Creamcake - will keep and eye out for you. I'll be pretty much in the same gear as you - I don't do shorts in the cold weather!
I can highly recommend the Midsummer Munro. It really is a beast of a run but well worth it.
If you like challenging offroad events then have a look into the Rough 'n' Tumble 10 in Wiltshire on 15th Jan (a bit late to enter this year but you never know) or Tough Guy up near Wolverhampton on 29th Jan (again a bit late).
Chris - I've managed the Grizzly Cub several times, Compton Downland Challenge (20 mile option) once, did the Sodbury Slog in November this year, so will defo look out for the races you mention but for a year's time! Look forward to meeting you on Sunday.
Just been out for a 2 mile walk with the dog and kiddiwinkles - it's very cold here (must be around freezing or below!). No sign of the forecasted snow yet...
I've heard of the Sodbury Slog but not the other two. Must look into them. I prefer offroad events - more challenging and (in theory) less taxing on the joints than running on tarmac.
I don't think it's got above freezing here all day either.
Steve, a friend of mine might be dropping out but you will need to square it with Dr R, shes female for one reason and in the 11am start for another!!! I'll check it out with her tonight.
Well it was snowing on and off here til 11am when I went to sleep. When I next awoke at 6.30 it was pouring with rain and very windy! So disappointed - no snow to play in later...
Not sure if I am still looking forward to this, have had a cold over xmas which is still lingering a little...I think I'll be taking it much easier than I originally planned to!
On the Trionium website with all the Knacker Cracker info the route page states: "Total distance around 12km, with around 1500ft (475m) of ascent and descent." Can anyone confirm whether that is 1500ft up plus another 1500ft down - or is 1500ft the total?
The forecast for Sat/Sun is about 8deg with W winds, which should start to dry the ground.
The worst bits of ground in wet conditions are, I think:
the steep descent (in woodland on muddy paths) from the tower to Juniper Bottom; the steep ascent (on muddy chalk) to the North Downs Way at the trig point; the steep descent (on open turf) to the Finish.
The rest of the flattish parts are reasonable paths and the rest of the ascents are stony surfaces or wood/earth steps (v.strenuous but not especially slippery).
Having said that, I think that The Steps could be horribly slippery after a few people have run up and down them, which could make the descent v.dangerous.
It's 1500ft of ascent, and 1500ft of descent (you start and finish at the same point)...
It will be slippy, and you'll have to take care. I reckon the trickiest descent is the one after the Smith and Wesson pub - leafs (?sp) in the gullies obscure your foot placements, and it's easy to take a tumble.
Right, I'm off to do all the last minute race shopping, and to start to lay out the course (Saturday), and I'll be up nice and early on Sunday, to try and get everything else completed....bear with us!
I was up at Box this morning - but in the bike shop drinking tea instead of running the route.
I second the Dr's thoughts on the trickiest bit being the decent from the Smith and Western pub, it's it pretty rocky and rutted so be careful along that bit. Also at the bottom of that hill you have a very sharp bend onto a steep up hill which is likely to be a prime tumble point - tumble turns should really be restricted to swimming! The other hills the problem is more just that they make your legs hurt :-)
I'd half say I'm looking forward to it, Dr Robert, if you see what I mean.
The thing that worries me a bit is the route, I'm hoping that with an 11.25 start there'll be someone alongside or ahead to aim at most of the way round.
I'm heading out on Saturday and Sunday to make the route foolproof (if not idiot proof). There will be tape, signs, marshals, cones and spraypainted arrows on the ground. Really, it should be OK! Have a good one!
Another very well organised, executed and friendly race once again from Dr. R. The course was well marked out and there were some enthusiastic marshalls to help us on our way. And the jellybabies were a life saver.
Many thanks as well to the soup and (cheese and pickle) roll monitors. A hot drink at the end made all the difference.
Everyone I chatted to had one thing on their minds - those bloody steps!!
Roll on the Midsummer Munro! Hopefully see some of you there.
This was my first time running this and I thoroughly enjoyed it, got around in 1:19 according to my watch which I was pleased with :-) I am very impressed with how well organised this event was! I really enjoyed the scenery too, I hope to be back next year :-)
I thought it was a nice touch putting the names of all the runners on the T-Shirt by the way! Shame they were all so large tho :-o
Comments
I can highly recommend the Midsummer Munro. It really is a beast of a run but well worth it.
If you like challenging offroad events then have a look into the Rough 'n' Tumble 10 in Wiltshire on 15th Jan (a bit late to enter this year but you never know) or Tough Guy up near Wolverhampton on 29th Jan (again a bit late).
Just been out for a 2 mile walk with the dog and kiddiwinkles - it's very cold here (must be around freezing or below!). No sign of the forecasted snow yet...
I don't think it's got above freezing here all day either.
Which begs the question...why on earth am I doing the run in the first place!?! :-)
Pretty cold especially when the wind picks up so wrap warm.
"Total distance around 12km, with around 1500ft (475m) of ascent and descent." Can anyone confirm whether that is 1500ft up plus another 1500ft down - or is 1500ft the total?
Iguana - my guess would be that if you add the total ascents it will be 475m or so, but Dr Robert can no doubt confirm.
http://www.trionium.com/knackercracker/route.html
The worst bits of ground in wet conditions are, I think:
the steep descent (in woodland on muddy paths) from the tower to Juniper Bottom;
the steep ascent (on muddy chalk) to the North Downs Way at the trig point;
the steep descent (on open turf) to the Finish.
The rest of the flattish parts are reasonable paths and the rest of the ascents are stony surfaces or wood/earth steps (v.strenuous but not especially slippery).
Having said that, I think that The Steps could be horribly slippery after a few people have run up and down them, which could make the descent v.dangerous.
What do you think, Doc?
It will be slippy, and you'll have to take care. I reckon the trickiest descent is the one after the Smith and Wesson pub - leafs (?sp) in the gullies obscure your foot placements, and it's easy to take a tumble.
Right, I'm off to do all the last minute race shopping, and to start to lay out the course (Saturday), and I'll be up nice and early on Sunday, to try and get everything else completed....bear with us!
Have a great race!
I second the Dr's thoughts on the trickiest bit being the decent from the Smith and Western pub, it's it pretty rocky and rutted so be careful along that bit. Also at the bottom of that hill you have a very sharp bend onto a steep up hill which is likely to be a prime tumble point - tumble turns should really be restricted to swimming!
The other hills the problem is more just that they make your legs hurt :-)
The thing that worries me a bit is the route, I'm hoping that with an 11.25 start there'll be someone alongside or ahead to aim at most of the way round.
Am really looking forward to it. Can't wait to meet you guys...
I've got no knackers to crack but am sure I'll end up cream-crackered!!
Nick
Looking outside it looks a bit on the damp side. I'm now wondering whether to wear trail shoes as opposed to standard running shoes.
Anyone have any advice?
(I'll probably bring both with me anyway to cater for all eventualities!)
Another very well organised, executed and friendly race once again from Dr. R. The course was well marked out and there were some enthusiastic marshalls to help us on our way. And the jellybabies were a life saver.
Many thanks as well to the soup and (cheese and pickle) roll monitors. A hot drink at the end made all the difference.
Everyone I chatted to had one thing on their minds - those bloody steps!!
Roll on the Midsummer Munro! Hopefully see some of you there.
Chris
I thought it was a nice touch putting the names of all the runners on the T-Shirt by the way! Shame they were all so large tho :-o