pilgrim challenge 2012 - Page 4 - Ultra / Adventure racing

hope to...

08/01/2012 at 20:29

Bear - I have now covered the course (in stages) from Farnham until the end of The Denbies Estate. A sign post was down, and I did not have my book with me, so turned back at that point. So basically from there to the finish!

Jeremy - The Winter Tanners is organised by the Long Distance Walking Association (check out their website they put on some very cool events that are amazingly cheap). The start is in Leatherhead.

Agree about the extra long run!

Edited to say that in theory Jeremy you should be able to follow the sign posts all the way on The Pilgrims. I am so directionally challenged that I take a guide book that is written for idiots. Trust me my legs are going to struggle with the 33 miles. Can't afford any extra distance due to getting lost.

Edited: 08/01/2012 at 20:32

JeremyG

08/01/2012 at 20:54

What guidebook do you have? Might be a better option than having to get 2xOS maps and a good thing to keep too

I'm hoping for at least reasonably dry weather - 33miles in the rain is not something I want to contemplate!

hope to...

08/01/2012 at 21:58

I have this book: North Downs Way (National Trail Guide) [Paperback].

I am so sad that I am going to photocopy the bit from the Denbie Estate to the finish if I don't get time to run it, so I don't have to carry the book.

Don't pick up on my paranoia, you'll be fine, but the book is interesting, and it gives historical details about the route which I found interesting.

On the whole the weather has been very kind to us runners. I have some new trail shoes, and a new waterproof gore running jacket, as well as a new back pack which should be arriving this week. Have to get out there and break them in.

Bear B.Hind

09/01/2012 at 16:19

Another very detailed guide is the one from the British Walking Guide series. Detailed hand drawn maps. Quite small and light. Only disadvantage is that if you still manage to get lost

and stray too far from path can be difficult to re orientate yourself using this it alone.

JeremyG

18/01/2012 at 16:20

How's everyone doing? Back from offshore so the next week is planned to get a couple of long runs in and then have a short taper.

hope to...

18/01/2012 at 17:13

Hi Jeremy, you on an oil rig?

Ran The Winter Tanners (20 miles) and that was a lovely day out. Hoping for the same weather we had for that, cold, but dry for The Pilgrims.

Fairly sure my legs will never make day 2. Bear, you've done this before, will they only award a medal if you make both days if that is what you have signed up for?

JeremyG

18/01/2012 at 18:21

Htf yes I work offshore so the last 2 weeks I have spent many a boring hour on a treadmill.
Never thought about the fact that if I don't finish day 2 I won't get a medal! Got me worried now!

Bear B.Hind

19/01/2012 at 17:03

I had to 'leap frog' one of the cps on both the Toad Challenge and Round Island events the year before last due to foot problems and still got medal + shirt for each one. Also as the event is open to those who just want to do a single day there must be a 33mile finisher's medal if you manage one full day.

Neil wants to be as encouraging as possible so I think he would probably feel that it is the effort rather than actual distance is what counts and should be rewarded.

Ian Campbell

26/01/2012 at 13:50

Hi all,
I did a recce run from Farnham to Box Hill on Monday. planning to do the Box Hill to Merstham section tomorrow. The trail was in excellent condition and signage in good shape. Not much mud and the trail was fairly compact. Not sure how that might have changed with the last two days of rain.
I think everyone should have an excellent time out on the trail. See you at the start.

guy stephens 2

26/01/2012 at 17:28

A question for those who have done this course; how much water would you recommend carrying. I have an OMM ultra pack with a 650ml water bottle, would it be worth getting another bottle ?

Thanks

Guy

JeremyG

26/01/2012 at 17:50

Good to hear Ian, especially the signage!!
Guy I believe there are 4 checkpoints so as long as they are evenly spaced you may be ok, depends how much you need. I'll be taking my camelbak with approx 2l.
I've been getting the miles in but not as many long runs as I'd like. Have decided to go for 9am start and day 2 may just be a long walk!
Been looking at the weather on the 10 day forecast - how sad am I!

guy stephens 2

26/01/2012 at 19:57

Thanks Jeremy. Over the past month I done loads of short runs but struggled with the long ones due family commitments and illness. I'll pobably get some sort of hydration pack this weekend and must buy a headtorch as well.

Bear B.Hind

26/01/2012 at 21:27

Good luck all - meant to do a final burst up wretched Box Hill steps yesterday but decided less is more at this stage. The only style on the way has been replaced by a kissing gate . As for water - being a slow old Bear don't need much so will probably only carry 1lt max.

Richard La cock

27/01/2012 at 20:53

Looking foward to this one, I'm doing the MDS this year so this will give me a good idea of my fitness levels. Still considering how much weight i should carry, don't want get injured before the MDS! See ya there, traveling from Portsmouth

hope to...

29/01/2012 at 21:44

Have now started a list of things I will require. First Ultra, first multi-day.

Top of list... sleeping bag!

Serious nerves, and WTF was I thinking when I entered this is how I am feeling at the moment.

Really hope there are some real slow coaches entered

JeremyG

29/01/2012 at 22:19

HTF top of my list is ibuprofen! Same nerves and WTF here. I feel my fitness is very good but not sure I have done enough long runs. What start time are you? I'm 10am but think I might have to shift to 9 and go slow if I want a chance of doing day 2.
Looks like it will be cold but hopefully dry.

hope to...

30/01/2012 at 06:52

Morning Jeremy, good idea about the ibuprofen!

My start time is 9am and thinking of moving to the 8am slot!

Cold, but dry would be far preferable to wet. Just hope that I get the balance of clothing right. Worried about getting too cold when I am walking! I know the answer then is to run, but my legs and I are not always in agreement.

If you are quick enough to make the 10am slot, then I am sure you will romp it in

I am just hoping to get back before it is pitch black.

Bear B.Hind

30/01/2012 at 09:24

htf - however slow you are there will almost certainly be a Bear Behind you! I'm normally either last or within the final 3 and that's only if the other 2 contrived to get lost on the way. I know I shall be in the dark for several hours each day. Off to Poundland to get some handwarmers. Volgarol extra is the drug of choice for me - I tend to get lower back pain when tired.

JeremyG

01/02/2012 at 12:44

One hour easy run today and that is it until Saturday!
Going to be a cold one! Anyone know if there has been snow on the route?
Some forecast for Sunday - would that make following the trail difficult? (visions of being lost in snow covered hills!!)

Bear B.Hind

01/02/2012 at 13:55

I did a fair bit of the route in snowy conditions during the past couple of years. The trail was ok to follow, - easier in some ways if you're not the lead as just follow the footprints.