RAB MM Report
A large posse of SADDS turned out for this years RAB MM held in the Howgils.
The event started at Sedbergh on what turned out to be a hot sunny first day throughout, with 6 teams from Saddleworth competing.
In the standard event was Ruby & Suzanne, Ian & Kevin, Howard & Claire, Dave Hickling and partner and myself (the aptly named MM whore) on yet again another MM blind date. This year set up by Cris Miles.
As for Cris and Tim they entered the Elite class. Not because they are elite level runners but because they needed the extra hour each day to get round!!
After 6 hours of running under a hot sun teams arrived at the midway camp. Obeying strict Saddleworth tradition all six teams formed a circle of tents defending a jealously gaurded area of land for the evenings activities. The afternoon remained warm and sunny allowing tired bodies a chance to relax on the grass in the sun.
At the going down of the sun many of the competitors settled into their tents for the night. Others could be heard complaining about the fact that we were camped next to a pub (cross keys) that sold no alcohol. However, this wasn't an issue for the Saddleworth contingent as we had a plentifull supply of alcohol which had been carried in rucksacks throughout the first day. New boy Kevin though hadn't quite grasped the idea of running light, for he brought his plentiful supply of red wine in glass bottles instead of modern ligjhtweight plastic ones!!
So whilst the rest of the midcamp prepared for the next days racing we set to drinking the copious amounts of alcohol, playing 'Chase the Ace' (which must be the only card game in the world which involves players only having one card each) which none of us could remember the rules too even though Claire explained them over and over to us. After cards, whilst consuming more alcohol (whiskey, Brandy, Wine, Port) it was time to play with Cris and Tims light up baloons (this I will leave to your vivid imaginations - Tony G I'm sure you could come up with somthing for this). Later, in the dead of night, when all were asleep, a strange glow could be seen from our area of the camp with the electric baloons tied to our tents guy ropes. Some were even used inside the tents for ambient lighting.
The following day was a much cooler day with low cloud hanging over the howgils early on. Whilst the cloud lifted by mid morning a welcome cool wind blew for the rest of the day. The second day continued just like the first with some big ascents and descents and long countours across steep hillsides.
Once across the finish line there was a plentiful supply of food & hot tea and goodie bags all round.
All in all a great low key event, spent with great friends. Looking forward to next year.
Chris M
Spirit in the sky?
What is Chris Maylor on? he has obviously attended a totally different RAB event to the rest of us. Wine, Whisky, Brandy and Port?? Obviously these spirits have gone to his head...OUR Rab event was a paragon of soberness as you would expect from clean living athletes in SRC. I understand Mr Duckworth has instructed his solicitor to rebuke these scurrilous claims and what's that? a pig flying by my window!!!!
Another fantastic event, low key, great company and certainly worth putting in your diary for next year. The beauty of the event is that it is a Score type event, so similar to the events we orgainise, you do as much as you want to do in your own time. Numbers are purposely kept low to avoid the issues around the OMM and other bigger events.
If you need anymore convincing, speak with any of the team from this year.
My first Rab or anything like that(put in the right section)
A perfect weekend weatherwise, Plenty of advice was given to me beforehand with regard to essential equipment for carrying (basically as light as possible) and on donning my rucksack I soon realised that this was going to be a bit more difficult than I thought.
Many thanks to Ian Marshall who tried to put me at ease attempting to convinvce me that there was no pressure and we were there to enjoy ourselves. It was still a bit frustrating as at the start. Ian wasted precious minutes studying the map rather than chasing off after other runners. Sorry about losing my compass within the first 90 minutes- It was only extra weight anyway.
Everything started off fine as we set out up the hill. It was when I learnt what contouring was all about things started to go wrong. My shoes were not tight enough and as we angled down the grassy hill my fairly new inov-8 viciously rubbed against my heal. On removing my shoe, the blisters had already been rubbed away leaving just red raw skin. Putting compeed plasters gave a temporary respite but they were soon removed by my shoe.
We got back to base camp 11 minutes late, but to my joy I saw what I initially thought was a mirage. What would be the perfect end to a great day out (apart from blisters), but a pub on the campsite. The Cross Keys Inn. As a few of us excitedly rushed through the entrance to the campsite we were stopped by a marshall who informed us that it was a temperance pub. 'What does temperance mean?' said a guy behind me. 'no beer, only serves non alchoholic drinks' said the marshal. We stared at him in anguish. I have heard of things like this in the middle east and I respect their customs, but in England at the end of 6 hours of mountain running!!!
To add insult to injury the staff at the Inn had closed the restauarant and whilst serving us under 0.5% proof dandelion and burdock, were drinking bottles of wine and very quickly getting sozzled.
Never having participated in any type of 2 day event I was also not accustomed to the lack of hygiene expected. 10 portoloos for about 400 competitors with no running water. Fortunately God answered my prayers by giving me constipation. Am I a prude?
Setting off the next day in the same running gear that I had ran in the day before and slept in the night before, it soon became apparent that my feet could not cope with the punishing teraine and as I hobbled up the hill, Ian and I decided to work our way back with half an hour to spare.
Apart from the blisters and the temperance pub( apologies to the descendants of the chap who got drunk in the 18th century, drowned in the river and caused the pub to go dry. You may believe it was a good cause) I had a tremendous weekend. Thanks to Ian who guided me round with patience and understanding who ' Had the worst night's sleep ever and did not get a minute's rest.'- You did an excellent impersonation of a pig for 7 hours.
May I make a positive suggestion going forward. Have a Mountain marathon with a campsite which consists of 13th century hygiene, but also have it near a hotel/ B&B for those who would like more homely comforts. Obviously charge more or dock penalty points. I appreciate it could cause class prejudice but I will cope with that.
Thanks to everyone, fantastic weekend
OK- I also got it wrong slightly
I have to admit that carrying in my rucksack- 3 pairs of undies, 4 pr socks, 4 running vest fleece, 2 tracksters 1 overtrousers, toothbrush and paste, soap, toilet role, 2 bottles of red wine Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon- very nice) 1 hipflask with whiskey, may have given the impression that I was an MM Virgin