The Druid Challenge Ridgeway Ultra 2012

Well done on your pb Charlotte and your back to back Julian.

One thing that I found handy on a couple of occasions has been an old fashioned compass.  Twice there had been quite a heavy mist in parts and especially when the light is failing the path has been quite difficult to follow.  You don't need to take elaborate bearings, just when you reach a way mark set the direction of travel directly arrow ahead, line up the north arrow with the marked north on dial and keep it there.  That should take you to the next one (well it's worked for me).

Thanks Bear, may need to practice with the compass, though I do hope it doesn't get too misty, as I may end up doing a few extra miles!

Julian - are you in Thatcham too?

I'm just going for a much needed massage.

I wouldn't count on that - why do you think I'm BearB.Hind !

I always carry a tiny compass when I run offroad, even if it's to work out which of a number of different tracks I need...

but then I have come to running from a hillwalking background, which is why I always carry too much gear

Does anybody know of anywhere not too far from the finish where it's safe to leave my car for the three days of the race?

Perhaps the hotel at the finish might let you park in their grounds?  There are contact details on the Druids event page.  Worth a try anyway.

Thanks for that BBH. Neil has said the hotel grounds will be fine.

11 days and counting!

Hope we're all feeling good?  What's everyones tapering plan?  Do you taper less as it's a multi-stage compared to a long single stage?

My plantar fasciitis is still playing up, but it seems to be not getting any worse, so I'm just going to crack on for 10 more days, get the Druid done and then have a couple of weeks not even looking at my trainers.

I am going to have a decent week of training this week (I guess around 45-50 miles) then have a rest week next week.  What kinds of mileage are you lot up to?  I haven't done a multi-day in sooo long, God knows how I'm going to feel on the start of Days 2 and 3!

I hope there's drying facilities / radiators at the end of each day...I have a feeling we're all going to be fairly soggy.

Happy training / tapering / preparation.

Just maintaining fitness for me these last couple of weeks James as I did Caesar's Camp 50 last week. No run above 5 miles to try to get some freshness back into the legs... and staying off the bathroom scales!

Good luck with your PF and enjoy the rest. 

Hi James, Friendly and all,

Had an easy week last week after Abingdon, and I will be trying not to over do it before Druids.  I have annual leave that week so that I can get in a couple of good nights sleep before hand, because I can't see myself getting much sleep during this. I think I'm looking forward to it!

Just of out to do 10 miles, looks like it might be a wet one.

Did Beachy on Saturday so a few short runs, some gym work, but mainly paws up for now. 

Abingdon last week and just some short runs this week and next getting used to minimals and looking forward to seeing you all next Friday

hi james, hope your PF not too bad now, i will be looking for hedgehogs for Fi  remember

Haha Lou you crack me up - unfortunately I don't think you and Fi will meet...maybe sometime in the future though!!  But sure, go for it...bag all the hedgehogs you can.  I'll give you a hand for sure!  The foot is annoyingly persistent.  It doesn't seem to be getting any worse and I can run on it without it being agony, but I'll certainly have a couple of weeks totally off after Druids.

Charlotte are you doing the whole 3 days? Hope you're 10 miler wasn't too soggy?!

BBH - enjoy the paws up.  Love it!

You all seem really sensible in winding it down for a couple of weeks...I, on the other hand am a. stupid, b. in need of more training due to lack of miles lately and c. not feeling in any sort of shape to finish.  So, I'm going to have a good week this week then rest up.  Fingers crossed for a strong week followed by some nice recovery in time for next Friday!

Oh I was also going to ask - is anyone taking their own food for breakfast / evenings?  I appreciate most will be taking a handful of particular gels or whatever if you fancy something particular (I'm not fussed and will eat whatever the CP's have!), but I think I'll take some stuff certainly to aid recovery at the end of Friday and Saturday like protein / carb replacement drinks etc.  I'm assuming the meals are a fairly simple pasta and sauce type affair?  Or am I not doing XNRG justice?!

Hi James, yes, I'm doing all 3 days. I didn''t get too wet, but did get very muddy!

I am going to take some snacks with me, including my usual recovery foods and drinks.

james....theres always hedgehog bolognese if you get peckish

7 days and counting!! Wooop woop

Going to have a serious go at sorting out stuff tomorrow rather than late on Thursday.  Telling myself I don't really need that warm looking waterproof jacket I saw in Mountain Warehouse last week.....

Tell me about BBH - I think it's going to be a pretty chilly affair...though I'm sure the couple of hundred bodies in a sports hall will keep it warm.  No snoring or spooning, though.

I've got a hill session lined up for tomorrow and then a 14 miler for Sunday, then it'll be wind down time.  Looking forward to this and finally putting some names to faces. Are you doing all 3 days BBH?