wannabe ultra runner?

perhaps you would find mits better than gloves? Maybe a silk liner and then mits over the top - restriction of fingers is often the problem. For me the rain and wind combo is definitely the absolute worst.

... anyway, will be spring soon won't it, with lots of spring sunshine!!

touie2: See Thames Trot thread for my update on underfoot conditions for the second half of the course (CP3 to end).

It'll be fine Touie... Just go and have fun

Touie - I have horrible probs with cold hands. A week ago, I picked up a pair of halfprice Oxford Storm Wind Resistant cycle gloves which are fluorescent yellow too (about £15). Using them with pair of silk runners gloves - very effective/warm and couldnt feel the wind at all

after 2 weeks of 40 mile weekends all off road on fairly stony terrain my feet feel like they have been hit repeatedly with a meat tenderiser, is this normal or do I need more cushioning, it's never been a problem before but that is the most I have done in a weekend???  

Have I asked about Backpacks this week?

Not yet, but it is early days.

Headtorches?

Running Shoes?

Hang on Spen. Let's do one repetetive subject at a time please so we can give it our full attention

touie2 - Perfectly normal in my view, you will, like any part of the body, build strength and resilliance over time. 

That said, not sure what you are running in, my personal preference for stony trails are either New Balance MT110's or MT1010's both low, with plenty of feel but also a rock plate. 

thanks that makes me feel a bit better, I have been running in Merrell Mix master which are pretty similar feel wise to the NB110's but they are a bit roomier! I wasn't sure if they were giving me too much feel or if I would eventually get used to it, on Sunday pretty much every single stone I trod on was agony!!!

Touie: feet do get tougher. But I have to admit I've wimped out (relatively speaking) for Lake District trails: using Inov 8 Trailroc 235 rather than the VB Neo Trail which I use for other trails.

SO backpacks?

s-lab 12 pack if it didn't have clips which are impossible to open with frozen fingers

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

My feet are going through that toughening up stage again at the moment, as I build up the long runs again. OK, my roclite 268s are not as minimalist as some but after 18.5 miles on the coastal path yesterday feet (and achilles where a bit battered). I wimped and went for the crosslites today - but then they have a more studded sole which is better in the ice - of which there was plenty today, but no snow. Very skiddy 8.5-miler round the woods this morning.

I have just purchased some VB Neos for my 5-year-old daughter (figure her feet may as well have a good start, have some Merrells for son ), and I love them and want a pair for me!!

merrels are fab cragc!!!!

no no no no no no talk of backpacks and torches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!