OMM 2009

Well, I’m back and really happy to have completed this year’s event. Many thanks for the superb organisation and to Andy Creber who was the planner for the standard courses. The terrain was “challenging”. Great if you like tussocks and bog holes.
The event does seem to have reacted to the bad press from last year’s event See my entry from the aftermath. See also the press report from the organisers of the 2008 event, though this might get updated. Still, what about this year?
The event took place in the Elan Valley. Not true high mountains, little over 650 metres, but wild nonetheless. The valley is a water catchment area, and the 2 days made me realise why. Although not much rain over the weekend there was lots of bogs about and the route took us on a tour of the best the area had to offer.
The Chepstow Harriers contingent were out in force.
Gerry & Sue Ashton 39th, Matthew & Vanessa Lawson 29th, Esther Barrett & Bill a superb 7th on the shortest C course.
Andy Stott and Steve Caldwell 18th, Niki Morgan and Rick 202nd and Paul Murrin a great 3rd on the medium score.
Ivan Teed with another bloke 82nd on the B course.
I think Andy Blackmore was there as well.
The wider family were represented with Dave C and another bloke 24th on the B course, and my neice’s husband Steve winning the Medium Score. Also my brother John and his wife were helping in the start / finish team.
Sue is normally a faster and stronger runner than me, but this time she was returning from a long period without training and still having knee problems. It was my job to look after her as best as I could. This meant carrying more of the communal gear, and pushing her into finishing as quickly as we could. Years of experience with her told me that to push was the best thing. She told someone at the end that we could have been quicker but “Gerry kept on stopping for me to catch up”. I thought I had blown it when about 3 km from the day 1 finish I had that unmistakable feeling of a blister going critical. We still managed a good pace to the finish, but once the adrenaline wore off I found walking very difficult. Day 2 looked in doubt. In the morning I applied compeed to both feet, strapping the worst injury with a bandage to help hold it in place. Against all experience and expectations they stayed put for the whole of day 2. We were happy with our runs, all things considered. The day 2 terrain being so much better than day 1 and the sun shining at the finish helped with this feeling.
Both Matthew & Vanessa and Esther and Bill were in the chasing start (being within an hour of the leaders time). This meant an early start and some real navigation. (For Sue & I there was little real navigation needed – though I made sure I kept in contact with the map). Having to think as well as run is inevitably slower – though I could complain about trying to overtake on the boggy tracks this doesn’t take into account the leaders who have no boggy tracks to follow. All credit to Esther & Bill with there great result and to Matthew & Vanessa who beat us as well.
This evening I still think that the OMM is a great event but at the wrong time of the year. Saunders entries are appearing soon. If my feet stop hurting then I might just consider applying.

OMM Preparation

The OMM is getting close. Time to look at the kit list and see what we need, find the odd bits and pieces hidden in strange places round the house, and even the odd new purchase.
On strong recommendation Sue & I decided to move up from the bubblewrap to one of those new-fangled balloon beds. We ordered it on Monday and it was on the doorstep today – 2 days is good service. They don’t look particularly high tech, but as suggested on the website you are paying for the idea and the simple design. Can’t complain I guess. Having inflated a balloon I would expect it to be robust enough. The weight is very impressive. I should provide feedback after the event.
I have heard that Ivan has “given up” on the balloon bed and that he will be going for the space blanket option.
There is a question in my mind regarding the bivvi bag or space blanket. This is compulsory despite each team having a tent. It makes the point that the bag must be heavy duty – whatever that means. I have a thin & light space blanket and am tempted to take that. I note that an advert from Pete Bland to the OMM competitors included a space blanket but not a heavy bivvy bag.
Now an update from Andy C – one of the OMM planners – “The rules have been changed such that a bivvy bag is needed. However, these rules are not being applied this year. Therefore, a standard, unaltered Space blanket is acceptable. Should you wish to use a bivvy bag, there is not yet a decision as to whether or not it must be the heavyweight orange variety, or the lightweight clear one. OMM Marshals are given a clear one which suggests the direction the decision will go. However, if a query arises at the kit check it will be referred to both the Controller and myself to resolve.”
A visit to the OMM site with the rules update suggests that you can get away with a space blanket this year. Having hunted for, and failed to find my light-weight bivvy bags (I’m sure I lent one to someone – was it at the Saunder’s?) I have ordered 2 expensive lightweight reflective bags from Up and Running. Expensive but I expect they will last forever, particularly if not used! I hope we will be not only compliant but safe as well.
I have just about finished the packing. Sue & I have split the load unevenly – more in proportion to body weight. This means I am taking the tent and the cooking stuff, Sue all her own personal stuff plus the food. With the forecast being wet on day 1 and good on day 2 but quite mild I have decided upon easy to dry clothing for the first day with not too much emphasis on warmth for the event.
We have not gone superlight – probably the biggest luxury is more than enough food.
Look for the write-up of the event.