Must be incredibly inspirational knocking about in those circles, do you fancy it yourself next year?
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Ha, intimidating and absolutely no chance!
That is well beyond anything I’d consider fun!
I’ll come and cheer you on for a few miles if you do it though
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And then there were 7
Last one with about 18 miles to go - they have been going for almost a week now
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I’d be half tempted if I was partnered up with someone and it was a case of just getting round )who am I kidding that’s all my races now 
)
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It’s the kind of event that you could start as friends and end as enemies, or start as strangers and end as friends 
Any finish is a finish for me these days and a 50% DNF rate comes with the tyranny of age.
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Had a message from Martin Penney last night, a Cornwall local who has done the race, crewed and his wife is having her 2nd attempt. I was asking about placing at the start, as I’ve heard about how long the bottlenecks can take. His reply was:
" Get up the front and let the fast ones past. It’s a mad sprint for the narrow section. You can lose at least 20mins on each mile for the first 3 miles if you are at the back. The back runners rarely finish now there are over 300 runners."
So, 103 miles, fully loaded that starts with a sprint and a rugby scrum. That’s great. 
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A bit like that at CCC I believe - massive waits which puts the pressure on for the cut offs
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Just saw this. Looks like Ironmans ownership of UTMB is going well…
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Good. It’s a fucking circus.
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Great day at the running show yesterday, primarily to see Jasmine Paris. She was very interesting and such a nice person. Very passionate about environmental issues and talked a lot about sustainability. Talked about UTMB and the direction of travel which I think the community are very unhappy about; in particular with what happened to the Whistler event. Had a quick chat with her and asked whether she would be doing Barkleys this year. She said that she couldn’t answer that question which I took to mean that she might be. I really hope that she does 
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Great pic @Sparky . Didn’t her husband run Spine this year?
He came third I think?
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Yes he did: I think that he was in the top 5? I think that she didn’t because a) they have a couple of young kids b) she is doing Barkleys … allegedly
EDIT: didn’t spot @tunster post
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Yep he did come third. That would be so cool if she is doing Barkleys
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@FatPom – Good luck for The ARC.
I know this is much more than ‘just’ a race for you.
Ignoring the fact there is nothing ‘just’ about these events.
I will be will away when you start, so will catch up when I get back.
Race Strong, Paul.
PS
These days, I always think of the ‘regulars’ on here when I read things like this:
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Thanks Paul, really appreciate that. I’ll give it my best shot 
I watched a film on Netflix about that skating race, looked absolutely brutal!
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Another thought. I have a new pair of Speedgoats (broken in) and a half worn pair of SGs and a half worn pair of Xodus Ultras.
Probably going to stick with the SGs all round but which pair to wear first? Logic says save the fresh pair for after the bag drop at Lands End but I have have to give myself the best chance of getting to Lands End before cut off first
Plus there is that 12km road section between Marazion and Mousehole. Both pairs have new Boomerang insoles in them.
Being honest, are you actually going to notice the difference in the shoes when out on the trails. Speed isn’t high on a course and distance like the Arc. I’d say it would make minimal difference in literal terms; but may make more of a difference psychologically.
I guess if it were me i’d wear the new ones for the potential extra bit of cushion on the long tarmac section - that’s what immediately came to mind when i started reading your post.
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Cheers mate, you’re probably right. Feet will feel like concrete no matter what
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This popped up on my podcast feed, an interview with Fergy, one of the Arc race directors, maybe a spot of pre-race listening for you ?
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