The SNOD ultra runnig thread

T Rex wrote (see)

That's Mrs T Rex's and my wedding anniversary, so I hope we get the chance to see the day out first.  Does it say what time?

I'm not sur if there is TR, but wouldn't suprise me if not, trust an ancient - if somewhat advanced in their day - civilisation to do half a job when they won't be around to bare the consequences

Merry Xmas all!! Enjoy Escotia or wherever you be rollin this yuletide

Got a dilemma now.  Was aiming towards doing the new Cotswold Way 100 event next September (should we all get through tomorrow, that is) and now I've just come across a brilliant new event in South Wales also that month from 10Peaks.

Has anyone done the 10Peaks - The Lakes or got any knowledge of it?  It's about 45 miles and 18000' to be done in 24 hours. The first running in 2010 had 0 finishers!  Yes, that's 100% of the field dropping out or being timed out.  Must be an awesome event.

Well, the same organisers are putting on a 10Peaks - Brecon Beacons!  Right up my street and fits very well with some long term plans I have.  Thing is, it's being advertised as tougher than the Lakes event with 10 more miles (although 3000' less ascent) and one extra UTMB point. Dare I enter??

It's self nav with 10 summits to do in order and a few mandatory CPs.  There are at least two very difficult stretches of open and boggy hillsides to cross, the order they're doing their summits in, with no paths and no obvious route on the map.  I will have to go out there and have a look.

Not heard of that one, though with a 0% completion rate it disappointingly sounds like that Barkley marathon in North America. Really tough terrain combined with difficult timeouts means very few finishers (sometimes none) and pretty much reduces the scope of the athelete completing it to somebody who is tough, resourceful, but unfortunately for most FAST too! Not sure I like events, which create a low percentage of finishers to "boast about" in this way. Last thing you want to hear when your 75% around a tough course and going pretty well is that your timed out and have to leave the course as you won't be supported any further (at aid stations and the like), especially if you usually finish well inside cut-offs.

 Rant over..... sure its a great event TR, but if it is the case.... why the strict cutoffs, I'm sure the event is tough enough without and would achieve a respectably low completion rate like Lakeland 100, Hardmoors events, etc..!

To balance my criticism, it does seem the right way to get UTMB points. This will prepare somebody for UTMB/TDS/CCC far better than say the Round Rotherham (1 UTMB point). I've nothing against that great event, but its flat to undulating trails so doesn't reflect the battering your body will take from huge ascents and descents in UTMB festival events at all. So 2 points for less miles at Lakes event is good and 3 from - slightly longer - the Brecons event suggests it will be equally tough, but excellent prep for CCC/TDS/UTMB.

Having said that I fancy a go at '10 peaks the Lakes' now, maybe the just had shoddy weather last year?

I don't know the reason - yes, maybe race was simply pulled?

This year they're putting on short courses to give ordinary folks a better chance of finishing.  Brecon short course doesn't look much more difficult than MCN Brecon 40, which was hard, but manageable just about, so I'm looking long and hard at the long course.

Oh no, what have I started!

Fellrunner will be in his element.  70-80 mph winds forecast for Cairngorms tonight.  He will be out with his headtorch and a couple of dried apricots (in case of emergencies).

No seasonal running for me, bit busy as became a dad on Christmas day!!

amazing de! congratulations to you. hope everyones doing well. bet the baby was born wearing a pair of inov8s 

Congratulations, DE!!  Brilliant news.  Better have the details. 

(a little something for you guys from me. hny x)

lets hear it.. lets hear it for the ultra-runner, the fell runner, the never say neverer

the burning lungs, the red faces, the killer races

the whippets, mid-packers and the see you at the backers

raise your glass to the agony and the ecstasy

the mountain to behold

the tales to be told

stand proud on that hill

you made it yours

through the wind, the rain, thinking never again

we swore, we stumbled, we gritted teeth

up high, down low

but we never said no

so lets hear it..

lets hear it for the trier, the first timer

and the never say dier

we line up as one

an enduring human race

a very special place

so let's hear it

lets hear it for each and every one, and our four legged friends

where did it all go right?

With regard to the 10 Peaks Lake District, I can confirm that the 0% finish rate in the inaugural year, was a result of abnormally challenging conditions. 

Even so, it is an extremely challenging event which has produced DNF rates greater than 50%, in subsequent years. 

It appears to sit among the more challenging mountain events in the U.K, and should be undertaken on that basis. 

Thanks for the best wishes all and a happy new year to all

Really fancy the 10peaks now, I'm holding TR responsible for plantng the seed (Hope your feeling betterstill btw). All very much depends how much training I can do though, can't see myself being able to get away to hills very often over the coming months.

Cheers for the poen CD, very good, very apt

Lirish

I have not personally done the Ten Peaks, but I did end up running with the Race Director in a 100 mile event, and he gave me his take on the reasons for the high dropout rate in the inaugural event. 

His claim that it was due to abnormal conditions, is supported by the fact that subsequent years have seen a DNF rate, that would make it another Lakeland 100 rather than a British Barklay. 

Right, need to make a quick decision.  Can you lot help me?  I need your votes (both races in Sep 2013 - don't say both!!):

Option 1  Cotswold Way Century

• 102 miles
• 10600'
• 2 summits over 1000'
• 1200 start
• 30-hr time limit
• frequent wooden posts with white acorns
• limestone grassland and woods
• chocolate box cottages; pubs
• likely to meet: day walkers, butterfly enthusiasts

Option 2  10Peaks Brecon Beacons (long course)

• 55 miles
• 15700'
• 10 summits over 2000' (in fact 11 - ROs miscounted)
• 0400 start
• 24-hour time limit
• self nav - summits and occasional CPs to be done in order
• rocky paths; pathless peat bogs and heather
• derelict mining cottages; no pubs
• likely to meet: SAS out training

That is a lot of responsibility to put on us!

10 Peaks.