MENU

The Mighty Fellsman

MICHELLE DOBSON-BROOKS 20 APR 2016
News Details

As many of you will be aware, 2016 is the year of the long for me…ultra distances to prepare for the Lakeland 100. So it was with real trepidation and fear that I made the arduous decision to enter the Fellsman…61 miles, 11,000 ft climb over varying and tough terrain, in April with likely inclement weather conditions! What could possibly be wrong with that decision?!

There have been many amazing and inspiring runners who have taken on this challenge and there have been a fair share from Trawden AC. Therefore, I have decided to write this run report as a sequence of lessons learnt rather than a step by step account as others have done a sterling job of doing that in the past…so…here we go….

1) Before booking onto an event like this bully someone into running with you…preferably someone who has done it previously. Anyone needing lessons in the art of race bullying come and see me!

2) Learn to read a map…I can honestly say that not only do I now know what taking a bearing is, I can actually do take one. However, when proving this make sure that after flamboyantly demonstrating your skills you have done so to someone who knows how to do it too! (Sorry Gel)

3) Make sure bully victim can also read a map and knows the way…two heads are better than one!

4) Don't recce it…if I had had knowledge of the route previously by running lots of it I'm pretty sure I would not have been on the start line!

5) Know yourself…these events always have mandatory kit. However, it's tempting to overdo it if you are inexperienced. As Macca will testify, I am the queen of lots of layers but that does not mean carry 9000 spares 'cos that back pack gets heavy!

6) Bring support…runners are boring…we talk about running…we run…then we talk about what we have run! Out there on the course you want to get to check points and let them tell you which pub they have been too, if they are okay and what pie they are having for tea (Gel, Lucie dog, Adam Howard and Wriggers all take a bow for being amazing, along with Ruth, Ruby and Chris) not what you have been doing 'cos guess what…you have been running and running and running…let them be your reality!

7) Graze. Now this depends…my bully victim (a.k.a. Mick) ate like he had been stuck down a hole for 30 days with nothing but a wet rag to chomp on. I however grazed on small amounts. Whatever your preference, practice it and stick to it!

8) Go at the pace of the slowbie joe a.k.a. me! My pace meant I was steady uphill but descended well and had the legs for the full event!

9) Run at the back…cos when the bog monster comes you can swerve the bog suckers by running round!

10) Steady, steady, steady…too easy to get carried away…I started near the back but I reached my target further forward!

11) Have a target and stick to it…don't be tempted to change it if you feel good. I wanted an 18 hours at the start of my finish time number. Guess what…I got one!

And finally…

12) Get your head straight…I will run the Fellsman, I will complete it AND I will enjoy it. Guess what…I did! Ask the support crew…

I AM A FELLSMAN

So what's next? Well the next time you see a report from me it will be after the Lakeland 100 - which is actually 105 miles not 100! I have every intention of following my own rules…some I have already done (ask Mick and Paul about number one!) and the rest I will follow. They are all important and whatever your next challenge is try and follow some of the above…it works for me and look how sane I am!!!

News Archive

GO