tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post1268599296837080569..comments2024-02-25T03:56:24.198+00:00Comments on Nick Ham - long distance runner: Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – en Hiver? 26-28/08/2011.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-87837126247333905262011-10-16T23:03:36.604+01:002011-10-16T23:03:36.604+01:00Well done Mark! Not sure I could do that. I've...Well done Mark! Not sure I could do that. I've not managed to complete UTMB yet!<br /><br />Nicky, Matt and Tim are in a class of their own.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-6748062269557197152011-10-13T22:23:07.600+01:002011-10-13T22:23:07.600+01:00Yes, I finished, but I had some faint passages. I ...Yes, I finished, but I had some faint passages. I chucked up my dinner at the end of a good day one, struggled through a cold night, then in the light of another day decided on having a go at knocking it off bit by bit. I really struggled on the penultimate stage, and then had a surge of euphoria on the long 10k descent to the finish. I remember trying to eat a mouthful of chocolate at the foot of the antepenultimate 1000m climb and not being able to swallow it, and knowing I had about 16 hours to go. I told myself that by the end of the day it would be over, and it was. <br /><br />Give it a go some day. It is a competitive and very friendly smaller version of UTMB, much more technical under foot, especially the closing 25 k. Cross between UTMB and L100 if you like. Great performances there by Nicky Spinks, Matt Neale and Tim Laney.Mark Rawlinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-29035917461714995692011-10-12T20:57:59.509+01:002011-10-12T20:57:59.509+01:00Wha...t? No food for > 1 day?? That must have b...Wha...t? No food for > 1 day?? That must have been tough, Mark. Did you finish it? I've checked but can't find any results.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-48598885460431212502011-10-12T16:34:49.122+01:002011-10-12T16:34:49.122+01:00Bad luck Nick, you'll be back I'm sure. I ...Bad luck Nick, you'll be back I'm sure. I had a weird Grand Raid Pyrenees - didn't eat for the last 28 hours.Mark Rawlinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-46070237072948540092011-09-26T21:32:53.965+01:002011-09-26T21:32:53.965+01:00As a postscript, I'm not sad, unhappy, disappo...As a postscript, I'm not sad, unhappy, disappointed or cross (I won't say "mad" like the Americans would say because that suggests derangement, and I'm certainly not depleted of my mental faculties just yet). I have always remained positive and upbeat about my DNF because I know I was strong and set for a finish. It was just an unforeseen temporary occurrence that made it impossible to walk, so a DNF was the only option. I'll be back.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-17402297986794472062011-09-14T15:28:45.780+01:002011-09-14T15:28:45.780+01:00Hi Nick, I think you've captured the scale and...Hi Nick, I think you've captured the scale and majesty of this event well. Such a shame that you were going so well only to be cruelly robbed of a finish. Glad things are looking up with the injury, best of luck at HP40!Woldsman Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00233544147672776357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-38295000591231597392011-09-14T00:29:14.166+01:002011-09-14T00:29:14.166+01:00Nick, your report brings back all the memories of ...Nick, your report brings back all the memories of the suffering I did on the Housman 100. Perhaps I've turned to adventure racing to avoid the sheer agony of a continuous walk/run event! Nevertheless perhaps someday I'll make it to the UTMB. Definitely think that a Grand Slam year made your attempt much harder. See you at the Round Rotherham, for a 7 am runner's start and no wrong turns this year for me! (fingers crossed)Dawnhttp://hikerdawn.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-90727979478318259512011-09-13T13:41:05.950+01:002011-09-13T13:41:05.950+01:00Well done to you for getting that far, next year I...Well done to you for getting that far, next year I'm going to have a go. I'm sorry to hear you didn't finish I can only imagine your frustration. See you at the High Peak 40 all being well. I'm sure you can crack this at some point!Roger Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04361445192742143997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-82051019782221493982011-09-12T06:06:00.571+01:002011-09-12T06:06:00.571+01:00great stuff again nick..truly great effort. i thin...great stuff again nick..truly great effort. i think you might have been in a different place had you not done the L100 so close to itultra colliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11255286025113300247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-83767041208529529522011-09-09T18:14:25.584+01:002011-09-09T18:14:25.584+01:00Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments.
J...Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments.<br /><br />Johann, I hope your dream of taking part comes true.<br /><br />Bernie, sorry to hear you got timed out at La Fouly. I wish you success next time.<br /><br />Steve, over this past week my leg has improved beyond my wildest dreams (on zero running, mind). I will be there next weekend at the High Peak 40.<br /><br />Ali, because even completing two thirds or three quarters of this race is so tough, this is the only one where I feel able to wear the shirt with pride even though I didn't complete.<br /><br />aka JS, you are so right. Eventual success will taste like nectar.<br /><br />Thank you Henry. Next year.....(lottery willing).<br /><br />Thanks Stu. I have yet to read any other reports (not enough time) but I will. I suspect if the US runners were more used to the vagaries of a cold maritime climate, more of them would have finished. We get good training in the UK. The conditions were never a problem for me. In fact they were benign compared to how they could have been. You and me, next year, UTMB success, eh?Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07454804247569172043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-87569855361331868642011-09-08T21:40:33.139+01:002011-09-08T21:40:33.139+01:00Your report really made me laugh. I love your styl...Your report really made me laugh. I love your style... Start line observations were classic!! And SO TRUE! and if you need any evidence of this do read a good UTMB race report written by a chap that got severely caught out by the weather and clearly didn't have the right gear - www.run100miles.com <br /><br />I've learnt so much from reading various UTMB race reports which I hope will allow me to prepare for my first attempt in 2012 (if I get a place!) my thanks to Nick and everyone else that has shared their UTMB experiences.Ultra Disco Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13449228562628867236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-33144080604067384182011-09-08T17:12:38.572+01:002011-09-08T17:12:38.572+01:00Nick you're one tough cookie. I don't thin...Nick you're one tough cookie. I don't think anyone reading this will be in any doubt... You will go back and finish it!Henryhttp://www.ultra-fit.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-26650450371432287132011-09-08T12:22:16.887+01:002011-09-08T12:22:16.887+01:00this is a fantastic report, it is a real shame tha...this is a fantastic report, it is a real shame that fate dealt you another brutal blow. I'm sure it'll make your impending success taste even sweeter. Best of luck for next time.Dale Jamiesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13614483254021667053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-72823475080515960732011-09-07T22:26:58.295+01:002011-09-07T22:26:58.295+01:00Courage, Nick. It has been great reading your rep...Courage, Nick. It has been great reading your report - I think you can be justifiably proud of your run. You'll definitely get to the finish one of these days. I'm in awe of everyone who starts this race.Ali Bryan-Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02057878025416705119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-89888059822592979402011-09-07T15:52:19.352+01:002011-09-07T15:52:19.352+01:00Great effort Nick. Stunning photos as always. Hope...Great effort Nick. Stunning photos as always. Hope you are fit and well and able to continue your Gland Slam attempt.Steve Meehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526460553479583795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-18775044709654344092011-09-07T13:42:38.234+01:002011-09-07T13:42:38.234+01:00Very entertaining report Nick. Well done for remem...Very entertaining report Nick. Well done for remembering so much detail. I got timed out at La Fouly (much to my surprise- I was confused!) about 2hrs after you got there. I too hopefully will be back to have another go at this great race.Bernie Burkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-24330207704035150732011-09-07T12:15:06.711+01:002011-09-07T12:15:06.711+01:00Thanks for this great report! You can still be pro...Thanks for this great report! You can still be proud of what you achieved. Next year you will do it. This race is Epic in every way. I dream of being there one day.Johannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17588120934444485158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-23815765530225081972011-09-07T10:29:01.605+01:002011-09-07T10:29:01.605+01:00Great report Nick. I'm sure you will make it n...Great report Nick. I'm sure you will make it next timeHippohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12452206365900691571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1630370531945018065.post-87042594719476770882011-09-07T08:10:50.601+01:002011-09-07T08:10:50.601+01:00It is still very impressive Nick. I look forward t...It is still very impressive Nick. I look forward to next years report.sbrthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07629778005961693823noreply@blogger.com