Sue got into
trail running from bushwalking. She says it is like bushwalking at night as you
always have to be looking at the trail
Finds it is
slower and gentler on the body than road running.
Equipment
Most
essential piece of equipment is a good pair of trail runner shoes. They are
very light, good non slip soles. Some brands are: Hoka, La Sprortiva, Inov8. If
start doing a lot of running won’t last much longer than 6 months.
Other pieces
of equipment you may need/choose: toe socks – Injinji (sp?), running vest
(instead of a pack), PLB (personal locator beacon) if running on own in remote
area.
Rarely run
up hills – walk up hills
Running in
rain is great
Where to
start?
There are many
aps for your phone that will get you started. Sue started with Run Keeper and
others include Strava (specific for trail runners), Couch to 5km – very basic
for beginners.
Sue joined
Blue Mountains Fitness Runners and they have trainers to help (so a fee)
She went
from a fitbit to a Garman watch and likes to keep track of all those numbers on
the computer.
Also lots of
organisations do trail running in Blue Mountains. Runs start and then continue
until the last person finishes. They are “great social occasions”
-
Parkrun all over the world – register online,
free, 8am Saturday, Lawson, dog can join in.
-
Running Wild NSW – event every month ($30 an
event)
-
Ultra trail Austalia (old northface) 22, 50,
100km
-
Blue Mountains Marathon Clinic (google it).
Different places through mountains
Events will
have mandatory list like thermals, emergency blanket
Positives:
-
Great for mental health
-
Good cardio vascular fitness
-
Short time to commit (in 2hrs get big work out)
-
Great way to loose weight
Tips:
-
In the beginning start by running just down
hill, walk flat and uphill; then start to run the flat too, slowly build up
until you can run the whole way .
-
Run upright
-
Not long strides
-
Down hill - on tiptoes and lean forward slightly
small quick steps, relaxed top of body
-
Up hill - lean into hill, small steps
-
Shorter strides than walking – less injury
-
Mix it up - Fartlec Interval training (google
it) once a week.
-
Maintain a “can do attitude”
-
If tops of legs get sore strengthen the core –
leg raises, plank (from knees if can’t do plank)
Sue doing full plank half plankers
Leg raisers - lots of effort!
Thank you for documenting all the info, which I have read. I wish I'd been able to make it. The concentration on your faces doing the leg raises shows how hard it is. I'm going to make it to Park Run as soon as I have a free Saturday morning. I have my tokens printed out on the fridge to keep reminding me.
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