ALPINE TRAIL FESTIVAL
© PATRICK STEINE
It’s only about 30 metres into the first but longest of the course’s four big climbs that I remember I’ve done no hill work lately. Like, none. Also, despite my instincts that a t-shirt would be just dandy once I get going, the sight of snow on the Austrian Alps has made me act like a sheep and copy everyone else in wearing a long-sleeved layer. Except my long-sleeved layer is a waterproof. So I’m already overheating and sweating away all those valuable salts and whatnot. And the negative voices haven’t even started yet. Oh wait, yes they have…
“You haven’t trained specifically enough for this course, you prize muppet.”
“You’re chosen the wrong top, you big berk.”
“You’re at least 2kg overweight, you podgy git.”
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About Men's Running
When I first started running, venturing off-road was all about school cross-country races, generally around anodyne playing fields in heavy football boots. It wasn’t the kind of experience that books are written about. In fact, it was the kind of experience that scarred many would-be runners for life.
But fast forward, cough cough, a few years and trail running is now big business. The clamour for places in the ‘big daddy’ of all trail race, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, is as fervent as the Virgin Money London Marathon and shoe companies now have entire ranges dedicated to trail and off-road.
Why is it so popular? If you haven’t yet ventured off the beaten track, trail running is about being more in-tune with nature and taking stock of your surroundings. It’s not about times or even really distances; it’s about testing your body over different terrain with vistas to die-for!
In this Men’s Running special, we talk about everything trail, from training to technique. We even cover a few races for good measure. We hope you enjoy!