The BG - from here to 42 fells in 24 hours

The Round

Alan and James, bundles of nervous energy

Stage By Stage (Zoom in...)

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

And?

IoW

Also featuring?

Stage Pencilled in support

My Status (Alan has recced the lot)

Possible issues

1 – Keswick to Threlkeld

Sam/Natalie? Or does this need mountain goats – Rob, Jany?

I’ve recced two thirds. Need night-time recce and the girls to see what they think

Potentially trick descent of Hall’s Fell ridge in the dark

Navigation not straightforward after summit of Skiddaw

2 – Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise

Natalie/Sam/Jen? I’ve done most of this backwards, except the initial climb. Next time I’m doing it forwards.

Relatively straightforward, at least in navigation terms. Required speed up and down steep Fairfield path could be a problem.

3 – Dunmail Raise to Wasdale Head

Wes(Paul and Mike at Broad Stand?) Would like second/backup

I’ve recced the lot. It’s hard as nails. Perhaps Wes should see it

Broad StandNavigation tough in anything but good visibility

4 – Wasdale Head to Honister Pass

Paul and Mike All of us recced the first half, I’ve recced up to Great Gable

Hard, hard work. But navigation relatively easy at least

5 – Honister Pass to the finish

James, Claire, TT? I’ve recced the lot – supporters to see

We’ll be bloody nackered. Night navigation possible

Vehicles and supplies

AlexLula

Help offered – probably need at least two drivers

Potential others to run or supply

Tim RNicolaPoppyGemmaLarsLisaHughRichCatherineDarrenAndrewTom

Let me know if you want to help and on what

Serious Stuff

I want as many of you as possible to be involved in this if you want to be

BUT:

The stages are damned hard. There is only one stage I’d describe as easy (Stage 5) and we’ll likely be running it in the dark and it has a steep rocky descent. Supporters will need to know their stages to help me navigate (or later lead).SO: If you’re not a mountain goat, then plan a specific recce with me of a stage.

The mountains are risky places. Mist is thoroughly disorientating and they can turn very cold and windy unexpectedly.SO: No-one on this venture should put themselves at unnecessary risk, if you are not comfortable doing something I want you not to do it and to still be there for a pint that evening. There are plenty of ways to help us out, not all of them are up in the clouds. Be honest with yourself and us about your mountain capabilities. If you need practice in misty mountains then let’s sort out time to do so.

All of us, runners and supporters, will be relying on each other. As a supporter you will need to commit. We could have 15-20 people up there involved, so pulling out in the days/weeks before will only be an option if the sky is falling in. (Though we will try and have some cover. The good thing with two or three runners is that if one of us injures ourselves there will still be someone to support)

I will be massively grateful to all supporters who commit to this venture. At some point I’ll probably stop thanking you, and buying you beer and cow pie

Getting There

May/July 2012 - the attempt

January 2011 – Country to Capital 45 mile?

March 2011 – Jurassic Coastal Challenge, 3 hilly marathons in 3 days

April 2011 – London Marathon

Easter 2011 – Lakes trip for a week; night running, opportunity for stage recces

May/June 2011 – Green Belt Relay and Italy Coast 2 Coast in one week (72 miles relatively quick)

July 2011 – Davos k78 or Lakeland 50

June/July 2011 – Empty, something long needed or opportunity for stage recces/supporting attempts

Take stock

Big empty space that needs to be filled with sort of crazy looking training schedule

My knee and biomechanics – Country to Capital next weekend is at serious risk due to “clergyman’s

knee” (bursitis), we’re reliant on not too many of these niggles

Clouds on the Horizon.....

Work – my job isn’t secure, not sure what losing it would

mean for the BG

Erm....clouds. When it comes to it we must have ok weather!

3 great recce weekends...

Fantastic, enthusiastic supporters

A perfect partner, Alan

I’m learning to climb

I don’t believe in

fate

I’m stupidly lucky with weather

..and more to come, starting at Easter

And reasons for sunshine.....

My game plan

I am planning to do this. In 2012 I give it my all.

But this is a one-shot game, I will not plan to fail. There will be a main weekend and two backup weekends in case of weather intervention. I’ll be ready for a full-on attempt, and if we get the weather then that day will be the BG. Or not. Game on.*

What do you reckon? Up for getting involved and committing to support? Happy with pencilled in role or fancy a different stage/job? Need a recce with us? Any more offers of help or suggestions of who to ask?

* Until 2022 at least