Duncan ArcherAs previewed in my blog post a year ago, this has been a year of change. Pippa had decided the stresses of academic life need not be forever, so she started an 18 month sabbatical to see if a life in the outdoors would suit her, working as a climbing and mountaineering instructor. In May […]
Many will be familiar with the OMM or Original Mountain Marathon (or, for those with longer memories, its predecessor the KIMM or Karrimor International MM). The two day event is held in late October each year, and teams of two compete over linear or score courses, carrying all they need for two long days of […]
“So we go round this hill, through the broad col, and the control should be just over that hill.” I point towards number #6 and Shane nods his head. Everything seems to fit including the valley to the left. We get our heads down and plough on through the grassy tussocks and heather. Over the […]
“I don’t want to get to the finish in second place feeling like I could have tried harder.” These words from Shane are ringing in my ears as we struggle up a long rising traverse, the last significant hill on day 2 of the Original Mountain Marathon 2016 in Galloway. We alternate between “maximum shuffle” […]
“I think I can jump that” says Shane, before sprinting down the bank and launching himself across the raging torrent, landing mostly on the far bank, legs pedaling wildly in the foaming water below. We are at the OMM, it is day 1, it rained overnight, and has continued to do so for the first […]
The new year is always a good time to reflect on events gone by, achievements as well as disappointments, and start to make plans for the coming year. So what of my 2014? As far as training goes I did: 2471 km of orienteering + running. That is the most I’ve ever run in a […]
A few very old articles about some of my early mountain marathons from 2011 LAMM 2011 – Beinn Dearg. First elite MM win, with Jim Mann. This article is more a list of tips for winning MMs. Part of the prize was a free entry and expenses for…. BAMM 2011 – Northern Sweden. A great […]