Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Exercise, Fitness, Training, Competitions and General Health => Topic started by: clairebear on August 28, 2015

Title: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on August 28, 2015
So I ran/walked/crawled this race and what a tightner.  Great weather all day but what a race.  Was also the British championship race so quite a few runners from across the water and up from the south.

19miles, far too many feet climbed 6000ft or  something.  Donard via black stairs, commedagh, over to hares gap, bernagh, meelmore ( found that pipe again) meelbeg, drop down to the dam through that horrible heather, up binnian and I went up the gulley, steep!  Over to the south tor, down the saddle and a crawl over limagan, round the next two and down the glen river again.

Very hot, rough ground, lots and lots of elevation, and I have to say it was a slog. 6hr 25.

Drank 3l of water, should have drank more. But a great race and maybe next year I'll walk it

 (http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/28/6ae788d3ea219b7719a887f823a90a2f.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/28/57d9cb5c2f6233d70201e0f99b881f15.jpg)

That's me on Binnian, thinking I should have just stayed at home!

Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: LandyLiam on August 28, 2015
Well done Claire, I dream of doing this one some day.  I must try that gulley on Binnian some time too.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on August 29, 2015
The gulley was very steep, not sure if it's quicker than going the path tbh.  One of those ones that you wish half way up it you'd taken the slightly longer route but much easier! 
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: Paddyman on August 29, 2015
Well done Claire, its a tough one, sounds like your in good shape for 3 weeks time. keep up the good work.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 01, 2015
Raring to go Paddy!
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: Windy on September 04, 2015
Fair play Claire .. tight going all right well done
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: specimanYak on September 04, 2015
Well done Claire, I felt exhausted just reading it! All the best for the upcoming events.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: Big Red on September 05, 2015
Hi Claire the river section down to Ben Crom was a nightmare.Some really marshy bits.I followed Dawson Stelfox up the gulley on Binian as well but couldnt keep up with him lol!Ran out of water coming down from Saddle between Donard and Commedagh so need to plan better for next year.Well done and good luck.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 05, 2015
I went in a marsh bit up past my shorts on that section down to the dam. Really sapping the legs of any strength. I think next year I'll just not do it!  Na I'll do it again lol
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: RedLeader on September 07, 2015
Well done Clarie, you're a machine  8)
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: hillbilly on September 09, 2015
Hat off to you Claire. What an achievement.  Just out of interest and to pick your brains your calorie burn off is substantial.  What did you bring with you to keep your energy leels at an optimum. I'm  always looking for up to date ideas.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 14, 2015
My calorie burn is big as you'd expect but I also find my sugar levels drop quick.  I carry a large bag of jelly babies and have them close to hand.  A bag of salted crisps with added extra salt and some jam sandwiches.  Will also have a eat natural bar/snickers/Mars as an extra. Plus I keep a dyorilite if I feel I have lost a lot of salt.  Generally anything that's real food as gels just don't make my belly good at all. Another favorite is Soreen loaf.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: hillbilly on September 14, 2015
You have inspired me, next year is my year. Or maybe  I'll  just watch. Lol. Thanks for the food tips and I wish you well for your future adventures.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 15, 2015
Thanks hay, the main thing is to make sure the food you eat suits you and how you also are able to use what you have in your body if needed. I just can't do that so always have to stay on top of the sugars.  I'm also partial to a pork pies and anything fatty when walking. I just wish there was a chippie on top of donard, would make the climb south more rewarding.  The 7s is good but you could do it without the race pressure and take your time and enjoy the views more. I'd actually like that more maybe.

Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: hillbilly on September 15, 2015
I was getting ready for the 7s this year. I chucked a few jels into me. Departed Donard park went up behind the ice house straight up on Donard 1hr 10 mins feeling great until tummy heaved. I ran off Donard like Hussain bolt to the trees. So I always have a keen interest in calories that don't  use jels. Lol. Can't  get older without getting wiser. Lol.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 15, 2015
Had the gel belly myself. Not pleasant when you try to take cover and hope your emergency loo roll is there!!!
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: hillbilly on September 15, 2015
Lol.  Jelly belly makes one very fast. Lol. A thought crossed my mind which is dangerous for my mind. How wold you be off for time and energy to take some of us older slower peeps over the 7 7s. Just a thought and no pressure. I thought some of the old hands Landy Liam Red leader etc might be up for such a challenge. Just a thought.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: clairebear on September 16, 2015
I just had a flashback of scrambling up the side of binnian!  Seriously not joking there!   Running it?  Over the winter I'd be persuaded as long as there is a pint of milk afterwards in Nikki's cafe.  Walking it at a clip would be good too as it is a nice route actually.
Title: Re: 7/7s
Post by: hillbilly on September 17, 2015
Milk in pints easy peasey. Mountains times 7 slightly harder.