Well the running has taken on a whole new level! Forget the idea of 26 miles, as I have stepped on up to a much tougher event. Last Saturday I competed in and completed, what was for me; the arduous
Preseli Beast Bach in 3:21:55
Yes, I know that this isn't a time to write home about, but when you have been as unfit as me, and have dreamt of doing a Fell Race, then getting around one without stopping, in any time, however long is a huge achievement.
There were hills, more hills, steeper hills, streams, more steams, mud, bog, Fells, woodland trails, muddy trails, more trails and all out fun. I bought a Salamon Agile 12 and took along the Welsh Fell Runners Association Mandatory equipment along with 1.5 litres of SIS orange flavour GO drink, quite a few energy bars, and emergency supplies of food (nuts, dried fruit, jelly babies, and jelly beans). That of course meant an extra 0.5 stone of weight on my already oversized frame. Albeit that frame isn't as oversized as it used to be when I was 22 stone. Still, maybe I should have bought the smaller Salamon Agile 7 Hydration Pack. But of course it's difficult to make choices at the time of purchase when you don't know the products. You can read reviews, but we are all different, and maybe we are all looking for something different. For me at 18 stone, small is better, and as good as it is, the Salamon Agile 12 ain't small.
The best part is, this would also have been a stunning event to use that Action Camera that I have been thinking about buying. But when money is tight, there tends to be a lot of thinking and very little actual buying. The one that seems to be the established market leader at the moment is simply too expensive, whereas I'm not sure that I can manage and use the Mobious 1082 cheaper option, and of course I would also need to buy the waterproof housing. I suspect that either camera would clip onto my Salamon Agile 12 hydration pact. So it was going to be a simple choice between 'A' or 'B' and then Garmin go and release a new product that seems to be a lot cheaper and more user friendly than the 'established one' and my cheaper option. Better still, those that have read this Blog also know that I am a keen photographer, and the Garmin thingy seems to have certain functions that assist the photographer. So now there is a serious third contender. Which of course means more thinking, but at least for the moment it doesn't involve more hills, more streams, or more bog.
I have put myself down as a potential Garmin (specific product) tester. That's not a job, it's just a situation whereby they lend you an Action Camera, and you try it out. The unfortunate part being that you have to give it back at the end of the period.
If I manage to snaffle up a loan product then I will let you know what I think of it. But if I don't make the cut, then maybe one of you lovely readers will send me a message and spill the beans as to what you think of the Garmin Camera. Oh while you are at it; can you also let me know about the Garmin Foreunner 220 and/or 620 with heart strap watches, as if I ever manage to save enough dosh, then I want one of those as well :-)
