Well done, Darren. There is no shame in that performance: you battled right through to the finish. Without the navigation error and with better altitude acclimatisation you might have been top ten. Perhaps that should be your goal for next year. Great video, something completely different.
The whole experience has certainly given me a different outlook on racing, something to draw on when I 'think' the going is getting tough. If not for the difficult travelling arrangements I'd go back in a heartbeat
Thanks it was a weird experience, very raw and certainly got all the senses on high alert which rarely happens hence the title. The Bucegi mountains are stunning.
The ship has sailed and everyone has moved on, but i just wanted to say that this video is 10 times more inspiring than if everything had gone as hoped. And 20 times more inspiring that most of the outdoor videos on RUclips. I don't usually 'connect' to videos becuase I think 'you made your bed .. etc.' But this was a tale of someone trying so hard and tiny things not going quite right. Thank you very much for filming and sharing your run.
Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. It was a weird experience, painful, at times unnerving and ultimately disappointing in terms of performance and yet it was so epic I'll certainly enjoy the memory more than some of the other races which all went to plan :)
Thanks for sharing Darren. Even under hard rain and wind, these mountains look beautiful and amazing. Congrats for what you did. Motivating video! Isabelle
Thanks Mark, must admit the experience has given me a different outlook on racing in England and in general. But I suppose every race has its own challenge, in Y3P you just ending up working at a higher level.
Great adventure, Darren. Those Romanian mountains look fun! Weldone for taking part, it was definitely exciting course. I loved the scrambly and challenging weather parts too, all this makes it more interesting and memorable.
It was amazing, and the shear size of the Bucegi mountains is quite daunting...two hours to reach the first summit mostly up hill over 10K, you don't get hill reps like that in England lol.
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning haha I definitely agree! it's just a little crazy to even apprehend that kinda race in the first place, nevermind actually doing it 🤯 👌💪 solid effort! Any more plans with races or videos?
I thru-hiked the Fagaras in August and this took me right back there, these mountains are beautiful but also very raw and the trails are intense. Great effort and great report!
Thanks it was a stunning route and you're right, had a few close calls to be honest, not sure if you spotted it but on one of the narrow traverses the ground disappears, that scared the crap out of me as spotted it late lol
Wow well done Darren, what an amazing race. Another great video that captured your experiences, brilliant we get to share a bit of that. A cracking performance all things considered and sure you will be able to put what you have learnt to good use.
Thanks, I really like it lightweight but does the necessary in a downpour. Of course very cold weather moving slower may need something thicker but these are very comparable to the lighter Inov 8 waterproofs.
I am looking for an all out 50k semi technical to technical racing shoe. I can’t tolerate any pressure on my haglunds deformity and usually have to cut out heel counters. The s lab pulsar looks perfect but I fear too narrow. Any suggestions for this type of shoe with collapsible heel?
Excelent race choice, I wanted to get there did not make it this time. I got an even crazier challenge for you for the summer of 2023 if you are up for it :-) (drums)
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Search for 2X2 RACE (45km/4500+-). It will probably require a bit of acclimatization as everything happens above 2000. Very technical race but spectacular at the same time.
Wow that does look like something else. Unfortunately the travel is not easy and expensive so not sure I'll be able to get back out there anytime soon.
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning 100Eu fly with Wizzair,100-150Eu rent depending on how many days. Aldo it's worth spending a few days in the area as training :). Food is quite cheap as well as transportation. The race starts at the top of Transfagarasan - search for photos. Who knows, maybe you rob a bank and add it in the 2023/24 plan ;) Happy running mate!
Great running Darren, what an epic course. That is some solid elevation in there and not easy with that weather sweeping in. Congrats on the race and amazing to go all that way and be next to someone from Lancaster 😅
Epic is the word mate, such an awesome experience even with the sickness. It was a classic moment when me and Sean realised we were both English lol, like two old friends clocking each other!
Well done, Darren. There is no shame in that performance: you battled right through to the finish. Without the navigation error and with better altitude acclimatisation you might have been top ten. Perhaps that should be your goal for next year. Great video, something completely different.
The whole experience has certainly given me a different outlook on racing, something to draw on when I 'think' the going is getting tough. If not for the difficult travelling arrangements I'd go back in a heartbeat
What an amazing guy. These vids get me quite emotional. I just dream of these of sort of races in fog and rain. So pretty
Thanks it was a weird experience, very raw and certainly got all the senses on high alert which rarely happens hence the title. The Bucegi mountains are stunning.
The ship has sailed and everyone has moved on, but i just wanted to say that this video is 10 times more inspiring than if everything had gone as hoped. And 20 times more inspiring that most of the outdoor videos on RUclips. I don't usually 'connect' to videos becuase I think 'you made your bed .. etc.' But this was a tale of someone trying so hard and tiny things not going quite right. Thank you very much for filming and sharing your run.
Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. It was a weird experience, painful, at times unnerving and ultimately disappointing in terms of performance and yet it was so epic I'll certainly enjoy the memory more than some of the other races which all went to plan :)
Amazing how you are raising the cinematographic quality of your videos Darren. Well done!,
Thanks Karl, appreciate that.
Great finish, focus all your energy on the experience, love the moment.
Thanks it was one hell of an experience.
Thanks for sharing Darren. Even under hard rain and wind, these mountains look beautiful and amazing. Congrats for what you did. Motivating video!
Isabelle
They certainly are beautiful Isabelle, such a shame we didn't get more clearings to see them completely but cracking experience all the same.
You started and you finished, respect ✊
Thanks Ian
Great running, beautiful scenery.
It is beautiful place highly recommend.
Well done Darren, great video showing running like it is.
Thanks Gemma :)
Well done Darren,great run,great video ❤❤
Thanks :)
You are a tough one!! Very inspiring.
Certainly didn't feel like it on the day lol, thank you :)
Well done Darren 👏 fantastic effort. Brilliant Video as ever keep em coming 👍
After that effort next year's Yorkshire 3 Peaks should be a Doddle 😎💪🏃
Thanks Mark, must admit the experience has given me a different outlook on racing in England and in general. But I suppose every race has its own challenge, in Y3P you just ending up working at a higher level.
Well done Darren, great vlog 👌
Thanks Matt :)
Great effort. Best wishes for your adventures in the new year.
Thanks and to you too, have a great break
Awesome effort Darren
Thanks :)
Awesome videos, Darren! I just discovered your channel and hope you keep at it!
Thanks, unfortunately proven hard to keep up with content but never say never for creating more.
Well done! I train there and I can confirm is a beautiful place but tehnical.
Thanks, must be a cracking playground.
Great adventure, Darren. Those Romanian mountains look fun! Weldone for taking part, it was definitely exciting course. I loved the scrambly and challenging weather parts too, all this makes it more interesting and memorable.
It was amazing, and the shear size of the Bucegi mountains is quite daunting...two hours to reach the first summit mostly up hill over 10K, you don't get hill reps like that in England lol.
Unbelievable effort 👌 just come across your channel, some of the best content on here! inspirational, happy running
Thanks Charlie, it was tough during but fond memories after. Bizarre how our brains are selective in how we remember stuff lol.
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning haha I definitely agree! it's just a little crazy to even apprehend that kinda race in the first place, nevermind actually doing it 🤯 👌💪 solid effort! Any more plans with races or videos?
I am racing in a few weeks but won't be doing a video for it as time is restricting me at the moment unfortunately.
I thru-hiked the Fagaras in August and this took me right back there, these mountains are beautiful but also very raw and the trails are intense. Great effort and great report!
Nice, I bet its even better when you can really take your time, really stunning scenery.
Great effort, mate. Route looks rather gnarly in places
Thanks it was a stunning route and you're right, had a few close calls to be honest, not sure if you spotted it but on one of the narrow traverses the ground disappears, that scared the crap out of me as spotted it late lol
That the one at 10:10? Yeah mate, made me wince a bit too…wouldn’t fancy that on tired legs haha
You've got it, its a long way down and the 360 doesn't do it justice :)
Wow well done Darren, what an amazing race. Another great video that captured your experiences, brilliant we get to share a bit of that. A cracking performance all things considered and sure you will be able to put what you have learnt to good use.
It was a unique experience and one to carry forward for sure, thanks.
Great video, and great effort! Looks like an amazing course.
Its stunning out there mate, there mountains and then theres mountains :)
good job man , whats the vj jackets like?
Thanks, I really like it lightweight but does the necessary in a downpour. Of course very cold weather moving slower may need something thicker but these are very comparable to the lighter Inov 8 waterproofs.
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning thanks 👍🏻
I am looking for an all out 50k semi technical to technical racing shoe. I can’t tolerate any pressure on my haglunds deformity and usually have to cut out heel counters. The s lab pulsar looks perfect but I fear too narrow. Any suggestions for this type of shoe with collapsible heel?
Hi, afraid I couldn't say as not had that issue. If you need to cut at any shoe to make it comfortable its really hard to say how it'll respond TBH.
Excelent race choice, I wanted to get there did not make it this time. I got an even crazier challenge for you for the summer of 2023 if you are up for it :-) (drums)
Thats a shame Mihai, next year maybe! I'm intrigued on the 2023 challenge
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Search for 2X2 RACE (45km/4500+-). It will probably require a bit of acclimatization as everything happens above 2000. Very technical race but spectacular at the same time.
Wow that does look like something else. Unfortunately the travel is not easy and expensive so not sure I'll be able to get back out there anytime soon.
@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning 100Eu fly with Wizzair,100-150Eu rent depending on how many days. Aldo it's worth spending a few days in the area as training :). Food is quite cheap as well as transportation. The race starts at the top of Transfagarasan - search for photos. Who knows, maybe you rob a bank and add it in the 2023/24 plan ;)
Happy running mate!
Great running Darren, what an epic course. That is some solid elevation in there and not easy with that weather sweeping in. Congrats on the race and amazing to go all that way and be next to someone from Lancaster 😅
Epic is the word mate, such an awesome experience even with the sickness. It was a classic moment when me and Sean realised we were both English lol, like two old friends clocking each other!