Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Darren Barnes - Endurance, Adventure & Ultra Marathon Running Blog: Race # 4 - The Cateran Trail "55" Mile Ultramarath...

Darren Barnes - Endurance, Adventure & Ultra Marathon Running Blog: Race # 4 - The Cateran Trail "55" Mile Ultramarath...: The Cateran Trail 55 Mile Ultramarathon Saturday 19th May, 2012 The 55-mile Cateran trail follows...

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Important !!!! Market Research & Your Comments

Hi all,

I would like to take this opportunity to ask all my readers for there valued comments and feedback on the following.

Would you consider in paying to download one of my very own created "Endurance Runs"?. Each run is carefully crafted to suit like minded long distant runners and hikers. Each "Endurance Run" download would include; a detailed route with full directions and including photographs to prevent any miss navigation errors, a link to Garmin Connect for the GPS file & grid references.

The routes would preliminary cover northern England but with long term plans to have full coverage of the UK.

My other question is, how much money would you say was a fair price in (GBP) to pay for each download?. Considering the amount of research, hard work & detail that has been contributed in providing an enjoyable & safe running experience.

Please take a look over my posts headed (Endurance Runs #1 - 5). These are available now to use (FOC) free of charge and they form the basis of future runs. There would be future amendments all based on customer positive feedback.

I appreciate your time in reading my post and I look forward to receiving your comments.

"Keep on running & living the dream"

Thank you

Darren Barnes

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Darren Barnes - Endurance, Adventure & Ultra Marathon Running Blog: My 2013 Ultramarathon Challenges

Darren Barnes - Endurance, Adventure & Ultra Marathon Running Blog: My 2013 Ultramarathon Challenges: My 2013 Ultramarthon Challenges My personal challenge for 2013 is to complete "6 Ultramarathon races". This will be a tough ...

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

The Haworth Hobble Ultramarthon

Haworth Hobble Ultramarathon

Date: Saturday 9th March, 2013

Race starting time 8:00am

The following data was recorded by Garmin Connect

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282691147#.UUeHNXX-QJ8.email

Distance: 32.00 Miles
Total Running Time: 7:53:56
Calories Burned: 4384

Ascent: 4621 feet

Descent: 4658 feet

About the race

http://kcac.co.uk/kcac-events/haworth-hobble/

A 32 mile Ultramarathon traversing Gritstone Moors around Haworth, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge with over 4,400 ft of Ascent & Descent. Maximum time allowed 11 hours to complete the event. Refreshments provided on route at the check points and hot meals served at the end of the race.

Route information shown in Google maps

http://j.mp/w40JzB

Entry list on the day

http://kcac.co.uk/kcac-events/haworth-hobble/hobble-entry-lists/

Race results

http://kcac.co.uk/kcac-events/haworth-hobble/

Race report

Registration on the day had opened at 06:30 hrs at Haworth Primary School, where 67 paired and 302 solo runners registered and received their race numbers. The weather forecast for the day had included; sleet and blustery showers. The outside temperature was 0*C with windchill in excess of minus 5*C celsius.

The race started at the bottom of Main Street and follows up the cobbled road. Heading along Cemetery Road towards "Far Intake and Bronte Bridge". Leading on to the Pennine Way, passing Widdop reservoir at Check Point (1) and Walshaw Dean reservoir. Heading west along both Burnley Way, Pennine Bridleway, passing Hurstwood and Cant Clough reservoirs. This section of the route had exposed the runners to the elements of the weather, where low hanging mist had played havoc with navigation.

After leaving Check Point (3) the route follows the "Long Causeway", passing Stiperden House Farm and Stoney Lane to Checkpoint (4). At the Check Point the runners had the opportunity to take advantage of hot food and drink that was on offer these included; Hot Dogs, Jam Doughnuts, Tea & Coffee. Then heading southeast down Stoney Lane passing the Golf Course and Cross Stone Inn. Taking the steep, narrow footpath passing the back of the church and leading down to the main road. The footpath had proven difficult to descend safely, due to wet and slippery underfooting.

The ascent to Mankinholes Youth Hostel had started with a steep zig zaging path, over a sty and through two fields until reaching Check Point (5). After refilling water bottles the track turned east passing water troughs on the left, taking a steep track on the right and ascending until reaching the summit of "Stoodley Pike". Then heading east along the Pennine Way down to Hebble End in Hebden Bridge. After crossing the A646 access was gained to steep steps and road, which climbed steeply into Heptonstall. Turning right and bypassing the pub at Check Point (7), following the tarmac lane down towards reaching Horse Bridge at Check Point (8).Through the car park on the left, picking up the bridleway and heading towards Crimsworth Dene at Check Point (9). Turning back on yourself back tracking the tarmac lane heading towards "Top Of Stairs" and following the track as it descends down until reaching Leeshaw Reservoir.

This section of the route leading from "Top Of Stairs" towards the reservoir had left the runners exposed to the elements of the "deteriorating" weather.

Leaving the reservoir and heading along Lee Lane until reaching the junction of Moorside Lane. Turn left heading up the lane, taking the track on the right and across Penistone Hill country park towards the church. Leading up the cobble road and out on to Rawdon road to the finish line back at Haworth Primary School.

Photogarphs

The starting line at the bottom of Main Street, where the runners ascend the cobble road.

Picking up "Bronte Way" track, passing "The Slack" on my left and heading towards "Lower Laithe" reservoir.

Running along the "Pennine Way towards "Walshaw Dean Lower" reservoir.

Stoodley Pike Monument

The finish of the race back at Haworth Prinary School

On behalf of all fellow runners and myself. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Volunteers, Marshall's, Kitchen Staff. Management and Club Members. For there kind hospitality and professionalism shown throughout the entire event. This was a great day to be enjoyed by all.

A big thank you to my running friends for their company and banter during the race.

Face Book -TEAM We Love A Challenge

My chosen charity for 2013

"Pawz for Thought"

www.pawzforthought.org

“Keep on Running & Be Inspired”

Darren Barnes

Follow my running activities on Twitter @enduranceruner

Facebook "We Love A Challenge"

Monday, 18 March 2013

My 2013 Ultramarathon Challenges

My 2013 Ultramarthon Challenges

My personal challenge for 2013 is to complete "6 Ultramarathon races".

This will be a tough year in my running career, where so far I have committed to 6 Ultramarathons. Kick starting the season off with the Howarth Hobble - 32 miles and building up to the "Mother" of all The West Highland Way - 95 miles. I hope to finish the season with the Hardmoors 60 - 60 miles, where I hope to beat last years time of over 16 hours of non stop running.

Training & Strategies

I have been training everyday for over 2 years this includes; Core Strength Building, Yoga, Cycling, Circuits, & Cross Country Running. My weekly training mileage varies between 20 - 50 miles per week, this includes 90% Trail, Hill Reps, Tempo and Intervals.

I also help out by designing and implementing weekly & monthly tough exercise challenges for a highly focused group of athletes, who I am proud to be associated with. We started this year off with the first challenge; "January 31 days of Burpees", then followed by "February 28 days of Squats" & "March Enduro Challenge" which includes; Burpees, Squats, Crunches, Plank & Wall Squats. The group can be found on face book and its called; We Love A Challenge.

My Ultramarathon Challenges & Race Results

Date	Ultramarathon	Location	Mileage	Time HH/MM	Completed	PB Minutes

March	Howarth Hobble	West Yorkshire	32	7:53Hrs	9th March	2
April	Highland Fling	Scotland	52	13:23Hrs	27th April
May	Cateran Trail	Scotland	54	13:44 Hrs	18th May	12
June	West Highland Way	Scotland	60	16:39 Hrs	22nd June DNF at 60 Miles due to an injury
August	Devil O' Highland	Scotland	42	Withdrew
September	Hardmoors 60	East Yorkshire	60	Withdrew
October	Saltergare Challenge	East Yorkshire	24	5:47 Hrs	5th October
Total Mileage	Completed		324

Race No1 - Howarth Hobble 32 Mile Ultramarathon- Garmin Connect Race Statistics & Results

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282691147#.UUeHNXX-QJ8.email

http://kcac.co.uk/events/hobble/13_hobble.html

Race No2 - Hoka Highand Fling 54 Mile Ultramarathon - Garmin Connect Race Statistics & Results

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/305357555#.UX7knAP5jng.email

http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/highlandflingrace/results.htm

Race No3- The Cateran Trail 55 Mile Ultramarathon - Garmin Connect Race Statistics & Results

My watch battery ran out of power at mile 51.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/315959562#

http://cateran55ultra.webnode.com/

Race No4 - West Highland Way 95 Mile Ultramarathon - Garmin Connect Race Statistics & Results

My watch battery ran out of power at mile 51:45 after 15:39 hours of running

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/376701650#.UlKL9TalllA.email

Due to the onset of a serious Achilles tendon injury developing in both legs. I had to make a very tough decision of withdrawing at Check Point No4 at the Bridge of Orchy. This was the 60 mile marker into the 95 mile race. Even though I was mentally focused on finishing the race due to the implemtation of a good hydration and nutrition plan. Both my Achilles tendons just did not want to pay ball and I did not want to anticipate spending any time in hospital and rehyabilition following major surgery.

Check Point No2 -Beinglas Farm (42 miles)

View of Ben Lomond

Veiw of Connic Hill from Check Point No1 - (20mile)

Race No5 - The Saltergate Circuit - 24 mile Cross Country Race.

This race was organised by the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team.

For information of the challenge and route, then please see the below link.

http://www.srmrt.org.uk/challenge-walks/saltergate-circuit-challenge-walk/

The route that I took was the (24 mile) - long route, taking in the beauty and splendour of the North Yorkshire moors. We had arrived late that morning and by the time we registered for the race. We had missed the start by nearly 5 minutes. The weather on the day was glorious, with sunny spells and a light wind. There was some route diversions to contend with, this was due to local shoots that were taken place that very morning. Everything on the day went to according to plan except for a very small oversight in my navigation skills, which resulted in overshooting a check point by nearly 500 metres DRATT !!!!. I had finished the race in (5:47) hours, with a (PB) personal best of over (2:08) hours. At the end of the race everyone was served by local volunteers with, Pie Peas & Gravy. Due to the fact that I am always keen for a challenge. I meet up with friends from the Hardmoors Ultramarathon family, where I was coaxed in to performing a series of stress test exercises within a given time limit. Thanks for that guys, as I nearly regurgitated back up my food !!! :)

My certificate