Your questions answered
Essential advice from the team on everything from trail-running tips for newbies to the best recovery foods. Plus: just what should you look for when buying a sportswatch that won’t break the bank?
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I’m keen to try trail-running – do you have any tips?
If you’re new to running off-road then little and often is the key to start with, as the stresses on your body are very different from pavement or treadmill running. Increase your distance and speed as you adapt to the new terrain. Incorporating strength and balance work into your training will really help, too.
Invest in some well-fitting off-road shoes, particularly in winter when the trails can be muddy and slippery. These should offer good grip and protection with enough cushioning for any firmer sections.
We’re lucky in Britain to have plenty of running trails. The National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk/running) and the Forestry Commission (forestryengland.uk/running) are great online resources for finding running trails in beautiful places. Ordnance Survey’s online mapping service (osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk) is excellent too, enabling you to view maps of any part of the country. And my book, Wild Running, details 200 routes across the country, with accompanying online maps and directions. If you’re heading into the hills, make sure you’re confident about navigating and go prepared for the weather. Tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back and take a fully-charged mobile phone and plenty of warm clothing, food and water with you, just in case of emergencies or delays. JB