Hoka Highland Fling Ultramarathon 2014

40 watchers

IanS Apr 2014 9:15pm, 15 Apr 2014 1,626 posts	IanS Unlike _andy, M1nty and others who have multiple Flings, DotHs, WHWs and a wealth of other experience to draw on, I've done the Fling precisely once so take anything I say with a large pinch of salt Anyway, here goes with my answers to :-)Gs questions: How many drop bags and what you got in them? I'm lucky enough to have a friendly face meeting me at a couple of points along the way, but I'll stick in drop bags for Rowardennan and Inversnaid as well. I always put far too much in them, but this year I'm going to make sure I have Hi5 tablets in both drop bags. Road shoes or trail? Trail shoes for sure, especially up the loch side. Probably Roclites all the way, or maybe Salomons to Balmahahaha for the road sections Carrying water, energy drink or both? Water in bottle(s) for quick refill, but with Hi5 tablets in drop bags Gels or real food? I tried gels for the first time at the D33 (I've found I can actually stomach the Gu salty caramel ones :-)) so I'll have a few of these for the second half. First half I need to eat more this time, and probably slow release savory carbs rather than sweet stuff (keep that for later) Lots of extra clothes or bare minimum? I carried way too much last year (hat, gloves, jacket, spare top, etc.) so this year I'll keep an eye on the weather but be aiming to carry way less stuff (UD vest will ensure I don't have room for too much). Foil blanket, Minimus or H2O jacket an a spare buff but not much else.
IanS Apr 2014 9:16pm, 15 Apr 2014 1,627 posts	IanS MS - were you the one who finished the D33 in high heels? That was absolutely classic
Weekatiepea Apr 2014 9:23pm, 15 Apr 2014 1,501 posts	Weekatiepea Thanks FR, I do have the bottle to toe the start line, so I guess I will finish I am looking forward to it (mostly!)
Duchess Apr 2014 9:29pm, 15 Apr 2014 4,468 posts	Duchess Yes, medalslut will forever be known as The Woman Who Finished an Ultra in High Heels... Anything left at checkpoints goes in the bin so nothing in your bags that you can't bear to lose. If you think you might be really slow, don't forget a head torch for the last leg, the cutoff time is after dark. Real food better than gels, and savoury better than sweet. Don't forget your sunscreen and warm clothes for the finish. Do not dither about what size tshirt you want at the end. Be nice to the walkers on the Way. If they step off the path for you, they'll be doing it for about 700 others. If they don't, they have as much right to be there as you do and are probably tired of avoiding the previous 300 runners that went path on their quiet day out... If you have a support crew, tell them to drive safely and park nicely. Spend money at venues on the way that support the race and don't piss off the ones that don't. Be nice to marshals, we know where your beer is.
Lintie Apr 2014 9:37pm, 15 Apr 2014 3,292 posts	Lintie I wouldn't bank on getting clothes back from drop bags Happyg. Way too many runners this year. John always ends up with loads of left over clothes and trainers. We found left over Hokas clearing up last year on the Sunday. I am so organised for this race that i haven't even added it to my race thingy on here! Think i've only had about half a dozen happy head runs this year which included Saturday and Sunday on my own race route and a cracking hilly run tonight so i'm sorted. I don't givr a hoot whether i do good or not, i just want a nice day out doing what i normally love doing. Trainers will be my altra's. Drop bags, 1 at each with a bottle of water to save faffing and bothering the marshalls and ginger beer, milk chocolate coffee beans, bqbybells and little pots of juicy mango and maybe crisps or pork scratchings. Managex to train last year eating not much and low carb so no stodge for me. Drinks will be just water and ginger beer at checkpoints so i can get a big burp. Carrying kit will be gloves and hat and a mix of long sleeve and vests and space blanket. Will also carry my electrolyte capsules and sudacrem. Looking forward to seeing you all and give my loondod a big hug out on the route. I'm abandoning him this year while he helps look after us lot.
M1nty Apr 2014 9:44pm, 15 Apr 2014 388 posts	M1nty So much common sense Duchess! How did you learn all that wisdom in your few, tender years It's a very good point about the poor walkers. What could be quieter and more peaceful than a nice day's walk along the WHW? Er, wrong! IanS, Doing the same thing wrong most years doesn't make us guys wise - just older! You did pretty well in your debut Fling - I'm sure you'll storm it this year. For anyone not yet hardened to the Fling, there is only one Golden Rule, which is... ... Don't give up at Rowardennan, and you'll finish the Fling - it's guaranteed. Easier said than done, but if it was easy you'd be playing golf or darts.
M1nty Apr 2014 9:45pm, 15 Apr 2014 389 posts	M1nty Lintie - great to see you're running this year!
HappyG(rrr) Apr 2014 9:47pm, 15 Apr 2014 22,046 posts	HappyG(rrr) It was advice to Medal Slut, Lintie - she said she would put spare shoes in a drop bag and I suggested that you can't do that! Thanks for confirming. Ian, you've done it one time more than me. I've already picked up tips on not carrying unnecessary food or clothes etc. Lintie - fab that you're doing it. I'm staying for a few hours at end, so really hoping to see lots of pals at start and end if not middle! :-)G
LouLou Apr 2014 9:50pm, 15 Apr 2014 6,200 posts	LouLou So - supporting duties - where would you recommend popping up on the route? I had been thinking of walking up conic hill but thought I met just get in the way. So I was thinking of Balmaha as an obvious place and because it is a happy place for me. Then not sure. And how do you occupy all that time supporting? Bring a book? Bring my laptop and do some work till the battery dies? Sleep?
LouLou Apr 2014 9:50pm, 15 Apr 2014 6,201 posts	LouLou P.S I will also need to fit my own run in so may try and do that before Stu is through Balmaha....