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Ah, the Rydal Round, my only fell race to date. @juanito stormed past me to show up my awful downhill form, during which I followed someone who looked like they knew where they were going, only to chichen out of hurtling down a cliff face he led me to!
Things went pretty well today, had the nagging feeling that the cold was still lingering, yet legs feeling nice and strong after a bit of unscheduled rest, and knew I was running well by being ahead of some runners I'd normally expect to be behind. Upshot was a very similar result to last year's race on the same course: 5th scorer for the club again, 2nd club overall again, exactly 10 seconds slower than last year. Something like 25th overall (23rd last year), 7.5 soft, undulating miles @ 5:40/m. Got handed the application form for Intercounties XC consideration - team of 9 to be selected based on county and Southern champs. Bit of a long shot depending on how many eligible runners opt out, but may as well go for a county vest!
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PhilPub
Nef
5awyr
If the race is advertised as PM it means partially marked, but it doesn’t guarantee much.
Generally though, the shorter the race, the less nav required - people to follow etc.
You’re unlikely to get lost on most races but map and compass is pretty much always mandatory.
The longer a race, the more spread out the racers will be, making it easier to go off course. That said, following people is no guarantee either - been at plenty races where big groups have gone the wrong way.
For Ennerdale and Wasdale, I’m going to recce both routes - hopefully more than once each - because I know I’ll be at my physical limit so I won’t want the stress of uncertainty with the Nav side.
As for knowing where to go/best line to take etc, it varies from course to course. I gained a good few places on the Rydal Round (Fairfield Horseshoe), by taking the descent line with a big drop (3/4 metres of easy but vertical-ish downclimbing).