2014... Here we go!

Just a quick one, but I'm very excited about the upcoming year! I spent a morning with coach Stu Hale last week having a look at some races and trying to put together a plan for the year. It's not finalised yet but I certainly have a few exciting events coming up...

Dark Mountains overnight Mountain Marathon:
I ran this last year with Jim Mann. Since then Jim smashed the winter Bob Graham record (18:18!) and has been running really well. Last year our lack of navigational ability did let us down slightly so we're hoping to have more luck this year. Still, it looks like a great event and I'm looking forward to running with Jim again!

Jim and I at the end of last years' Marmot Dark Mountains
3 Peaks Yacht Race:
I'm thrilled to say I'll be taking part in this classic event this year. It's one I've always hoped I'd get the chance to do and I can't wait! We will race from Barmouth to Fort William by yacht, on foot over the highest summits in Wales, England and Scotland, and even do some cycling into the Scafell leg... All my favourite things in one race! I just hope I can remember some of what I learnt on Wild Spirit.


High Peak Marathon:
In March this year I'll be joining a Dark Peak Fell Runners team in the High Peak Marathon. This is our "local" race so we're hoping for a good result...

Ski Mountaineering:
This year I'll also be having a go at something I've never done before: Ski Mountaineering racing. This is a sport which involves skiing (with a free heel and "skins" on the bottom of your skis) uphill, taking them off and carrying when necessary until reaching a summit, then eventually skiing back down again.

Kilian Jornet also happens to be one of the world's best Ski mountaineers
I'm jumping in at the deep end and after a week in France I hope to take part in some races in Scotland. Snow and ability dependent, but the plan is to do a couple of races with my very basic gear this year, then see whether it's something I want to do more of over the next few years.

And of course.....
I'll be taking part in some classic races like The Fellsman and a few of the English championships fell races. It would be rude not to!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Kinder Killer

Image
After a successful and beautiful early-morning 3 hour outing last weekend without much more than a little niggle of the adductor pain I've been struggling with for a month or so, I decided to up the ante this weekend. Ox Stones sunrise last weekend One of the many fantastic things about Dark Peak Fell Runners is the wealth of experience in the club, so when you fancy a hilly 30-ish mile route to make your Sunday more interesting, a quick visit to the DPFR facebook page or website will give you a few options. I decided on the "Kinder Killer", a route invented by K Jones and currently marketed by Ian Winterburn. The idea is similar to another classic route, the Kinder Dozen, involving a zig-zaggy loop of Kinder Scout, alternately visiting the plateau and the surrounding valleys. There are seven climbs as opposed to the (obvs) 12 of the Dozen, but the Killer route is different and I think slightly longer overall. Ian also suggested that it's a nicer route, so I too...
Read more

100km review - Scott Supertrac Ultra RC

Image
The Supertrac Ultra RC is the newest shoe from Scott. I'm a very lucky boy and was allowed a pair to try for a month before they go on sale (from 18th July you can get a pair from Accelerate ). I promised to write a full review after 100km... I've actually run closer to 200 in them, so it's time I got typing! A few highlights from one month with the Supertrac Ultra RC 16th June: Discovery Oooh lovely new shoes. At this stage they were very secret and had to be camouflaged. I didn't actually run in them, but they score highly on looking pretty. 17th June: First Run Not really long enough to fully test them, but straight out of the box they felt really comfortable, with good grip on dry rock and plenty of cushioning. And they do look nice. 22nd June: First proper long run A very hot evening, beautiful weather. Bob Graham leg 1 supporting Kirk Hardwick as part of the Dark Peak machine. The shoes were great, comfy on the road and trail up out of Keswick, pl...
Read more

Tried a Winter Bob Graham...

Image
So, my winter BG plan didn't quite come off as I'd hoped... but it tested my feelings about running and I can confirm I'm still in love. I've been keen to have a go at a winter BG for a long time, and this season seems to have been popular for attempts, possibly inspired by Jim Mann's completion of all three rounds last winter. This deservedly won him the FRA Long Distance award - congratulations Jim. Among others this winter has seen Kim Collison complete a fast round in 20:36, and Ally Beavan attempting (and getting so close to completing!) a solo unsupported round a few weeks ago. It is this solo unsupported on-your-own approach that appeals to me. One of the things I like about long-distance running is the feeling of being out somewhere on your own, possibly in the dark, probably with some weather, and almost certainly lost (if you're me) but remaining in control. In a world of constant interaction with other people I like that rare moment of "It...
Read more