Table of contents for June - July 2022 in Trail Running

When Sabrina Pace-Humphreys’ GP recommended she take up running to help her battle her mental health issues neither patient nor doctor could have predicted quite how effective that treatment would be. Now, a decade later, Sabrina – a mother of four, and a recovered alcoholic – has transformed herself from someone who couldn’t run to a respected ultra-distance athlete. But above all, a runner who has turned her drive and passion into creating Black Trail Runners, a community that provides a safe space for black people whether they’re new to trail running, or experienced. A place to share lived experiences, to share runs, to share tips. A place to see and be seen. “Seven of us – a mixture of trail runners and outdoor specialists – got together to discuss…

GET OUR DIGITAL MAG Get Trail Running magazine on your Apple or Android device, for a great read on the go. Visit www.great magazines.co.uk/tr #TrailShoeSelfie Send us your shoe selfies and hashtag them on social media for a chance to feature in the next issue /trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag Get in touch tr@bauermedia.co.uk…

Once you’ve signed up for our life-changing #Run1000Miles challenge and told everyone about it on social media, there’s only one thing left to do (apart from the running, obviously...): Nail your colours to the mast by snapping up one of our lime green 2022 ruffs. Wear it as a neckwarmer or hat, use it as a scrunchie or double it up as a face mask when you’re nipping to the shops. It’s not only a warm and versatile piece of running kit, but also a great way to let everyone know you’re on the journey to clock 1000 miles in 2022! The ruff costs £9.99 with free UK postage, from trailrunningmag/run1000miles.…

Five years ago I couldn't run for a bus and had zero interest in ever doing so. But one January I started to Couch to 5k (because I was too cheap to join a gym) and my whole life changed. Running is now my life and my job – I set up the Badass Mother Runners online community three years ago after finding myself battling depression and anxiety. I hoped that, if I could remind other women to feel badass, then maybe a little of that would rub off on me. My old school PE teacher would probably go into shock if they ever found out. BEV LOGAN About four years ago I experienced burnout in my professional life, feeling too overwhelmed with the sheer amount of work that there…

WEIGHT The less you push the faster you run! Unless you fill up the undercarriage with gear and snacks… AGE Most are ‘world-facing’ and suitable from six months upwards, but some have newborn inserts or clip to car seats/cribs. FIXED FRONT WHEEL Running buggies are longer than ‘normal’ prams and often have a wheel that does not swivel, making them less convenient for shops and cafés. FOLDABILITY Sorry. I know we hate doing this but it really pays to read the instructions first as these are all super-simple to assemble once you know how. STRAPS Go for the least fiddly straps you can find, both to clip in and adjust. No one likes faff, least of all a back-arching demon child BACKREST The running buggies here all fold back to…

KATHRYN TAYLOR Trail, ultra and fell enthusiast, running coach and Mountain Fuel ambassador. SIGNE SVANFELDT Nutritionist at Lifesum lifesum.com DAVID TAYLOR Fell running guide and coach who teaches navigation skills. fellrunningguide.co.uk DAVID MILLER Photographer, runner and regular contributor to Trail Running. MATT BUCK Running coach and founder of Running Adventures. runningadventures.co.uk Q Why can’t I stop shaking post-ultra? Nicholas Goodman, Eastbourne A It’s not a common problem but our expert Kathryn Taylor believes she could have an explanation. “Your body is working as hard as it can to get back to normal following a period of extreme stress. That shivery, shaky feeling can be due to one, or indeed all, of the following factors,” says Kathryn, a running coach. “Running for more than a few hours plays havoc with your…

1 TAKE THE TIME TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHOE I’m sponsored by Hoka so obviously I’ll tell you how good they are, but of course you need to choose the shoes that work and fit best for you. Think about how you’re going to use them and on what surfaces and work back from there. Will the race or day you’re targeting need superb cushioning, or will it be on a surface that needs really great grip? And, of course, more than ever before you’re going to think about carbon shoes. Hoka have just introduced the Tecton X (see a review on p82), but remember, carbon is not for every surface. Yes, these work well on lots of drier surfaces and offer good flexibility and torsion, but for mud, well…

Poets, artists, and writers have long understood the power of the Welsh landscape when it comes to providing inspiration and now it can also rightly claim to have been the driving force behind a new women’s running brand, Dryad. Abergavenny’s hills, rain, wind and even the odd day of sunshine have all played a role in Matthew Thomas’s dream to incorporate the issues of sustainability and climate change into a brand that recognises exactly what a runner needs from their clothing. Matthew, the founder of this exciting new concept, simply nods in the direction of the magnificent Sugar Loaf mountain that towers above the market town of Abergavenny when he’s asked to explain the driving force behind his ideas. His business is all about helping the local economy, improving sustainability,…

SABRINA PACE-HUMPHREYS How diverse are the trails? A question that needs an answer, p24 CLAIRE MAXTED A look at the best baby buggies for your off-road adventures, p45 SEAN MCFARLANE A closer look at Corfu, so much more than a summer holiday favourite, p54 VERITY OCKENDEN What makes trail running so amazing? Discovering new routes, p64 HARRY JONES From tracks to trails, a look at how it’s possible to run further than ever, p68 HANNAH HOPKINSON Sustainability and a discovery of your innner self on the fells, p86 /trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag tr@bauermedia.co.uk…

Interval speed Training as close as possible to your VO2 max for as long as possible is a significant way to improve your fitness. Running intervals at this pace is one method. A study from the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences recently suggested starting each five-minute rep fast with decreasing speed or using a systematic variation in intensity (3x40s surges at 100% of maximal aerobic speed) resulted in more time spent at more than 90% of VO2 max than running each one at a constant pace. Further or faster? Two groups of recreational runners were, in one case, asked to increase their volume of low intensity running by 70% and, in the other, put on a two-week block of five-times-per-week intervals (6x3 mins). The researchers at the University of…

In her book, Black Sheep, Sabrina reveals how she got from there to here: about growing up in a home, a school and a town where no one looked like her and her subsequent struggle to understand and find her identity; about her lived experience of rural racism; about becoming a teenage mother and her determination to break that stereotype; about her battle with alcoholism and her mental health; about how running saved her life; and ultimately about how someone can not only survive but thrive, in spite of their past. Sabrina’s experience will chime with anyone who has felt like an outsider. Poignant and eye-opening, and exploring themes of trauma, identity, mental health and addiction, Black Sheep is a tale of triumph: of grit and determination, of hope over…

You started off on the #Run1000Miles journey with great enthusiasm but how are you doing now? If the initial excitement is starting to wear off already, how can you stay on course? Here are some handy tips. 1 HAVE A ROUTINE Whether it’s getting your run in first thing in the morning or as soon as you finish work, knowing that running is something you simply do at a certain time means you’re less likely to allow it to become an option. 2 FIND A RACE Running but not racing is a bit like cooking and not eating. You’re putting in the effort so why not reap the rewards? Plus, something short like a 5km need not get in the way of your training schedule as you can recover…

MONTANE Innovative, lightweight, breathable clothing for endurance sports and activities in extreme environments. montane.co.uk SILVA Best known among runners for its headtorches, Silva has designed and produced gear for over 85 years. silva.se ORDNANCE SURVEY OS creates, maintains and distributes detailed location information for Great Britain. Its app is a must-have. ordnancesurvey.co.uk SPORTSSHOES.COM The UK’s No1 online retailer for running, trail and hiking kit. It stocks the widest trail range the UK has to offer. sportsshoes.com LA SPORTIVA Renowned for its mountain footwear, in fact La Sportiva is equally successful as a running shoe brand. lasportiva.com BRIDGEDALE Purveyors of the finest technical socks, developed to offer you the maximum comfort off-road. bridgedale.com FORESTRY ENGLAND Looks after more land and more trees than any other organisation in the country, shaping landscapes…

1 PRACTICE DISCIPLINE AND COMMITMENT Be organised, know your training plan, and when you are running that week, down to the time of day. When you’re training around work and family, you only have a small window. The weather becomes irrelevant – get on with it, no excuses. When you look at it, the average person has around 60 hours of ‘free’ time in the week, and it is up to you what you do with it. 2 BUILD RUNNING INTO YOUR ROUTINE Create a habit, such as running to/ from work. Keeping spare kit in the office will make this more accessible and give you no excuses. I have a jacket in the office and use it all the time. Another tip is if you’re planning on a morning…

For some of us, holidays are all about taking it easy, kicking back and generally not doing a lot. However, I say that makes them the perfect time to get some easy running in. Forget tough sessions and intervals, instead work to this simple rule: day one, out of the hotel and turn left; day two turn right. Go easy, go early. Indeed that is exactly the rule I used when I visited Corfu a few years ago. It works a treat and even now I can recall the empty forest trails at 7am in the cool air before settling down to a fab breakfast in the sun and a day sipping cocktails on the beach. It works everywhere, every time. Florida, I went right one morning and left the…

OUR EXPERTS We use in-house and independent experts with sports and exercise backgrounds and many years of trail-kit testing under their belts so you can trust our kit reviews. PAUL LARKINS TR editor Paul has selected the best new running swag, from inspirational books to jazzy legwear! MARC ABBOTT Marc has been testing lightweight summer kit (p74) and the latest trail running shoes, p82. ANDY PEACE Discover how Andy’s Adidas Terrex Agravic Tech Pro shoes are faring before he takes them to the Alps, p83. HANNAH HOPKINSON We spent a day in the company of Hannah – and new brand Dryad – on the trails around Abergavenny, p86 Inspiration to explore Let Ross Brannigan’s new book help you plan your next life-affirming run in Scotland Running Adventures Scotland Ross Brannigan,…

HOKA TECTON X 255g (UK 11) hoka.com £170 It's difficult not to be too excited when the shoe's tech spec includes the description: 'dual-plated carbon'. As we all know that can mean you'll run a fair bit quicker – at least you will on smooth, even roads. But how's the performance off-road? Well, early reports suggest it's going to be a contender, but you will, however, have to be very picky about where you run in them. Smooth paths are OK, more technical terrain possibly more of an issue. They are very comfortable and the 3mm drop feels good, but because of the shifting and segmented carbon plates, the Tecton X doesn't roll smoothly on uneven surfaces. VERDICT A shoe you'll fall in love with despite its foibles. 9/10 Grip Cushioning…

Sugar Loaf, the mountain that helped inspire Dryad, was the highest peak visible from the home town of my younger days. What a shame I hadn’t discovered trail running by that point. Now largely confined to the pancake-flat Fens, I fully appreciate how such an amazing landscape could have improved my running more than trotting around the flat urban streets. First, hills and mountains act as a natural ‘gym’: they work muscles you wouldn’t strengthen as much on the flat, thus making you more economical and helping to iron out imbalances which could lead to injury. Secondly, the effect of the scenery on your mind can be equally important. After all, a happy run is more likely to lead to another the following day. So get out of town and…

Hidden treasures ‘Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee,’ begins the hymn which, according to local legend, the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady was inspired to write in 1763 while sheltering from a storm in a rocky cleft in Somerset’s Mendip Hills. Scribbling the lyrics down on a playing card, the Reverend returned home to nearby Blagdon to complete the hymn, now regarded as one of the four great Anglican hymns of the 19th century and a favourite of Prince Albert. If it’s one you’re not familiar with, we recommend giving the Johnny Cash version a go. If you’re keen to visit the famous rock itself – out of curiosity or simply a need for shelter – you’ll find it in Burrington Combe, at the start…

If you’ve never been injured, we suggest you purchase a lottery ticket today; clearly, you’re a lucky athlete! Of course, you always think it’s you who’s been singled out and that superstar up front is tougher than nails and never, ever struggles. Think again. We chatted to ultra-legend Tom Evans just a few days after his Transgrancanaria 65km win. At this point, you’d expect a tale of months of perfect prep, smoothly transitioning from winter to spring training. In fact, his is a story of recovery and rehab and how you can turn the dark days of injury into a trail run where it all goes right! He’s just recovered from knee surgery – the result of running too much on the road! “During lockdown, I ran the same 500-metre…

STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION Young people are taking 2278 steps per day fewer than their counterparts a generation ago, according to a review of 16 scientific papers by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. The report published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise analyses the findings of 22 years’ use of wearable tracking devices. Taking into account data from United States, Canada, Japan, Greece, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, declines were seen across children, adolescents and adults and the average change overall in physical activity was 1118 steps per day. Superfood Spotlight: TOMATOES The versatile plant food is packed with vitamin C and beta-carotene, can aid eye health and help protect against cancer and high blood pressure. Keep on running As if we didn’t…

FUEL & RECOVER Keeping your energy levels topped up is vital, especially for longer and multi-day runs. We put Stuart Haw, veteran of Austrian mountain races, on the case... Battle Ready Fuel THEY SAY: Battle Ready Fuel is a new performance nutrition range built on elite ingredients for elite results. From Military Whey and Vegan Warrior protein powder to Pre-Combat pre-workout and multilayer protein bars and bites, this range is your one-stop shop to prepare, perform and recover. The full line up, comprising nine supplements and snacks, prioritises game-changing health benefits for the mind, body and fuel to work as one. Products start at £24.99 and are available in convenient, recyclable tubs and sachets. battlereadyfuel.com STUART SAYS “Whether you are heading back from the gym, a short speed session, or…

On September 12 2009, I attempted to take my life. That moment started me on a journey to wellness; to achieve a better work-life balance, optimum performance and lead a more healthy, peaceful, and purposeful life. A plan is essential for developing confidence and achieving your goals. What I have learned is that the road to a healthier, more purposeful life requires that you listen to discover your life’s journey, learn from your failures, and then take steps to heal. Here’s how running was crucial in healing my mind. I have had a lifelong battle with stuttering, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, depression, and suicide. I continually fight these battles. I have come to learn that I am not alone in the community of ultra-runners to struggle with depression and mental health problems.…

1 SIGN UP ONLINE Visit run1000miles.co.uk to register. We have special 2022 #Run1000Mile ruffs for you to wear while you complete your challenge. They’re on sale now for £9.99 – so make sure you order yours today. Stock is extremely limited! 2 DO A PLEDGE Visit the website, download the #Run1000Miles pledge, sign it, take a picture of it and post it on social media to commit to the challenge. 3 JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP Sign up at facebook.com/ groups/run1000miles. You’ll be part of a buzzing community sharing the joys and toils of the experience, boosting you to achieve your aims. 4 FILL IN THE TRACKER Download the mileage tracker from run1000miles.co.uk to record how you’re progressing towards the big 1000. 5 GET SOCIAL Tag…

If you’re ever on trails around Llanelli and are passed by a runner shouting at an action camera and wearing headphones, don’t worry – it’s probably just Jimmy Watkins. The Welshman, a former international 800m runner, has reignited his love of running by reviewing albums as he runs, filming himself and uploading the entertaining results to social media. Earlier this winter, he could be seen dodging fallen trees and skipping through the woods around Swiss Valley Reservoir while listening to Adele’s 30. “It should be as cold as a JCB bucket in February but it’s as warm and comforting as a hot tub full of oven gloves,” he shrieked. When you watch Jimmy’s videos on YouTube, his enthusiasm is obvious. Yet it hasn’t always been directed at running. The 39-year-old…

Running is an important part of my life, so much so that I go nearly every day (often twice) and there is very little that gets between me and time on the trails. So, when I found out I was pregnant I was determined to keep running in the safest and healthiest way for me and my new passenger. I’ve spent years training hard, learning lessons in races, and developing nutritional strategies so I can push my boundaries to explore how good an ultra-runner I can be. After living through the pandemic and cancelling a year of race plans, I worked to come back stronger than ever with a string of bucket-list races in my calendar. Testament to how healthy my body is, I fell pregnant much quicker than anticipated,…

1 ALWAYS TAKE SNACKS! Who knows when the Kraken will awake from within, stretch out a tentacle and demand sustenance. 2 TIME IT RIGHT! Nap time is a great time to go running so you can get a longer run in without worrying about your kid getting bored, demanding snacks, whining, crying, etc… 3 LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS! Yes these are buggies that can go on trails, but you will not be able to bash through undergrowth, Barkley Marathon-style, and some of the lumpier, narrower singletrack may be off limits. But it’s only for a while, and a run on easier trails is better than no run. 4 LEAVE THEM! Not really! But do consider doing a Jasmin Paris (Spine race record holder) – deposit your sleeping offspring halfway up a…

As an aspiring mountain runner who usually trains in the Black Mountains or the Pyrenees, it was already a dream come true to visit Verbier in the Swiss Alps for the first time last July. The peaks are accessible to all levels of runners, connected by cable car and good roads, so you can experience varied terrain and race-poster views without the near-elite level of fitness needed to scale the elevation. Just as well; at the time I was 16 weeks pregnant! Local trail racers, including Emily Vaudan – who in 2020 was third female in Europe’s longest trail run, the 314km Swiss Peaks 360 – have worked with Verbier’s tourist office to plot 21 routes. Each guest staying at least one night in Verbier is given a VIP (“Verbier…

After a few years away, I’ve found myself back in New York City to study for my masters degree. I say New York City but in reality I’m about 10 miles north of downtown Manhattan so there is some actual green space to enjoy! Part of my degree involves coaching the university track team so it’s vital to know as many local trails as possible to keep potentially easily bored teenagers entertained. And I’ve found the best place to turn is your local running store. Without any doubt it will be staffed by keen local runners who have an intimate knowledge of every trail – the hills, the mud, the hidden turns – and probably every best time on said trail. Liam Dee…

The Wild Year Jen Benson, £16.99 In the increasingly remote work world we live in, Jen and Sim Benson’s story is pretty amazing. Jen and Sim put together the incredibly detailed routes section for Trail Running and oversee many of the in-depth gear tests we do. So it was surprising to read on a newswire that the pair (and their family) don’t actually live in a house! Jen, it read, has written a book that “tells the uplifting true story of a family who left their old life behind to spend a year living wild in a tent around Britain. With a baby and a toddler, mounting debt, work demands and stress trampling over their desire to spend time together as a family in nature, Jen and Sim Benson…

ADIDAS TERREX AGRAVIC TECH PRO Used by Andy Peace Used since December 2021 adidas.co.uk £220 Conceived and designed to cope with extreme running in winter Alpine conditions (think snow, glacier, rock, run, scramble), I’ll admit to feeling a bit overdressed when setting out for a run around the muddy, damp moors of West Yorkshire in these. But sometimes being overdressed is worth it, and getting back home some time later with toasty warm, dry (and clean!) feet, having stayed upright despite the slippy mud means it's only Moss the collie who has to be hosed down before being allowed into the house. Changing from being a frequent ‘max’ shoe user to these meant I was originally a little worried about how the cushioning would feel. I needn’t have been, because while…