The inaugural NAV4 Symposuim will take place on 14/15th February at Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre in The Lakes.
What is a Symposium? 'The term Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive rather than lecture and question–answer format.' ...
..... although in our terms it will be a combined social and training weekend open to all adventure racers. It is intended to have a simple Symposium Supper on Saturday night, and the after Supper discussion about all things 'AR'. Maybe I'll be able to entice a guest speaker to kick off the evening but whatever the outcome it will be a fun, informative and an enlightening evening.
Day time activities can involve a wide range of things; walking, MTB, running, even paddling or 'ropes', but it will work like this... either, do your own thing , or sign up for a workshop, or two.
I hope many people will wish to come and join the fun, even if you wish to do your own thing rather that join a workshop, as Longsleddale OP Centre is ideally placed for excellent MTB trails, access onto The High Street Range of fells. We have original pre-marked 2005 KIMM maps for you to use .... plenty for everyone to do.
A flat rate will be charged for two nights' bunkhouse accomodation (Friday and Saturday nights) with free porridge each morning and a simple Symposium Supper. The cost of this is guesstimated to be around £35-40 per person. tbc.
Alongside that we hope to provide a number of skill 'workshops' focusing on what ever people want to do, ie, Intro or Micro Navigation, Advanced Score and Route choice strategy, MTB Navigation and racing skill, etc. 'Ropes Skills' or 'Paddle Skills will be offered if the demand exists. There will be an aditional charge for participation in any tutored workshop but the cost of this will be in the regionof £30-35 per 'short' day session and epending upon activity type, equipment, etc.
More details will follow in due course, but I need your suggestions and commitment to make it happen. Please be aware that the number and type of workshops and places on offer will depend upon the level of interest and bookings.
If you are interested please get back to me asap ..... I look forward to hearing from you in the New Year. Have fun.
Joe
Friday 26 December 2008
Wednesday 17 December 2008
Moving on ... 2009 looming large
This is the time of year when I often think there is a long winter ahead before ‘next season’ … which in reality is simply not just the case. I’m at my most unfit and least healthy part of the year, having had a heavy cold for a few weeks. And there appears little reason to motivate myself. However, I’m not one to complain, nor push through illness or injury as that is simply foolhardy and did make me seriously ill many years ago.
Looking head to 2009 there is so much to do, both from a racing point of view and in terms of stuff to organize. On the race front my biggest news is that I have taken on the role of Race Director for The Hebridean Challenge, which is both scary and an honour at the same time. I’ve raced it a few times as a pair, solo and team and it is simply the best AR race in the UK. Working with Steph as organizer, and Gavin as route planner, it’s going to be an adventure of it’s own making. 'The Heb' race is highly to be recommended for many reasons; the scenery is stunning, the race atmosphere very friendly and the ethos of the event refreshingly simple and pure. There is no better way to have an adventurous holiday with your mates. It's also a good stepping stone for less experienced racers to sample longer, or Expedition type racing. Getting a team togther can be trying but it is well worthwhile. The 2009 race will see a few minor tweaks which will have quite an impact so I urge you all to get signed up in due course. I acknowledge that the web site is currently not quite upto date, but look out for a few ‘developments’ in the near future. I will also appreciate any feedback from participants as to what things you like, and dislike, as I aim to represent the racers opinion amongst the organising team, in order to help Steph and Gavin continue their excellent work. So if you have any comments or questions for me please get in touch. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Closer to home I’m busy plotting our own GL3Day event and busy with bookings for our next NAV4 training course in March. www.joefaulkner.com The full details are available on the website - remenber places are limited and will fill quickly after the New Year. The course is applicable to all mountain marathoners, adventure racers and off-road runners of all ability and experience. We deliver excellent instruction and coaching to tutor groups of no more than four people, during the Saturday, and then enable you apply your self to a mock training event on Sunday, but with support and feedback to help you progress. The evening indoor session and optional night nav later in the evening completes the programme.
On the racing front, the Open5 Series is in full swing although I dipped out of the Staveley event due to high levels of snot and snow! (Urgh) It was just too icy for me but t'was good to meet a few new faces, as well as the old ones and offer advice at the 'NAV4 Help Desk'. Team NAV4 were a bit short on numbers due mainly to the weather. Certainly, Wilko was iced up deep in Keilder Forest and was told not to travel; she does still head the overall leaderboard for Open5 points.
Stokesley is the next event in the series although I’m likely to miss that due to a combination of wedding anniversary, my wife’s birthday and an increasingly pressing need to get up north in prep for The Heb. However, Team NAV4 will be there in force. John Allen will be fronting up the Help Desk - his experience and skills are legendary!!!
Have fun over Chrimbo ... remember ... 'there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing (and sometimes the wrong choice of activity)'
Looking head to 2009 there is so much to do, both from a racing point of view and in terms of stuff to organize. On the race front my biggest news is that I have taken on the role of Race Director for The Hebridean Challenge, which is both scary and an honour at the same time. I’ve raced it a few times as a pair, solo and team and it is simply the best AR race in the UK. Working with Steph as organizer, and Gavin as route planner, it’s going to be an adventure of it’s own making. 'The Heb' race is highly to be recommended for many reasons; the scenery is stunning, the race atmosphere very friendly and the ethos of the event refreshingly simple and pure. There is no better way to have an adventurous holiday with your mates. It's also a good stepping stone for less experienced racers to sample longer, or Expedition type racing. Getting a team togther can be trying but it is well worthwhile. The 2009 race will see a few minor tweaks which will have quite an impact so I urge you all to get signed up in due course. I acknowledge that the web site is currently not quite upto date, but look out for a few ‘developments’ in the near future. I will also appreciate any feedback from participants as to what things you like, and dislike, as I aim to represent the racers opinion amongst the organising team, in order to help Steph and Gavin continue their excellent work. So if you have any comments or questions for me please get in touch. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Closer to home I’m busy plotting our own GL3Day event and busy with bookings for our next NAV4 training course in March. www.joefaulkner.com The full details are available on the website - remenber places are limited and will fill quickly after the New Year. The course is applicable to all mountain marathoners, adventure racers and off-road runners of all ability and experience. We deliver excellent instruction and coaching to tutor groups of no more than four people, during the Saturday, and then enable you apply your self to a mock training event on Sunday, but with support and feedback to help you progress. The evening indoor session and optional night nav later in the evening completes the programme.
On the racing front, the Open5 Series is in full swing although I dipped out of the Staveley event due to high levels of snot and snow! (Urgh) It was just too icy for me but t'was good to meet a few new faces, as well as the old ones and offer advice at the 'NAV4 Help Desk'. Team NAV4 were a bit short on numbers due mainly to the weather. Certainly, Wilko was iced up deep in Keilder Forest and was told not to travel; she does still head the overall leaderboard for Open5 points.
Stokesley is the next event in the series although I’m likely to miss that due to a combination of wedding anniversary, my wife’s birthday and an increasingly pressing need to get up north in prep for The Heb. However, Team NAV4 will be there in force. John Allen will be fronting up the Help Desk - his experience and skills are legendary!!!
Have fun over Chrimbo ... remember ... 'there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing (and sometimes the wrong choice of activity)'
Joe
Monday 1 December 2008
Cyclewise Whinlatter - MTB Skills for AR
This was actually the second MTB skills course that I have undertaken within the year, the previous one being a Day at Glentress with David Webster and is also highly recommended.
What did I learn? Well, Firstly – I’m still a crap mountain biker, and secondly; it is important to identify and practice your weaker disciplines for successful improvement across AR. Just like triathletes needing to training at their weaker discipline in order to gain maximum improvement overall, most of us favour doing what we like best, and not what we like least. Therefore, we go out and train at our favoured sport and neglect skill development.
So, how was Whinlatter? Embarrassingly, I had done very little technical riding over the summer and arrived clutching my ‘trails’ bike which is a smart and relatively unmarked Orange P7, bought about a year ago with the sole aim of improving my technical riding. Even more annoyingly I had done no ‘prep’ for the course and hadn't managed to ride my bike or practice at all. I always ride my other bike, my ‘race’ bike in ARaces; I’m used to it, it has a map board, cross roads tyres and bar ends all set up for efficiency in longer events and it seems to go faster. Consequently, at the recent Open5 in Blanchand on a wet and muddy day, I shied away from spending too much time mud plugging on the bike and allowed more time to ‘clear’ all the run controls. Was this right? Had I under achieved on the bike?
The answer is ‘Yes’ possibly, I had under achieved on the bike section, but I had played to my strengths so that my overall strategy was right for me in those conditions. Setting that aside, in order to move up the finishing order I need to improve my ‘efficiency’ on the bike, and whilst there is nothing wrong with my navigation and route choice is usually very good, I need to ride faster on more technical terrain. But this would only pay off in an Open5 if I can spend, say, the half an hour I spent clearing low value run controls, and replace them with better value MTB controls. Such is the dilemma of Open5 … of course.
I can highly recommend undertaking any sort of coaching to improve your performance and simply your enjoyment of your sport. All too often we reach a plateau in our activity and it is very difficult to move on without some form of external feedback. Sports psychology is a fascinating subject and by ‘getting inside your head’ a good coach will be able to allow yourself to identify what is holding you back. It may be possible to do this yourself, but is easier with an external feedback.
This past weekend I have been working with some Mountain Leader candidates assessing their skills and performance. Over three glorious weather days I thought a lot about learning styles and performance under stress. During the MTB courses I found it very difficult to perform ‘to order’ as the group circled in a regular formation, and had better success when away from any peer group spotlight. Of course this is quite normal for everyone and Rich and Neil, and also David Webster are excellent and breaking down those barriers and providing coaching tricks. Recently I decided that I must swim regularly over the winter months to strength my swimming ability. Living a mile form Ullswater I prefer to swim in the lake. I like swimming but hate swimming pools but whilst ploughing up and down one night I thought this through. I concluded that it actually originated from the childhood stress of swimming pools and actually the changing room part of a swimming session; I was the fat kid uncomfortable in the changing room! Well now that I’m 46 it made me smile but that actual realization was a powerful one.
Whether swimming or biking what is necessary is practice …. practice …. ractice … but based on feedback and with great awareness of your weaknesses and inhibitors.
Go on a Cyclewise course – you won’t regret it.
What did I learn? Well, Firstly – I’m still a crap mountain biker, and secondly; it is important to identify and practice your weaker disciplines for successful improvement across AR. Just like triathletes needing to training at their weaker discipline in order to gain maximum improvement overall, most of us favour doing what we like best, and not what we like least. Therefore, we go out and train at our favoured sport and neglect skill development.
So, how was Whinlatter? Embarrassingly, I had done very little technical riding over the summer and arrived clutching my ‘trails’ bike which is a smart and relatively unmarked Orange P7, bought about a year ago with the sole aim of improving my technical riding. Even more annoyingly I had done no ‘prep’ for the course and hadn't managed to ride my bike or practice at all. I always ride my other bike, my ‘race’ bike in ARaces; I’m used to it, it has a map board, cross roads tyres and bar ends all set up for efficiency in longer events and it seems to go faster. Consequently, at the recent Open5 in Blanchand on a wet and muddy day, I shied away from spending too much time mud plugging on the bike and allowed more time to ‘clear’ all the run controls. Was this right? Had I under achieved on the bike?
The answer is ‘Yes’ possibly, I had under achieved on the bike section, but I had played to my strengths so that my overall strategy was right for me in those conditions. Setting that aside, in order to move up the finishing order I need to improve my ‘efficiency’ on the bike, and whilst there is nothing wrong with my navigation and route choice is usually very good, I need to ride faster on more technical terrain. But this would only pay off in an Open5 if I can spend, say, the half an hour I spent clearing low value run controls, and replace them with better value MTB controls. Such is the dilemma of Open5 … of course.
I can highly recommend undertaking any sort of coaching to improve your performance and simply your enjoyment of your sport. All too often we reach a plateau in our activity and it is very difficult to move on without some form of external feedback. Sports psychology is a fascinating subject and by ‘getting inside your head’ a good coach will be able to allow yourself to identify what is holding you back. It may be possible to do this yourself, but is easier with an external feedback.
This past weekend I have been working with some Mountain Leader candidates assessing their skills and performance. Over three glorious weather days I thought a lot about learning styles and performance under stress. During the MTB courses I found it very difficult to perform ‘to order’ as the group circled in a regular formation, and had better success when away from any peer group spotlight. Of course this is quite normal for everyone and Rich and Neil, and also David Webster are excellent and breaking down those barriers and providing coaching tricks. Recently I decided that I must swim regularly over the winter months to strength my swimming ability. Living a mile form Ullswater I prefer to swim in the lake. I like swimming but hate swimming pools but whilst ploughing up and down one night I thought this through. I concluded that it actually originated from the childhood stress of swimming pools and actually the changing room part of a swimming session; I was the fat kid uncomfortable in the changing room! Well now that I’m 46 it made me smile but that actual realization was a powerful one.
Whether swimming or biking what is necessary is practice …. practice …. ractice … but based on feedback and with great awareness of your weaknesses and inhibitors.
Go on a Cyclewise course – you won’t regret it.
Thursday 6 November 2008
Moving On...
Much has happen since a week last Monday and it now feels like an awfully long time.
The ‘Open5’ at Blanchland was a great day out in a beautiful undiscovered part of the Northern Pennines, and was well worth the effort to get there. James and Lisa, ably assisted by Jim, Andy, Ian et al do a great job of providing a quality event accessible to a wide range of abilities.
James and Lisa’s events are both ‘beginner friendly’ and yet provide a tough day out for the elite, with fierce competition at ‘the sharp end’. If you haven’t sampled one of their events then do so. http://www.openadventure.com/ Don’t be intimidated by the five hour time limit, it soon rushes by when you break it down in to a couple of hours each of MTB and ‘run’ (top tip – just walk quickly and navigate effectively!) Prep and transition time eats into the five hours too.
‘Wilko’ Wilkinson competed solo and raced to second place with a very proficient performance. This proves that she is a strong and very competitive athlete who can navigate and doesn’t need John Allen or myself to lead the way. It was the first event in a series of five so I wonder how it will pan out for all of us.
Last night I took part in a local MTB Night-O, another excellently staged event by a group of hard working volunteers with minimal support. I don’t actually remember doing a pure MTB Night-O ever before, consequently, the frantic 1:45 hr event had me hurtling about feeling a bit if a Numpty as I overcame ‘big event’ complacency, and the various associated night time factors.
An early ride front wheel slide shook my pride somewhat, but eventually I ‘got my ar*e in gear’ to quote one old colleague, and a new ‘sexy’ Petzl Ultra was very useful, too. I just need to take the racing slicks off my bike wheels now. People often ask me what items of gear I would recommend and I’m often hesitant as I don’t wish to pander to commercialism, and belive you have to experiemnt for yourself especially with clothing, but the new Ultra is well worth the money if you are into multi-sport adventure racing.
What these both events had in common is that neither attracted media attention despite us buzzing around either side of the A591 and across bridleways via farmsteads in the dark, or on the prime shooting ground of the Blanchland Estates. These ‘stakeholders’ wanted us there, unlike some involved in the OMM farce. Both the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite and the people of Blanchland were very accommodating. If you fancy a quiet, or indeed romantic weekend away try The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland – a bit quirky, perhaps, but great. Ironically, neither The Lord Crewe or The Sun Inn don’t spring up with websites via search engines.
The media storm that was the OMM has gone, but what is happening is a new wave of investigative journalism – those who want to know why the panic buttons were pushed and by whom, and also why people want to do such events in the first place. There could be interesting articles and TV to be seen, soon, and there is no such thing as bad publicity, apparently.
Finally, looking ahead, the Open5 series will keep me busy for the winter racing season, especially if I do 'get my ar*e in gear' and do some training! My recent revelation is that I’ve got in the habit of swimming indoors – bit of a first for me…. only used to a Lake called Ullswater.
Keep safe - have fun
Ps – Scoob is to be repaired ….
The ‘Open5’ at Blanchland was a great day out in a beautiful undiscovered part of the Northern Pennines, and was well worth the effort to get there. James and Lisa, ably assisted by Jim, Andy, Ian et al do a great job of providing a quality event accessible to a wide range of abilities.
James and Lisa’s events are both ‘beginner friendly’ and yet provide a tough day out for the elite, with fierce competition at ‘the sharp end’. If you haven’t sampled one of their events then do so. http://www.openadventure.com/ Don’t be intimidated by the five hour time limit, it soon rushes by when you break it down in to a couple of hours each of MTB and ‘run’ (top tip – just walk quickly and navigate effectively!) Prep and transition time eats into the five hours too.
‘Wilko’ Wilkinson competed solo and raced to second place with a very proficient performance. This proves that she is a strong and very competitive athlete who can navigate and doesn’t need John Allen or myself to lead the way. It was the first event in a series of five so I wonder how it will pan out for all of us.
Last night I took part in a local MTB Night-O, another excellently staged event by a group of hard working volunteers with minimal support. I don’t actually remember doing a pure MTB Night-O ever before, consequently, the frantic 1:45 hr event had me hurtling about feeling a bit if a Numpty as I overcame ‘big event’ complacency, and the various associated night time factors.
An early ride front wheel slide shook my pride somewhat, but eventually I ‘got my ar*e in gear’ to quote one old colleague, and a new ‘sexy’ Petzl Ultra was very useful, too. I just need to take the racing slicks off my bike wheels now. People often ask me what items of gear I would recommend and I’m often hesitant as I don’t wish to pander to commercialism, and belive you have to experiemnt for yourself especially with clothing, but the new Ultra is well worth the money if you are into multi-sport adventure racing.
What these both events had in common is that neither attracted media attention despite us buzzing around either side of the A591 and across bridleways via farmsteads in the dark, or on the prime shooting ground of the Blanchland Estates. These ‘stakeholders’ wanted us there, unlike some involved in the OMM farce. Both the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite and the people of Blanchland were very accommodating. If you fancy a quiet, or indeed romantic weekend away try The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland – a bit quirky, perhaps, but great. Ironically, neither The Lord Crewe or The Sun Inn don’t spring up with websites via search engines.
The media storm that was the OMM has gone, but what is happening is a new wave of investigative journalism – those who want to know why the panic buttons were pushed and by whom, and also why people want to do such events in the first place. There could be interesting articles and TV to be seen, soon, and there is no such thing as bad publicity, apparently.
Finally, looking ahead, the Open5 series will keep me busy for the winter racing season, especially if I do 'get my ar*e in gear' and do some training! My recent revelation is that I’ve got in the habit of swimming indoors – bit of a first for me…. only used to a Lake called Ullswater.
Keep safe - have fun
Ps – Scoob is to be repaired ….
Wednesday 29 October 2008
Original Mountain Marathon
Now that the waters are receding, metaphorically speaking, I have time to write my blog.
Firstly, many thanks for all the kinds words and thanks, and for your concerns over the weekend. Secondly thank you to those who have been awaiting my blog with interest, wanting to know what myself and ‘Team NAV4’ have to say of it.
By now you will have all realised that the media hyped up he whole episode. You will also know that phone communications are non existent in the Borrowdale valley, and that it is only now that I have to time to ‘blog’ and I only like to do so when I have something to say in a composed manner.
The facts;
Wilko and myself participated in the Long Score class arriving Friday evening and sleeping in my VW van. On Saturday we started early and completed Day One without trouble; fell top conditions were bad with very gusty winds, so low level route choices were key. Descending into the overnight camp in Buttermere from Haystacks it was apparent that the overnight camp was probably going to be a very tedious and soggy affair. (And I’d made my decision that we were heading for home, rather than spend a long night in a tent, although I had yet to share the thought with Wilko!) Spending an hour to do just 1km crossing the valley bottom with numerous stream and river crossings confirmed to me that once ‘dibbed out’ at the Day One finish, we’d be walking back over Honsiter Pass and back to the Event Centre at Seathwaite.
On arrival at the finish we were informed that the event was cancelled, i.e. abandoned, and that we should all walk back over Honister. I guess the time at this point was around 3pm. The mood amongst everybody was a mixture of big disappointment and yet some relief, and we all geared up and fed ourselves, briefly, in the big barn prior to an exhilarating walk up Honister Pass. I saw no-one in trouble from hyperthermia, etc, there was no panic or sense of drama, and it was great fun.
At the top of the Pass we were met by Mark Weir, the owner of Honsiter Slate Mine, who told us that Borrowdale was severely flooded and we should go back down to Buttermere. He further said that he was going ‘to arrange for buses to take us out to Cockermouth or somewhere’ and that he was ‘going to speak to Police’. Mark Weir asked for volunteers to help him sort this out, so I stepped forward, raised my hand and said, ‘Yes, I’ll help but you need to tell me more about Borrowdale.’ He said,’ Borrowdale is under water... cars are floating’ I asked, ‘Where are cars floating?’ to which he said ‘The Borrowdale Road is closed’. I tried to discuss further but conditions prevented further discussion.
Some people were sheltering in the visitor centre and some started to get on the bus. Wilko and I actually got on the bus briefly but my gut feeling was that we should be heading for Seathwaite. Whilst middle to lower Borrowdale may be flooded and impassable, our cars at Seathwaite were a safe haven and needed to be reached. Wilko and I got off the bus and talked to some other runners. We agreed that it was illogical to go back down the Buttermere side and we should continue to Borrowdale and Seathwaite, and the Event Centre. I knew communications would be difficult and that we needed to try even if it meant coming back up. We jogged down the road and turned left up the Seathwaite road, walking through flooded parts up to our knees. My van was parked about 800m from the road end at Seathwaite and it was a little disappointing to see it two feet deep in water. I estimate the time to be around 5pm. The van is a VW transporter Kombi/MPV/camper. There was a few inches of water inside the back of the van, but we got inside, got a brew on, and generally changed some of our damp gear. The water continued to rise about another four inches and we sat eating and pondering our next move. I did not feel in danger, just a bit frustrated. There was a steady stream of people walking (wading) up passed us and Landrover and Transit type vehicles driving both ways. By this time it was dark and difficult to gauge what exactly was going on outside of our steamed up windows and rather dank environment. The water started to recede about 7pm and by 8pm we could don willies and walk up to Seathwaite and The Event Centre itself.
Within 100metres of leaving the van, the floods had gone and although the road was awash there was plenty of relatively dry ground and space surrounding all The Event Centre. There were many people sat in cars in the parking fields, and some people were camping. It’s difficult to say how many people were in Seathwaite, but there was a feeling of disappointment amongst the people chatting in the barn which was Race HQ. We talked for some while before going over to Wilfs catering tent to see how they were; as regular customers Charlotte, Wilf, Ruth, Jane and Pippa have become friends and we wanted to help if we could. Wilfs had been flooded a little during the afternoon but they were all in fine spirits, although a little bored and frustrated. We pieced together as much information as we could (communications had always been difficult due to no phone coverage) and concluded there was nothing we could do until the morning. Wilko and I returned to the van around 11pm (which became 10pm) and bedded down for the night.
At first light, around 6:30, I woke to hear cars driving away from Seathwaite. Wilko and I went up to Seathwaite, initially to phone for breakdown recovery and to see what was going on. It became apparent that a fair proportion of people had been and gone home already and things were generally back to normal with Wilf’s feeding people, people reporting to the finish and generally talking of the wonderful, but frustrating adventure they had experienced.
We returned to the vicinity of the van and basically spent the next seven or eight hours directing traffic, pushing cars out of muddy fields and helping people get away. All morning a steady stream of people started walking up the road. Consequently, we spent a lot of time talking to dozens of people and finding out where they had been. Two good friends had been accommodated overnight just down the road at The Glaramara Centre. Other people had stayed at Gatesgarth Farm, either in their tents or in the barn. Some local friends had gone home for the night, one friend had ended up in a travel lodge near Penrith. Others, had eventually been bussed back from Cockermouth, although they had to walk the last two km from Seatoller.
The parking fields cleared really quickly, especially with the help of three tractors, but many drove off without much trouble only needing the usual amount of pushing from runners. My van was clearly in the worst possible place, along with fellow NAV4 tutors, Pete and Stuart. For a section of around 200metres the road had been flooded to a depth of two-three feet with approximate two dozen cars taking the brunt of this. Many of those drove away eventually, once dried out, and I estimate that 6 or 7 recovery trucks came to collect flooded cars, with only three or four remaining once I’d gone. Pete had abandoned his earlier that day as he had a lift to get home from a friend. TV crews continued to arrive during the afternoon looking for a story, when there really was nothing to see.
Wilko got a lift out of the valley around 4pm, Stu drove out at about 5pm and I got recovered eventually around 6pm, to arrive home about 8:30pm. Suffice to say that we were some of the last to leave the valley.
Since Monday I’ve been monitoring the forums and media generally ever since, and dealing with my own correspondence and sorting out my van and insurance claim. At the moment the van is awaiting an insurance assessor to see if it is repairable or to be written off.
What is apparent, now that the media hype has gone away, is that there was never really an emergency. The local press could make interesting reading this weekend as many of us want to know who took the decision to mount a full scale emergency incident, and why? It is very evident that the media over reacted to something on a ‘slow news day’, but I think the police need to explain why the whole drama got out of hand.
The key issues/points that remain for me are:
1) That people were wrongly informed/advised that they should return to Gatesgarth and Buttermere.
2) Walking back to The Event Centre, by road, in order to effect the cancellation of the event, and evacuation of the overnight campsite, was the best thing to do. That is where each and every one of us had our additional spare clothing and food, and where the facilities were in place to look after us.
3) Point 2. was blindingly obvious to any competitor but totally misunderstood by some ‘external bodies’. It was, however, the strategy that the organisers wished to happen and have relied upon for forty years. This is also what every competitor was expecting to do, and wanted to do.
4) At some point, someone took away the self-reliance and responsibility that would have led competitors to return to the event centre and started bussing people needlessly away from the event and so created a drama and crisis out of nothing. How did this happen?
5) I assume that, ultimately, the decision to mount a ‘rescue plan’ or manage a major incident is the responsibility of the police, but how they gathered their information in order to instigate this ‘rescue plan’ seems unexplained.
I look forward to what may happen next.
Firstly, many thanks for all the kinds words and thanks, and for your concerns over the weekend. Secondly thank you to those who have been awaiting my blog with interest, wanting to know what myself and ‘Team NAV4’ have to say of it.
By now you will have all realised that the media hyped up he whole episode. You will also know that phone communications are non existent in the Borrowdale valley, and that it is only now that I have to time to ‘blog’ and I only like to do so when I have something to say in a composed manner.
The facts;
Wilko and myself participated in the Long Score class arriving Friday evening and sleeping in my VW van. On Saturday we started early and completed Day One without trouble; fell top conditions were bad with very gusty winds, so low level route choices were key. Descending into the overnight camp in Buttermere from Haystacks it was apparent that the overnight camp was probably going to be a very tedious and soggy affair. (And I’d made my decision that we were heading for home, rather than spend a long night in a tent, although I had yet to share the thought with Wilko!) Spending an hour to do just 1km crossing the valley bottom with numerous stream and river crossings confirmed to me that once ‘dibbed out’ at the Day One finish, we’d be walking back over Honsiter Pass and back to the Event Centre at Seathwaite.
On arrival at the finish we were informed that the event was cancelled, i.e. abandoned, and that we should all walk back over Honister. I guess the time at this point was around 3pm. The mood amongst everybody was a mixture of big disappointment and yet some relief, and we all geared up and fed ourselves, briefly, in the big barn prior to an exhilarating walk up Honister Pass. I saw no-one in trouble from hyperthermia, etc, there was no panic or sense of drama, and it was great fun.
At the top of the Pass we were met by Mark Weir, the owner of Honsiter Slate Mine, who told us that Borrowdale was severely flooded and we should go back down to Buttermere. He further said that he was going ‘to arrange for buses to take us out to Cockermouth or somewhere’ and that he was ‘going to speak to Police’. Mark Weir asked for volunteers to help him sort this out, so I stepped forward, raised my hand and said, ‘Yes, I’ll help but you need to tell me more about Borrowdale.’ He said,’ Borrowdale is under water... cars are floating’ I asked, ‘Where are cars floating?’ to which he said ‘The Borrowdale Road is closed’. I tried to discuss further but conditions prevented further discussion.
Some people were sheltering in the visitor centre and some started to get on the bus. Wilko and I actually got on the bus briefly but my gut feeling was that we should be heading for Seathwaite. Whilst middle to lower Borrowdale may be flooded and impassable, our cars at Seathwaite were a safe haven and needed to be reached. Wilko and I got off the bus and talked to some other runners. We agreed that it was illogical to go back down the Buttermere side and we should continue to Borrowdale and Seathwaite, and the Event Centre. I knew communications would be difficult and that we needed to try even if it meant coming back up. We jogged down the road and turned left up the Seathwaite road, walking through flooded parts up to our knees. My van was parked about 800m from the road end at Seathwaite and it was a little disappointing to see it two feet deep in water. I estimate the time to be around 5pm. The van is a VW transporter Kombi/MPV/camper. There was a few inches of water inside the back of the van, but we got inside, got a brew on, and generally changed some of our damp gear. The water continued to rise about another four inches and we sat eating and pondering our next move. I did not feel in danger, just a bit frustrated. There was a steady stream of people walking (wading) up passed us and Landrover and Transit type vehicles driving both ways. By this time it was dark and difficult to gauge what exactly was going on outside of our steamed up windows and rather dank environment. The water started to recede about 7pm and by 8pm we could don willies and walk up to Seathwaite and The Event Centre itself.
Within 100metres of leaving the van, the floods had gone and although the road was awash there was plenty of relatively dry ground and space surrounding all The Event Centre. There were many people sat in cars in the parking fields, and some people were camping. It’s difficult to say how many people were in Seathwaite, but there was a feeling of disappointment amongst the people chatting in the barn which was Race HQ. We talked for some while before going over to Wilfs catering tent to see how they were; as regular customers Charlotte, Wilf, Ruth, Jane and Pippa have become friends and we wanted to help if we could. Wilfs had been flooded a little during the afternoon but they were all in fine spirits, although a little bored and frustrated. We pieced together as much information as we could (communications had always been difficult due to no phone coverage) and concluded there was nothing we could do until the morning. Wilko and I returned to the van around 11pm (which became 10pm) and bedded down for the night.
At first light, around 6:30, I woke to hear cars driving away from Seathwaite. Wilko and I went up to Seathwaite, initially to phone for breakdown recovery and to see what was going on. It became apparent that a fair proportion of people had been and gone home already and things were generally back to normal with Wilf’s feeding people, people reporting to the finish and generally talking of the wonderful, but frustrating adventure they had experienced.
We returned to the vicinity of the van and basically spent the next seven or eight hours directing traffic, pushing cars out of muddy fields and helping people get away. All morning a steady stream of people started walking up the road. Consequently, we spent a lot of time talking to dozens of people and finding out where they had been. Two good friends had been accommodated overnight just down the road at The Glaramara Centre. Other people had stayed at Gatesgarth Farm, either in their tents or in the barn. Some local friends had gone home for the night, one friend had ended up in a travel lodge near Penrith. Others, had eventually been bussed back from Cockermouth, although they had to walk the last two km from Seatoller.
The parking fields cleared really quickly, especially with the help of three tractors, but many drove off without much trouble only needing the usual amount of pushing from runners. My van was clearly in the worst possible place, along with fellow NAV4 tutors, Pete and Stuart. For a section of around 200metres the road had been flooded to a depth of two-three feet with approximate two dozen cars taking the brunt of this. Many of those drove away eventually, once dried out, and I estimate that 6 or 7 recovery trucks came to collect flooded cars, with only three or four remaining once I’d gone. Pete had abandoned his earlier that day as he had a lift to get home from a friend. TV crews continued to arrive during the afternoon looking for a story, when there really was nothing to see.
Wilko got a lift out of the valley around 4pm, Stu drove out at about 5pm and I got recovered eventually around 6pm, to arrive home about 8:30pm. Suffice to say that we were some of the last to leave the valley.
Since Monday I’ve been monitoring the forums and media generally ever since, and dealing with my own correspondence and sorting out my van and insurance claim. At the moment the van is awaiting an insurance assessor to see if it is repairable or to be written off.
What is apparent, now that the media hype has gone away, is that there was never really an emergency. The local press could make interesting reading this weekend as many of us want to know who took the decision to mount a full scale emergency incident, and why? It is very evident that the media over reacted to something on a ‘slow news day’, but I think the police need to explain why the whole drama got out of hand.
The key issues/points that remain for me are:
1) That people were wrongly informed/advised that they should return to Gatesgarth and Buttermere.
2) Walking back to The Event Centre, by road, in order to effect the cancellation of the event, and evacuation of the overnight campsite, was the best thing to do. That is where each and every one of us had our additional spare clothing and food, and where the facilities were in place to look after us.
3) Point 2. was blindingly obvious to any competitor but totally misunderstood by some ‘external bodies’. It was, however, the strategy that the organisers wished to happen and have relied upon for forty years. This is also what every competitor was expecting to do, and wanted to do.
4) At some point, someone took away the self-reliance and responsibility that would have led competitors to return to the event centre and started bussing people needlessly away from the event and so created a drama and crisis out of nothing. How did this happen?
5) I assume that, ultimately, the decision to mount a ‘rescue plan’ or manage a major incident is the responsibility of the police, but how they gathered their information in order to instigate this ‘rescue plan’ seems unexplained.
I look forward to what may happen next.
Thursday 23 October 2008
NAV4 Symposium
NAV4 Symposium
'The term Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive rather than lecture and question–answer format.'
Over the past few years we have enjoyed a NAV+art ‘Winter Warmer’ where members of the tutor team, previous clients and associates have enjoyed a sociable, yet active training weekend. Taking that idea a step forward I am proposing the first ‘NAV4 Symposium’ to be held early next year.
There will be something for everyone … friends old and new. Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best to arrange it! The idea is to base ourselves at a Lake District hostel, where people can come along and either just do there own thing, such as bike, mtb, run, (or a even paddle?) or ‘buy into’ a workshop focusing on a specific skills.
Join up with like minded individuals and meet friends old and new. Half day sessions might be all you need to brush up on your navigation technique, or master some expect of fine micro navigation. Alternatively a guided MTB ride focusing on MTB ‘O’ navigation and route planning, as typical of Trailquest or Open5 events will be very useful for some. Other ideas are possible. An early evening discussion could focus on ‘gear’ – clothing, food and nutrition equipment, or anything else appropriate. Then we’ll go to the pub!
It is primarily going to be a social occasion, for NAV4 and of course NAV+art clients to get together and enjoy both a training day or weekend and a social occasion. However, if you and your buddies want an ‘Intro Nav’ session, or anything else we can offer, now is the time to start planning it and submit your requests.
I’m currently looking at a venue in the Ambleside / Consiton area and a date in mid February. We aim to keep the cost as low as possible, with people booking direct with the hostel for accommodation and only paying for participation in a work shop of half day training session if they choice one.
Please get back to me with your ideas and requests … it all helps!
Ps - Oh .. just been talking to James @ Open Adventure - Johny5 isn’t planning the Blanchland Open5 as I thought … it was just a rumour, so it’s no wonder he hasn’t told us much about it!
Have fun at The OMM
'The term Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive rather than lecture and question–answer format.'
Over the past few years we have enjoyed a NAV+art ‘Winter Warmer’ where members of the tutor team, previous clients and associates have enjoyed a sociable, yet active training weekend. Taking that idea a step forward I am proposing the first ‘NAV4 Symposium’ to be held early next year.
There will be something for everyone … friends old and new. Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best to arrange it! The idea is to base ourselves at a Lake District hostel, where people can come along and either just do there own thing, such as bike, mtb, run, (or a even paddle?) or ‘buy into’ a workshop focusing on a specific skills.
Join up with like minded individuals and meet friends old and new. Half day sessions might be all you need to brush up on your navigation technique, or master some expect of fine micro navigation. Alternatively a guided MTB ride focusing on MTB ‘O’ navigation and route planning, as typical of Trailquest or Open5 events will be very useful for some. Other ideas are possible. An early evening discussion could focus on ‘gear’ – clothing, food and nutrition equipment, or anything else appropriate. Then we’ll go to the pub!
It is primarily going to be a social occasion, for NAV4 and of course NAV+art clients to get together and enjoy both a training day or weekend and a social occasion. However, if you and your buddies want an ‘Intro Nav’ session, or anything else we can offer, now is the time to start planning it and submit your requests.
I’m currently looking at a venue in the Ambleside / Consiton area and a date in mid February. We aim to keep the cost as low as possible, with people booking direct with the hostel for accommodation and only paying for participation in a work shop of half day training session if they choice one.
Please get back to me with your ideas and requests … it all helps!
Ps - Oh .. just been talking to James @ Open Adventure - Johny5 isn’t planning the Blanchland Open5 as I thought … it was just a rumour, so it’s no wonder he hasn’t told us much about it!
Have fun at The OMM
Sunday 12 October 2008
NAV+art Spring 2009 - 28/29th March
Well the last posting didn't crash so I'm happy to see it for all to see.
Our next NAV+art course will be at Borrowdale YHA on 28/29th March. This is a return to our traditional Spring venue, with half board accomodation in nice comfy beds rather than the self catering / camping programme at Bampton, which has a pre-OMM agenda.
March's course is applicable and appropriate to any Adventure Racer, Mountain Marathon Runner or Off-road runner who wants to improve their navigation and all-round performance.
The programme works at different levels, as we have a maximum client-tutor ratio of 4:1, and group people according to experience and ability.
No doubt you'll have heard of The Six 'P's - 'Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance,' I know from the various forums that some are panicing about the OMM, and some will regret not preparing better ... as I did at The Big Bad Ben Tri! Consequently, I strongly recommend that anyone interested in a NAV+art course, comes to our Spring course early in the year, especially if they want to enter The OMM, so that they have the whole summer to train and apply the learning gained at NAV+art.
'Where are the booking forms, then?' you may ask. Well, the website is due an overhaul and whilst details will be there soon you can email me directly now, faulknerjoe@hotmail.com for advanced info and a 2008 discount off next Spring's course.
Good luck with the OMM and your winter events.
Our next NAV+art course will be at Borrowdale YHA on 28/29th March. This is a return to our traditional Spring venue, with half board accomodation in nice comfy beds rather than the self catering / camping programme at Bampton, which has a pre-OMM agenda.
March's course is applicable and appropriate to any Adventure Racer, Mountain Marathon Runner or Off-road runner who wants to improve their navigation and all-round performance.
The programme works at different levels, as we have a maximum client-tutor ratio of 4:1, and group people according to experience and ability.
No doubt you'll have heard of The Six 'P's - 'Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance,' I know from the various forums that some are panicing about the OMM, and some will regret not preparing better ... as I did at The Big Bad Ben Tri! Consequently, I strongly recommend that anyone interested in a NAV+art course, comes to our Spring course early in the year, especially if they want to enter The OMM, so that they have the whole summer to train and apply the learning gained at NAV+art.
'Where are the booking forms, then?' you may ask. Well, the website is due an overhaul and whilst details will be there soon you can email me directly now, faulknerjoe@hotmail.com for advanced info and a 2008 discount off next Spring's course.
Good luck with the OMM and your winter events.
Another busy period
Hello,
Another busy period has flown by, including The Longmynd Hike referred to in my last posting and, of course, our recent NAV+art weekend.
In a first for ten years, I missed to attend a NAV+art course leaving it in the very capable hands of Stuart Smith and the excellent team of tutors. The reason for this was I needed to be away for a weeks holiday and The Applecross Duathlon and Big Ben Nevis Tri lured me to Scotland. I have some old running mates living (retired! lucky people) in Applecross so with a clash of dates it was the obvious choice to combine a week away with two great events. A chance email from Gerry The Chief Marshall at The Heb brought the event to my attention as he happens to live there and founded the event, I think, a few years ago.
The Applecross Duathlon is a great little event with a brilliant 9mile trail run through a remote glen followed by a 15mile road cycle around the northern coast. The ride is great, and not too hilly at all as the road is relatively very new, and hence not as twisty or undulating as some coastal roads. Fortunately the wind was favourable too, unlike last year, apparently.
The following day I cycled The Applecross Circular including the infamous Bealach na Ba Pass; c.5mile climb with 2000' and the longest/highest 'pass' in the UK. Really, it's not so bad and there is probably just as much ascent on the northern coast of the pennisula as on the climb itself. I was a great ride, great scenery and weather.
After a few days in Torridon and Strathcarron, I met Linz off the train at Spean Bridge and went out to Arisiag for a few days rest up before The Big Bad Ben Tri. Last year I finished in 9:53 and so this year I ambitiously entered as 'NAV+art Sub 9' as I hadn't been particulary fit last year, and felt that I could take 53 minutes off that time with a solid season's training.
How wrong could I be! I'd done even less swimming this year and Frazer had extended the swim as it may have been a bit short previously. Also, the sea wasn't flat calm, but choppy and windy with a tide that seem to have a wicked sense of humour. After 400metres I thought I'd have to wave the white flag, but finally settled into a rhythym, I think when the 'Half Ben' racers joined us on the second lap.
Glad to be out of the water, I was a little dismayed, and yet relieved to hear it had been a 47minute swim, and not the 30+ minutes of last year, but a poor start to any PB and certainly 'sub9'.
'Not like this on the telly', I said as I staggered around 'in transition' trying to put on four layers off clothing, a buff and two pairs of shorts/legs and socks (yes, I'm a wimp!). At least I thought I'd start warm and then strip a layer off on each lap of the MTB ride, if neccessary.
Well, I wobbled my way out onto the MTB course, spinning up the Old Faithful Cowhill and settled into my race. The weather continued miserably all day with drizzle and a steady head wind on much of the big climb. I never did strip any layers off and was amazed when the leader lapped me wearing only a tri-suit ... not even track mitts nor socks!?
I slowly started to pass a few riders by lap three and looked forward to The Run as it should be my stronger discipline, but any hope of breaking 9hours seemed very slim indeed. Once I started 'running' I felt better and enjoyed the climb and descent of The Ben despite the poor conditions. The support from Lochaber AC is tremendous on the upper slopes of the mountain and the summit team had some amazing food; nearly as grand as the fresh strawberries half way down. So good they were that I went back up The Ben for several metres to get a few more. A pleasingly strong and comfortable finish took me back to Fort Bill and a warm greeting from Frazer on the finish line. 'Joe Faulkner 9hrs 52' annouced the PA as I thanked Frazer for another great day out. Oh well, at least I'm getting a bit faster...!
The Big Bad Ben is a tough event. You need to enjoy tough MTB riding, not necessarily too technical, but be strong at climbing as it does clock up a far amount of ascent, and be very comfortable 'running' on Scotlands Biggest Mountain. I've witnessed one or two very competent triathletes struggle on the Off-road terrain, both MTB and run. But if you like a multi-sport challenge give it a go. www.nofussevents.co.uk will tell you more info.
The NAV+art training weekend went very well, judging by the feedback from those who attended. I've been busy trying to tie down dates for 2009, and have just finally confirmed that our Spring course will be on 28/29th March at Borrowdale YHA. Details will be update soon on the website. If you can't wait for that please email me for info and a booking form.
More very soon ... this looks like it may crash!!!
Another busy period has flown by, including The Longmynd Hike referred to in my last posting and, of course, our recent NAV+art weekend.
In a first for ten years, I missed to attend a NAV+art course leaving it in the very capable hands of Stuart Smith and the excellent team of tutors. The reason for this was I needed to be away for a weeks holiday and The Applecross Duathlon and Big Ben Nevis Tri lured me to Scotland. I have some old running mates living (retired! lucky people) in Applecross so with a clash of dates it was the obvious choice to combine a week away with two great events. A chance email from Gerry The Chief Marshall at The Heb brought the event to my attention as he happens to live there and founded the event, I think, a few years ago.
The Applecross Duathlon is a great little event with a brilliant 9mile trail run through a remote glen followed by a 15mile road cycle around the northern coast. The ride is great, and not too hilly at all as the road is relatively very new, and hence not as twisty or undulating as some coastal roads. Fortunately the wind was favourable too, unlike last year, apparently.
The following day I cycled The Applecross Circular including the infamous Bealach na Ba Pass; c.5mile climb with 2000' and the longest/highest 'pass' in the UK. Really, it's not so bad and there is probably just as much ascent on the northern coast of the pennisula as on the climb itself. I was a great ride, great scenery and weather.
After a few days in Torridon and Strathcarron, I met Linz off the train at Spean Bridge and went out to Arisiag for a few days rest up before The Big Bad Ben Tri. Last year I finished in 9:53 and so this year I ambitiously entered as 'NAV+art Sub 9' as I hadn't been particulary fit last year, and felt that I could take 53 minutes off that time with a solid season's training.
How wrong could I be! I'd done even less swimming this year and Frazer had extended the swim as it may have been a bit short previously. Also, the sea wasn't flat calm, but choppy and windy with a tide that seem to have a wicked sense of humour. After 400metres I thought I'd have to wave the white flag, but finally settled into a rhythym, I think when the 'Half Ben' racers joined us on the second lap.
Glad to be out of the water, I was a little dismayed, and yet relieved to hear it had been a 47minute swim, and not the 30+ minutes of last year, but a poor start to any PB and certainly 'sub9'.
'Not like this on the telly', I said as I staggered around 'in transition' trying to put on four layers off clothing, a buff and two pairs of shorts/legs and socks (yes, I'm a wimp!). At least I thought I'd start warm and then strip a layer off on each lap of the MTB ride, if neccessary.
Well, I wobbled my way out onto the MTB course, spinning up the Old Faithful Cowhill and settled into my race. The weather continued miserably all day with drizzle and a steady head wind on much of the big climb. I never did strip any layers off and was amazed when the leader lapped me wearing only a tri-suit ... not even track mitts nor socks!?
I slowly started to pass a few riders by lap three and looked forward to The Run as it should be my stronger discipline, but any hope of breaking 9hours seemed very slim indeed. Once I started 'running' I felt better and enjoyed the climb and descent of The Ben despite the poor conditions. The support from Lochaber AC is tremendous on the upper slopes of the mountain and the summit team had some amazing food; nearly as grand as the fresh strawberries half way down. So good they were that I went back up The Ben for several metres to get a few more. A pleasingly strong and comfortable finish took me back to Fort Bill and a warm greeting from Frazer on the finish line. 'Joe Faulkner 9hrs 52' annouced the PA as I thanked Frazer for another great day out. Oh well, at least I'm getting a bit faster...!
The Big Bad Ben is a tough event. You need to enjoy tough MTB riding, not necessarily too technical, but be strong at climbing as it does clock up a far amount of ascent, and be very comfortable 'running' on Scotlands Biggest Mountain. I've witnessed one or two very competent triathletes struggle on the Off-road terrain, both MTB and run. But if you like a multi-sport challenge give it a go. www.nofussevents.co.uk will tell you more info.
The NAV+art training weekend went very well, judging by the feedback from those who attended. I've been busy trying to tie down dates for 2009, and have just finally confirmed that our Spring course will be on 28/29th March at Borrowdale YHA. Details will be update soon on the website. If you can't wait for that please email me for info and a booking form.
More very soon ... this looks like it may crash!!!
Wednesday 3 September 2008
Gill Harris and Paddy Buckley
I’m not sure when I first meet Gill, but one of my earliest memories was when she took part in our GL3Day event. I can clearly remember Gill being tailed by Terry Davies and Simon Madin who worked everso hard to hang onto to Gill’s strong and never faultering pace. Apparently, they nearly lost ‘El’Tel’ in a bog on Greenup Edge; Gill and Simon laughed but togther they with Simon’s extra tall height, they levered him out relatively unscathed. Simon and Terry were knackered at the end of three hard days and had that ‘never again’ look on their faces. Gill became a regular participant and then a crucial part of our organising team.
A few years later I was at the Woodgate Farm checkpoint on The longmynd Hike, after 33miles this is effectly the grouping point for the dark night section. Conditions had been wet and windy during the afternoon and we were all chilled. Whilst climbing into long leg wear, dry shirt, headtorch and grabbing a mug of tea in the melee, Gill appeared out of the gloom, along with Terry.
No time to waste. Gill told me I was with them as a group of three, and informed Owen the checkpoint officer we were off. I don’t think some people had known she had been and gone.
Conditions had been wet and cold and Terry was in a bad way. He was shivering badly, ‘but I’ll be OK in a minute’. We jogged off down the road, spilling tea from jogging and shivering. Terry was traveling light to say the least. He just wasn’t warming up and with no spare kit to put on I considered dressing him in my spare but it would come down to his knees and wouldn’t fit too well.
We nursed Terry through the next hours (at one point he ate a whole jelly baby!) and he felt a bit better when Aunty Gill Mac wrapped him up in her fleece at Stiper Carpark. Shuffling on, Terry ‘still didn’t feel right’, but Gill was on a mission and by careful group management and perfect route choice we didn’t loose much time and no other groups passed us in the dark.
Cresting the top of the ‘Mynd, Terry was feeling a lot better, probably because he could smell the beer of The Ragleth Inn below. Terry had been suffering with mild hypothermia for a few hours, but back on form the pace increased and we powered up Ragleth and down to Stretton, with good finishing times to be had. All the way across the playing fields Gill was pushing the pace...all the way to the school door. I hadn’t realised it but, a new Ladies record was waiting. In the dark and wet I hadn’t noticed Gill’s strength and focus, but it had been a tremendous perfermance and a good night out. Over the past decade or so Gill made Longmynd Hike victories, and the Ladies record her own on more than one occassion.
In August 2005 I had a go at The Paddy Buckley Round. Gill had completed a PBR in under 24hours in 2002, and I’d heard quite a bit about it. I’d also tried it many years ago but had blown out half way in poor weather. My 2005 attempt was a bit of a last minute decision but Gill, Phil, Keith and Pauline fronted up a formidable support team from Mercia Fell Runners and friends. Blessed by a bag of mixed weather, neccesitating a change of start time and venue, I ground to a halt on the last Leg before recording a memerable time of 26hrs10min. Not a defeat, but an amazing adventure in great company, and with tremendous contribution especially from Gill, Phil, Keith and Pauline.
A few days before the 2006 ‘Hike Gill was diagnosed with cancer. She didn’t take part and there was an emptiness without her. Her ladies record was broken by a minute or two by a newcomer to the event, in good conditions aided by a quality field of ‘Montrail Runners’.
In the Spring of 2007 when Gill was recovering from Chemo I stayed at Gill and Phil’s house on a Sunday night. It might have been after the Longmynd Vallies race, and the Monday morning gave us the chance to go for an ‘easy’ run before I was to drive home. We ran one of Gill’s favourite loops from Gaerstone Farm and I enjoyed traversing paths I hadn’t run for several years. My legs were tried and we ran steadily. Gill was weak but her determination deep within rose to the surface as we ran. Gill talked of running The Longmynd that October, and the more she talked, the more I realised she was talking of racing the Hike, not just aiming to take part.
Driving home I realised how important that event and the record meant to her.
2007 was the 40th anniversary of the Longmynd Hike. Terry Davies had persuaded me to do two laps as some sort of celebration. Terry has lots of good ideas and this was one I thought might not happen. Our first ‘unofficial’ lap started at 11pm Friday night. Twelve hours later, we were back at the start ready to go again with the proper start. Pauline came with us this time just to look after us, apparently, and tell us jokes. We had our own little adventures but were somewhat oblivious to the hard nosed racing taking part up front, in both mens and ladies race. (‘Ladies’ - so why not ‘Gentleman’s Race?)
Once again in a competitive ‘Montrail’ feild Gill was racing against some very talented athletes. I did get to hear the cut and thrust details later, but the gist of it was that Gill ran her own race against splits and times she knew so well and regained her record by lowering it significantly to 10hrs01min. The pace across those playing fields must have been hot! It was a tremendous performance and result.
My 2005 Paddy was no disappointment but in mid-summer this year I decided to try again for a sub-24hour round, if only to put into context the previous round; had I been fit enough, can I handle the much rougher ground, etc? Having had so much Mercia support in 2005 and with Gill very ill it was inappropriate to seek suport from Mercia, so this time I planned to go solo with Lindsey supporting me at road crossings. It the very least it would be a chance to contemplate and rationalise a plan, if any, for the future.
Gill died on Wednesday 6th August, whilst I was making plans for an attempt on 16/17th.
The weather dismissed that date as a non-starter with high winds and rain making the conditions unfavourable. A full moon gloated at me for the remainder of the week and so I decided to have a stab at some sort of round on Friday 22nd. Lindsey was unavailable and the weather window suggested a Friday evening start.
Starting at Llanberis, I climbed steadily through the quarries towards the Glyders enjoying a patchy half moon and a few wispers of thick dark cloud. The night was enjoyable and I was reliving many memories in a lot more favourable conditions than three years earlier. I made good progress across to Ogwen considering I was navigationg in the dark and carrying a lot of gear. Over the Carneddau to Capel Curig I wasn’t going as fast as I wished but still felt confident of giving the full route a go. Under the PYB footbridge I located my food stash only to find a hungry rodent had eaten my Tuna Mayo sandwich; not a good omen at the best of times. At this point it became apparent that I was definitely on a long reece rather than an attempt at The Round. I climbed Siabod steadily but the evening start was contributing to ‘sleepmonsters’ and the terrain along The Boundary Ridge exceedingly wet due to the recent monsoon rain. I realised it was ‘Game Over’ when went waist deep in a bog for the second time and I was recording splits far in excess of the schedule.
It was on this leg in 2005 that I had very fought hard for so long whilst following in the foot steps of Gill and Keith in a desparate attempt to make up lost time. Gill and Keith knew this leg so well and even in dry conditions there are several seriously boggy sections. I was now on a route to nowhere and after a few more summits my ‘bail-out’ options resulted in a decision to head direct for Cnicht, Nantmor and Abergaswyn Pass, if only because I had my second foodstash there. There ended by PB party for 2008.
I announced the secret outcome to ‘Wilko’ in an exchange of texts on the way home. ‘Have you got a date for your Paddy, then?’ She asked. ‘2009, after a very long dry spell, with a full moon, and perfect weather’ was my reply. There will need to be a bit of a re-think and a lot more recce-ing, too.
Gill’s dedication to The Longmynd Hike and Paddy Buckley Round and the effort she put into training and recce-ing the routes is admirable. I was not at all disappointed with my Paddy Run; it had been a great night out, and although running solo the spirit of many was ever present. I felt I had been granted an insight into what made Gill ‘tick’... but there is a long way to go before mastering The Paddy Buckley Round.
Joe
A few years later I was at the Woodgate Farm checkpoint on The longmynd Hike, after 33miles this is effectly the grouping point for the dark night section. Conditions had been wet and windy during the afternoon and we were all chilled. Whilst climbing into long leg wear, dry shirt, headtorch and grabbing a mug of tea in the melee, Gill appeared out of the gloom, along with Terry.
No time to waste. Gill told me I was with them as a group of three, and informed Owen the checkpoint officer we were off. I don’t think some people had known she had been and gone.
Conditions had been wet and cold and Terry was in a bad way. He was shivering badly, ‘but I’ll be OK in a minute’. We jogged off down the road, spilling tea from jogging and shivering. Terry was traveling light to say the least. He just wasn’t warming up and with no spare kit to put on I considered dressing him in my spare but it would come down to his knees and wouldn’t fit too well.
We nursed Terry through the next hours (at one point he ate a whole jelly baby!) and he felt a bit better when Aunty Gill Mac wrapped him up in her fleece at Stiper Carpark. Shuffling on, Terry ‘still didn’t feel right’, but Gill was on a mission and by careful group management and perfect route choice we didn’t loose much time and no other groups passed us in the dark.
Cresting the top of the ‘Mynd, Terry was feeling a lot better, probably because he could smell the beer of The Ragleth Inn below. Terry had been suffering with mild hypothermia for a few hours, but back on form the pace increased and we powered up Ragleth and down to Stretton, with good finishing times to be had. All the way across the playing fields Gill was pushing the pace...all the way to the school door. I hadn’t realised it but, a new Ladies record was waiting. In the dark and wet I hadn’t noticed Gill’s strength and focus, but it had been a tremendous perfermance and a good night out. Over the past decade or so Gill made Longmynd Hike victories, and the Ladies record her own on more than one occassion.
In August 2005 I had a go at The Paddy Buckley Round. Gill had completed a PBR in under 24hours in 2002, and I’d heard quite a bit about it. I’d also tried it many years ago but had blown out half way in poor weather. My 2005 attempt was a bit of a last minute decision but Gill, Phil, Keith and Pauline fronted up a formidable support team from Mercia Fell Runners and friends. Blessed by a bag of mixed weather, neccesitating a change of start time and venue, I ground to a halt on the last Leg before recording a memerable time of 26hrs10min. Not a defeat, but an amazing adventure in great company, and with tremendous contribution especially from Gill, Phil, Keith and Pauline.
A few days before the 2006 ‘Hike Gill was diagnosed with cancer. She didn’t take part and there was an emptiness without her. Her ladies record was broken by a minute or two by a newcomer to the event, in good conditions aided by a quality field of ‘Montrail Runners’.
In the Spring of 2007 when Gill was recovering from Chemo I stayed at Gill and Phil’s house on a Sunday night. It might have been after the Longmynd Vallies race, and the Monday morning gave us the chance to go for an ‘easy’ run before I was to drive home. We ran one of Gill’s favourite loops from Gaerstone Farm and I enjoyed traversing paths I hadn’t run for several years. My legs were tried and we ran steadily. Gill was weak but her determination deep within rose to the surface as we ran. Gill talked of running The Longmynd that October, and the more she talked, the more I realised she was talking of racing the Hike, not just aiming to take part.
Driving home I realised how important that event and the record meant to her.
2007 was the 40th anniversary of the Longmynd Hike. Terry Davies had persuaded me to do two laps as some sort of celebration. Terry has lots of good ideas and this was one I thought might not happen. Our first ‘unofficial’ lap started at 11pm Friday night. Twelve hours later, we were back at the start ready to go again with the proper start. Pauline came with us this time just to look after us, apparently, and tell us jokes. We had our own little adventures but were somewhat oblivious to the hard nosed racing taking part up front, in both mens and ladies race. (‘Ladies’ - so why not ‘Gentleman’s Race?)
Once again in a competitive ‘Montrail’ feild Gill was racing against some very talented athletes. I did get to hear the cut and thrust details later, but the gist of it was that Gill ran her own race against splits and times she knew so well and regained her record by lowering it significantly to 10hrs01min. The pace across those playing fields must have been hot! It was a tremendous performance and result.
My 2005 Paddy was no disappointment but in mid-summer this year I decided to try again for a sub-24hour round, if only to put into context the previous round; had I been fit enough, can I handle the much rougher ground, etc? Having had so much Mercia support in 2005 and with Gill very ill it was inappropriate to seek suport from Mercia, so this time I planned to go solo with Lindsey supporting me at road crossings. It the very least it would be a chance to contemplate and rationalise a plan, if any, for the future.
Gill died on Wednesday 6th August, whilst I was making plans for an attempt on 16/17th.
The weather dismissed that date as a non-starter with high winds and rain making the conditions unfavourable. A full moon gloated at me for the remainder of the week and so I decided to have a stab at some sort of round on Friday 22nd. Lindsey was unavailable and the weather window suggested a Friday evening start.
Starting at Llanberis, I climbed steadily through the quarries towards the Glyders enjoying a patchy half moon and a few wispers of thick dark cloud. The night was enjoyable and I was reliving many memories in a lot more favourable conditions than three years earlier. I made good progress across to Ogwen considering I was navigationg in the dark and carrying a lot of gear. Over the Carneddau to Capel Curig I wasn’t going as fast as I wished but still felt confident of giving the full route a go. Under the PYB footbridge I located my food stash only to find a hungry rodent had eaten my Tuna Mayo sandwich; not a good omen at the best of times. At this point it became apparent that I was definitely on a long reece rather than an attempt at The Round. I climbed Siabod steadily but the evening start was contributing to ‘sleepmonsters’ and the terrain along The Boundary Ridge exceedingly wet due to the recent monsoon rain. I realised it was ‘Game Over’ when went waist deep in a bog for the second time and I was recording splits far in excess of the schedule.
It was on this leg in 2005 that I had very fought hard for so long whilst following in the foot steps of Gill and Keith in a desparate attempt to make up lost time. Gill and Keith knew this leg so well and even in dry conditions there are several seriously boggy sections. I was now on a route to nowhere and after a few more summits my ‘bail-out’ options resulted in a decision to head direct for Cnicht, Nantmor and Abergaswyn Pass, if only because I had my second foodstash there. There ended by PB party for 2008.
I announced the secret outcome to ‘Wilko’ in an exchange of texts on the way home. ‘Have you got a date for your Paddy, then?’ She asked. ‘2009, after a very long dry spell, with a full moon, and perfect weather’ was my reply. There will need to be a bit of a re-think and a lot more recce-ing, too.
Gill’s dedication to The Longmynd Hike and Paddy Buckley Round and the effort she put into training and recce-ing the routes is admirable. I was not at all disappointed with my Paddy Run; it had been a great night out, and although running solo the spirit of many was ever present. I felt I had been granted an insight into what made Gill ‘tick’... but there is a long way to go before mastering The Paddy Buckley Round.
Joe
Friday 22 August 2008
NAV+art - Bampton 13/14th September
Where are all the Adventure Racers?
Yes, unusually, there are still places available! Perhaps the credit crunch is hitting, or maybe the date clashes with other things, or does the thought of camping put some off. Drag yourself away from your kit box and goody bag and come and do some real nav!! It is geared towards open fell mountain navigation, but all aspiring adventure racers will find this a good investment for longer events.
I'm going to be pretty busy in the next two weekends away in the mountains, and I'm suffering some IT problems ... so don't except 21st century comunication from me, but if you want to come there probably places so send me a booking form asap. Many thanks,
Joe
Yes, unusually, there are still places available! Perhaps the credit crunch is hitting, or maybe the date clashes with other things, or does the thought of camping put some off. Drag yourself away from your kit box and goody bag and come and do some real nav!! It is geared towards open fell mountain navigation, but all aspiring adventure racers will find this a good investment for longer events.
I'm going to be pretty busy in the next two weekends away in the mountains, and I'm suffering some IT problems ... so don't except 21st century comunication from me, but if you want to come there probably places so send me a booking form asap. Many thanks,
Joe
Inspirational
I’ve not been blogging for a while for number of reasons. Latterly, it has been for IT problems and a poorly sick lap top. This is also the reason why I have been a bit ‘absent’ of late.
Lots has happened over the past weeks, with events and occurrences of contrasting experiences and emotions. The dust has settled, (or is that, ‘the wind died down’?), on The Hebridean Challenge, which I now affectionately term ‘The Heb Training Camp’. This is because it is such a tremendous week, and if you survive it without breaking yourself and you recover via an easy week or so, the training effect on body and soul is brilliant. ‘Head training’ is the key.
I sampled my first Open24 a few weeks later, again with ‘Wilko’ and can see why it is a very popular event. I think we did ‘OK’ for our first attempt together as a pair, and were able to draw on Wilko’s experience of the previous three year’s when she has been paired up with Johnny 5 Legs. Many people suffered in the heat generally and with extreme sunburn from some unexpected brilliantly blue skies, which appear whilst we were sea kayaking. I found it a bit odd trying to get the pace right, as 24 hour racing is a bit of a sprint when done in a multi-sport format. I suppose I have a lot of experience of multi-day and non-stop exped racing and a lot of 24hour ‘foot racing’ but as new pair it was just a bit ‘odd’. I’d been nursing a very sore throat all week at expected to suffer but survived to finish sixth mixed pair, and not far from the top. We only made one or two small navigation / strategy errors, due mainly to mis-interpretation of special stage instructions. The secret is just to keep moving steadily in the right direction and score points, and you must include all the special stages which are highly valued. Overall I think we under achieved by a small margin, but this is always better than over reaching and the ‘crash and burn’ scenario. It’s no doubt an adventure, and I enjoyed it, but the navigation input wasn’t all that challenging. But an excellent event well planned and executed by James and his team and in a great part of the country. Recovery was good, the journey not too much of an epic, and sleeping soundly for several hours on Sunday afternoon a good tactic to avoid weekend traffic.
A week later was Borrowdale Fell Race; the perennial favourite. If I had to choose one iconic long fell race, this would be it. Wilko and I ran steadily in difficult conditions for a pleasing 4:19 finish. (We are becoming very compatible especially on foot, but she does have a turn of speed that leaves me behind, and she used her sprint finish to gain some Championship points.) We were keen to run steady as we were due to pace Rachel Vincent on the Leg 4 – Helvellyn, and Leg 5 – Skiddaw sections of her Bob Graham Round. Unfortunately, the evening turned out a little unexpectedly but ultimately successful. We sat drinking tea and stoically stuffing the food down, whilst others were waving pints of beer around, killing time prior to our Keswick pick up time later. On arrival in Keswick and finding phone coverage, I was shocked and dumbstruck to find that Rachel was at least two hours up on schedule and we had effectively missed Leg 4!
This meant Rachel had pressed her husband, Phil, into acting as pacer, and all we could do was kill more time and wait at Threlkeld. I did consider trying to find them along the Helvellyn range but dismissed it as a foolish gamble. Happily, we soon got a phone message and then saw lights on top of Clough Head indicating that they still going strong. However, frustration turned to anguish as we watched them take an appalling line down the fell and become entangled in Threlkeld Quarry losing 45mins or so. I so wish I had gone up Clough Head to meet them. With plenty of time still in hand, Rachel had a quick refuel break and was focused on pushing on. She was climbing very strongly, but it was evident that a sore knee was limiting her downhill and running speed. The bad luck continued with me not finding the perfect lines between Blencathra, Great Calva and Skiddaw, and so Leg 5 became a slow painful experience shrouded in an uninspiring cold grey dawn, to finish just inside 23hrs. You can read Rachel’s own account at on http://www.tynedaleharriers.com/ and it’s an interesting read. Well done Rachel – an excellent effort and great performance in difficult conditions.
The following weekend was even more exciting. Marcus had asked me to act as oad support for his ‘Devil O’The Highlands’ race. This is 43 miles along the West Highland Way, from Tyndrum to Fort Bill. I’ve considered it myself before but it is just to fast and runnable for me. Marcus had prepared a schedule with times ranging ranging around 6 – 6 hours 15. He had all the splits worked out and was quietly confident of getting inside the record of 6:08. He was also keen to race against Jez Bragg, the current record holder for The Highland Fling and West Highland Way. Marcus has a phenomenal turn of speed and has been winning local road races. He also has a lot of Elite mountain marathon class experience, so it would be an interesting exercise in speed endurance.
The first support point is at Bridge of Orchy after just seven miles, and the pace was very fast and inside Marcus’s predictions. Marcus himself was comfortably cruising at the back of the leading bunch of five or six, and confident in his ability. At Glencoe Ski Station the leaders were now strung out a little with the pacing not slowing. Jez’s own blog http://jezbragg.blogspot.com/2008/08/battling-it-out-at-devil-o-highlands.html describes the race really well.
Was I ever bored doing road support? No chance! I was never waiting around for more than 20 minutes at any road support, and the tension was quite unbelievable. Marcus left Kinlochleven with a clear gap of 2-3 minutes having used his downhill fell running abilities. I tried to suss out how Jez was at this point, but I hadn’t met him before and he didn’t show much emotion at all, in the very short time he was there, and I certainly wasn't going to intrude on his focus. Again, his blog sums it up correctly. I saw them both, briefly, at the final road access point about six miles from the end. Marcus was just 200 metres ahead, and Jez reeled him in on the next tortous section of forest trail and made his vast experience count while Marcus suffered a minor wobble.
Jez finished in 5:22, with Marcus only 10mins behind, well inside the record. That 10 minutes is nothing, To lose just 10 minutes is a great effort considering he suffered with a slight route finding glitch which dropped him on to the road to earlier, while Jezz pushed his advantage to the finish line. They both smashed the old record as did another 3 or 4 runners. I think my club mate, Andy Davies of Mercia was inside the record as first Vet 40 too.
Marcus can be very pround of his race and ultra trail debut. I was just very pleased to be there and see it, so much so that I have entered The Highland Fling next April … eek!
I've also been looking at a certain Welsh 24 hr Round but the weather hasn't been too encouraging, and finding the right mindset difficult in the current circumstances. Perhaps, I'll have success to report soon.
Finally, if you are interested in joing on our NAV+art course on 13/14 September, there is still time. Please get a form to me asap.
Joe
Lots has happened over the past weeks, with events and occurrences of contrasting experiences and emotions. The dust has settled, (or is that, ‘the wind died down’?), on The Hebridean Challenge, which I now affectionately term ‘The Heb Training Camp’. This is because it is such a tremendous week, and if you survive it without breaking yourself and you recover via an easy week or so, the training effect on body and soul is brilliant. ‘Head training’ is the key.
I sampled my first Open24 a few weeks later, again with ‘Wilko’ and can see why it is a very popular event. I think we did ‘OK’ for our first attempt together as a pair, and were able to draw on Wilko’s experience of the previous three year’s when she has been paired up with Johnny 5 Legs. Many people suffered in the heat generally and with extreme sunburn from some unexpected brilliantly blue skies, which appear whilst we were sea kayaking. I found it a bit odd trying to get the pace right, as 24 hour racing is a bit of a sprint when done in a multi-sport format. I suppose I have a lot of experience of multi-day and non-stop exped racing and a lot of 24hour ‘foot racing’ but as new pair it was just a bit ‘odd’. I’d been nursing a very sore throat all week at expected to suffer but survived to finish sixth mixed pair, and not far from the top. We only made one or two small navigation / strategy errors, due mainly to mis-interpretation of special stage instructions. The secret is just to keep moving steadily in the right direction and score points, and you must include all the special stages which are highly valued. Overall I think we under achieved by a small margin, but this is always better than over reaching and the ‘crash and burn’ scenario. It’s no doubt an adventure, and I enjoyed it, but the navigation input wasn’t all that challenging. But an excellent event well planned and executed by James and his team and in a great part of the country. Recovery was good, the journey not too much of an epic, and sleeping soundly for several hours on Sunday afternoon a good tactic to avoid weekend traffic.
A week later was Borrowdale Fell Race; the perennial favourite. If I had to choose one iconic long fell race, this would be it. Wilko and I ran steadily in difficult conditions for a pleasing 4:19 finish. (We are becoming very compatible especially on foot, but she does have a turn of speed that leaves me behind, and she used her sprint finish to gain some Championship points.) We were keen to run steady as we were due to pace Rachel Vincent on the Leg 4 – Helvellyn, and Leg 5 – Skiddaw sections of her Bob Graham Round. Unfortunately, the evening turned out a little unexpectedly but ultimately successful. We sat drinking tea and stoically stuffing the food down, whilst others were waving pints of beer around, killing time prior to our Keswick pick up time later. On arrival in Keswick and finding phone coverage, I was shocked and dumbstruck to find that Rachel was at least two hours up on schedule and we had effectively missed Leg 4!
This meant Rachel had pressed her husband, Phil, into acting as pacer, and all we could do was kill more time and wait at Threlkeld. I did consider trying to find them along the Helvellyn range but dismissed it as a foolish gamble. Happily, we soon got a phone message and then saw lights on top of Clough Head indicating that they still going strong. However, frustration turned to anguish as we watched them take an appalling line down the fell and become entangled in Threlkeld Quarry losing 45mins or so. I so wish I had gone up Clough Head to meet them. With plenty of time still in hand, Rachel had a quick refuel break and was focused on pushing on. She was climbing very strongly, but it was evident that a sore knee was limiting her downhill and running speed. The bad luck continued with me not finding the perfect lines between Blencathra, Great Calva and Skiddaw, and so Leg 5 became a slow painful experience shrouded in an uninspiring cold grey dawn, to finish just inside 23hrs. You can read Rachel’s own account at on http://www.tynedaleharriers.com/ and it’s an interesting read. Well done Rachel – an excellent effort and great performance in difficult conditions.
The following weekend was even more exciting. Marcus had asked me to act as oad support for his ‘Devil O’The Highlands’ race. This is 43 miles along the West Highland Way, from Tyndrum to Fort Bill. I’ve considered it myself before but it is just to fast and runnable for me. Marcus had prepared a schedule with times ranging ranging around 6 – 6 hours 15. He had all the splits worked out and was quietly confident of getting inside the record of 6:08. He was also keen to race against Jez Bragg, the current record holder for The Highland Fling and West Highland Way. Marcus has a phenomenal turn of speed and has been winning local road races. He also has a lot of Elite mountain marathon class experience, so it would be an interesting exercise in speed endurance.
The first support point is at Bridge of Orchy after just seven miles, and the pace was very fast and inside Marcus’s predictions. Marcus himself was comfortably cruising at the back of the leading bunch of five or six, and confident in his ability. At Glencoe Ski Station the leaders were now strung out a little with the pacing not slowing. Jez’s own blog http://jezbragg.blogspot.com/2008/08/battling-it-out-at-devil-o-highlands.html describes the race really well.
Was I ever bored doing road support? No chance! I was never waiting around for more than 20 minutes at any road support, and the tension was quite unbelievable. Marcus left Kinlochleven with a clear gap of 2-3 minutes having used his downhill fell running abilities. I tried to suss out how Jez was at this point, but I hadn’t met him before and he didn’t show much emotion at all, in the very short time he was there, and I certainly wasn't going to intrude on his focus. Again, his blog sums it up correctly. I saw them both, briefly, at the final road access point about six miles from the end. Marcus was just 200 metres ahead, and Jez reeled him in on the next tortous section of forest trail and made his vast experience count while Marcus suffered a minor wobble.
Jez finished in 5:22, with Marcus only 10mins behind, well inside the record. That 10 minutes is nothing, To lose just 10 minutes is a great effort considering he suffered with a slight route finding glitch which dropped him on to the road to earlier, while Jezz pushed his advantage to the finish line. They both smashed the old record as did another 3 or 4 runners. I think my club mate, Andy Davies of Mercia was inside the record as first Vet 40 too.
Marcus can be very pround of his race and ultra trail debut. I was just very pleased to be there and see it, so much so that I have entered The Highland Fling next April … eek!
I've also been looking at a certain Welsh 24 hr Round but the weather hasn't been too encouraging, and finding the right mindset difficult in the current circumstances. Perhaps, I'll have success to report soon.
Finally, if you are interested in joing on our NAV+art course on 13/14 September, there is still time. Please get a form to me asap.
Joe
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Seeds of Change
The Heb was great. 'Pyro' has managed to get some great photos ont'web via Flickr - search on Pryo's Yard Productions or The Heb Challenge and you will be sure to find them. The photos bring back all of the good memories and only some of the pain and anguish, and of that, it is only 'Type Two', ie retrospective pleasure?
Plans are being talked about for 'Heb 2009'; talking plans is fun and easy, making firm and commitment is a corner we are yet to round.
Having recovered from The Heb my next challenge was to discover that our venue for the next NAV+art course was double booked. Hence, this has involved several phone calls and emails regarding availabity of venue, tutors and clients of course, but hey... we are now back up and running. The course is now 13/14th September at Bampton in the Haweswater Valley, and uses the Loadpot Hill / High Street fells similair to the KIMM in 2005. Ironically, that is why we moved away from Bampton in the first instance. It's quite possibly the last NAV+art course at Bampton, so if you've read about how 'unique' the place is come along and find out. I'm pondering a re-launch and shake up with new venue for 2009. Full details of the September course are available on http://www.joefaulkner.com/ although the 'July News' and date amendment might not be there just yet. (Because my webmaster and me can't move as fast as blogspot)
My apologises go to anyone inconvenienced by this change. The new date will be just as good. There is also the possibility that experienced OMM'ers, can come along just for the Sunday pratice event and run it as pair with thier partner. There will be a small charge for this; contact me if you are interested in doing so.
Other than that, I'm looking forward to the Open24 this weekend, in apart of Wales I used to know in a dim and distant youthfulness...if I shake of this sore throat! It's nice to be going somewhere different. After that, the adventure is 'only' the Borrowdale Fell race. Less is more.
Have fun,
Joe
Plans are being talked about for 'Heb 2009'; talking plans is fun and easy, making firm and commitment is a corner we are yet to round.
Having recovered from The Heb my next challenge was to discover that our venue for the next NAV+art course was double booked. Hence, this has involved several phone calls and emails regarding availabity of venue, tutors and clients of course, but hey... we are now back up and running. The course is now 13/14th September at Bampton in the Haweswater Valley, and uses the Loadpot Hill / High Street fells similair to the KIMM in 2005. Ironically, that is why we moved away from Bampton in the first instance. It's quite possibly the last NAV+art course at Bampton, so if you've read about how 'unique' the place is come along and find out. I'm pondering a re-launch and shake up with new venue for 2009. Full details of the September course are available on http://www.joefaulkner.com/ although the 'July News' and date amendment might not be there just yet. (Because my webmaster and me can't move as fast as blogspot)
My apologises go to anyone inconvenienced by this change. The new date will be just as good. There is also the possibility that experienced OMM'ers, can come along just for the Sunday pratice event and run it as pair with thier partner. There will be a small charge for this; contact me if you are interested in doing so.
Other than that, I'm looking forward to the Open24 this weekend, in apart of Wales I used to know in a dim and distant youthfulness...if I shake of this sore throat! It's nice to be going somewhere different. After that, the adventure is 'only' the Borrowdale Fell race. Less is more.
Have fun,
Joe
Monday 7 July 2008
Shredded Head
Well I'm back from The Hebrides, and our two week trip to Scotland, and after one day at work in an office my head is shredded. Guiness and pasta will have me a sleep by 9pm... drinking on a school night! Eek.
Firstly, a big thank you to everyone for their support and sponsorship of my 70 Wild Miles event. It was a great day, nice course, relaxing event and a warm up for the Heb Challenge. You can still donate on-line via www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner should you wish to do so. Sadly we missed out on any evening presentation, buffet and disco as we went to see Dave Atkinson finish his West Highland Way race, so I have no results, but apparently I was 9th out of 58 solos. I wasn't able to blog after the race to limited IT facilities, and who wants to spend holiday time at a PC key board what ever the connection speed? It does make you think about life and the real world, though.
A Sunday ferry took us out to South Uist on The Hebrides for a few days rest and relaxation prior to The Hebridean Challenge. This is a five day race for pairs or teams; cycling, running, MTB, (and swiming and sea kayaking for the teams) the length of the islands - approximately 150 miles as a seagull might fly, and so probably twice that via the race route.
The Heb remains the best Adventure Race in the UK, although Scotland gave us a mixed bag of weather with quite a bit of wet and very windy stuff for several days. 'The Heb' is simply brilliant and a great adventure for everyone. Louise 'Wilko' Wilkinson paired up for a 'lightweight', fun-but-competitive trip... and it was fun, just! It was also pretty tough with 12-15 hour days, which compounded by weather and a few other issues made it a wee bit tougher than anticipated. Nevertheless, we put in strong effort, performing well as the only land based pair against the four/five person teams. I ran some long and tough mountain navigation legs, while Wilko clocked up and increasing amount of time on my road bike as well as running strongly on shorter stages and MTB'ing very well. Even on Day Five we were keeping pace with the leading teams (although they did do a bit more than us, usually a swim leg) until the final afternoon when Wilko was obliged to tacked about 30km of cliff edge MTB section. Initially this was designated a MTB leg, and the geography didn't permit us to 'tag' and relay each other. Once committed to this, and with all teams falling behind 'buffet, speeches, prizing giving and Ceildh(?) schedule' it had become apparent that the 30km wasn't at all rideable, the later teams started to run in relays rather than ride the section or even ride on the parallel road! With the goal posts changed, and no means of contacting or intervening in this increasing frustrating situation, Wilko just got on with the job, 'riding' the whole leg solo, in one 'hit', so she is probably the only rider to do so. Consequently, we finish with pride intact if not an early finish. As a 'Heb Virgin' she really deserves the title of 'Racer of the Week'. Racing with me must be a chore in it's self!
As you might have detected, the finish was a little disappointing, but no-one is to blame really; we were simply a victim of circumstance. Ironically, if I were prepared to drive backwards a forwards and throw diesel and common sense to the island winds, I may have been able to find her and relieve her of her toil, but the chances of doing that were slim, and with a greater chance of missing her at the penultimate controls, and then the situation would have been worse. It the greater scheme of things it is nothing.
Hey... no worries - no-one actually reads this .... and we went for an adventure. It certain was, and The Heb remains the best Adventure Race in the UK. Whether there is a pairs section next year remains to be seen, as it is clear that the involvement of just three pairs as opposed to 16 teams was an unproportional drain on the events resources, and once or twice logitsical issues smacked us in the face. And when they did it hurt deeply.
Whatever your ambition, put The Heb in the diary for next year .... it is a must. It's brilliant.
I'll be back, as will Wilko ... but we may be looking for team mates......
.......Or may be not?
Joe
Firstly, a big thank you to everyone for their support and sponsorship of my 70 Wild Miles event. It was a great day, nice course, relaxing event and a warm up for the Heb Challenge. You can still donate on-line via www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner should you wish to do so. Sadly we missed out on any evening presentation, buffet and disco as we went to see Dave Atkinson finish his West Highland Way race, so I have no results, but apparently I was 9th out of 58 solos. I wasn't able to blog after the race to limited IT facilities, and who wants to spend holiday time at a PC key board what ever the connection speed? It does make you think about life and the real world, though.
A Sunday ferry took us out to South Uist on The Hebrides for a few days rest and relaxation prior to The Hebridean Challenge. This is a five day race for pairs or teams; cycling, running, MTB, (and swiming and sea kayaking for the teams) the length of the islands - approximately 150 miles as a seagull might fly, and so probably twice that via the race route.
The Heb remains the best Adventure Race in the UK, although Scotland gave us a mixed bag of weather with quite a bit of wet and very windy stuff for several days. 'The Heb' is simply brilliant and a great adventure for everyone. Louise 'Wilko' Wilkinson paired up for a 'lightweight', fun-but-competitive trip... and it was fun, just! It was also pretty tough with 12-15 hour days, which compounded by weather and a few other issues made it a wee bit tougher than anticipated. Nevertheless, we put in strong effort, performing well as the only land based pair against the four/five person teams. I ran some long and tough mountain navigation legs, while Wilko clocked up and increasing amount of time on my road bike as well as running strongly on shorter stages and MTB'ing very well. Even on Day Five we were keeping pace with the leading teams (although they did do a bit more than us, usually a swim leg) until the final afternoon when Wilko was obliged to tacked about 30km of cliff edge MTB section. Initially this was designated a MTB leg, and the geography didn't permit us to 'tag' and relay each other. Once committed to this, and with all teams falling behind 'buffet, speeches, prizing giving and Ceildh(?) schedule' it had become apparent that the 30km wasn't at all rideable, the later teams started to run in relays rather than ride the section or even ride on the parallel road! With the goal posts changed, and no means of contacting or intervening in this increasing frustrating situation, Wilko just got on with the job, 'riding' the whole leg solo, in one 'hit', so she is probably the only rider to do so. Consequently, we finish with pride intact if not an early finish. As a 'Heb Virgin' she really deserves the title of 'Racer of the Week'. Racing with me must be a chore in it's self!
As you might have detected, the finish was a little disappointing, but no-one is to blame really; we were simply a victim of circumstance. Ironically, if I were prepared to drive backwards a forwards and throw diesel and common sense to the island winds, I may have been able to find her and relieve her of her toil, but the chances of doing that were slim, and with a greater chance of missing her at the penultimate controls, and then the situation would have been worse. It the greater scheme of things it is nothing.
Hey... no worries - no-one actually reads this .... and we went for an adventure. It certain was, and The Heb remains the best Adventure Race in the UK. Whether there is a pairs section next year remains to be seen, as it is clear that the involvement of just three pairs as opposed to 16 teams was an unproportional drain on the events resources, and once or twice logitsical issues smacked us in the face. And when they did it hurt deeply.
Whatever your ambition, put The Heb in the diary for next year .... it is a must. It's brilliant.
I'll be back, as will Wilko ... but we may be looking for team mates......
.......Or may be not?
Joe
Tuesday 24 June 2008
I did it!
I did it! 70 Wonderful Miles, even the 13 miles of steading uphill tarmac in Glen Etive to the finish. At times I though I was going as slow as this internet connection, so I'll keep this short.
No results or times (due to watching Dave Atkinson's flying finish to The West Highland Way) but it took me 6h 8mins.
Many thanks for your support - in whatever form!
More later,
Joe
No results or times (due to watching Dave Atkinson's flying finish to The West Highland Way) but it took me 6h 8mins.
Many thanks for your support - in whatever form!
More later,
Joe
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Adventure - Getting to the Start Line ... is The Hardest Part
Is hard to believe a week a has gone by since the last posting. It's been said that getting to the start line is usually one of the busiest and most difficult part of any race or adventure.
This is certainly an adventure, as well as the prep for '70 Wild Miles' I am of course packing for a two week trip to Scotland, the Hebrides and The Hebridean Challenge. http://www.hebrideanchallenge.com/ so there is a lot of gear and planning to be done, and it's amazing where the time disappears to. There has been more time spent with bikes, bike racks and roof racks in the past week then time actually training. Coupled to that, I've been watching The An Turas race unfold in South Western Ireland and just recieved the route for The Heb. It may be a late night of map marking tonight or tomorrow.
Adventure has been defined as having three key elements; firstly, a 'realistic objective'. Secondly, 'uncertainty of outcome, and thirdly, 'good companionship'. I've held onto these three things for over twenty years, since I first heard of them from a very wise old man* and while the first two usually prompt interesting debate, the third intrigues me the most. I've done a few epic Team Adventure Races and 'good companionship' shines through as a fundamental memory. Paired mountain marathons and involvement in such things as Bob Graham Rounds and other ultra events give rewarding memories, too. But what about solo events? I challenged this notion main years ago as a young man, and it took me a while to appreciate the meaning of this. I was told, by the wise old man's student, ('cos they wrote thesis on it!) that solo trips count .... My 'solo' Heb Challenge was certainly an adventure, and other solo runs, too, but having my partner Lindsey support me through out was an excellent privilege. Savouring the last few miles of that race was magical.
In the next two weeks, I will be 'racing solo' on Saturday, enjoying a few days holiday with Lindsey, then racing as a pretty strong and competitive 'pair' with Wilko. Added to that Geraldine will be joining us for the second week; no doubt 'lubricating' the proceedings with her humour, charm and mellow beauty. What might happen.....? Who knows but we are off for an adventure, with good companionship. And having great fun. I hope those out in Southern Ireland will be do so, as well.
I may find the time (and technology) to write one or two blog postings after '70 Wild Miles', if only to let you know I haven't drowned. Thanks again for your donations to the charity. Perhaps, once I've completed the event a few more pounds will be deposited.
Please keep supporting me.... pass this onto more friends and colleagues.
*The Wise Old Man's Student was called Duncan - and his tutor, Colin Mortlock.
This is certainly an adventure, as well as the prep for '70 Wild Miles' I am of course packing for a two week trip to Scotland, the Hebrides and The Hebridean Challenge. http://www.hebrideanchallenge.com/ so there is a lot of gear and planning to be done, and it's amazing where the time disappears to. There has been more time spent with bikes, bike racks and roof racks in the past week then time actually training. Coupled to that, I've been watching The An Turas race unfold in South Western Ireland and just recieved the route for The Heb. It may be a late night of map marking tonight or tomorrow.
Adventure has been defined as having three key elements; firstly, a 'realistic objective'. Secondly, 'uncertainty of outcome, and thirdly, 'good companionship'. I've held onto these three things for over twenty years, since I first heard of them from a very wise old man* and while the first two usually prompt interesting debate, the third intrigues me the most. I've done a few epic Team Adventure Races and 'good companionship' shines through as a fundamental memory. Paired mountain marathons and involvement in such things as Bob Graham Rounds and other ultra events give rewarding memories, too. But what about solo events? I challenged this notion main years ago as a young man, and it took me a while to appreciate the meaning of this. I was told, by the wise old man's student, ('cos they wrote thesis on it!) that solo trips count .... My 'solo' Heb Challenge was certainly an adventure, and other solo runs, too, but having my partner Lindsey support me through out was an excellent privilege. Savouring the last few miles of that race was magical.
In the next two weeks, I will be 'racing solo' on Saturday, enjoying a few days holiday with Lindsey, then racing as a pretty strong and competitive 'pair' with Wilko. Added to that Geraldine will be joining us for the second week; no doubt 'lubricating' the proceedings with her humour, charm and mellow beauty. What might happen.....? Who knows but we are off for an adventure, with good companionship. And having great fun. I hope those out in Southern Ireland will be do so, as well.
I may find the time (and technology) to write one or two blog postings after '70 Wild Miles', if only to let you know I haven't drowned. Thanks again for your donations to the charity. Perhaps, once I've completed the event a few more pounds will be deposited.
Please keep supporting me.... pass this onto more friends and colleagues.
*The Wise Old Man's Student was called Duncan - and his tutor, Colin Mortlock.
Wednesday 11 June 2008
Oldest Boat in the Fleet?
Hello, again
Many thanks for the generous donations for my 70 Wild Miles adventure.
The www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner webpage is up and running well , attracting lots of attention. Apparently, in one of the links I may have circulated by email there are a few extra blank characters that may be causing a glitch, sorry.
I’m astounded by people's generosity – having set a pretty high target, I was hoping to get half way there, but I reckon we might reach the £1000 target. Please keep spreading the word.
Some have asked about the event and in particular, how long it will take? The answer to that is, that I'm not sure, and it doesn't really matter. It's going to be a great day .... whatever! It does make you wonder we we do these things; you question your motivation and reward, and how and why, we aproach such adventures.
Adventure has been defined in many diferent ways ...it intrigues me, and I'll come back to that in a later blog, when I've got a more thoughtful head on.
Other prep is going well; I'm feeling strong on the bike and whilst I haven't ridden that far for a while I've no worries about pacing the whole thing well. I’ve even been for a training paddle, and was relieved to find the boat is water tight and 'sound'. My kayak may also possibly be the oldest in the race fleet and hasn't been on the water much in the last few years. Our combined ages may well be about 80 years of age. It is an old glass-fibre sea kayak. The model is a 'Baidarka' which is a classic design, and sleek and pretty fast. This particular boat was made exceptionally light and doesn't have hatches cut, or bulkheads fitted. The shape is a real classic and it was passed onto by John Bunch, a few years ago, (thanks John). I used to paddle it regularly when training on Lake Ullswater and should prove ideal as long as the weather and sea conditions are reasonably favourable. It is in remarkably good condition and cleaned up well (no jokes about cracks and crinkles, required please) and whilst I was going to replace some decklines, and the like, it seems rather inappropriate now.
My bike is somewhat younger ... I only wish my legs were, too.
It will be fun.
Joe
Many thanks for the generous donations for my 70 Wild Miles adventure.
The www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner webpage is up and running well , attracting lots of attention. Apparently, in one of the links I may have circulated by email there are a few extra blank characters that may be causing a glitch, sorry.
I’m astounded by people's generosity – having set a pretty high target, I was hoping to get half way there, but I reckon we might reach the £1000 target. Please keep spreading the word.
Some have asked about the event and in particular, how long it will take? The answer to that is, that I'm not sure, and it doesn't really matter. It's going to be a great day .... whatever! It does make you wonder we we do these things; you question your motivation and reward, and how and why, we aproach such adventures.
Adventure has been defined in many diferent ways ...it intrigues me, and I'll come back to that in a later blog, when I've got a more thoughtful head on.
Other prep is going well; I'm feeling strong on the bike and whilst I haven't ridden that far for a while I've no worries about pacing the whole thing well. I’ve even been for a training paddle, and was relieved to find the boat is water tight and 'sound'. My kayak may also possibly be the oldest in the race fleet and hasn't been on the water much in the last few years. Our combined ages may well be about 80 years of age. It is an old glass-fibre sea kayak. The model is a 'Baidarka' which is a classic design, and sleek and pretty fast. This particular boat was made exceptionally light and doesn't have hatches cut, or bulkheads fitted. The shape is a real classic and it was passed onto by John Bunch, a few years ago, (thanks John). I used to paddle it regularly when training on Lake Ullswater and should prove ideal as long as the weather and sea conditions are reasonably favourable. It is in remarkably good condition and cleaned up well (no jokes about cracks and crinkles, required please) and whilst I was going to replace some decklines, and the like, it seems rather inappropriate now.
My bike is somewhat younger ... I only wish my legs were, too.
It will be fun.
Joe
Tuesday 10 June 2008
Hello again
I've finally found the original blog. I did think that I had written a follow up from The Longmynd Hike epic, just a few days after the swollen and battered feet, but it doesn't seem to exist.
Life has been busy. All this is new to me and I'm intrigued by the idea of forcing myself to explore new things. I also have a website - http://www.joefaulkner.com/ - which has stuff on it explain what I am all about, but hear blogging is the way forward.
I terms of racing and other AR events, then 2008 is supposedly a quiet year, following some major epics in 2006 and 2007. Having said that, I'm shortly off to The Hebrides for The Heb Challenge, which is a five day 'stage race' and will take in the 70 Wild Miles event just next weekend. It's a relatively low-key non competitive event, and all for charity, so please visit www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner ... (I think!) to donate a few pennies and find out more.
I'm also enjoying getting back into just runing in 'simple' fell races and have recently enjoyed Duddon, Coniston, Anniversary Waltz and other races, including Northumberland Fell Runners Club Championship races. NFR, who I joined this year, despite living in Cumbria are a great bunch of people having fun at jolly good races. Cycling to work is good fun now the summer weather is here, too. Life isn't bad really...
Hopefully, this has appeared on my blog and I look forward to reading it again and updating it agin shortly ... if I remember how. Pictures and other clever stuff will have to wait. If you are looking for updates on NAV+art courses or our GL3Day Event please bear with me whilst I test drive this new thing; latest info on both of the forementioned productions is on my website.
Bye Bye - please sponsor me for 70 Wild Miles.
Joe
Life has been busy. All this is new to me and I'm intrigued by the idea of forcing myself to explore new things. I also have a website - http://www.joefaulkner.com/ - which has stuff on it explain what I am all about, but hear blogging is the way forward.
I terms of racing and other AR events, then 2008 is supposedly a quiet year, following some major epics in 2006 and 2007. Having said that, I'm shortly off to The Hebrides for The Heb Challenge, which is a five day 'stage race' and will take in the 70 Wild Miles event just next weekend. It's a relatively low-key non competitive event, and all for charity, so please visit www.justgiving.com/joefaulkner ... (I think!) to donate a few pennies and find out more.
I'm also enjoying getting back into just runing in 'simple' fell races and have recently enjoyed Duddon, Coniston, Anniversary Waltz and other races, including Northumberland Fell Runners Club Championship races. NFR, who I joined this year, despite living in Cumbria are a great bunch of people having fun at jolly good races. Cycling to work is good fun now the summer weather is here, too. Life isn't bad really...
Hopefully, this has appeared on my blog and I look forward to reading it again and updating it agin shortly ... if I remember how. Pictures and other clever stuff will have to wait. If you are looking for updates on NAV+art courses or our GL3Day Event please bear with me whilst I test drive this new thing; latest info on both of the forementioned productions is on my website.
Bye Bye - please sponsor me for 70 Wild Miles.
Joe
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