pilgrim challenge 2012

hopetofinish - only reason training in dark because as a walker rather than runner it's the only way to fit training in.  Actually live in London so need an hour to get to Guildford and another 20 mins to get to NDW.  I've got several head torches, the most powerful is a Silva which gives a very good beam, but was the one I was having trouble with, I've also a Petzl which is OK and my favoutite backup which is a cheapo Stormlite - not so powerful but a good and reliable. It does help actually training on the course.  The signage is a bit better this year.

ahapartridge - glad your back in training, good luck with the new technique.

 It is quite tricky the timing of this event as being 'next year' it feels further away than it is and Christmas is just at the point where you want to maximise your training - still allows for guilt free consumption of Christmas goodies.

Hi All. Just to let you know that this is a really great event by a really great race organiser. Did it a couple of years ago and helped out last time. Beautiful run, quite hard but the camaraderie and the great team will make sure you get around mostly intact

Did a blog on it if you are interested.

pilgrims

hopetofinish - well done which section did you do?  Just try and familiarise yourself with route as much as you can before event.  Unless it is really wet the terrain is for the main quite well drained - and I for myself prefer road shoes as the trail shoes I've tried seem to be slippier on the non trail sections than road shoes are on the trail - if you get my drift.

Have yet to attack Box Hill steps - 'im indoors had an op this week which meant I climbed to 11th floor of local hospital instead - a bit more even and less muddy although still quite hard going.  Back in training next week.

Not me that's the invalid one but 'im indoors - who is now home and can be left to own devices.

Rather pleased about enforced break as I was still feeling a bit knackered from the Ridgeway.

Did Guilford to  A24 and back, looked at Box Hill but have yet to climb the wretched thing.  A bit hard going as the paths were quite slippery and quite a few puddles.  Return through wooded section seemed to go on forever in the dark.  Will try and fit in shorter Box Hill section next week.  Must also remember to actually enter - was waiting for this month's credit card payment to go through.

hopetofinish - advantage of earlier start is that you will either avoid or have to do less of the route in the dark.

hopeto finish - you guessed my mistake!!  Didn't so much forget to enter as put it off until 'im indoors had recovered, then there were the Christmas preparations so by the time I got round to it I got the 'event full' message.  Fortunately there was a vacant slot and I managed to squeeze in.

Hope you do decide to go ahead and do it.  Glad you're a deffo Jeremy.

Yesterday did a linear fron Guildford to Merstham next week will do a final long one (Guildford - top Box Hill - Guildford).  Track drying out, still some mud, but quite a lot of debris and a couple of fallen trees from high winds.  More of a problem for runners than walkers I imagine.

Glad you got in BBH - I guess more spaces open up nearer the day as well.
Nearly a 60 mile week for me with a couple of 2hr+ back to backs so feeling fairly confident. Looking forward to it esp as I won't have a time pressure to keep going so stopping to rest/admire the view is perfectly ok!

Do I need to get the OS maps or will the route map provided be ok?
Probably get lost anyway!

Where is the Winter Tanners HTF? I would think another long one after done at a slow enough pace would be ok with usual proviso listen to your body etc