How is it April already? More trail training required!
Vic Landon
WHAT HAVE I DONE? I’m questioning my own sanity as the enormity of my first foray into trail running (or any sort of running) is starting to hit home.
Breaking in new trail shoes
A little about the course - I start at 634m (meters not feet!) above sea level and the highest point of the course is 1796m plus a little undulating along the route and then a return to 634m, all in 21km or 13 miles. It’s a little daunting to say the least. I am realistic in that I will not be running the full 21km. There will be some running, more trotting and a chunk of walking.
Aneto trail route and profile.
I’ve been building up my fitness all year after 3 months of enforced rest. January was about getting me moving again, February was a bit of a write off as it’s one of our busiest months and we had a few visitors to distract us with gin, japes and skiing. Skiing in low or flat light has to be good for your proprioception though doesn’t it?
Fun times on the slopes beats decorating and training.
In March I decided to start a Couch to 5km training program, I’m half way through and am enjoying it more than I thought I would, I’m sticking to the flat to try and build up my stamina. Thanks to Geoff Parkinson for the motivation and program.
We’ve had typical mountain weather recently - changeable is an understatement, last weekend we had 30cm of snow in town and on Thursday temperatures reached a balmy 26 degress. I’ve had to invest in some new to me kit as my trail shoes are built for summer and I really can’t cope with cold, wet feet!
Good job I’ve got a load of winter ski and cycling gear…. brrrrrr
I’ve scoured the second hand sites and found some amazing Brooks goretex running shoes that had been worn once but were a tiny fraction of their brand new price. They fit like a glove and give me no excuse to not get out there in the bad weather.
Monster legs and muy awesome 2nd hand Brooks running shoes
I am running for longer and feeling stronger with every run. There are small improvements every time I go out too which is great as I need those little wins to keep me motivated. Geoff is practising his cooking skiils, making protein snacks to experiment for the ideal Aneto trail fuel.
Srava comparison of my first Couch to 5km run and my latest - there seems to be a little GPS blip but it gives an idea of my improvement so far