As some of us know, the LDWA Winter Tanners is due. I haven't entered as of yet as I propose to do it on the day, subject to final top permission from Mrs Jerry. So far I understand that the following people are doing it: Richard D (20 mile route) Celtic Tiger (30 mile route) Me (30 mile route) Not sure if others are planning to do it but as I have a little time on my hands over the coming weeks I was going to compare the routes for the past few years as I reckon there cannot be too many variations on a theme. I am planning to wear my light kit comprising Bum bag 2 x chew bars 3 x Carb Gels 1 x telephone 1 x toilet paper 1 x Nuun pkt Nuun Bottle belt 1 x 500 ml bottle (empty) 1 x 500 ml bottle ( 300 mls sports drink) I'll use the "Drink and Refill" technique that seems too work for me Maps can be put in ring folder plastic wallets. Anybody coming along that I have missed? Any thing I need to drop or add to my kit (apart from my UK buff of course )

Just from my one time experience of navigating over the Nine Edges last September was that as long as you got your bearings and a good feel of scale against distance travelled ( a worthy art) it was pretty easy. We over ran our first turn and then very quickly learnt what it meant to run to a turn. My buddy Sleet Magnet (RA user name) made comment that she thought my map reading style was unusual as I I orientated the map to North and then mimicked the hills and valleys with my had as if to make the map 3 -dimensional! I reckon I should bring out my map one long run we do together and not run from memory but to run from the map, it is a very different experience and teaches you to "know" your bearing to North. Looking at the LDWA instructions it would be good to mark all OS Grid references down on the map and then it will become obvious which public paths we are to run. I don't think there will be a reliance on the map but it will be a good back out plan.

Good news on the Tanners front. Myself and Benyo have enlisted a five times Tanners veteran from Orr for Sunday which will make life a lot easier in navigational terms. Looking forward to it now.

After my first foray into an Ldwa event, I can confirm that I am truly hooked. A wonderful mixture of running, walking and navigation with the most wonderful scenery over the snow covered Surrey Downs. The 30 mile couse is tough and unrelenting, truly ultra terrritory. The three checkpoints were well stocked with Cold drinks, biscuiyts and fruit and the last one even had tea and coffee. All this for £2.50. Need I say more. Roll on the Punchbowl.