SportsShoes Blog

The Lakeland Hundred takes place on 31^st July 1^st and 2^nd of August.

Competitors set off at 7.30pm on Friday and have 40 hours to complete the course.

The race route starts and finishes in Coniston Cumbria, circling the outer reaches of the national park.

The route avoids the high fells but with 100 miles and over 20,000ft of ascent, it is certainly not to be taken lightly. To put it into perspective, four times around the route of “The Three Peaks,” would be four miles shorter and take in 2000ft less climbing.

Taking part in such a long event brings with it many different kinds of running related problems.

Obviously there is the distance, the time spent on your feet. Should you sleep or not. Running in the dark and how to best navigate at night. What and when to eat and drink. The best kit for the job and how to transport that kit around. Finally for me the killer….how to avoid what I term as…. “The Archimedes Principle”

Wikepedia describes Archimedes as a mathematician and philosopher, and tells us he is his famous for making a startling discovery. Now we are supposed to believe that as he lowered himself into his bath, he suddenly realised that his weight, placed in the water, caused the water level to rise. So thrilled with this realisation was he that he jumped up shouting, “Eureka – I have it” This does seem a bit obvious and I think as usual, history has a slightly distorted view of things. It’s my belief that his moment of enlightenment was for a different and more painful reason. Was Archimedes a long distance runner?

Running, whilst requiring physical effort, could not really be described as a contact sport. Long distance running is a whole different kettle of fish. How often have you seen marathon runners with a blooded vest because they forgot to cover their nipples? Ultra distance running is even more open to this heavy body contact. Running 100 miles with a ruc-sack or bumbag brings pain in places you did not know you had. Add to that what can best be described as the sanding of your nether regions that no amount of Vasaline will prevent, and you are ready to discover what our Philosopher friend had on his mind. Only then, after your first really long run will you make a startling discovery of your own. As you gingerly lower yourself into your bath water, you will discover the true meaning of the Philosophers cry “Eureka I have it ”.

Chuffing Chaffing = the Archimedes Principle.