A couple of interrogations about the Hardmoors
By Julien on Thursday, September 4 2008, 18:34 - Hardmoors - Permalink
Hardmoors 110 will take place in 3 weeks now, and I'm still uncertain about a few of things, some of them quite important.
1. Poles or not poles?
On one hand (*), poles are helpful in steep hills (up and down). And there will be lots of up and downs in the moors. On the other hand, poles are a real burden when it's relatively flat. You just don't know what to do with them. Therefore I've decided not to use them for the race, and trained accordingly. But I'm still unsure...
2. What map?
There are several mapping options:
Current preference: OS maps, and for sure if the weather forecast looks bad.
3. What navigation tools?
I could take the GPS (potentially with preloaded checkpoints or even the whole route), a compass, both or nothing at all. Current choice: nothing at all.
4. What food?
If I want to eat 2 energy gels per hour, I'll need to take no less than 72 of them. That's about 5kg if I go for the SiS GO... I'll also need some savoury things such as Tucs biscuits.
5. Where to stay?
I'm considering the campsite at Filey, because it's cheap and you can come back from the race at any time of the day or the night. But that also means a bit less comfort after the race, especially if it's rainy.
Any thoughts?
Ultra interrogations.
(*) Actually, on both hands :)
1. Poles or not poles?
On one hand (*), poles are helpful in steep hills (up and down). And there will be lots of up and downs in the moors. On the other hand, poles are a real burden when it's relatively flat. You just don't know what to do with them. Therefore I've decided not to use them for the race, and trained accordingly. But I'm still unsure...
2. What map?
There are several mapping options:
| Scale | Weight | Waterproofness | Notes | |
| none | 0g | indestructible | no very helpful | |
| Footprint Cleveland Way map | ~1:45000 | 50g | plastic case | no GPS grid, old |
| Explorer Active maps OL26 & OL27 | 1:25000 | 400g | laminated | doesn't cover final segment |
| National Trail guide book | 1:25000 | 300g | null | could take it apart to make road sheets |
| Hand make roadbook | 1:25000 | ? | null |
3. What navigation tools?
I could take the GPS (potentially with preloaded checkpoints or even the whole route), a compass, both or nothing at all. Current choice: nothing at all.
4. What food?
If I want to eat 2 energy gels per hour, I'll need to take no less than 72 of them. That's about 5kg if I go for the SiS GO... I'll also need some savoury things such as Tucs biscuits.
5. Where to stay?
I'm considering the campsite at Filey, because it's cheap and you can come back from the race at any time of the day or the night. But that also means a bit less comfort after the race, especially if it's rainy.
Any thoughts?
Ultra interrogations.
(*) Actually, on both hands :)
Comments
Hi, recently started reading your blog. Thought I would put my strategy for long runs. Not gone up to that distance yet but getting there. All the best!
1. Poles? Hills, although lots of them are probably not long or steep enough to make them worthwhile.
2,3. Maps, photocopy relevant pages, put in A3 waterproof seal bag for all sections. Less weight and waterproof. Take compass! GPS should be a back up only in my opinion Traditional like that.
4, Food, now here is the joys of long distance runnings, Nutrigrain (the elevenses range ;o) Jelly babies, dried Apricots, Mars bars, snickers, bounties, flapjack, soreen.
Take your pick or find others but you will be running slow for a fair bit of it so eat food that takes a while to digest and don't rely too much on the pure sugars of gels. Not to say don't use gels.
5. ? Can't help you there.
Good luck with it. Was speaking with some guys involved in organising it at high peaks marathon and they seemed great guys so hoping it is as successful as the Lakeland 100
Thanks for your advice Anthony. I just realised that the maps were compulsory anyway. So the option of not taking them would not only be foolish but also simply not permitted.
Hi Julien, I will be manning the Whitby CP..my wife Gill and manly Yorkie Zack will also be there. For the right 'backhander' you could have an excellent CP leg ..see ya
Mike