Summer Trail Running

Summer 2019 has officially introduced me to my love of trail running!

Before June 2019 I only ran on roads, safer with what you know right? But whilst staying and training in Lanzarote I was bitten by the trail bug. It was impossible to run a mile from the resort without reaching the trails! I didn’t feel confident with trail running for 2 reasons:
1. Last December I took part in my run club’s Turkey Run, my first ever trail run. It was 10km and I managed to suffer from a hip injury afterwards which delayed my spring marathon training (I was not a happy runner!)
2. I was always frightened I would get lost. The trails aren’t like the roads, there is no regular signage or familiar landmarks to work out any bearings from.

However, as I was introduced to trail running within a group made up of other endurance enthusiasts at my resort, getting lost didn’t seem so daunting as we had safety in numbers and a guide from the resort! Whilst I was in a group of people, chatting away, about all things running and eating (mostly cake!) I realised how much fun the trails are! The scenery is beautiful, as you are high up you can see for miles and miles and you feel so strong getting up to the top too! After running a week in the trails with no injuries my hesitation around developing another injury disappeared.

Since my return from Lanzarote, which was just over a month ago I took part in a 15 mile trail run around Bewl Water, where I came 91st position out of 859, 10th woman out of 271 and 5th in my age category out of 43. Coming from a background of no trail running I was pretty chuffed, also because I got to take home a gold medal after finishing in the top 100!

I have also booked a little weekend trip away to Chamonix in the French Alps! AHHHH! I watched the Salomon Golden Trail Series at the weekend of the Mont Blanc Marathon highlights, and all I thought was “why have I signed up to do the route they’re on, am I mad?” then after a second I felt excited and I’ve already packed my bag with just under 4 weeks to go, yep I am officially running bonkers!

Also, on my trail running agenda to get me prepared for Chamonix is my training plan. I am to do 15 miles out of my 70 weekly average in the trails. I make sure I do a 5 miler on Wednesday at lunch time with friends so that I do go out and do it! I find with trail running sometimes you do need an extra push because they aren’t right outside your doorstep so driving there is essential*!

*If you live near a trail route I am super jealous!