Ultra Peaks 40

Has anyone else raced this before or signed up for this year?.

I entered back in November as my main challenge for the year. Not sure how it'll go as I've never done an Ultra before. I'll be happy just to finish.

Yeah thats the one, in August. Think there is another with a similar name in September.

Its part of the Ultra Race series.

Sorry, I've got in the habit of calling it the Ultra Peaks 40 now.

Thanks Alistair.

How did you get on with training for it? I've written up a schedule and daren't show the wife.

Did you find it much tougher than a marathon?

I'm looking forward to it, just hoping I get enough training in.

Thnks for the compliment, Alistair!!

Miles in legs is the key thing - it was my first ultra and my legs started really hurting around 23 miles esp hip flexors - have worked a lot on strength/hip abduction/adduction since. I like back to backs too - tend to do longer run on Saturday, both at similar pace for me. I certainly did no more than 60 miles/wk up to this race last year - tend to do a bit more, time allowing, these days.

I rarely do more than 23-25 miles in a single training run, unless I take a day off work and "go exploring" - family commitments etc just don't allow it.

In this particular race - be aware of signage - i turned the 40 miles into 45 miles!!!

?

I've entered this as my first Ultra, figured it looks a good intro to Ultra running and a decent course. 

Planning on running with a Camelbak, is it easy to refill at the stops or do they give out water bottles?

welcomebrand - no problem re-filing at CP's there were big containers with taps with water and electrolytes, only note of caution, personal experience here, if it is hot as it was last year take to make sure you have put the right amount in your bladder, I mis-judged at one checkpoint and ran out many miles before the next CP - I was saved by a little pub en-route and very much enjoyed the ice cold water donated by them!

I would say this is a good first time ultra. Well organised (the team that put this and their other races together really think about what runners need on such events).

I agree, you need to be a little careful with the route markers. They are generally pretty good, but i would say it's worth investing in the relevant OS maps and study the route beforehand so you have a general idea where you are going. If I remember right there is a left turn up through some fields after the first 10m pit stop which could be missed and there is a right turn in front of a church about 3 miles from the end (ish...).

I would be doing this again if I wasn't going on holiday. Be ready for some stiff climbing in the first few miles (most of the way to the first check point at 10m) and it is undulating through to about 35m after you get past the Tissington Trail into Ashbourne. Be prepared to switch off on the Tissington Trail - it's a bit boring along there.

Another good one if this gets you in to Ultras is the Urban 50K that goes in to Nottingham. It's another ultra race event. The route is excellent (and it's not quite as far!)

I'm down to run this and very much looking forward to it.

I raced White Peak Marathon in May so know part of the trail / course.

I intend to wear road shoes.  Is this wise should conditions be wet in the previous few days or should I then consider trail shoes?  I've not ran the course in anything other than very dry conditions.

I think I'm out of this event.

A problem achilles and groin are killing me so I'm going to have to take the sensible but irritating decision to pull out and hopefully re-enter next year.