Good luck to those racing Clitheroe triathlon on Sunday.
I am not trying to worry anyone but this is a very tough bike course. I rode the route yesterday and although Jeffery Hill is very steep (slight understatement) the course has a lot of short climbs and some long drags in it. It is quite a harsh surface and there are very few places where you will be able to relax and enjoy the scenery.
On a positive note, the descent after Jeffery Hill is great fun, just watch out for the tight right hander early on.
Most importantly, don't forget about the 8.7km run to follow.
I am on transition and am genuinely disappointed that I am not racing. Don't forget to visit the Endurance Store who will be at the event and make sure you try some of the samples of ZipVit energy bars on offer. The uncoated chocolate is my current favourite.
Happy racing,
Rich.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Tired Legs!
As mentioned on my previous post, I was racing the Lakeland 50 last weekend.
I was there early on the Friday morning as I was doing the kit checking for the event. There were a lot of nervous people, especially those doing the L100. The L100 started at 5.30pm on the Friday and it was a very warm evening- I led out the first 400 metres or so and I was sweating buckets.
After this excitement I went back and did a further 4 hours of kit-checking. I then had to pack up the shop as Ang and Paul had gone up to do the checkpoint at Dalemain.
Got to sleep late and was up early, manning the shop from 7am.
I then got my lift up to Dalemain for the 12 noon start for the L50.
Marc had asked me to lead out the first 4 miles of the race as this is around the Dalemain estate. I was probably more worried about this 4 miles than the next 46! It would not have gone down very well if I had led 500 people on the wrong route!
Due to traffic and the numbers involved the race did not start until 12.30 (this loss of half an hour would cause a few problems later).
I had to run the first 4 miles pretty hard and it didn't help that it was a very warm day- surely the people following me were not going to keep up this pace. Once I completed the loop around Dalemain, I slowed down and actually changed my shoes, picked up my pack and had a drink. I then set off for the next 46 miles.
During the afternoon it got hotter and there was very little breeze. However I do enjoy running in the heat and some of the views were truly amazing. I am not going to give you a step-by-step account of the race but there were some real high and low points. The only low point was running along side Haweswater and ducking a bit for a branch to brush past and not realising that there was a stump behind it and clattering my head on it. Normally when you bang your head, you touch it to check for blood and there's nothing there. This time my hand was covered in blood. There wasn't much I could do so kept going.
A real high point was going up Gatesgarth Pass. I normally don't like this as it is such a long climb. This time I caught up with about 4 different runners in the L100. I would slow down a bit, have a chat with them and then move on. This made the climb pass quickly.
As always the Montane checkpoint at Kentmere was popular as they were making their smoothies again. The stew at Chapelstile was another highlight.
Unfortunately I didn't quite make it to Tilberthwaite before it got fully dark (the loss of the half hour at the start was to blame). The climb over Tilberthwaite was fine and I got back to Coniston in 11 hours and 45 minutes, 34th overall. I think if I'd had the extra daylight I would have made the top 30 as my legs felt pretty good and I was still able to run comfortably. At the same time it seems a bit daft that I managed to come 34th. Obviously the lead up to the race was not ideal preparation and I had a very minimalistic approach to my training (I can't remember the last time I ran more than 35 miles in a week).
I am tempted to have another next year, but maybe train a bit more specifically.
Hats off to anyone who completed the L100. It was a great reminder of how tough this race is when you see all these people who have been running for 12 hours+ longer than you.
The biggest surprise of the weekend was how good my legs felt afterwards as well as a lack of blisters.
I raced in kit mainly from the shop.
Compressport Calf guards and For Quads- Absolutely brilliant- I could not even contemplate doing this kind of race without them.
Injinji socks- my lack of blisters is purely down to the socks- I had a brand new pair on and they were really, really comfortable. If you saw the state of some people's feet at the end, you think for £15 you could solve it with a pair of socks.
Inov-8 295- an excellent shoe- perfect for this kind of race.
Inov-8 race pack- I don't run very often with a pack but this was brilliant. It is a lightweight pack and you barely notice that you've got it on.
ZipVit Energy Chews- This was the first time that I used them an they are great. They are just like blocks of jelly and are a fantastic pick-me-up. I even shared a few around during the race and everyone commented how good they were.
ZipVit gels and bars- Tasty, particularly cherry cola.
Mule Bar Gels- they definitely 'kick'.
I cannot recommend this race highly enough. Having done the L100 previously the L50 is a massively enjoyable event. Ultimately it is a great excuse to run in the Lake District for a day!
I was there early on the Friday morning as I was doing the kit checking for the event. There were a lot of nervous people, especially those doing the L100. The L100 started at 5.30pm on the Friday and it was a very warm evening- I led out the first 400 metres or so and I was sweating buckets.
After this excitement I went back and did a further 4 hours of kit-checking. I then had to pack up the shop as Ang and Paul had gone up to do the checkpoint at Dalemain.
Got to sleep late and was up early, manning the shop from 7am.
I then got my lift up to Dalemain for the 12 noon start for the L50.
Marc had asked me to lead out the first 4 miles of the race as this is around the Dalemain estate. I was probably more worried about this 4 miles than the next 46! It would not have gone down very well if I had led 500 people on the wrong route!
Due to traffic and the numbers involved the race did not start until 12.30 (this loss of half an hour would cause a few problems later).
I had to run the first 4 miles pretty hard and it didn't help that it was a very warm day- surely the people following me were not going to keep up this pace. Once I completed the loop around Dalemain, I slowed down and actually changed my shoes, picked up my pack and had a drink. I then set off for the next 46 miles.
During the afternoon it got hotter and there was very little breeze. However I do enjoy running in the heat and some of the views were truly amazing. I am not going to give you a step-by-step account of the race but there were some real high and low points. The only low point was running along side Haweswater and ducking a bit for a branch to brush past and not realising that there was a stump behind it and clattering my head on it. Normally when you bang your head, you touch it to check for blood and there's nothing there. This time my hand was covered in blood. There wasn't much I could do so kept going.
A real high point was going up Gatesgarth Pass. I normally don't like this as it is such a long climb. This time I caught up with about 4 different runners in the L100. I would slow down a bit, have a chat with them and then move on. This made the climb pass quickly.
As always the Montane checkpoint at Kentmere was popular as they were making their smoothies again. The stew at Chapelstile was another highlight.
Unfortunately I didn't quite make it to Tilberthwaite before it got fully dark (the loss of the half hour at the start was to blame). The climb over Tilberthwaite was fine and I got back to Coniston in 11 hours and 45 minutes, 34th overall. I think if I'd had the extra daylight I would have made the top 30 as my legs felt pretty good and I was still able to run comfortably. At the same time it seems a bit daft that I managed to come 34th. Obviously the lead up to the race was not ideal preparation and I had a very minimalistic approach to my training (I can't remember the last time I ran more than 35 miles in a week).
I am tempted to have another next year, but maybe train a bit more specifically.
Hats off to anyone who completed the L100. It was a great reminder of how tough this race is when you see all these people who have been running for 12 hours+ longer than you.
The biggest surprise of the weekend was how good my legs felt afterwards as well as a lack of blisters.
I raced in kit mainly from the shop.
Compressport Calf guards and For Quads- Absolutely brilliant- I could not even contemplate doing this kind of race without them.
Injinji socks- my lack of blisters is purely down to the socks- I had a brand new pair on and they were really, really comfortable. If you saw the state of some people's feet at the end, you think for £15 you could solve it with a pair of socks.
Inov-8 295- an excellent shoe- perfect for this kind of race.
Inov-8 race pack- I don't run very often with a pack but this was brilliant. It is a lightweight pack and you barely notice that you've got it on.
ZipVit Energy Chews- This was the first time that I used them an they are great. They are just like blocks of jelly and are a fantastic pick-me-up. I even shared a few around during the race and everyone commented how good they were.
ZipVit gels and bars- Tasty, particularly cherry cola.
Mule Bar Gels- they definitely 'kick'.
I cannot recommend this race highly enough. Having done the L100 previously the L50 is a massively enjoyable event. Ultimately it is a great excuse to run in the Lake District for a day!
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
This weekend
2 posts in a day! What is happening?
For those racing IMUK good luck for the weekend. All of us in the shop are heading up to the Lakes for the Lakeland 50/100. I will be flying the flag for the Endurance Store team as I will be running in the L50. I have decided to make it difficult by doing the kit check all day on the Friday, before manning the shop on the Saturday morning. Once I get to Dalemain it seems that I have been volunteered to lead out the first 4 miles of the run- looking at the times from last year this could be quite hard work! I think I am more worried about this first 4 miles than the next 46!
Anyway, once my legs have recovered I will add a race report.
Good luck for those racing this weekend- whether it is IM, something daft like the L50 or 100, or just a sensible distance.
Happy racing.
For those racing IMUK good luck for the weekend. All of us in the shop are heading up to the Lakes for the Lakeland 50/100. I will be flying the flag for the Endurance Store team as I will be running in the L50. I have decided to make it difficult by doing the kit check all day on the Friday, before manning the shop on the Saturday morning. Once I get to Dalemain it seems that I have been volunteered to lead out the first 4 miles of the run- looking at the times from last year this could be quite hard work! I think I am more worried about this first 4 miles than the next 46!
Anyway, once my legs have recovered I will add a race report.
Good luck for those racing this weekend- whether it is IM, something daft like the L50 or 100, or just a sensible distance.
Happy racing.
The Endurance Store team
Hi, this is Rich B who will be taking over the running of the Endurance Store's blog.
The idea is to get you all writing race reports so that we know what everyone is doing. Clitheroe Triathlon is on the 21st August and it would be good to get as many of the shop team racing as possible. I am planning on racing (although I am also manning transition!) and I have just about convinced Paul to race as well.
I know it is now coming towards the end of the season but it would be good if people would let me know what their race plans are for the end of season/winter time.
The idea is to get you all writing race reports so that we know what everyone is doing. Clitheroe Triathlon is on the 21st August and it would be good to get as many of the shop team racing as possible. I am planning on racing (although I am also manning transition!) and I have just about convinced Paul to race as well.
I know it is now coming towards the end of the season but it would be good if people would let me know what their race plans are for the end of season/winter time.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Out and about again...
The Endurance Store will be at the Epic Events Coniston Swim this weekend, if you are close by call in and pay us a visit. Goggles, nutrition, wetsuits and lots more, look out for special offers on the day.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Pendle Sprint Triathlon 15/05/2011 750m swim/ 22.4km Bike /5.4km run
Ideally on a damp cold Sunday morning I would rather turn the alarm clock off and have another hour but Pendle was calling. So we arrived at poolside for a 750m swim, one of the longer swims for a sprint event. The swim went to plan, I am a steady plodder so no surprises. T1 went well but I did notice a few around me donning jackets but not me straight onto the bike and off for a 14 mile circuit. It was only after a few miles I realised how cold it was and why a jacket and perhaps gloves might have been a wise choice, by the 10th mile I was struggling to change gear so ended up only using the top 7. T2 was trickier as by then couldn’t really feel my fingers but did eventually manage to get my running shoes on and off we went. The run went well and the cool actually helped I also managed my version of a sprint finish.
Overall I knocked nearly 3 and a half minutes off last years’ time so it was worth it. More importantly however I learned that in future I will check the forecast and prepare for the weather.
If you fancy entering next year it is a well organised event with a limited field, this year about 125 competitors and a nice trophy for all finishers.
Report By Keith Emery
Monday, 29 November 2010
Snow and marshmalllows..
The snow is great in the Dales, myself and Paul embarked upon a 4 hour mtb ride and absolutely loved it for the first 3 hours until the lights started to go out due to lack of fuelling! One 500ml bottle of vimto cordial was strangely insufficient for the route we had selected..Tired and desperate, we stopped in the middle of nowhere to find out if there was:
1. Room
2. Hot chocolate
3. Chocolate muffins
available at the inn..
Luckily the latter 2 were available and after we'd taken off the muddy shoes the 3 wise ( aka 2 stupid ) men hobbled in and refuelled..
There's only 1 thing worse than desperately needing a food stop.. it's getting going again, when wet, cold and especially when the start is downhill.. brrrr.....
We got back safe and neither of us had died which is always a plus.
Keep the badger at bay..
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