Fell running weekend

[MadDave]

Had a fantastic time on a fell running course with runsnowdonia.co.uk at the weekend. Managed to pack so much theory and practice in in just a couple of days - would highly recommend a course like this if like me you need a bit more of a challenge and like to get out on the hills - but don’t want to get lost & die of hypothermia!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Brilliant, well done! You'll be loving the hills soon! 👍🏻😁

[Hidden]

I’ve always thought that look tough but fun!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

That looks AMAZING 💕

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

I'd be interested to know what sort of things you came away with at the end? I'd be tempted to do one of these maybe (or similar) but as I'm regularly out on my own 16 miles+ across tough terrain... would it be worthwhile?

[MadDave in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Hi JoJo - if you prefer trails and want to take it to another level, like 600m elevation in 3.7km, then I’d head for the hills! As a kid I used to scramble up and down hills and was always told to ‘stop running!’ So it’s a nice change to be told to ‘run faster!’ - especially downhill! We also learned about the right kit to carry, and the importance of detailed weather forecasts, especially at higher levels.

There’s a lot of technique in this kind of running - mentally more demanding but I find it much more rewarding.

On the second day we put map and compass theory into practice, planned a route and then ran / walked it, learning how to keep on the route & strategies for dealing with weather / getting lost.

I found it a really rewarding challenge and am now planning my runs differently, using a map and compass to hone my navigation skills, so that I can feel confident in any terrain as long as I have a map and compass and a bit of time to plan a route.

Worth looking into if you think it might appeal to you?

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to MadDave]

Yea, the thing is I'm already doing that. Weather stuff might be useful though. I did 18 miles, 2200ft elevation on Sat and 26.2 miles with 1900 elevation the Sat before. I never shy away from hills, in fact usually fit in as many as poss (reduced a few for the mara distance) I do all my own route planning so I'm not worried by navigation.

Ok thanks, I'll keep my ears open, might be something worth picking up in my area. 👍🏻

[MadDave in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Your lucky to have hills nearby! Where I live now is very flat, but Snowdonia & the Lake District was where I spent time growing up (many years ago!). Preparing for weather is common sense if you’ve got the right kit, which it sounds like you will have.

I had to buy special kit for the weekend like a lightweight extra breathable running jacket with a ‘hydrostatic head measurement of at least 10,000mm’ - a whole new world of kit!

We would have gone to 1,100m if it wasn’t for to wind gusting over 50mph at the tops. Can’t wait to get back up some proper hills again!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to MadDave]

Lake district is just lovely, when I lived in Manchester I went twice a year, Feb and Nov. Weather could be fun!

Yes I'm very lucky to have the South downs on my doorstep and frequently route up and down and through as many inclines as I can!

Not familiar with the hydrostatic stuff, will Google that! 👍🏻😁

[Hidden in reply to MadDave]

That sounds awesome, and definitely something I'd be interested in doing. My friend enters mountain races, always asks me to join him. I'd like to do something like this before I start doing them.

[MadDave in reply to Hidden]

Yes worth doing a course like this to learn about what kit you need & how to prepare for the mountains!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to MadDave]

I'd like to learn to navigate properly. I've got an ultra on my to-do list and I had to cancel this year cos of my son's wedding. Everyone entering that has to take a paper map, compass, bad weather gear etc

[MadDave in reply to misswobble]

And they need to know how to use them, and then actually use them!

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

I am going to step up my hill running soon, really looking forward to it. I do love a good hill! This course sounds like great fun 😄

[misswobble Marathon]

Sounds fab and right up my street. I've done a few fell races, and my local route is do-able on my own, but heading out further into the Derbyshire fells is a bit daunting

I do plenty of hilly trails on my own but fells and mountains are another thing all together I'd love to give them a go

[MadDave in reply to misswobble]

Doing a course like this would certainly boost your confidence- definitely worth looking into if you enjoy going off into the hills

[Madge50 Marathon]

Wow! Awesome, what a landscape.....I must admit when i read another post about a cross country ultra that was more about the distance than speed, I was a little tempted......may be one day.....🤔

Mx

[MadDave in reply to Madge50]

I’m sure you’d love it, although speed does come into on the downhill!