Table of contents for August - September 2021 in Trail Running

PAUL LARKINS Paul is a club coach and also one of the England U18s coaching set-up. He recognises that, above all, running should be about having fun! “I’m a massive fan of the fartlek where you run as fast or slow as you want between two points. And they can be as random as the workout. Hit the accelerator when you see a sheep in the field, ease off when you see a gate. We used to run seven miles every Monday doing pretty much that and the results were fabulous. Fun, fast and fit. You can’t ask for much more.” PAUL HALFORD Over the years Paul has developed an incredible ability to pace himself perfectly. Always a fan of accurate feedback, Paul uses his GPS watch, OS mapping and…

Boost immunity Being active could help you combat Covid-19 and help vaccines work. A review by scientists at Glasgow Caledonian University found regular physical activity strengthens the immune system and that meeting recommended activity guidelines reduces the risk of illness and death from infectious diseases by 37%. They also found vaccines seem more effective if they are administered after a programme of physical activity. Sleep better That exercise can help to improve our sleep is not an earth-shatteringly new finding, but researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan have now notably shown the effect can happen even if you do not perceive a difference. As reported this year in Scientific Reports, 60 minutes of hard exercise improved sleep quality even when the participants reported no change in their own…

This vegan recipe is perfect for all runners – it’s an ideal balanced meal, rich in both carbohydrates and protein, vital for your performance. If you know you are sensitive to fibre-rich foods, and want more easily available carbohydrates before your run, swap the brown rice for white rice. Servings 2 Cooking time 20mins Nutrition 531 kcal, 64.1g carbs, 22.6g protein, 24.2g fat INGREDIENTS ■ 300g tofu ■ 1 medium onion ■ ½ tbsp olive oil ■ 2 tbsp curry powder ■ 2 vegetable bouillon cubes ■ 240ml coconut milk, low fat ■ 240ml water ■ 100g cherry tomatoes ■ 100g brown rice ■ 3tbsp coriander INSTRUCTIONS Cook the rice according to the instructions on the packaging. Cut the tofu and onion into smaller pieces, and fry in oil in…

Not to be outdone by John Kelly (left), Damian Hall took an FKT of his own, running Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast path and beating a 30-year-old record. As well as logging all of the Lakeland peaks, Alfred Wainwright also charted a coast-to-coast route across Northern England. Traversing the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Moors, the path totals 185 miles between St. Bees Head on the west to Robin Hood Bay on the east. Hall’s run of 39hrs, 18mins, 40secs shaved just 18 minutes from the previous best of Mike Hartley. Damian also led a group in a beach clean-up before his attempt began, and the FKT attempt was carbon neutral.…

@iancorless photography on Instagram. Ian is a trail snapper based in Norway. Need some inspo? Check out his Instagram feed – it’s full of wondrous imagery to get the juices flowing! @irunfar on Twitter is a must (besides Trail Running’s social media accounts, of course) for the lowdown on all the latest results and upcoming races. @Tommy_ Rivs on Instagram. His black and white images just ooze coolness and toughness, and his poetic captions seal the deal for us. A definite ‘must follow.’ @bitbeefy on Instagram. With his vibrant outfits, fun persona and ability to inspire, you’ll quickly see why Cory has encouraged so many people to get running! @youngverit on Instagram. TR’s very own track and trail star, Verity Ockenden, takes a refreshing look at racing and training. And…

The first tranche of Running Mayors has been announced across the UK, with the aim of encouraging running at all levels, and ditching the car wherever possible. Trail-obsessed ultra-runner Laura Briggs explains her role as one of these privileged postholders. “Hello? Is that the Running Mayor of Somerset?” As I consider my answer to this entirely unexpected question, the caller – Scott Cain, brains behind the RunSome campaign and the Running Mayors initiative – puts me out of my misery. “Yes, it’s you Laura, congratulations!” But hang on. Am I even qualified for this role? At the moment of the call, I’m filled with doubt. Surely there’s a mistake. How can I possibly be the right person for this job? I am, after all, just an ordinary mum trying to…

Although more than half the year is over, it’s not too late to join us in the #Run1000Miles challenge. Making the target would mean roughly 42 miles per week but, although that may be too much for many of us, there is so much more to the challenge than a yearly total. Here’s why you should consider signing up if you haven’t already: 1 You’ll get fitter, whether you hit the target or not. Check out all the reasons to run according to new scientific evidence on p19. 2 Your mood will improve. Studies have shown exercise can be as effective for depression as antidepressant medication. 3 The goal will provide motivation. You’ll need that impetus to get out of bed and put your running shoes on some mornings! 4…

Paul’s FKT dream may seem impossible, but trust me when I say ‘honestly, he’s a normal bloke’. Let’s be straight to the point here – he’s also not amazingly quick, winning races left right and centre. No, he simply understands planning is the way to go when you want to achieve an amazing goal. MAKE A NOTE Paul did something that works every time. He wrote down what he wanted to do and told a friend (well, us). That simple trick provided him with focus, a time scale and a reference point to how he was progressing. You may not get a record, but it’s certainly the way to improve!…

THE WOMEN Courtney Dauwalter The American is back to defend her UTMB title, having won it last year on her first try. The former Western States 100 winner took victory in every race she finished in her last competitive year of 2019. Beth Pascall The Brit is ranked highest of all the entrants by the International Trail Running Association, courtesy partly of her finishing fourth and fifth respectively in this event in 2018 and 2019. She has also finished fourth at the Western States 100 and this year won the Canyons 100k in the United States. Camille Herron She can lay claim to be the world's best ultra runner, having set world record for 24 hours (168 miles) and with race wins at events such as the Tarawera 100 Miles.…

With more than 250 acres of woodland, trails and forest activities, Moors Valley Country Park really can claim to be a must-visit location for trail runners. The paths snake off into the forest to provide you with an adventure to remember. Plus, of course, it’s a great place to spend the day. Run five miles on the marked paths then relax with a ride on the mini railway, or spot a hawk high in the trees or simply kick back and enjoy the peace and tranquility Forestry England parks provide. Verity uses the trails to unwind and write poetry but Moors Valley is equally adept at providing entertainment for all the family. Elevated walkways, a wonderful coffee bar, a play trail suitable for wheelchair access. It has everything you could…

Back when humans’ only mode of transport was their own two feet, they created well trodden paths between settlements – the first trails. Over thousands of years, partly thanks to the Romans, some of these paths became roads catering for the horsedrawn cart and then motor car. Our transportation network is now completely built around vehicular transport, of course. It’s evolved to make the journey from A to B as smooth as possible for the driver. Further, with the aid of satnav devices and phones, finding your way from any village, town or city in the country to another can be done in seconds. But wouldn’t it be great if it were as easy for foot travellers? Navigation websites such as Google Maps may offer a route for pedestrians, but…

SHERRINGHAM-CROMER (SHECRO) FIVE MILES This takes in the North Norfolk Coastal Path, which is definitely one of the more runner-friendlier sections of the UK’s coastal routes. That said, Beeston Bump is mildly testing, but you are rewarded with magnificent views and a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. ALTON-PETERSFIELD (ALTPET) 14 MILES Within just over an hour from Waterloo Station, you can be at Alton, the starting point for this trek mainly along Hangers Way. There are plenty of wooded and grassed sections passing by a series of tree-covered hills known as the ‘Hangers.’ BURNTISLAND-BUCKHAVEN 14 MILES Perfectly illustrating how routes can be formed of several Slow Ways put together, this one starts in the historic town of Burntisland and heads up the Fife Coastal Path. See…

‘It’s important for all trail runners to know the symptoms, take precautions in affected areas, and – most crucially – know how to remove a tick correctly’ Clare Marsh, a runner from near Wrexham, was visiting the Lake District and found a tick on her ankle which she realised she must have picked up on a run. Although carefully removing it as per the correct advice, after around six weeks she began to feel ill. The medical problems continued for months on end as she struggled to get a diagnosis. After enduring what turned out to be Lyme disease, she feels she has recovered, but said: “I’m still traumatised by it now. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. There were two nights when I thought, ‘God, I’m going to die…

For such a small piece of equipment, there is a mind-boggling array of sunglasses available. From a £5 pair available at your tourist holiday destination to high-end fashion house pairs that require a mortgage to buy, the choice is endless. Here, we give you the lowdown on all you need to know when looking for a solid pair of running sunnies. UV PROTECTION UV rays from the sun are classified into UVA and UVB depending on their wavelength. Both have been shown to pose risks, particularly through overexposure. Eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts are just some of the potential risks posed by excess UV radiation. A good pair of sunnies will effectively filter out these harmful rays, which will not only help your eyes but also protect…

SALOMON AGILE SHORT WOMEN salomon.com £28 The Agile lives up to its name, keeping things simple and light. Classic split-cut style from AdvancedSkin tech material makes for great breathability, and offers quick drying properties for added comfort. The flat lay waist is adjustable via drawstring and the inner lining keeps things snug. One pocket is fine for small essentials. VERDICT Awesome value performer on the trails and roads. DOXA SCOTT SHORT doxarun.com £57 A nice all-round option, the Scott’s length and modest cut make for a one-stop option for many roles: long enough to be casually worn (especially with the selection of pockets) whilst short enough for all kinds of runs. Construction feels durable yet comfortable and a good lining and drawstring make for a well-fitting piece. VERDICT Neat all-day…

1 CROOK PEAK, SOMERSET Soak up the south-west’s views 2 MENDIP GORGES, SOMERSET Punishing ups and downs 3 BLACK DOWN, SUSSEX Delightfully easy 5km trail 4 WINDRUSH VALLEY, OXFORDSHIRE Rural riverside meander 5 WINDERMERE, CUMBRIA Race the steamboat! 6 HADRIAN’S WALL, NORTHUMBERLAND Idyllic yet challenging 7 OFFA’S DYKE, WALES Monumental undertaking! 8 GWYDIR FOREST, WALES Soak up stunning Snowdonia 9 GOATFELL, ISLE OF ARRAN Mountainous 20km trek 10 AN AIRD, ISLE OF SKYE Flat, coastal cool down…

Now, more than ever, a weekend on the trails in the Lake District will provide you with all the stress relief, not to mention excitement and sense of achievement, that running creates. Here at Trail Running we’ve long been fans of a weekend at the Keswick Mountain Festival. With races from 5km to 50km, it’s a festival of sport that should be on every trail runner’s must-do list. The Festival, which takes place in Keswick beside Derwent Water from September 10-12, is a unique event offering a fantastic mix of outdoor activities and live music in the Lakes. There is a varied choice of sports (trail runs, triathlon, swimming, cycling and hiking), activities and entertainment aimed to inspire all ages and abilities. Set in one of the most beautiful parts…

LAURA BRIGGS Is your local mayor as cool as Laura, keen to bring running to us all? (p24) NICOLE AND DAVID MILLAR Trail star and cycling legend on the West Highland Way, p26. PAUL BARTON Running an FKT isn’t just for superhumans. Normal folk can do it, too. (p40) SEAN MCFARLANE Follow his brilliant adventure running point to point in Scotland, p50. JOHN BREWER Our resident professor takes a look at running on Mars! (p68) MICHAEL CRAWLEY His lessons learned from Ethiopian trail running, p74. /trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag tr@bauermedia.co.uk…

WEEK #1 ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS What’s special about the race for you? Does it have any special features that you really love? Ask yourself what type of terrain you like. Technical underfoot or grassy fields? Make an event of it. Can you combine it with a family holiday? Find your reason to run. WEEK #2 IT’S IN THE DETAIL Look for a route that interests you. Even now, there are many races out there, so think about which type of course you’ll excel on and which will be a struggle. Look at the weather report over the preceding week and be ready for anything. WEEK #3 PACE YOURSELF Race decided on and you’re finally back on the start line. So, don’t forget this: work out what time you think you…

If you need to reduce your training for a few months, whether due to injury, work commitments or for some other reason, how much can you do so before you lose fitness? That question was addressed by a review published this May in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The analysis of 64 scientific resources concluded that endurance performance can be maintained for up to 15 weeks even if training frequency is reduced to twice per week or when the overall volume is cut back by 33-66% (as low as 13-26 minutes per session). However, it’s a different matter when it comes to training intensity; VO2 max and long-term endurance was found to drop after 15 weeks even when study participants kept training six times per week at 40…

A study commissioned by beer brand Michelob revealed that Britons logged 10 billion running miles in the year from April 2020 to April 2021. Thanks to lockdown restrictions, as many as one in 10 people covered the distance of London to Tuscany. Now, Michelob is offering the chance to swap your running miles for air fares. Jess Wright from Michelob said: “We’re rewarding the nation’s lockdown runners, turning those hard-earned miles into plane tickets to celebrate their achievements in the past year, and as a reward for all the collective hard work.” Visit @MichelobUltraUK on social media for details.…

The UK’s 2021 fell and hill racing season finally kicked off in earnest during May with a host of races. There were wins for Scout Adkin and Dan Haworth at the Brian Clough Head, and Katie Walshaw and Tom Adams at Blackstone Edge. Kim Collison has broken the Paddy Buckley Round record, running 16hrs 20mins. This has been the third time in as many years that the FKT has been lowered on the Welsh Round, and adds to Collison’s growing number of records on British hills and mountains. On the rugged Welsh coastline, Sanna Duthie ran the FKT for the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path. With over 35,000ft of ascent, Duthie covered the distance in 2 days 3hrs 30mins and claimed the best time for a supported attempt.…

Like everyone, I haven’t seen beyond my own county for a very long time”, says Nicole Millar. “So clearly I was in desperate need of a change of scenery when I started planning a husband-and-wife traverse of the West Highland Way.” Nicole, her husband – ex-professional cyclist David Millar – and his whole family are from Scotland but, despite their Caledonian roots, the pair have only made it to Scotland on one or two occasions in the past 15 years. “Back in 2012, I walked the Caledonian Challenge with some family and friends”, says Nicole. “But due to injury we all pulled out only 20km from the finish. I have always wanted to go back to complete it.” Watching a video of Rab Wardell setting a mountain biking FKT on…

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 RUNDERWEAR The finest performance underwear that’s guaranteed to support you no matter how hard you train. runderwear.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…

Threshold Sports, who organise the tough but accessible Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones 100km race, as well as the Race to the King, outline how they try to make their events open to all runners... • Striving to be more ethnically diverse, Threshold Sports have recently launched a collaboration with Black Trail Runners – a community and campaigning group that seeks to increase the inclusion, participation and representation of black people in trail running. • Threshold’s ultra-marathons are on average a 50/50 male/ female split. • On average, 60% of Threshold Trail Series participants are taking on an ultra for the first time. With high completion rates, we strive to get as many of our participants over that finish line.…

It’s 2am, but it might as well be noon. The sun is shining brightly and a polar bear is staring at us through a window decorated with reindeer antlers. This was the first glimpse of our accommodation when Oli and I arrived on a remote Arctic archipelago with 24-hour sunlight, 600 miles from the North Pole, in an attempt to dispel the dark cloud that had been hanging over us. We had been trying to start a family for too long, and were eventually given a diagnosis that having a child was going to be challenging or even impossible. As a result, our mental health took a dip, and I suffered from several months of insomnia. In an attempt to refocus, I signed up for the Spitsbergen Marathon and decided…

For a different ending and to pick up 600 more metres plus tops, from Andrew Gannel, head north for 100 metres or so to pick up the fence line track to head north-east and onto Skythorn, Tarmangie, Whitewhisp and Innerdownie. Then descend down the grassy track to Glenquay Reservoir and back to Dollar. To recreate a challenge from yesteryear, try the run from Tillicoultry to Blackford. The actual challenge, dating back many years, was from post office to post office and back, but a one-way affair is perfectly acceptable. On an old drove track all the way, it does come and go in a few places but there is the occasional green sign just to reassure you that you’re on the right track. If you fancy a race, try the…

1 DON’T IGNORE YOUR SIGHT It’s very powerful. For example, if a small path meets a major path, just have a quick glance at that junction. Nothing is symmetrical, so look for where there’s a little bit more erosion on one side. That’s telling you the direction in which most people turn, which is a clue towards more built-up areas. 2 BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SHADOW Another thing that’s useful for runners on sunny days is to be tuned to the shadows. If you’re running a circuit you should expect your shadow to not run in a totally uniform rate, in the same way that a clock minute hand does, but your shadow will circumnavigate you. Depending on the legs of the journey, it will move faster past…

Creating a network of hiking routes was the aim when Slow Ways founder Dan Raven-Ellison came up with the idea and set it in motion. Although we have an array of rights of way and footpaths through the country, and wonderful apps such as OS Maps, he sensed a lack of cohesion to it all. “Prior to the car, we had footpaths connecting all the towns, cities and villages in the country, and that’s how we got around, but I think today there’s a lot about our footpaths that make it a little bit difficult for people to make sense of, or to feel that they’re usable”, said keen walker Dan. “For me, a really good example of this is that, throughout the countryside, we already have lots of roundels…

Our list of dos and don’ts when it comes to avoiding and dealing with them... 1 Routinely check your skin after running on the trails. 2 Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool as available from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops. Blunt-nosed tweezers, such as those used to pluck eyebrows, are not ideal. 3 Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. 4 Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick. Dispose of it without touching it with your hands when you have removed it. 5 Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water. 6 You do not need to see a GP if you have been bitten unless you develop symptoms or develop the circular rash. You should also seek medical…

Protecting your eyes from the sun and bright conditions clearly has a number of benefits when tackling the trails, not least for the health of your eyes. Sunglasses also offer a direct barrier between your eyes and the environment, where dust, pollen and rogue branches can all be the enemy of sight. With the plants in bloom and the pollen count up, many find relief from hayfever-induced itchiness with some wraparound shades. Listen to any coach for long enough and you’ll hear them shout at their athlete to make sure they stay relaxed in the face and shoulders. Rightly so – screwing up the face is an unwanted drain on precious energy resources. Sunglasses will prevent this squinting, which in turn can aid in relaxing the face and associated muscles,…

MERRELL MOAB FLIGHT 263g (UK 8) merrell.com £110 These shoes tick many boxes, but let’s start with the most important – they’re instantly easy to run in, with a 10mm drop, exceptional cushioning and effective lacing. At 3mm in depth, the lugs might not be deep mud-ready, but let’s hope we don’t need them to be until October. The grip of the Vibram outsole is particularly decent, keying into wet stone with no issue. Not only are the laces 100% recycled, but the mesh upper also contains 70% recycled material, and the sole is 30% repurposed rubber. Plus, because it uses no animal products in its glue (or anywhere else, for that matter), the entire shoe is vegan. VERDICT Immediately comfy, cushioned shoes for all runs. CIMALP 864 DROP EVOLUTION…

GET HERE: Trains to Western-Super-Mare then bus 126 to Cheddar to start route 2. For route 1 alight at Cross and start at the New Inn. EAT HERE: The New Inn at Cross (newinncross. co.uk ), The White Hart in Cheddar (thewhitehartcheddar.co.uk), Priddy Good Farm Shop (priddygoodfarmshop.co.uk), or the Queen Vic at Priddy (thequeenvicpriddy.co.uk). STAY HERE: Camping or camper vans at Petruth Paddocks (petruthpaddocks.co.uk), glamping at Warren Farm (warrenfarmsomerset.co.uk), hostel accommodation at YHA Cheddar (yha.org.uk).…

Welcome to the second in our series of articles exploring the training, equipment, nutrition and more required for your first multi-day ultra. This year we have partnered with the team at Votwo Events ( votwo.co.uk ), organisers of the ASICS Coast Ultra Xtreme, a five-day ultra-running event on the stunning Cornish coast (October 6-10). Covering a total distance of 214km with 7400m of vertical ascent and individual stages between 27-60km, the event provides a significant but accessible challenge in comparison to other extreme multi-day events such as MdS, Dragons Back and UTMB. For the avid ultra-runner it offers a fast and unique course with five UTMB qualifying points, and for those running at the front a guaranteed minimum of £2500 in prize money. For the first timer, it’s tough but…

When ultra-running legend Pau Capell (p44) says “I train mostly in the mountains, but I try to be smart with how and when I run. I listen to my body and will always rotate my training, so my mind stays active. I would never want to repeat the same runs over and over again because it’s as much about the mind as the body,” then it’s probably worth taking note! Training – and getting the best out of yourself – is always about listening, learning and, more importantly, adapting what you’ve just heard to make it work for you. It’s also important not to overcomplicate things – have fun. Fortunately, Pau sees it similarly. “I enjoy the peace of it and not having to think after a long day of…

You may feel like you get more than your fair share of niggles, but a scientific study suggests the injury curse doesn’t discriminate when it comes to gender, age, weight or running experience. Over the course of a year, Gothenburg University followed a group of 200 recreational runners who were entered for their city’s main half marathon. They only selected those who had been without injuries for at least six months and who ran at least 15km per week. About a third of the runners picked up injuries over the period, although the authors estimated that the dropout rate of participants in the study hinted that almost half could have succumbed. Those with pronation were found to be at greater risk, while torso strength and flexibility were not major influences.…

Cramp can be a debilitating, race-ending condition that is often due to dehydration. To avoid it in a long race, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), containing salt, sugar and possibly other electrolytes, are recommended rather than just pure water. A new study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, although containing only 10 subjects, added weight to this. They were first exercised to dehydration and then electrical stimulation was used on their calves to try to induce cramp. It was found that cramp took longer to be effected when ORS was used compared to water.…

Having recently claimed the record for the 184-mile Thames Path, we caught up with the Patagonia-supported athlete to see what he had to say about the adventure. What was your overall experience like? It’s been a long-standing ambition to run the trail. To test myself physically and mentally over a distance almost twice what I’ve run before, on a trail I’ve become so connected with, supported by amazing people, was incredible. They’re all part of the adventure, but particular lows at the time were wading through waist-deep water around the 160-mile mark, and ankle-deep mud through much of the night section. Being greeted at the stone which marks the source by family and friends was an obvious high, but I was also blown away by the outpouring of support from…

In one of the deadliest tragedies to hit an ultra-race, 21 people perished due to extreme weather at the Yellow River Shilin 100km in May. High winds, hail and a sudden temperature drop combined and struck on a treacherous, isolated portion of the course leading many to suspect that most, if not all, of the fatalities were caused by hypothermia. Zhang Xiaotao was part of the leading group, and is the only survivor from the seven-person pack. His account of the event tells that emergency rescue never showed up, despite numerous SOS calls from GPS devices. As a result, the government in China has prohibited ultras, along with many other outdoor sports deemed ‘extreme’. Whilst there is speculation over how safe and prepared the race was, it serves as a…

UTMB and Ironman’s new partnership has drawn criticism from many who bemoan the sport’s further commercialisation. Ellis Bland’s attack on Nicky Spinks’ Double Bob Graham Round record came to an early ending after a strong start. He completed a whole round, and 23 peaks on his second lap, but had fallen over an hour behind Spinks’ schedule. What’s that smell from the river trail? Recent data suggests the extent of illegal dumping in UK waterways could be 10 times higher than Environment Agency stats.…

/trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag @trailrunningmag Get in touch tr@bauermedia.co.uk 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…

1 SIGN UP ONLINE Visit run1000miles.co.uk to register. We have special 2021 #Run1000Mile ruffs (pictured, left) for you to wear while you complete your challenge. They’re on sale now for £8.99 – 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…

INOV-8 TRAILFLY ULTRA G 300 MAX, £170 Just a couple of test runs and I knew these were the ones. Capable on fairly technical bits but really came into their own in the last third when I knew I’d be fatiguing. MONTANE SABRE LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT, £38 My favourite top. Crazy lightweight and the Polygiene treatment really works – it was stink-free after 86km! I wore a black Inov-8 Merino base layer on top as it was cold at first. 2XU LIGHT SPEED COMPRESSION TIGHTS, £100 It was a bit too cold for shorts on the day so I grabbed these. Comfortably compressive high-end tights. SALOMON S/LAB SENSE ULTRA 5 SET, £135 Best packs on the market, I reckon. I needed something light as I had runners carrying extra food…

Running with the wind behind you as on Sean McFarlane’s route is great, but what if it’s against you? First and foremost, recognise that you can’t do anything about it, so accept that you will be slower and that you will make up a bit of time (but not all of it) when you go the opposite direction. Dress appropriately, lean into the wind slightly and, if you’re in a group, take it in turns to act as wind blocks. Above all, try to relish the experience of nature at its most powerful.…

This May, a successful stint at altitude in Arizona and then Albuquerque came to a close, following the achievement of my first ever Olympic 5000m qualifying time of 15:03 in the lush, floral coolness of a Los Angeles spring. It was the culmination of an eight-week training camp in the USA which was certainly fruitful in terms of performance, but born from time spent in an inspirational yet arid environment. The mountainous trails of both Arizona and New Mexico took my breath away, both literally and figuratively, their stoic cacti standing tall and lonely as markers between waypoints. And yet, as the Olympic 10,000m Trials beckoned me back to the UK, I longed increasingly for the contrasting greenery of home soil. My first port of call when I arrived back…

ASK THE EXPERTS Email tr@ bauermedia.co.uk, post on our wall at facebook.com/ trailrunningmag or tweet your question to @trailrunningmag CARLA GIBBON Personal trainer and run leader who is a keen trail and fell runner. trainwithcarla.com SIMON JAMES Ultra runner and qualified International Mountain Leader. runthewild.co.uk GILES CUNDELL Head of international sales at Oofos recovery footwear company. oofos.co.uk DAVE TROMAN Qualified running coach and ex-GB orienteer. lovetoruncoaching. co.uk RACHEL SHELDRAKE Running coach and mountain leader with a passion for trails. mudandmiles.co.uk…

Jen and Sim Benson, our resident pathfinders, outline how easy it is to run a Slow Ways route Whether you’re looking for a way to run-commute or planning a weekend adventure, there’s bound to be a route that suits. Visit slowways.org to discover what’s nearby, or create your own. The webpage for each route allows you to view route maps, descriptions and photos – and add your own. The mapping isn’t sufficient to allow detailed navigation, but import the .gpx file into your GPS device or mapping app and you’re good to go. We use the OS Maps app to view, edit and follow routes at up to 1:25,000 scale. To use the OS Maps app (see p34 for TR’s half-price offer) to run a Slow Way here’s our step-by-step…

You don’t have to move to Ethiopia to benefit from learning from others. I was lucky enough to go to America on scholarship where I discovered all sorts of new and exciting ways to train, but simply changing groups at your club for the odd session or chatting to a rival at your next race can help just as much. What did I learn in America? Running in a group really, really helps. You share the workload, you share the pain, but more importantly, you share the success. Running may seem individual but listening and training with others pays huge dividends (as those Ethiopian superstars regularly demonstrate).…

Tailor-made for trails Castore Rubicon jacket, £175 British brand Castore is a little different to the rest of the bunch. Its sportswear rises above the purely functional to become something just that little bit special, and the new Rubicon jacket is a perfect case in point. It packs all the features you’d hope for into a jacket that’s designed to repel rain while keeping you fresh enough to keep on blazing the trails. For starters, there’s the technical, stretchy fabric which has proved particularly breathable while the jacket has been on test with Team TR. It goes without saying that it’s also shrugged off any rain we’ve seen so far this year, and we’re confident that it won’t let you down when late summer and autumn reintroduce some unpredictability to…

SPEKTRUM BLANKSTER spektrumsports.com £119* With a one-piece wraparound lens by Zeiss and eco-friendly bioplastic frames, these keep design simple for high performance. Featuring a number of lens colours, from neutral dark grey to completely clear, there is something to suit most runners. The minimalist frame is sleek, with little to obscure the field of vision; Spektrum has left out any unecessary central nose supports and opted for a neat bridge with interchangeable rubber nose pads to tweak to size. Colour perception (we tested the brown lens) was good, with the slight tint allowing good vision even under the trees. Lenses are interchangeable, too, which is a simple enough process. VERDICT Secure and comfortable on the face, with an array of lens options and particularly simple method of swapping between them.…