Earlier this year inov8 sponsored man mountain Paul Tierney  attempted to break the record for completing all the Wainwrights in one go. 214 Peaks, 318 Miles, 36,000 Metres Elevation in the English Lake District. Dave MacFarlane, of DMTwo Media, has made a lovely film about it and here’s the trailer.

Alfred Wainwright is famous for his seven volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells he authored about his favourite hills and a few years back Steve Birkumshaw ran all of them in one go, with a few wee sleeps along the way, to set a record of six days and 13 hours. Before that Lakeland legend Joss Naylor held the record of seven days.

And in the spirit of the fell running community Birkumshaw and Naylor were on hand to help Irishman Tierney when he decided to have a crack at the long run himself.

Running around your home hills

“I decided to try it because I was inspired by Steve’s attempt and the film and his book were reminders for me of how deep he had to go to get the record.” said Tierney when asked why he wanted to attempt such a huge undertaking. “For me one of the things I like most about endurance sports is someone’s ability to keep pushing long after the fun wears off”

The Irish international relocated to Lakes with his partner, and probably even more accomplished mountain runner, Sarah McCormack and their dog Quilla.

“Just the act of stringing all the Wainwrights together in one long run was very motivating. I wanted to see if I could do it,” said the two time Tor des Geants finisher. “If I didn’t live in the lakes then I may not have been attracted to it as much. But being able to train on and recce the route made it seem more possible to at least attempt.”

It’s stopped being fun

We’ll let the trailer speak for the upcoming movie by Dave MacFarlane and inov8, which will be premiered at the Kendal Mountain Festival in November.

But one more word from Paul, on if it really did stop being fun?

“Yes it really f**king did” laughs Tierney. “The second half of day 6 was agony on my knee and I was totally knackered. There were lots of other low points but they wouldn’t last very long.”

“I think that bit where I said it wasn’t fun anymore [in the film trailer] was the Tuesday morning. I really struggled just to get out of the van that morning and at the time wondered how I’d manage to do another two and a half days.”

The premiere screening at Kendal Mountain Festival sold out quicker than an inov8 sample sale at the Iain Hodgson Fell Relays, but if you’re lucky you might see the big man himself talking about it in his sexy Irish accent on one of the breakout sessions.

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The post Kendal Mountain Festival trailer for Paul Tierney Wainwrights film appeared first on Fast Running.

Returning for a second year, the inov-8 Descent Race on the Hahnenkamm mountain in Kitzbuhel, Austria, is being staged on Saturday October 5th – and entries remain open here.

Revered amongst downhill skiers on the world cup circuit, the Hahnenkamm, which steepens to an insane gradient of 80%, will provide runners with the ultimate opportunity to test their bravery.

inov-8’s Michael Price said: “It’s got to be one of the most innovative and, although relatively short in distance, toughest sporting events in the world.

“Last year saw hundreds of spectators line the legendary slope and watch on as runners got to grips with the demanding 350m long slalom-style course. This year we’re expecting even bigger crowds and even faster speeds!”

Starting from the iconic ski gate at the top of the mountain, runners will propel themselves down the slope at 30-second intervals. Between them and the finish line below will be a series of ski flags which they must weave round.

Each runner will get two attempts at the course, with their times added together to decide the final results. The male and female winner will each receive €300.

Photo: Michael Werlberger

The times to beat and advice for the brave starters

Last year’s victors were Daniel Hauser and Lisa Kroll, who also hold the course records at 54.65 secs and 1:22.18secs respectively.

inov8 stalwart Lee Procter, pictured at the top hurtling down the Hahnenkamm, has flown down more hillsides than you’ve had hot dinners. “As difficult as it sounds look ahead at the slope ahead, not at your feet. You need to read the ground ahead, input it quickly and be agile enough to change your stride or foot placement.”

Procter continues ” Ideally look 10-15 metres ahead. Like a snooker player who is always thinking three shots ahead, you need to do the same when running down The inov-8 Descent – think ahead of you not in the moment”. Maybe this would be a good event for keen runner Ronnie O’Sullivan?

Fast Running Coach Robbie Britton recommends “getting plenty of specific practice in, but with adequate recovery between as the impact on your muscles can be huge. It’s the braking you want to avoid, so going a little bit slower, but without having to brake often, may get you down the hill a bit quicker… and maybe in one piece.”

Beware the Mausefalle

Insight from the race itself, Procter remembers “the ‘Mausefalle’ (mousetrap) section, where the gradient is 80% and the terrain is really rough having been rutted by cattle! Make sure you recce in advance so you are brave enough to launch into it in the race.

Hang right to avoid the really rutted section and then swing in towards the ski flag st the bottom of the ‘mousetrap’, grabbing it and using it to help you propel round the corner.”

inov8 athlete Paul Tierney laughs and is a little more to the point. “Just f**king run down a lot of hills.” Although the two-times Tor des Geants finisher and Wainwrights record holder (that’s a lot of hills) does expand on that sage advice.

“I’d use something like the Mudclaw G260. They’re hands down the best shoe I have ever used for technical, fast descending” which the big Irishman has done an awful lot of. “Relaxing and letting gravity help you down the hill is important. Having confidence that your shoes will keep you on your feet in the toughest conditions, like the Descent, is something reserved for shoes like the Mudclaw.”

If you’re filled with confidence from reading this expert advice then there is still time to enter The Descent here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patron. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Downhill advice for those brave enough for the Descent appeared first on Fast Running.