The all new training diary.

[Sweder]

Survival stuff? Not sure if I know what you mean.

The terrain sounds like it's to be survived rather than casually galloped over - in relation to the modest goosebumps we negotiate here. We do have a couple of descents (they're always worse than the climbs no?) that you need to keep an eye on. Perhaps your trails aren't so bad when you've tried them out - they sound pretty daunting to me, but then so did running a half marathon a few short years ago.

I'm not surprised at the reaction amongst the hardcore to FITC. I'm sure many see it as an exposé, others as misrepresentative and yet others (if you accept northern stereotypes) just southern softies sticking their nose into a private/ local affair.

What impressed me was the author didn't just roll up in his motor, puff on his tabs and swig from a hip-flask whilst jotting down anecdotes to make a few bob; he took it all on, thrashed himself as hard as he dared and beyond. As much as he could he lived the life; I think that deserves credit, even from the most gnarled and grisled fellrunner. There again perhaps they don't consider writing much of a way to make a living :o