Brecon Multisport Club

Richard Davies · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 177 Location: Sennybridge

Anyone interested in this little event

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=2&EN=38513

Richard

frenchy232 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 276

Richard,

The belated answer to your question is, 'yes', I am interested.

I note there are pair/team options, before I enter as a Billy No Mates, anyone else fancy it? Not concerned about pace or times just having a laugh, we could even camp out after, light a big fire and eat and drink Very Happy

and no I won't try and persude you all to go for a swim at 02:00 in the morning, promise Twisted Evil

Anyone?

Frenchy.

snowy · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 169 Location: Bwlch

Hi.
Would be really interested to. Will see if i can get a girlie team together. A. x Laughing

frenchy232 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 276

Having kept Richard's original post in the back of my mind I had made a decision to enter a few weeks out. However work had gone in to overdrive meaning my backside hadn't got into gear and I had missed the official cut-off.

After a quick chat with a good friend Gam we decided to chance an on the day (night) entry or do our own thing anyway approach. The event was very much a 'quality training session' leading up to The OMM in October, however come Saturday I was starting to really look forward to it.

The event was a 20 mile lop starting and finishing at Talybont, the highest point being the Gap track below Pen-Y-Fan at approx. 2,000ft. After a shopping detour in to Likeys to pick up some kit to try out for the OMM we arrived at the village hall around 19:00, thankfully they were happy to take our entry Very Happy

With about two hours to start time we mingle with our peers, at the sharp end these were primary fell runners, however every age group and ambition was well represented.

Start time was 21:00 and an impressive 59 starters approx. gathered on the Talybont swing bridge for the first Sleepwalker Marathon. We got our starting orders and found ourselves in the very strange position of leading the field. Having crossed the canal we followed the old tram road climbing steadily, still leading but very aware of several runners gathering.

After approx. three miles I step off the track, firstly to ensure Gam was still with me (he was) and to let someone else lead. I was sure there were quicker runners and having let three guys through they did steadily pull away. We continued to climb and reached a track junction, our route dissected the track we had met, a noted the three had turned left, to their credit they were stopped checking their position, we gave them the shout and continued on our way. We continued to climb as a group to the first high point of the route. From here we dropped quickly to pick up the Taff Trail, here is were the Fell runners showed their class, coming past at silly speeds with brains removes (impressive to watch). We dropped on to the Taff Trail and continued at are own pace, here was when my problems hit, in short, my tummy was playing up and was slowing me up, I was going to have to do a Paula, thankfully there were only a few dozen sheep to witness the event. Having done the necessary I was pleased to be able to return to our normal pace, I caught Gam up who told me a group of 8 had passed us whilst I was busy.

Before long we hit some tarmac and turned left to pick up the bridleway which would take us to the Gap track. This was the last of climbing and as we approached the top we entered cloud cover, we went over the top and my painful memories of MTB’ing this route were reinforced, I hate it! We tried to make rapid progress downhill but in reality we were probably slower and just destroyed our quads in the process. I was wearing my intended footwear for the OMM, and in hindsight they were totally inappropriate for this terrain, by now my feet were feeling pretty bashed up. We eventually hit the bottom and after some careful navigation across several hills farms found ourselves on my old stamping ground approaching Pencelli, from here we joined the Canal which made a nice finish back to Talybont. We were happy to finish 10 mins inside our target time.

In summary a really great local event, a nice off road route with the extra twist of having to navigate at night, I plan to be back next year and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Cheers,

Frenchy.

Littlefatwelshman · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 297 Location: Bwlch

frenchy232 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 276

The answer of course is great.

Under Armour volcano trousers,

It was a close call between these and the Marmot Power Stretch tights, which are the most comfortable pair of tights I have ever tried, however I went for the extra durability and waterproofing the Volcano's offered. Not a replacement for water proof trousers but will keep the your legs largely dry when stomping through wet heather/braken. etc. Nice fit and panel construction resulted in great freedom of movement.

Not to mention the absolutely brilliant howies base layer.

OK I'm converted, never thought about it, which shows it was doing the job, my running partner was wearing a helly hanson lbase layer and light windproof top and complained of being cold over the top, I was never anything but warm.

I wont ask about the fantastic petzl headtorch.

Yes I think my choice on this one was inspired Very Happy

, the weight penalty is offset by being able to move quicker due to the improved beam this model offered.

And the exquisite Marmot Essence jacket otherwise I might be accused (wrongly of course) of abusing the forum....

Long been a fan, didn't need it for this event, many jackets claim to be 100% water/wind proof, few are, this is, when the wind is really biting, the Essence with a good baselayer is a great lightweight combination, I will use it with the Howies for the OMM.

Do we stock lightweight toliet paper?

misty buff · Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

frenchy232 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 276

First pair home, happy with that Very Happy

http://www.theupside.org/page_1176482950093.html