham.htm

And for the Bradfield Boundary here:-
http://www.holmesloxley.supanet.com/BradfieldRun/Welcome.htm

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

06/10/2005 at 20:16

don't all rush then ¦oD

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

06/10/2005 at 21:22

well i thoroughly enjoyed:

http://www.kirkby-stephen.com/yomp.htm

does that count?

Avalaf

06/10/2005 at 21:41

I'll be asking for help in about another 12 months or so:) Going to try some cross country this year, assuming I can get running that is.

Plodding Hippo

06/10/2005 at 21:48

Im tooscared of falling over to be a serious contender here
but bloody respect to you all

Ive only postedcos ive tried lyke wake twice and failed once

AndrewSmith pirate

pirate

06/10/2005 at 23:30

that mean you succeded once. Always end on a positive note.

Don't fear the sweeper

07/10/2005 at 09:13

I'm try the Welsh 3000ers next year. Any tips would be appreciated.

markie r

07/10/2005 at 09:14

smiffy you crack me up mate!

Fell Running

07/10/2005 at 09:24

Nigel

I think that Boy Wonder has done the Welshes.

Hippo

Lyke Wake is a serious challenge - certainly one that merits inclusion in the opening post (I just put down the first few that came into my head). As for falling over - well where do you think its called "fell" running :-))

Velociraptor

07/10/2005 at 09:50

Can I just lurk please? I promise to try not to ask any really silly questions...

...and I'm not in the same league as you serious nutters, but plan to do the BG circuit over three days when time and training permit.

candy ollier

07/10/2005 at 10:00

and the queen said, "them's all well and good, but I said 'ping pong balls' not 'king kong's balls'"

muddy

07/10/2005 at 10:01

I'd really like to do the BG round. My dad did it eons ago and got round in 21 hrs something. He wasn't running marathon distances prior to really starting training but was running 1.30 half maras on a regular basis. He also spent lots and lots of weekends up in the lakes running parts of the route and running bits in the dark. Seems to work for him
My boy'f and i are thinking abot doing it in 3 days next year too. I think the best way to do it is to go anti clockwise and cover Robinson, Hindscarth, dale head down to honister and then the gables, pillar steeple and yewbarrow and down to wast water the 1st day. But not sure. I was thinking that it might be best to to the Helvellyn and Doods part together witht he Blencathera, Skidaw and Gt Calva together but apparently that bit is not as short or as easy as it 1st seems.
How were yout hinking abotu doing it Velociraptor? Will you run it (well as much as you can when your flogging up a 3000ft peak) or walk it? What kind of training are you going to put in?

stuckinthemud

07/10/2005 at 10:34

I live in the lakes, and after i've completed some marathons, (fastest just sub 4) i thought i'd like to have a go at a BGR :)

The breakdown of distance and pace required seemed quite reasonable ;)

- then i started fell running (as opposed to running on hilly off road routes)and the more i run or race on the fells, the more respect i gain for anyone attempting (never mind completing) a BGR!!!!

I'd still like to have a go one day, but want to get a few years on the fells under my belt first.

Will follow thread with interest :)

Fell Running

07/10/2005 at 10:46

Nice pic Stickinthemud :-))

If you already live in the lakes then you'll have a head start on most of us !!

For what its worth (and its probably not much) I'd say the approach of doing it over several days is a good first step. there are some natural breaking points, and its possible to enjoy it rather than worrying about schedules.

muddy

07/10/2005 at 10:52

I agree i think getting a feel for the route in your own time is a good plan, part of the reason for wanting to do it that way. And to determin whether the route you took was the best, as i believe there are quicker ways up or down things (such as onto sca fell).

jason X

07/10/2005 at 13:14

The problem with things like the BGR is it harder to motivate yourself to get out there and do it than it is something that is a fixed date event/race.

Alot easier to chuck yourslef at a race and be in with a load of others in a simaler predicament, all the mental crutches that an event give you are stripped away on a BGR type challenge.

its just you and your support crew and the fells. Sorta like doing a really traumatic and hideously difficult Training run I guess.

Hamertime

07/10/2005 at 13:19

People I know who have completed the BGR (within the 24 Hour cut off) say pretty much the same thing, 'tell yourself that at times, you need to treat it as a fast walk'.

haileunlikely

07/10/2005 at 13:24

I think most people do the apprentice thing and learn the route over a few years, pacing on others attempts etc.

Fell Running

07/10/2005 at 13:56

Its the only effective way to do it. No amount of studying maps or photo's will substitute for the reality of actually being there on the ground.

markie r

07/10/2005 at 16:45

surely someone who can map read, use a gps and is fit and motivated enough can finish it though? is learning the route really the only effective way?