3 minute read
The Meditative Tool to Try Now
A MEDITATIVE TOOL TO TRY NOW
Sarah Ormerod explains why we should all be running off road
When we talk about the benefits of running, for many of us these go beyond physical health. But pounding pavements and tackling marathons isn’t for everyone. For me, running off road is an opportunity to unplug from the stress of everyday and be at one with nature. I’m certainly not the only one. Kilian Jornet, professional mountain and sky runner and ski mountaineer, is regularly quoted for his perception of running in nature, and the benefits and perspective it can bring: “On the mountain, you learn that you are tiny, a low rock or a storm can wipe you off the map, and that makes me relativise things a lot and understand what is important”. What’s more, it’s easier on the body than road running and you worry less about pace and time due to weather and terrain often having other ideas - that’s what keeps it interesting. In any case, whether you’re a runner looking to do more off road or you’re lacing up for the first time, here are a few tips to help you plan your trail running adventure…
LEAVE YOUR EGO AT HOME
Running off road can be exhausting. It may take you two, three, maybe even four times as long to run the same distance you would on road, depending on the weather and terrain. Slow your pace, forget about your watch and focus on finding a rhythm.
LEARN TO NAVIGATE
Remember your phone’s GPS might not work up a hill in the middle of nowhere so get used to using a map and compass. There are a number of great courses available in Scotland; Girls on Hills based up in Glencoe and Glenmore Lodge offer group and one to one workshops, or closer to home there are weekend workshops regularly in the Pentland Hills. OS maps is a useful tool to have on your phone too. Until you’re confident, stick to marked trails and paths of which there are plenty.
PREPARE WELL
If you are venturing a little further from home, or up a hill, take some spare layers and waterproofs, emergency food and water and a fully charged phone. And always tell someone where you are going or leave a note of your planned route.
JOIN A CLUB
One of the best things about the hill running community is the friendly and welcoming nature of the sport. Joining a club can help put some structure around your training to get the best out of your running, as well as introduce you to some like-minded people to get out on the trails with. I’m based in Edinburgh and a member of Carnethy Hill Running Club who I wholeheartedly recommend.
GET STRONG
Incorporating strength training into your week will help reduce risk of injury and improve your agility, balance and power to push up hills and run down them. Focus on exercises that strengthen and activate the posterior chain - calves, hamstrings, glutes and back.
REMEMBER TO FUEL
For easy to moderate intensity runs of over 90 minutes, you should be fueling to replenish glycogen in the muscles. As a rule of thumb, take on some carbohydrates (five to six jelly babies, a small banana or a slice of malt loaf) every 40-45 minutes with a little water to aid digestion.
THREE MUST-TRY ROUTES
West Highland Way
A well-trodden path, but a great place to start if you are new to trail running and don’t want to get lost. You can run from A to B with a little forward planning or do an out and back along certain sections. Start at Tyndrum so you have the option of the Real Food Cafe to refuel afterwards.
Ben Lomond
This is a great Munro to hike up and run down. It also has good tourist paths to follow. Walk Highlands is a fantastic online resource if you are stuck for ideas.
Pentland Hills
Offering a mix of terrain and easily accessible from Edinburgh city centre, start from Bonaly, Harlaw or Flotterstone for a low-level run on paths through the beautiful valley.
