Training Log Archive: Seamus

Event: Marmot Dark Mountains
 

The Marmot Dark Night - billed as the first Mountain Marathon at night and in winter.

It surely lived up to its billing, with warnings on the website

"With the very poor weather and conditions – as you will see from the video below - and no promise of any meaningful change in the weather forecast, we have decided to authorise the bad weather courses. This means that 2-3 controls will be dropped from each linear course, resulting in less overall distance and height gain. The score course will be reduced to a maximum time of 7 hours and the area being used has been reduced."

"Driving snow and blizzard conditions on the tops today reminded the team placing controls that they all should have had their ski goggles! Competitors are strongly advised to bring a pair."

Leading up to the event, I was not down to do it but my friend, Ben Crowther, his mate dropped out on elite. So I had offered as long as it wasn't elite, I was not up for that as it has been a while since I had done anything longer than 1.5 hours.

I stopped all training leading up to the weekend but in all honesty I was not that motivated after the sad news from the weekend.

I have to say I was looking forward with some trepidation to the race. It was going to be a real test.

We arrived late at 6:30pm to find we got a place on the A, while promoting another team to elite in our place. It was great to see Shane. Having done my usual and brought a spare for all my spare stuff just in case I had brought the wrong kit but in the end I went warm for me but light compared to other people.

- Vest, thick thermal and water proof, tights and waterproof trousers. Inspired at the end and put in my thick waterproof in my rucksack. Which if I got cold I would put over the top.

Now it was starting to rain and it was warm as we head of to the start. I was sweating what had I let myself in for....

I had to say it was a very different experience, we got to the start and no one was there apart from the starters who were keeping warm in their camper van and it sort of un-nerved me, a bit. At that time one team every 10 minutes were starting, not like your usual Mountain Marathon. After good chat with the planner we got to our allotted start time and headed off. On receiving the map it was like a table cloth, but it is what you need to navigate at night.

The first two two controls were up on Muncster Fells, so I thought I would play safe. I should say I that my partner Ben Crowther was a star and let me navigate while backing me up. We or was it I (?), decided to go out around the path. Maybe should have gone straight as there enough ambient light, and the snow, to see the shape off the hill. Missed the bend in the path as it was turning a bit bog like and the hill was a good feature. Steady away on to the next one.

Bang, slipped on a sheet of thick ice, then Ben went. This is going to be interesting, but we picked up the running and found number 2 fine. The one thing I had to say that due to the weather we were quiet togged up and we weren't really talking (like two old women) like we both normally do. I think the challenge of what was ahead was on our minds. From the gate at 3 there was a track run and out of the wind so it was a good chance to chat. That defiantly helped calm us.

Then a steady climb up towards 4 and Birker Fell, we were reckoning we got the weather easy on Munster Fell. And we were right, driving horizontal rain/sleet in to the side of the face I was glad for my balaclava. I felt we were moving well off 4 down to the road. I was well jealous of Ben who had his ski goggles, regretting not having any. When we hit the road, which had a foot of slush on it, Ben commented he wasn't felling to good and lets see how we do to 5.

I had no issues about finishing there, and never will, especially in that weather and conditions. It is a team thing and there was point putting ourselves in position of stupidity by being stuck on the fells far from easy access. I might have gone to 5 if it was a day event. Ben has been down with a cold this week so even more wise.

We got back to find Shane chatting to the bobbies who had popped in, they did comment it was a full moon and even though you couldn't see the moon they knew (by the strange activity that happens on a full moon). It was great chatting to the other competitors. Those that finished were well applauded, the shear determination and the stories that came out. Snow up to your thighs breaking the ice of big bogs, being cold, etc

Thoughts about the race:
- If a bigger event, it will be interesting to see how it changes, could turn out to be follow the head torch. But I think all the people doing it were sensible. Bigger number more of a chance of someone not being sensible????
- Very similar course to the elites, but not that many people so ok.
- Struggled a bit with the routine, needed to be on with it more, eg eating/drinking and communicating. Not sure I got it right with the choice of food should be different to normal Mountain Marathon.
- Great marshals, Charlie the planner and to Shane for the mad idea
- Good to chat with the other competitors
- Will definitely do it again, unfinished business.
- Felt like a real test.

As my friend Barbara Lonsdale said: "Ah the mountains and solid mountain judgement won. I'm going to remember event that for a long time. Wonder if full feeling will ever return to my toes?"

C • cliffhanger 5

Managed to start the GOS watch from the start! Nice to get out in the snow and catch up with Ben and Dwayne. Missed out on a place to Dwayne in the Dark Mountain.

It feels better swiming. Want to get up to 1km in 40 min, that's if I don't lose count of the lengths

Into work in the snow, very pretty. Wasn't feeling brilliant!

Not sure how long as my garmin ran out of power. Should have charged it and would have liked it to have seen how far I had gone. Really pleased with 4th place.

Swam while Imogen had her lesson, could do with lessons myself!

Mixture of hills (10 x 15s and 45s rest) and lampost intervals (run 2 and jog 1)

Was running late for tea.

Did 20 hill reps, 20 x 20 with 40s rest. Focusing on posture and core muslce and pushing with my arms.

To and from the hill I run on.

23 x 20 sec hill sprints with 40 second recoveries. Was going to do 10 secs but the track was good and not that steep.

Focused on my core to stop my back from hurting

P came over so grabbed our chance when the kids were asleep