Did I get hired or fired in the Lake District?
Trail Running Magazine, Trail Team Selection Day Helvellyn
Not knowing what to expect of the Trail Running Magazine, Trail Team selection day in Helvellyn, sponsored by Berghaus, Led Lenser and Torq, my only point of reference was the ‘reality’ or ‘dramality’ shows that invade our living rooms, all too frequently in my opinion. Would the very desirable prizes of lots and lots of Berghaus, Led Lenser and Torq goodies nicely capped off with a free training camp in Chamonix turn our group of trail runners into a pack of The Apprentice, The Voice, X Factor, Next Top Model, Celebrity Big Brother brash, spotlight grabbing drama kings and queens?
Given the inherently competitive nature of runners, the great prize, the not inconsiderable distance travelled by many, the inevitable lack of sleep from group youth hostel dorms and fatigue from running repeats of Helvellyn you might be forgiven for thinking some ‘chest thumping’ inevitable. This assumption however couldn’t be farther from the truth, it was pretty much all a very companionable meeting of likeminded folk who when brought together by a common purpose gelled instantly into happy trail running camaraderie.
The observant of you may have dwelled for a second on ‘pretty much’, there was perhaps a little suggestion of an eye to the purpose of the day, selection, and possibly a few instances of ‘playing’ to the selectors.
In its mildest form this was a little ‘race t-shirt’ bingo; all manner of extreme event tops were in evidence this included, all of which the wearers should be inordinately proud of and are very well and hard earned, a bright orange Marathon des Sable 2014 top (not mine, I left mine at home, mostly because the medium supplied fitted wonderfully post-race but is now, how shall we say calorie deficit well and truly restored figure hugging), a Hardmoors Grand Slam Hoodie commemorating the completion in one year all of the Hardmoors Ultra Series that’s 30, 55, 60 and 110 mile finishes, several Hardmoors 110 t-shirts, a very good ‘Ring of Fire’ t-shirt, a couple of UTMB gilets however top ultra-running top trumps winner was the The Spine finishers jacket; I deem the wearer the most modest of the group as he had resisted the urge to wear the complete set of three he earned in the races first three years.
A less subtle manifestation of chest beating arose on the guided run where a cynical eye might suggest a few alpha-males and an alpha-female on reaching Red Tarn took the opportunity to show what outgoing, ‘outdoorsy’, enthusiastic guys and gals they were with a race to see who could strip off, kiss cannons and dive in first.
Such was the spirit of the whole weekend all of the above sat comfortably in the context of the event, a few observers smiled wryly to themselves however at no point was there a sense of any of our enthusiastic group trying to in the style of the reality show steal the limelight.
I can say without reserve that I have never seen such a large group, in excess of fifty with aspirant Trail Team runners, organisers and guest speakers join together so quickly and fully. It was a true pleasure to be part of the event and irrespective of the outcome.
The event itself was supremely well managed by Freestak spearheaded by Simon and Julie, Simon somehow keeping the group largely in the right place at the right time and on time; no small achievement with fifty plus trail runners comparing events, training, kit and of course injuries.
The selection day itself was on the Saturday however many runners arrived on the Friday and left Sunday allowing them to enjoy several runs around Helvellyn and enjoy further the social aspects of the weekend.
The order of events, at least for me, were a quick run out with the irrepressible Shane Donelly of Northern Ireland, who figuratively and literally ran me off my feet. I had a quiet word with him afterwards to let him know trail running etiquette when ‘destroying’ older, balder, fatter, slower runners on a little jog out is to at least pant a little, even pretend ones, going uphill not to add in extra ascent at every opportunity only looping back to your running buddy to chivvy him along. I of course don’t get a vote in proceedings however if I did, this great fun, incredibly enthusiastic and very talented runner would get my vote even if he did leave me gasping for breath, grasping my seized abdomen.
Following the quick run out it was shower, dinner, a couple of beers and the second miracle of the weekend, counting the incredible camaraderie and bonhomie as the first, a group dorm of seven hairy chaps, tired from a long drive, short run and a few beers and not one snorer! Now what are the odds?
The selection day itself started with an unexpected but very well received cooked breakfast, I confess I was anticipating a few rounds of toast and some over-stewed tea. Proceedings continued with presentations from Berghaus and Torq, sadly Led Lenser were unavailable to attend. The sponsors talks were thankfully technical detail light and inspiration dense in the case of Berghaus and informative and sport nutrition savvy from Torq with just enough science to convince but not so much it confused, supplemented with lots of their awesome goodies to try.
We were treated to inspirational talks from running royalty double team Steve Birkinshaw and Helen Whitaker nee Diamantides whose joint running CV’s are frankly way too impressive to recount here, set aside an hour or so park yourself in front of Google and be prepared to be impressed, very impressed indeed.
The selection day itself drew to a close and those that were able to stay for a further night split into groups to run, walk or hike for a little before a showing of the Dragons Back Race film; a few naughty partcipants who had already seen the film opted for a few pints of the local ale at the Travellers Rest where three separate real ales were tried and found to be excellent.
Mentioning no names and of course not revealing that the author of this piece was holding the camera:
Another great feed courtesy of the youth hostel and again, unbelievably given rather more alcohol was consumed now the official proceedings were over a snoreless night for the occupants of room fourteen.
Sunday morning was celebrated with more Lakeland running with the option of choosing between four groups led at the front by Steve Birkinshaw and supposedly followed up the rear by Helene Whitaker as a ‘hiking group’ I think trading standards may have taken issue with that description had they seen the pace at which Helene ‘hiked’ uphill.
All ambitions and abilities were catered for and I enjoyed a fantastic run with one of the ‘middle’ groups hiking some great ascents and trying to reacquaint myself with the skill of downhill running on technical terrain; not a complete success as three falls proved, all of which happily were on soft grass and clearly more to do with my foot wear then technique, ahem, sadly no one caught a rather epic bum slide on camera.
A lovely hot shower awaited us at the hostel, it was a superb venue and yet more food this time in the form of delicious stews. Promises of hooking up on Facebook made I headed for home a very happy trail runner indeed.
What would be an awesome social experiments would be to re-run the weekend twice with groups of road runners and the extreme version with triathletes ………
So was I hired or fired? Well that decision is yet to be made with another selection day in London next weekend; whilst I would love to win a place, I have already a terrific prize in the new friendships made.
Good luck to everyone.
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