I recently posted a review of Inov-8’s new Bare-Grip 200™. I had just received the shoes from Inov-8 and only wore them for three runs between 1-2 hours before I submitted my initial review. The question most people would ask is “can you really review a shoe after only a couple of runs”? Well…the simple answer is no, not really. I could talk about the fit, the sole, insole, upper material, flexibility etc, but that’s it. Not now! I believe that I’ve put the Bare-Grip 200 through the ultimate test! I’m not talking about anything silly like driving a car over them or seeing how long it takes to melt the sole in a microwave. And I not talking about “scientific” experiments with stats and charts developed in the lab. I’m talking about sticking the Bare-Grip 200 on my feet and running 103 miles, with over 20’700 feet of ascent on some of the gnarliest, vicious and most technical terrain out there in just over 27 hours! I’m talking about taking the Bare-Grip 200 for a ride at the Lakeland 100, described as the “toughest ultra in the UK”!
First things first…I only started incorporating barefoot training and wearing minimalist shoes just over a year ago. It took me 12 months to go from wearing cushioned shoes with custom orthotics, to running 30 yards down the road barefoot, to running 44 miles in racing flats. Could I really run over 100 miles in a shoe with zero cushioning, zero differential and zero midsole on such difficult terrain? It was a risk, but one I was ready for………………………
Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200 review
Insole
The Bare-Grip 200 comes with a thin 3mm insole. Taking into account the type of terrain and underfoot conditions, plus the fact that my previous runs in them had been less than 2 hours, I decided to add an extra 3mm insole (making 6mm in total). Some may argue that this contradicts minimalist principles, but I’m not a masochist and I made a decision to be sensible. Choices are good and the option to personalise the fit or feel of the shoe is welcomed.
Outsole
I was a little concerned that the deep lugs may be too aggressive for the underfoot conditions. The mix of loose rock, scree, hard pack trail, mud, grass and tarmac would probably suit Inov-8’s Roclite sole. I’m happy to report that they preformed extremely well. I was sure that my feet would dread the road sections and the harder trail, but I can genuinely say that I didn’t really notice the lugs. Part of this may be due to my running technique, but it’s hard to retain good technique over 100 miles.
The traction of the Bare-Grip 200 is simply awesome! I only fell over once, and that was at the beginning and down to my own fault. I took my eyes of the path for a split second and tripped over a rock. I lost a little traction on wet rock and slipped a few times, but I don’t know of any shoe that can stick like glue to greasy slate!
The Bare-Grip 200 has Inov-8’s sticky rubber compound so there was some wear and I did loose three lugs on the left heel. I believe I caught these on the top edge of a sharp rock, slipped and ripped them off. I didn’t notice they were missing until the next day, probably because I land on my forefoot.
The flexibility and responsiveness of the shoe is truly amazing. I could really feel the ground beneath my feet, but there was enough protection to prevent any potential damage from sharp edges such as rocks or brambles.
Midsole
As mentioned on my previous post, the Bare-Grip™ 200 has NO midsole, NO cushioning and NO differential! This means that the Bare-Grip™ 200 is extremely low profile and flexible, allowing maximum proprioception feedback and a great range of foot movement. It’s a damn good feeling!
Upper
The upper is super-soft woven mesh allowing the shoe to be ultra-flexible, breathe very well, and allowed water to drain very well. It’s also extremely comfortable! I had a little concern that the upper wouldn’t be able to hold up the harsh conditions of the route but the only sign of wear and tear is a little scuff near the outside top of my left foot. I also had a concern that the lack of rand would mean that my feet would not be protected. I only felt a stab of pain a couple of times, and that was near the end of the race when I was extremely tired and lost some of my concentration and technique.
One of my bug bears with Inov-8 used to be the shoe last as I always found them too narrow. The soft upper allows a little more room and I’ve come to realize over time that the snug fit you get in Inov-8’s is needed for really technical terrain. The support you get from them cradling your foot prevents your foot from sliding and rolling and I never got near to twisting my ankle.
The Conclusion
The Bare-Grip™ 200 really is a fantastic shoe. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but that’s the great thing about Inov-8, you have choice. The biggest surprise was when I took off my shoes at the end of the race. My feet looked in fantastic condition and not one single blister. I think this was also part due to the Injinji socks I use (I swear by these socks. I’m not sure how or why they work, they just do). There’s not really anything I would change about the shoe but I would like Inov-8 to develop a range of shoes based on the Bare-Grip 200 concept but with a variety of different outsoles to cater for the varying terrains around the world (I’ve have suggested it to them).
A couple of days later and my ankles are a little swollen. I not sure if that’s due to using minimalist shoes for 100 miles before my ligaments and muscles were ready, or because my ankles were ripped to shreds by the bracken that attacked me (see race report). I’m thinking the later (there are some nasty gashes).
Run wild and free!
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
MONTANE LAKELAND 100 U.T.L.D. (103.9 miles, 6300m of ascent)
A week after the Classic Quarter, I’m still on a high so decide to enter the Lakeland 100 Ultra Tour Lake District. I fell in love with the Lake District, Cumbria, three years ago when I first visited. Since then I have been back numerous times and is in my own opinion the most beautiful and awe inspiring landscape I have ever been to. Put together the fact I love to run with the Lake District and it would appear the Lakeland 100 was organised just for me! Unfortunately, because I only decided to enter at the last minute, I only had three weeks to prepare for the race. Would this give me enough time to train and recce the route?...the simple answer is no! But I had the 44 miles from my previous race to take into it. I tried to cram as much hardcore hill training as I could in the 3 weeks leading up to the race, which in hindsight was the wrong thing to do!
It my last post, I reviewed the yet to be released Inov-8 Bare-Grip 200. A zero cushioned, zero differential, zero midsole super flexible off trail shoe. I only got into barefoot training and minimalist shoes less than 12 months ago (I used to wear orthotics and overly cushioned shoes), so it would be a bit of a risk to run over 100 miles in them but I decided to go for it (I will post a separate post for their review)….back to the race!
The Lakeland 100 route takes you on a clockwise tour around the heart of the Lake District, starting and finishing in Coniston. The thing that really separates this from almost any other ultra race is the underfoot conditions. The only way to describe it would be to say its vicious! Imagine someone has selected the nastiest, sharpest stones, rocks and slate, and thrown them down in front of you and said, “go on then…run up and down for 100 miles”!
It’s 5:20pm and I’m at my car relaxing and sipping on some Durafuel Carbo Loader waiting for the 5:30pm start. I’m a little apprehensive because I didn’t get chance to recce any of the route before hand. You have to give respect to the Lake District, because it will take no mercy on you. Getting lost when it’s dark and cold up on the fells can be life threatening. There was nothing I could do about it now and I had a GPS with the route on it, plus the map and road book provided by the race organisers.
Section 1: Coniston to Seathwaite (6.4miles, 642m ascent, 594m descent).
The legendary fell runner Jos Naylor starts the race, and around 160 competitors set off for what will be a long long day. The sensible thing to do at the first couple of climbs would be to power walk up them. But of course, we’re not a sensible bunch and a dozen of us run the first section. Stuart Mills, the eventual winner, races off like he’s taking part in a 10km race! A runner in front of me takes a nasty fall and cracks his knee open on a rock. I ask the customary “you okay?” and he replies with the customary “fine, keep going”. On the first descent of the day after only about 6km I take a dramatic stumble, land on my left knee, roll around a bit and finish with a little slide on my back. Four runners pass me all asking the customary “you okay?” and I of course reply with the usual customary “fine, keep going”! I get back up, dust myself off, no real damage, and I’m off again. I arrive at Seathwaite Village Hall in 01:08:47. While there I’m met with the other runner who took a tumble and together we take a few moments to clean our knees! We then leave together.
01:08:47
Section 2: Seathwaite to Boot (6.7miles, 355m ascent, 410m descent).
The other runner turns out to be Ian Bishop and I we would spend the next 40 miles together. Ian had recce’ed the whole of the course but seemed keen to run with other people. We were both going the same sort of pace so it became natural for us to “buddy up”. I was more than happy with this! For one it’s a big advantage if someone knows where they’re going, and two, 100 miles is a long time to be by yourself and someone’s company can be a life saver. With Ian’s knowledge of the route and my GPS, navigation shouldn’t be an issue. Along the way we also team up with Paul Hart, whom Ian already knew from previous races
01:18:14 (02:27:01)
Section 3: Boot to Wasdale Head (5.4miles, 276m ascent, 249m descent)
This was a really enjoyable section, where the underfoot conditions and the terrain was relatively easy going. It was a time when one could get into a nice comfy rhythm, chat a bit and enjoy the views of Illgill Head, Great How, Scafell, Great Gable and Kirk Fell.
At Wasdale Head, I top up my Threshold, eat a couple of bread rolls and devour a Trek Bar. Paul decides to take this opportunity to change his socks.
01:04:56 (03:31:57)
Section 4: Wasdale Head to Buttermere (6.8miles, 743m ascent, 703m descent)
We left the checkpoint to be greeted with Black Sail Pass. At the time it felt like a monstrous climb which all three of us power walked. It was at this point that I first felt a twinge in my right hip flexors. Paul was also starting to suffer at this point and we sadly lost him on the descent. On the way down two runners from out of nowhere flew past us like they were at the end of a short fell race. Myself and Ian gave each other a quick look that said “let them get on with it”. There’s still a hell of a long way to go and you can trash your quads descending at that speed so early in a race. Thankfully we both got down just before dusk turned to night. By the time we arrived at Buttermere Village Hall it was complete darkness apart from our head and hand torches.
02:05:10 (05:37:07)
Section 5: Buttermere to Braithwaite (8.6miles, 744m ascent, 774m descent)
I always enjoy night sections because you focus so much on the small dot of light in front of you, that time can pass pretty quickly. For this reason, this section was pretty uneventful and navigation was spot on. As we came in towards St Hubert’s Church Hall Checkpoint, another runner was leaving who I would get to know very well by the end of the race.
Coming into the race, I had no real idea how long it would take me to get around the course, but I estimated around 24 hours so had prepared enough fuel to this effect. Arriving at the checkpoint was like walking into a buffet paradise! I realised I was pretty hungry and that there was a good chance that this was going to take longer to complete then I first thought. So I took advantage of the fuel available and devoured some pasta and cake. I had also discovered a great way of drinking fluid on the go. Camlebak had brought out a product which converts your drinking canister into a water bladder system. This meant that I could stuff my 750ml bottle into my bag and drink out of a tube, leaving both my hands free (I usually carry bottles in my hand). This was working great until someway through section 4, when I could no longer suck anything up through the tube. Luckily I was carrying a 500ml bottle for emergencies, but unfortunately I had pre-measured my Threshold for 750ml. This meant that I had to change tactics and knock back 750ml of Threshold in one go at each checkpoint and use fill my 500ml bottle with water to drip feed in between.
01:53:09 (07:30:16)
Section 6: Braithwaite to Blencathra (8.2miles, 472m ascent, 276m descent)
The first half of this section wall pretty much all roads, and it was a welcome relief in a way to be able to get into a nice smooth running rhythm. We then got back onto trail, skirting around Latrigg and joining the Cumbria Way. Nearing the top of a climb we were surprised to see a runner bounding towards us from our right. It turned out that it was the runner we saw coming out of Braithwaite. He had taken the wrong path for a mile, had turned back and was more than a little happy to see two headtorchs ahead of him. It was Robin Houghton, one of the guys who had raced past us down the descent from Wasdale. We all had a little chat as we ran together then Ian made his one and only navigational error. His pre-race recce, coupled with my GPS had worked spot on since we first teamed up but he thought he recognised a path we needed to take. I had turned my GPS off because it was low on battery, and I didn’t want to change them until I was at the next checkpoint so I didn’t double check. All three of us start descending down a path that suddenly turned into angry four foot high bracken! Ian was sure we were on the right course so we carried on descending through thicker and thicker foliage until we got to a beck that should be below us! I turn on my GPS and discover with horror that the correct path was a couple of 100 meters above us on the other side. So we jump over the beck and start ascending up through the bracken on the other side. I not sure how, but I’m pretty sure that the bracken on the previous side had a word with the bracken on this side and asked it to take revenge on us! The bracken got thicker and angrier, attacking us at all angles, ripping my ankles to shreds and tearing Ian’s poor knee to bits. A 5ft barbed wired fence then decided to greet us half way up which we somehow managed to climb over without any injury. Finally reaching the path, it is impossible to describe adequately the relief we all felt at surviving the “killer bracken”! The rest of the section was pretty uneventful after that and we arrived at Blencathra were I took the opportunity to devour some chocolate digestives! Ian had fallen on the same knee on a few more occasions since his first fall, and the bracken had caused more damage.
02:06:52 (09:37:08)
Section 7: Blencathra to Dockray (7.7miles, 439m ascent, 313m descent)
Halfway through this section, Rob was finding it difficult to keep pace with me and Ian and encouraged us to keep going. His quads were really suffering which was probably a result of going off too fast at the beginning. Dawn was fast approaching and it was a beautiful site to see the sun rise slowly. After 5 or so minutes we caught up with another runner. I think his name was Adam and he was suffering big time. He had got to the point were he could no longer eat any solids (big trouble when you’re not even halfway). That was the end of the race for him, which was unfortunate but can happen to anyone in an ultra. For me, my hip flexors had gotten progressively tighter and sore over the past 20 miles and it was really starting to affect my running gait. But I was nearly halfway, so I would just have to put up with it.
01:46:06 (11:23:14)
Section 8: Dockray to Dalemain (9.8miles, 356m ascent, 622m descent)
Rob caught up with us at the Dockray checkpoint and was looking strong again. We all left together and headed towards Dalemain. The climb up around Gowbarrow Fell was one of those relentless, steady climbs that seem to go on forever. Rob was an excellent power walker and soon gained a lead between us. Ian’s knee was really suffering and he was slowing down. The rocky descent down didn’t help and when we entered woodland I started to gain on Rob and gradually lose sight of Ian behind me. I got out of the wood just as I caught up with Rob. He needed a quick pit stop, so I waited for Ian catch up. It was obvious that his knee was causing a lot of trouble and he encouraged us to carry on without him. I can’t thank him enough for his companionship throughout the 50 plus miles we had run together and was gutted that we couldn’t continue together.
I carried on with Rob and we soon closed up on to another competitor. I recognised him as the other runner who had passed me earlier, racing down the descent from Wasdale. We gave him a quick hi and how’s things and carried on. We then hit an undulating 6km of road which had some very long straight sections that could mentally destroy anyone. The checkpoint at Dalemain was a very welcome sight as we were both really starting to suffer. My right hip flexors were in a lot of pain now and Rob’s quads were wasted. We took a long time at Dalemain to fuel up on pasta, rice pudding, tea, coffee and biscuits. I’m not sure we were that hungry, I think it was more of an excuse just to rest!
Ian arrived with Wouter (the runner we had just passed) at the checkpoint just as we were leaving. They both pretty much collapsed on a chair.
02:13:43 (13:36:57)
Section 9: Dalemain to Howtown (6.8miles, 285m ascent, 252m descent)
A very uneventful and quiet section of the race! We were both very tired at this point and suffering. It became simply a time to keep on plodding and getting to the next section.
01:49:31 (15:26:28)
Section 10: Howtown to Mardale Head (8.3miles, 738m ascent, 656m descent)
It was a difficult and slow 630m climb up to Wether Hill. The views were beautiful but at the same time the climb had been excruciatingly painful! My hip flexor was in a bad state and I was finding it difficult to raise my right leg above 5 inches or so. On the descent, Rob got into a pretty fast pace and we hit it hard down along the side of Haweswater to the checkpoint at Mardale.
02:44:13 (18:10:41)
Section 11: Mardale Head to Kentmere (5.9miles, 505m ascent, 593m descent)
I can confidently say that neither of us enjoyed the first half of this section! Climbing up between Kentmere Pike, Tarn Crag and Shipman Knotts was tough enough but the descent down was hellish! The underfoot conditions were tough to say the least. The path was very technical hard rock and stone, needing a lot of concentration which is difficult when you’ve been on your feet for over 18 hours. When we finally hit the grassy slopes to Kentmere it was a beautiful moment. Just as we arrived at the checkpoint, the 3rd placed runner Duncan Harris was just leaving! That raised our spirits but would it destroy his or make him more determined to regain his lead?
The people manning the checkpoint were in high spirits, which boosted our morale and we had a good old natter. We both were pretty knackered at this point but apparently Duncan wasn’t looking good! We fuelled up on pasta and rice pudding and got on our way again.
01:52:45 (20:03:26)
Section 12: Kentmere to Ambleside (7.1miles, 486m ascent, 590m descent)
We really believed that we could catch up with Duncan through this section. One problem that we encountered was our inability to run for any decent amount of time. My hip flexors were shot to bits and I could no longer lift up my right leg any higher than an inch. This wouldn’t be too much of a problem on smooth flat terrain because I could just shuffle along, but the climbs on this course were relentless. I soon discovered a rather inventful way of lifting my left leg up over rocks and boulders! I used my right arm to grab the bottom of my shorts and pull, thus lifting my leg up! The only problem was on the descents! All stability had gone in my right leg and there was nothing I could do on this front apart from pray that I don’t fall! It was tough going!
02:03:00 (22:06:26)
Section 13: Ambleside to Chapel Stile (4.8miles, 245m ascent, 201m descent)
This should have been one of the easiest sections of the route but it felt like the longest section of the day. We were both feeling pretty sorry for ourselves now and going at an excruciatingly slow pace. We ran when we could, shuffled when we couldn’t, but ultimately crawled most of the way. We got to a path, and I’m not sure if it was the correct path, but it was a case of bouldering up and down knee high rocks until we got to a road section. I found this section extremely difficult and my hips really didn’t appreciate it. When we hit the road we turned around to see two runners bombing down a nice grassy section of path down to the road. Our hearts sank when we though that after 90 miles we had been caught by two runners who were obviously running a lot stronger than ourselves. The relief was unbelievable when we learned they were doing the 50 mile route!
01:26:48 (25:56:02)
Section 14: Chapel Stile to Tilberthwaite (7.7miles, 402m ascent, 334m descent)
The Langdales is one of my favourite parts of the Lake District, so even though I was in a lot of pain and had almost lost the ability to run, I enjoyed the view and the memories of the place. This and Rob’s company got me through this long section. Rob was a lot stronger walker then me and I had to force a shuffle type jog just to keep up with him! I think I held him back on a few sections, but after running 60 miles together I think we came up with a mutual agreement that we would finish together (even if one of us had to carry the other!).
02:22:48 (25:56:02)
Section 15: Tilberthwaite to Coniston (3.5miles, 283m ascent, 385m descent)
The final section, and only 3.5 miles to go! Hell yeah!.....Hell no!....the climb from Tilberthwaite felt like a vertical climb and was horrible! My right leg was completely useless by now and I really struggled to drag myself up the rock face. The relief of reaching the top soon subsided when we realised there was still a long long stretch of gradual climb! We then only had the descent down to Coppermine’s Valley track and a final stretch of tarmac to the finish. Rob shuffled down as I crawled down behind him until we hit the tarmac. Then a 50 mile competitor ran past and informed us that there was a guy five minutes behind us. No way were we going to lose our positions now, so we forced ourselves into what felt like 6 minute mile pace but probably neared 10 minute mile pace and crossed the line hand in hand back at Coniston!
01:14:26 (27:10:28)
At the finish (103.9miles, 6300 ascent and descent)
Walking back into the Race HQ, around 30 people were there clapping and cheering. I nearly broke down in tears but managed to keep composed and go through the obligatory health check (only lost 1kg). Ian was there to great us (he unfortunately had to retire after 75 miles)! For him to wait around for us to finish just proves what a great character he is. We both then took advantage of the free massage service provided and then I crashed out on a sleeping matt inside the hall. That was the last I saw of Ian or Rob, but I hope to make contact with them again in the near future. Their companionship during the race was invaluable and I will remember them for the rest of my life.
One final note!....to the organisers, the volunteers, the runners and anyone else who played their part in this fantastic event, here’s a big thank you and high five to you all. You are all inspirational and I hope to see you all again next year!
It my last post, I reviewed the yet to be released Inov-8 Bare-Grip 200. A zero cushioned, zero differential, zero midsole super flexible off trail shoe. I only got into barefoot training and minimalist shoes less than 12 months ago (I used to wear orthotics and overly cushioned shoes), so it would be a bit of a risk to run over 100 miles in them but I decided to go for it (I will post a separate post for their review)….back to the race!
The Lakeland 100 route takes you on a clockwise tour around the heart of the Lake District, starting and finishing in Coniston. The thing that really separates this from almost any other ultra race is the underfoot conditions. The only way to describe it would be to say its vicious! Imagine someone has selected the nastiest, sharpest stones, rocks and slate, and thrown them down in front of you and said, “go on then…run up and down for 100 miles”!
It’s 5:20pm and I’m at my car relaxing and sipping on some Durafuel Carbo Loader waiting for the 5:30pm start. I’m a little apprehensive because I didn’t get chance to recce any of the route before hand. You have to give respect to the Lake District, because it will take no mercy on you. Getting lost when it’s dark and cold up on the fells can be life threatening. There was nothing I could do about it now and I had a GPS with the route on it, plus the map and road book provided by the race organisers.
Section 1: Coniston to Seathwaite (6.4miles, 642m ascent, 594m descent).
The legendary fell runner Jos Naylor starts the race, and around 160 competitors set off for what will be a long long day. The sensible thing to do at the first couple of climbs would be to power walk up them. But of course, we’re not a sensible bunch and a dozen of us run the first section. Stuart Mills, the eventual winner, races off like he’s taking part in a 10km race! A runner in front of me takes a nasty fall and cracks his knee open on a rock. I ask the customary “you okay?” and he replies with the customary “fine, keep going”. On the first descent of the day after only about 6km I take a dramatic stumble, land on my left knee, roll around a bit and finish with a little slide on my back. Four runners pass me all asking the customary “you okay?” and I of course reply with the usual customary “fine, keep going”! I get back up, dust myself off, no real damage, and I’m off again. I arrive at Seathwaite Village Hall in 01:08:47. While there I’m met with the other runner who took a tumble and together we take a few moments to clean our knees! We then leave together.
01:08:47
Section 2: Seathwaite to Boot (6.7miles, 355m ascent, 410m descent).
The other runner turns out to be Ian Bishop and I we would spend the next 40 miles together. Ian had recce’ed the whole of the course but seemed keen to run with other people. We were both going the same sort of pace so it became natural for us to “buddy up”. I was more than happy with this! For one it’s a big advantage if someone knows where they’re going, and two, 100 miles is a long time to be by yourself and someone’s company can be a life saver. With Ian’s knowledge of the route and my GPS, navigation shouldn’t be an issue. Along the way we also team up with Paul Hart, whom Ian already knew from previous races
01:18:14 (02:27:01)
Section 3: Boot to Wasdale Head (5.4miles, 276m ascent, 249m descent)
This was a really enjoyable section, where the underfoot conditions and the terrain was relatively easy going. It was a time when one could get into a nice comfy rhythm, chat a bit and enjoy the views of Illgill Head, Great How, Scafell, Great Gable and Kirk Fell.
At Wasdale Head, I top up my Threshold, eat a couple of bread rolls and devour a Trek Bar. Paul decides to take this opportunity to change his socks.
01:04:56 (03:31:57)
Section 4: Wasdale Head to Buttermere (6.8miles, 743m ascent, 703m descent)
We left the checkpoint to be greeted with Black Sail Pass. At the time it felt like a monstrous climb which all three of us power walked. It was at this point that I first felt a twinge in my right hip flexors. Paul was also starting to suffer at this point and we sadly lost him on the descent. On the way down two runners from out of nowhere flew past us like they were at the end of a short fell race. Myself and Ian gave each other a quick look that said “let them get on with it”. There’s still a hell of a long way to go and you can trash your quads descending at that speed so early in a race. Thankfully we both got down just before dusk turned to night. By the time we arrived at Buttermere Village Hall it was complete darkness apart from our head and hand torches.
02:05:10 (05:37:07)
Section 5: Buttermere to Braithwaite (8.6miles, 744m ascent, 774m descent)
I always enjoy night sections because you focus so much on the small dot of light in front of you, that time can pass pretty quickly. For this reason, this section was pretty uneventful and navigation was spot on. As we came in towards St Hubert’s Church Hall Checkpoint, another runner was leaving who I would get to know very well by the end of the race.
Coming into the race, I had no real idea how long it would take me to get around the course, but I estimated around 24 hours so had prepared enough fuel to this effect. Arriving at the checkpoint was like walking into a buffet paradise! I realised I was pretty hungry and that there was a good chance that this was going to take longer to complete then I first thought. So I took advantage of the fuel available and devoured some pasta and cake. I had also discovered a great way of drinking fluid on the go. Camlebak had brought out a product which converts your drinking canister into a water bladder system. This meant that I could stuff my 750ml bottle into my bag and drink out of a tube, leaving both my hands free (I usually carry bottles in my hand). This was working great until someway through section 4, when I could no longer suck anything up through the tube. Luckily I was carrying a 500ml bottle for emergencies, but unfortunately I had pre-measured my Threshold for 750ml. This meant that I had to change tactics and knock back 750ml of Threshold in one go at each checkpoint and use fill my 500ml bottle with water to drip feed in between.
01:53:09 (07:30:16)
Section 6: Braithwaite to Blencathra (8.2miles, 472m ascent, 276m descent)
The first half of this section wall pretty much all roads, and it was a welcome relief in a way to be able to get into a nice smooth running rhythm. We then got back onto trail, skirting around Latrigg and joining the Cumbria Way. Nearing the top of a climb we were surprised to see a runner bounding towards us from our right. It turned out that it was the runner we saw coming out of Braithwaite. He had taken the wrong path for a mile, had turned back and was more than a little happy to see two headtorchs ahead of him. It was Robin Houghton, one of the guys who had raced past us down the descent from Wasdale. We all had a little chat as we ran together then Ian made his one and only navigational error. His pre-race recce, coupled with my GPS had worked spot on since we first teamed up but he thought he recognised a path we needed to take. I had turned my GPS off because it was low on battery, and I didn’t want to change them until I was at the next checkpoint so I didn’t double check. All three of us start descending down a path that suddenly turned into angry four foot high bracken! Ian was sure we were on the right course so we carried on descending through thicker and thicker foliage until we got to a beck that should be below us! I turn on my GPS and discover with horror that the correct path was a couple of 100 meters above us on the other side. So we jump over the beck and start ascending up through the bracken on the other side. I not sure how, but I’m pretty sure that the bracken on the previous side had a word with the bracken on this side and asked it to take revenge on us! The bracken got thicker and angrier, attacking us at all angles, ripping my ankles to shreds and tearing Ian’s poor knee to bits. A 5ft barbed wired fence then decided to greet us half way up which we somehow managed to climb over without any injury. Finally reaching the path, it is impossible to describe adequately the relief we all felt at surviving the “killer bracken”! The rest of the section was pretty uneventful after that and we arrived at Blencathra were I took the opportunity to devour some chocolate digestives! Ian had fallen on the same knee on a few more occasions since his first fall, and the bracken had caused more damage.
02:06:52 (09:37:08)
Section 7: Blencathra to Dockray (7.7miles, 439m ascent, 313m descent)
Halfway through this section, Rob was finding it difficult to keep pace with me and Ian and encouraged us to keep going. His quads were really suffering which was probably a result of going off too fast at the beginning. Dawn was fast approaching and it was a beautiful site to see the sun rise slowly. After 5 or so minutes we caught up with another runner. I think his name was Adam and he was suffering big time. He had got to the point were he could no longer eat any solids (big trouble when you’re not even halfway). That was the end of the race for him, which was unfortunate but can happen to anyone in an ultra. For me, my hip flexors had gotten progressively tighter and sore over the past 20 miles and it was really starting to affect my running gait. But I was nearly halfway, so I would just have to put up with it.
01:46:06 (11:23:14)
Section 8: Dockray to Dalemain (9.8miles, 356m ascent, 622m descent)
Rob caught up with us at the Dockray checkpoint and was looking strong again. We all left together and headed towards Dalemain. The climb up around Gowbarrow Fell was one of those relentless, steady climbs that seem to go on forever. Rob was an excellent power walker and soon gained a lead between us. Ian’s knee was really suffering and he was slowing down. The rocky descent down didn’t help and when we entered woodland I started to gain on Rob and gradually lose sight of Ian behind me. I got out of the wood just as I caught up with Rob. He needed a quick pit stop, so I waited for Ian catch up. It was obvious that his knee was causing a lot of trouble and he encouraged us to carry on without him. I can’t thank him enough for his companionship throughout the 50 plus miles we had run together and was gutted that we couldn’t continue together.
I carried on with Rob and we soon closed up on to another competitor. I recognised him as the other runner who had passed me earlier, racing down the descent from Wasdale. We gave him a quick hi and how’s things and carried on. We then hit an undulating 6km of road which had some very long straight sections that could mentally destroy anyone. The checkpoint at Dalemain was a very welcome sight as we were both really starting to suffer. My right hip flexors were in a lot of pain now and Rob’s quads were wasted. We took a long time at Dalemain to fuel up on pasta, rice pudding, tea, coffee and biscuits. I’m not sure we were that hungry, I think it was more of an excuse just to rest!
Ian arrived with Wouter (the runner we had just passed) at the checkpoint just as we were leaving. They both pretty much collapsed on a chair.
02:13:43 (13:36:57)
Section 9: Dalemain to Howtown (6.8miles, 285m ascent, 252m descent)
A very uneventful and quiet section of the race! We were both very tired at this point and suffering. It became simply a time to keep on plodding and getting to the next section.
01:49:31 (15:26:28)
Section 10: Howtown to Mardale Head (8.3miles, 738m ascent, 656m descent)
It was a difficult and slow 630m climb up to Wether Hill. The views were beautiful but at the same time the climb had been excruciatingly painful! My hip flexor was in a bad state and I was finding it difficult to raise my right leg above 5 inches or so. On the descent, Rob got into a pretty fast pace and we hit it hard down along the side of Haweswater to the checkpoint at Mardale.
02:44:13 (18:10:41)
Section 11: Mardale Head to Kentmere (5.9miles, 505m ascent, 593m descent)
I can confidently say that neither of us enjoyed the first half of this section! Climbing up between Kentmere Pike, Tarn Crag and Shipman Knotts was tough enough but the descent down was hellish! The underfoot conditions were tough to say the least. The path was very technical hard rock and stone, needing a lot of concentration which is difficult when you’ve been on your feet for over 18 hours. When we finally hit the grassy slopes to Kentmere it was a beautiful moment. Just as we arrived at the checkpoint, the 3rd placed runner Duncan Harris was just leaving! That raised our spirits but would it destroy his or make him more determined to regain his lead?
The people manning the checkpoint were in high spirits, which boosted our morale and we had a good old natter. We both were pretty knackered at this point but apparently Duncan wasn’t looking good! We fuelled up on pasta and rice pudding and got on our way again.
01:52:45 (20:03:26)
Section 12: Kentmere to Ambleside (7.1miles, 486m ascent, 590m descent)
We really believed that we could catch up with Duncan through this section. One problem that we encountered was our inability to run for any decent amount of time. My hip flexors were shot to bits and I could no longer lift up my right leg any higher than an inch. This wouldn’t be too much of a problem on smooth flat terrain because I could just shuffle along, but the climbs on this course were relentless. I soon discovered a rather inventful way of lifting my left leg up over rocks and boulders! I used my right arm to grab the bottom of my shorts and pull, thus lifting my leg up! The only problem was on the descents! All stability had gone in my right leg and there was nothing I could do on this front apart from pray that I don’t fall! It was tough going!
02:03:00 (22:06:26)
Section 13: Ambleside to Chapel Stile (4.8miles, 245m ascent, 201m descent)
This should have been one of the easiest sections of the route but it felt like the longest section of the day. We were both feeling pretty sorry for ourselves now and going at an excruciatingly slow pace. We ran when we could, shuffled when we couldn’t, but ultimately crawled most of the way. We got to a path, and I’m not sure if it was the correct path, but it was a case of bouldering up and down knee high rocks until we got to a road section. I found this section extremely difficult and my hips really didn’t appreciate it. When we hit the road we turned around to see two runners bombing down a nice grassy section of path down to the road. Our hearts sank when we though that after 90 miles we had been caught by two runners who were obviously running a lot stronger than ourselves. The relief was unbelievable when we learned they were doing the 50 mile route!
01:26:48 (25:56:02)
Section 14: Chapel Stile to Tilberthwaite (7.7miles, 402m ascent, 334m descent)
The Langdales is one of my favourite parts of the Lake District, so even though I was in a lot of pain and had almost lost the ability to run, I enjoyed the view and the memories of the place. This and Rob’s company got me through this long section. Rob was a lot stronger walker then me and I had to force a shuffle type jog just to keep up with him! I think I held him back on a few sections, but after running 60 miles together I think we came up with a mutual agreement that we would finish together (even if one of us had to carry the other!).
02:22:48 (25:56:02)
Section 15: Tilberthwaite to Coniston (3.5miles, 283m ascent, 385m descent)
The final section, and only 3.5 miles to go! Hell yeah!.....Hell no!....the climb from Tilberthwaite felt like a vertical climb and was horrible! My right leg was completely useless by now and I really struggled to drag myself up the rock face. The relief of reaching the top soon subsided when we realised there was still a long long stretch of gradual climb! We then only had the descent down to Coppermine’s Valley track and a final stretch of tarmac to the finish. Rob shuffled down as I crawled down behind him until we hit the tarmac. Then a 50 mile competitor ran past and informed us that there was a guy five minutes behind us. No way were we going to lose our positions now, so we forced ourselves into what felt like 6 minute mile pace but probably neared 10 minute mile pace and crossed the line hand in hand back at Coniston!
01:14:26 (27:10:28)
At the finish (103.9miles, 6300 ascent and descent)
Walking back into the Race HQ, around 30 people were there clapping and cheering. I nearly broke down in tears but managed to keep composed and go through the obligatory health check (only lost 1kg). Ian was there to great us (he unfortunately had to retire after 75 miles)! For him to wait around for us to finish just proves what a great character he is. We both then took advantage of the free massage service provided and then I crashed out on a sleeping matt inside the hall. That was the last I saw of Ian or Rob, but I hope to make contact with them again in the near future. Their companionship during the race was invaluable and I will remember them for the rest of my life.
One final note!....to the organisers, the volunteers, the runners and anyone else who played their part in this fantastic event, here’s a big thank you and high five to you all. You are all inspirational and I hope to see you all again next year!
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Inov-8 Bare-Grip™ 200 review
I’ve been very lucky to “test” a pair of Inov-8’s new Bare-Grip™ 200 and boy….they’re good!
Here’s my initial review….
Outsole
This shoe, which is born for off trail and fell running, features deep, aggressive lugs (similar to the X-Talon 212). Inov-8’s Sticky Rubber compound gives the Bare-Grip outsole even more traction to optimize grip in wet conditions. The tradeoff of the soft rubber’s awesome traction is that it will wear down more quickly than Inov-8’s Endurance Rubber.
The entire outsole and shoe is extremely flexible, incredibly light and responsive. There’s nothing in the outsole to prevent or interfere with it flexing. You really get a good feel for the trail beneath your feet.
Midsole
The Bare-Grip™ 200 has NO midsole, NO cushioning and NO differential! Inov-8 indicates the level of cushioning in its various models by the number of arrows on the heel of the midsoles. The more arrows, the more cushioning. The Bare-Grip™ 200 has 0, yes, ZERO out of 4 possible arrows and is intended for racing and those wanting to experience a minimalist shoe . All this means is that the Bare-Grip™ 200 is extremely low profile and flexible, allowing maximum proprioception feedback.
Upper
The upper is primarily a super-soft woven mesh (similar to F-Lite 230). This allows the shoe to be ultra-flexible, breathe very well, while allowing water to drain. It’s also extremely comfortable!
With the Bare-Grip™ 200 you also get a new tongue design! The tongue is an extremely soft, suede-like material, which again is very comfortable.
Unlike the some of Inov-8’s range, such as the X-Talon, this shoe has hardly any rand. You get a bit on the front, but that’s it. This means that the shoe is a lot more comfortable and allows a bit more room in the toe-box. The obvious trade-off of to this is that there is less protection and probably will mean that they will be less durable than the Mudroc 290 for example.
The fit is based on Inov-8’s performance last, which is narrow through the toe, but soft upper allows the toe box to provide your toes with ample space. The upper is very secure and I didn’t notice my foot sliding around at all when bombing steep descents.
The heel is also super-soft and is fully collapsible, but keeps the heel securely in place.
Insole
The Bare-Grip™ 200 comes with a 3mm removable insole. It is very thin and relatively flat, so it doesn’t provide a great deal of support. You can customize the volume of the shoe by using Inov-8’s 3mm and 6mm footbeds. If you find there is too much room, you just add an extra footbed, not enough room, take the insoles out.
The Conclusion
The Bare-Grip™ 200 is very lightweight, extremely flexible and extremely grippy. If you’re looking for the ultimate off trail shoe, this is it! If you’re into barefoot/minimalist running, but need grip and a little protection for running in a harsh trail environment, this is the shoe for you!
This is the shoe that I’ve been searching for, for the last 2 years and I can’t wait to hit the trail again as soon as possible!
The real test!
I've got a 100 mile off trail race with over 6300m of ascent next weekend. More to come...
Run wild and free!
Here’s my initial review….
Outsole
This shoe, which is born for off trail and fell running, features deep, aggressive lugs (similar to the X-Talon 212). Inov-8’s Sticky Rubber compound gives the Bare-Grip outsole even more traction to optimize grip in wet conditions. The tradeoff of the soft rubber’s awesome traction is that it will wear down more quickly than Inov-8’s Endurance Rubber.
The entire outsole and shoe is extremely flexible, incredibly light and responsive. There’s nothing in the outsole to prevent or interfere with it flexing. You really get a good feel for the trail beneath your feet.
Midsole
The Bare-Grip™ 200 has NO midsole, NO cushioning and NO differential! Inov-8 indicates the level of cushioning in its various models by the number of arrows on the heel of the midsoles. The more arrows, the more cushioning. The Bare-Grip™ 200 has 0, yes, ZERO out of 4 possible arrows and is intended for racing and those wanting to experience a minimalist shoe . All this means is that the Bare-Grip™ 200 is extremely low profile and flexible, allowing maximum proprioception feedback.
Upper
The upper is primarily a super-soft woven mesh (similar to F-Lite 230). This allows the shoe to be ultra-flexible, breathe very well, while allowing water to drain. It’s also extremely comfortable!
With the Bare-Grip™ 200 you also get a new tongue design! The tongue is an extremely soft, suede-like material, which again is very comfortable.
Unlike the some of Inov-8’s range, such as the X-Talon, this shoe has hardly any rand. You get a bit on the front, but that’s it. This means that the shoe is a lot more comfortable and allows a bit more room in the toe-box. The obvious trade-off of to this is that there is less protection and probably will mean that they will be less durable than the Mudroc 290 for example.
The fit is based on Inov-8’s performance last, which is narrow through the toe, but soft upper allows the toe box to provide your toes with ample space. The upper is very secure and I didn’t notice my foot sliding around at all when bombing steep descents.
The heel is also super-soft and is fully collapsible, but keeps the heel securely in place.
Insole
The Bare-Grip™ 200 comes with a 3mm removable insole. It is very thin and relatively flat, so it doesn’t provide a great deal of support. You can customize the volume of the shoe by using Inov-8’s 3mm and 6mm footbeds. If you find there is too much room, you just add an extra footbed, not enough room, take the insoles out.
The Conclusion
The Bare-Grip™ 200 is very lightweight, extremely flexible and extremely grippy. If you’re looking for the ultimate off trail shoe, this is it! If you’re into barefoot/minimalist running, but need grip and a little protection for running in a harsh trail environment, this is the shoe for you!
This is the shoe that I’ve been searching for, for the last 2 years and I can’t wait to hit the trail again as soon as possible!
The real test!
I've got a 100 mile off trail race with over 6300m of ascent next weekend. More to come...
Run wild and free!
Saturday, 3 July 2010
ENDURANCELIFE THE CLASSIC QUARTER LIZARDS TO LANDS END 44 MILE COASTAL TRAIL ULTRA
It’s Friday the 25th June and my alarm goes off at 5am. I’ve decided to get up early to travel down to Land’s End, Cornwall and hopefully miss the traffic. I packed the car the night before (very organised and very unlike me!), so just needed to have a quick shower and a bowl of porridge with banana and honey, yum yum!
I’ve had a bit of a gastric stomach bug all week and have found it difficult to eat and drink properly so have a little worry that I wont have enough stored energy and hydration for the race, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
I arrive at YHA Land’s End five hours later and put up my tent. The view before me is breathtaking. In front of me, Cot Valley descends either side to meet into the calm blue waters of the Atlantic coast.
I grab a bite to eat and feel the need to stretch my legs. I join the South West Coast path just around the corner and do a quick 3.5 mile hike to Sennen Cove. Again, the natural beauty of the Cornish coast takes me aback. I chill out for a couple of hours, grab a coffee and then make my way back. Dinner is fresh pasta with pesto, a salmon fillet and a salad. I need to get up at 2:30am so huddle into my tent at 8pm. My stomach’s performing somersaults throughout the night.
I’m looking at my Phone…the clock say’s 3am…I’m confused…my alarm is set for 2:30am?!...damn…I’ve slept through my alarm! In a blind panic I grab my running kit from the car and dash into the shower room to get changed. I’m in my car and heading for the pick up point at Land’s End within 30 minutes. I arrive at the car park, where I’m met by other runners and the race organisers. I knew I wouldn’t have time to have my usual pre race breakfast of porridge, banana and honey so had a couple of granola type bars to munch on. I get into one of the minibuses and relax during the 44 mile drive to the start of the race at Lizard Point.
We arrive at the starting HQ, and there’s the usual mix of excitement and nerves, mixed with various odours. I just stay relaxed, and get myself ready. Stuff my hipsack with Durafuel™ Threshold Sports Mix, a couple of Nak’d™ Bars and a bottle of Elete™ Electrolyte Add In. I mix a Threshold into my hand bottle and I’m ready to go.
06:15am Start
Section 1: Lizard Point to Church Cove Car Park
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
The race is about to kick off but nobody seems willing to get to the head of the start line, so I make my way there. The buzzer goes and we’re off. A group of about five of us quickly separate from the rest of the pack and get into a nice rhythm. The first 5-6 miles is relatively easy going running along rolling lush green fields up into the first water station where I top up my water bottle with Threshold and get going. The next section becomes more interesting, with more technical winding narrow coastal trail. I really start to enjoy myself now and begin to pull away from the rest of the group keeping a nice comfortable tempo. I arrive at the first Check Point in 1:30:54. Replace my Threshold with a fresh batch, down a cup of water with Elete and munch on my first Nak’d bar at which point the following pack catch up with me before I’m off again.
Section 2: Church Cove Car Park to Perranuthnoe
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
After leaving Church Cove, I begin to feel the effect of the stomach bug I had been suffering with. I spent the first 2 miles trying not to throw up. The heat really started to kick in at this point and the outlook of the day predicted that it was going to get hotter! I continued at a steady pace, forcing fluid down my throat to stay hydrated. The first 5 miles to the next drinks station was still pretty good trail and I refreshed my Threshold and carried on, with the trailing pack nowhere to be seen. I assumed at the time that maybe everyone else had slowed down due to the heat…and carried on at a steady pace to checkpoint 2, Perranuthnoe 3:25:52 (1:54:58). This was roughly the halfway point and our bags had been brought along by the EnduranceLife team. I refreshed my hand bottle, knocked back some Elete and chomped on another Nak’d bar then was surprised to see 4-5 people bomb down to the checkpoint.
1:54:58 (3:25:52)
Section 3: Perranuthnoe to Lamorna Cove
Distance: 13 miles / 16 km
Perranuthnoe to Mousehole was not good. Although the views of the sea and land were still stunning and the villages and towns passed through were very pretty, this section of the coastal path is predominantly run on pavement and the temperature had got up to 30 degrees. I was finding it more and more difficult to drink fluid but at the same time craved fluid! The first sign of mild heat stroke was rearing its ugly head and I just couldn’t get my body temperature down. At the water station in Penzance I drank about a litre of water and had one of the helpers dowse me with a bucket of water. It didn’t appear to have any effect but I didn’t see any other runner at this station which gave me a boost and I carried on. Thankfully the trail between Mousehole and Lamorna Cove was back to proper coastal track. Unfortunately my body was really suffering! My legs felt fine, but I just had no energy and the heat was really getting to me. I stopped at every stream and used my cap to dowse myself but no matter how much water I dumped on me, I just couldn’t cool down.
1:51:23 (5:17:15)
Section 4: Lamorna Cove to Land's End
Distance: 11 miles / 22 km
I arrived at the last checkpoint feeling pretty crap but encouraged by the fact that there was only 11-12 miles left and I hadn’t seen any other runner for a couple of hours. I topped up my hand bottle, forced down a Nak’d bar and some Elete and got ready to go…out of nowhere Chris Gilbert came bounding into the checkpoint! I gave him a quick thumbs up and tried to up my pace. The section from Lamorna Cove to Porthcurno is stunning but at the same time is a very technical section. On any other day I would excel on this terrain, but my head was away with the fairies and I found it really difficult to control my legs. It took all I had just not to fall over continuously through this section. Chris caught up with me after a mile or so and we chatted for a bit. It was his first Ultra and I think he was a bit nervous of taking the lead. He looked in a lot better shape then me so I gave him some encouragement and told him to go for it. I continued to plod on with what felt like snails pace, just happy not to faint or puke up. Porthcurno is a stunningly beautiful place, and on any other day I would have really took my time to appreciate its pure beauty. Today was not the day. I felt on my last legs and just wanted to collapse into a cold stream. Luck would have it that on the vertical climb up to Mimic Theatre, there was a couple of guys renovating a building. I spotted a couple of buckets and hoped they had a water supply. They did! One bucket of water over my head later and I was off again. The last water station was just after the Theatre and I was again dowsed with water and forced down a litre of water. Only 5-6 miles to go!...but I was gone. My legs felt fresh as a daisy but I had no energy and my head way in the clouds somewhere. The final 5 miles was extremely painful. I was basically crawling and expected some runners to pass me at any time…but no one did. I arrived at Land’s End 7 hours 46 mins 37secs after leaving Lizard Point in second place and I was wiped.
2:29:22 (7:46:37)
TOTALS
Distance: 44 miles / 70 km - Elevation gain: 7850ft / 2393m
Afterthoughts
Although I was disappointed in my time, the stomach bug really had taken a lot out of me and affected my performance on the day. Chris was a worthy winner and a nice chap at the same time. I hope to return next year and aim for sub 7 hours.
To my surprise the next day I was able to run 8 miles along the coast, followed by 17.5 miles the day after. Proof I guess that my legs were in good shape and that my nutritional and hydration plan was ok, but my body didn’t have enough strength on race day.
Overall, I had a fantastic long weekend in Cornwall and enjoyed the run (even when I was hanging!), the sun and the amazing landscape. Life’s great…run with it!
I’ve had a bit of a gastric stomach bug all week and have found it difficult to eat and drink properly so have a little worry that I wont have enough stored energy and hydration for the race, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.
I arrive at YHA Land’s End five hours later and put up my tent. The view before me is breathtaking. In front of me, Cot Valley descends either side to meet into the calm blue waters of the Atlantic coast.
I grab a bite to eat and feel the need to stretch my legs. I join the South West Coast path just around the corner and do a quick 3.5 mile hike to Sennen Cove. Again, the natural beauty of the Cornish coast takes me aback. I chill out for a couple of hours, grab a coffee and then make my way back. Dinner is fresh pasta with pesto, a salmon fillet and a salad. I need to get up at 2:30am so huddle into my tent at 8pm. My stomach’s performing somersaults throughout the night.
I’m looking at my Phone…the clock say’s 3am…I’m confused…my alarm is set for 2:30am?!...damn…I’ve slept through my alarm! In a blind panic I grab my running kit from the car and dash into the shower room to get changed. I’m in my car and heading for the pick up point at Land’s End within 30 minutes. I arrive at the car park, where I’m met by other runners and the race organisers. I knew I wouldn’t have time to have my usual pre race breakfast of porridge, banana and honey so had a couple of granola type bars to munch on. I get into one of the minibuses and relax during the 44 mile drive to the start of the race at Lizard Point.
We arrive at the starting HQ, and there’s the usual mix of excitement and nerves, mixed with various odours. I just stay relaxed, and get myself ready. Stuff my hipsack with Durafuel™ Threshold Sports Mix, a couple of Nak’d™ Bars and a bottle of Elete™ Electrolyte Add In. I mix a Threshold into my hand bottle and I’m ready to go.
06:15am Start
Section 1: Lizard Point to Church Cove Car Park
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
The race is about to kick off but nobody seems willing to get to the head of the start line, so I make my way there. The buzzer goes and we’re off. A group of about five of us quickly separate from the rest of the pack and get into a nice rhythm. The first 5-6 miles is relatively easy going running along rolling lush green fields up into the first water station where I top up my water bottle with Threshold and get going. The next section becomes more interesting, with more technical winding narrow coastal trail. I really start to enjoy myself now and begin to pull away from the rest of the group keeping a nice comfortable tempo. I arrive at the first Check Point in 1:30:54. Replace my Threshold with a fresh batch, down a cup of water with Elete and munch on my first Nak’d bar at which point the following pack catch up with me before I’m off again.
Section 2: Church Cove Car Park to Perranuthnoe
Distance: 10 miles / 16 km
After leaving Church Cove, I begin to feel the effect of the stomach bug I had been suffering with. I spent the first 2 miles trying not to throw up. The heat really started to kick in at this point and the outlook of the day predicted that it was going to get hotter! I continued at a steady pace, forcing fluid down my throat to stay hydrated. The first 5 miles to the next drinks station was still pretty good trail and I refreshed my Threshold and carried on, with the trailing pack nowhere to be seen. I assumed at the time that maybe everyone else had slowed down due to the heat…and carried on at a steady pace to checkpoint 2, Perranuthnoe 3:25:52 (1:54:58). This was roughly the halfway point and our bags had been brought along by the EnduranceLife team. I refreshed my hand bottle, knocked back some Elete and chomped on another Nak’d bar then was surprised to see 4-5 people bomb down to the checkpoint.
1:54:58 (3:25:52)
Section 3: Perranuthnoe to Lamorna Cove
Distance: 13 miles / 16 km
Perranuthnoe to Mousehole was not good. Although the views of the sea and land were still stunning and the villages and towns passed through were very pretty, this section of the coastal path is predominantly run on pavement and the temperature had got up to 30 degrees. I was finding it more and more difficult to drink fluid but at the same time craved fluid! The first sign of mild heat stroke was rearing its ugly head and I just couldn’t get my body temperature down. At the water station in Penzance I drank about a litre of water and had one of the helpers dowse me with a bucket of water. It didn’t appear to have any effect but I didn’t see any other runner at this station which gave me a boost and I carried on. Thankfully the trail between Mousehole and Lamorna Cove was back to proper coastal track. Unfortunately my body was really suffering! My legs felt fine, but I just had no energy and the heat was really getting to me. I stopped at every stream and used my cap to dowse myself but no matter how much water I dumped on me, I just couldn’t cool down.
1:51:23 (5:17:15)
Section 4: Lamorna Cove to Land's End
Distance: 11 miles / 22 km
I arrived at the last checkpoint feeling pretty crap but encouraged by the fact that there was only 11-12 miles left and I hadn’t seen any other runner for a couple of hours. I topped up my hand bottle, forced down a Nak’d bar and some Elete and got ready to go…out of nowhere Chris Gilbert came bounding into the checkpoint! I gave him a quick thumbs up and tried to up my pace. The section from Lamorna Cove to Porthcurno is stunning but at the same time is a very technical section. On any other day I would excel on this terrain, but my head was away with the fairies and I found it really difficult to control my legs. It took all I had just not to fall over continuously through this section. Chris caught up with me after a mile or so and we chatted for a bit. It was his first Ultra and I think he was a bit nervous of taking the lead. He looked in a lot better shape then me so I gave him some encouragement and told him to go for it. I continued to plod on with what felt like snails pace, just happy not to faint or puke up. Porthcurno is a stunningly beautiful place, and on any other day I would have really took my time to appreciate its pure beauty. Today was not the day. I felt on my last legs and just wanted to collapse into a cold stream. Luck would have it that on the vertical climb up to Mimic Theatre, there was a couple of guys renovating a building. I spotted a couple of buckets and hoped they had a water supply. They did! One bucket of water over my head later and I was off again. The last water station was just after the Theatre and I was again dowsed with water and forced down a litre of water. Only 5-6 miles to go!...but I was gone. My legs felt fresh as a daisy but I had no energy and my head way in the clouds somewhere. The final 5 miles was extremely painful. I was basically crawling and expected some runners to pass me at any time…but no one did. I arrived at Land’s End 7 hours 46 mins 37secs after leaving Lizard Point in second place and I was wiped.
2:29:22 (7:46:37)
TOTALS
Distance: 44 miles / 70 km - Elevation gain: 7850ft / 2393m
Afterthoughts
Although I was disappointed in my time, the stomach bug really had taken a lot out of me and affected my performance on the day. Chris was a worthy winner and a nice chap at the same time. I hope to return next year and aim for sub 7 hours.
To my surprise the next day I was able to run 8 miles along the coast, followed by 17.5 miles the day after. Proof I guess that my legs were in good shape and that my nutritional and hydration plan was ok, but my body didn’t have enough strength on race day.
Overall, I had a fantastic long weekend in Cornwall and enjoyed the run (even when I was hanging!), the sun and the amazing landscape. Life’s great…run with it!
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About Me
- Terry Conway
- Welcome to my blog all about my ultra running experiences, including reports on races and interesting training runs, views on kit and equipment as well as anything else I find of interest. I love the freedom of running, the people and places you see and meet and all the challenges that come with long distance running.
