For a few years now I’ve had a bit of a dream to live in the Alps, to live in those typical Instagram photos that you can’t help but be awed by – dramatic peaks, twisting single path cut into the mountainside, and endless options for adventure. Last winter this dream visited my thoughts with greater frequency, almost bugging me.

What though was preventing me acting upon those thoughts? Maybe the fear that it wouldn’t work out, or it would not meet my expectations. Fear of not having enough money. Fear of the unknown. Then the idea of being in the same position a year later, having not acted, and when packing up and heading off may not be as straightforward, was far less appealing than the fears overshadowing the dream. So I took the plunge.

Every moment until the day I left I still wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing.

The week before departing I took part in the Loughrigg fell race – a cracker of the mid-week fell series which this year coincided with one of the most incredible evenings in the Lake District you could imagine. Think award winning National Geographic photography material and that’s the kind of landscape we’re talking about.

Well, this did nothing for my conviction on the imminent plans and moving away from what is one of my favourite parts of the world. However, looking back now this fell race, on an immaculate evening, was a culmination of a winter’s worth of enjoyment in a place I am sure to return to.

Loughrigg Fell Race. Photo: Stephen Wilson.

Starting with a storm

The summer started with a storm. Quite literally. I was in the land of exceedingly excellent espressos and peerless pasta. With wall to wall sunshine the sock tan line was already at a level I would be proud of at the end of a summer let alone the start of one. I began my season with a few weeks in Italy and in the ‘home of mountain running’, Malonno, a town passionate about the sport.

First though, I hoped to jump in at the deep end with the steep and quite technical Trentapassi VK. As race day came however, so too did the aforementioned storm. Waking up to the shutters being hurled back and forth against the windows, it was with trepidation I headed out for a pre-race shake-out jog, only to be thrown straight back through the door by the whirling wind.

With no respite forecast and race marshals unable to get onto the route due to much of it being frozen over, it wasn’t looking promising.

With great disappointment the race had to be cancelled. A few of us who had come over from the UK to race took the opportunity of better weather later that day to enjoy the trails the town has to offer, and the finest bottle of Aperol spritz money could buy.

I could not help but feel sad though. Over the course of my time there I had become more acquainted with the race organiser, his story, and his passion for the sport and the race he co-organises; they have put so much time and energy into growing this event.

Cancellation is sad for everyone

The enjoyment that the runners taking part gain is often the only reward that the team of volunteers receive, and ask for. It was saddening then to think of them when the decision was made to cancel the race. They, and so many other event organisers and armies of volunteers, do so much to keep this sport alive and growing, bringing delight and reward to so many people. I endeavour never to forget that.

Onwards we flew into the rest of the summer and my girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to call Chamonix, France, home for the season. Having spent a good amount of time there the previous year (and loved it) it was almost like going home.

With only a couple of weeks before the European Mountain Running Championships, I went over to Switzerland for the Neirivue-Moléson mountain race. An uphill only course, I used it in preparation for the championships.

These build-up races are funny though – you want them to go well but sometimes, weirdly, you don’t. It depends on your psyche; get the bad race out of the system before the big one, or boost your confidence (but conversely greater self-imposed pressure) with a good race. It was more of the former for me on this occasion.

A less than complete race here ensured that I did not place any specific expectations on myself at the European championships. I was enjoying running so much and living in a good place. I was happy in the mind, and full of enthusiasm for our team medal hopes at the championship. When you’re doing something for more than just yourself, the results are usually greater.

European Championships in Zermatt. Photo: Robbie Britton

Once upon a time in Zermatt

That day in Zermatt, well, I can’t really describe that day in Zermatt if I’m honest! As much of a cliché as it is, it’s hard to believe that it ever really happened. A day when my legs were full of infinite energy of which I’ve never experienced before; a day when my mind was of pure calmness, even when I was struck by a horrendous stitch midway!

Losing the lead at that point could have lost me many more places on any other day, but at that moment my mind was strangely unwavering.

There was no panic, no looking back.

I knew, as the eventual silver medallist came past me, how much I wanted to cross the line first. Almost half a year has passed now, and I don’t think I’ve gleaned any further understanding as to why that run was better than any other, except from my state of mind.

What happened that fine day?

It was the conviction in setting out to achieve something greater than ever before, and crucially the enjoyment in something I do every day. We are at risk of over analysing performances, the good and the bad ones. I’ve found it almost impossible to replicate a successful preparation and race, but have been mindful that making the right choices along the journey is your biggest key to unlocking great preparation and greater results.

I spent the month before the championship enjoying a new kind of life in the Alps alongside another who appreciates it in a similar way; I had a relaxed outlook and therefore was in a position to reach that next level needed to fulfil a dream of reaching a podium. 

From Zermatt it was to the Dolomites in Italy to climb into an amphitheatre of dramatic rocky peaks and ankle braking boulder fields. Then to Sierre-Zinal for what was billed by many as one of the deepest and most competitive fields ever assembled – a who’s who of the sport, it was quite something else.

A day and a fourteen-hour flight later I looked as though I’d badly applied a fake tan, the dirt trails of Colorado, USA, offering up some memorable adventures. After a two-week stint of exploration in this crazy place, it was my marathon debut… up and down a 4300-metre mountain. I can’t say it was pleasant!

Not feeling it

This period of racing in the couple of months after the European championships was one of those times I’m sure many have had, when you’re just ‘not feeling it’ in training or racing. Without realising, I think I’d put all my eggs in the European’s basket. I wanted to perform to a high level at every race over the summer.

The motivation to do well at these subsequent events was there, but in reality, I struggled with energy and was hampered by in-race fuelling problems that can only be resolved with practice, time for which I didn’t have. I have absolutely no regrets however for taking those opportunities that I’ve been very fortunate to receive.

They have certainly shown up a lot of my weaknesses but that’s invaluable, and therefore a positive! I committed to too many big and longer races this summer, but it was only by doing this that I am able to gauge where I’m at and where I go from here. The European championship was an emotional and physical drain to a depth I did not comprehend until I put myself out there in a race again.

I am sad and annoyed that I wasn’t able to capitalise on the incredible chances I had, competing against the best in the world, yet it did help me realise that I don’t wish for my life and happiness to hinge on race results. I’m in a privileged position to be able to stand on the start line of any race, so remembering that and maybe inspiring a few people to try out the sport along the way is an honour enough.  

Chamonix VK. Photo Credit: Dan Evans @sickofthecity

Step back and readjust

After taking a much needed step back to rejuvenate I went into training for the World championship trials with renewed vigour. All was going dandy until a virus hit, rendering running on a route without a convenience at regular intervals impossible… ideal in the week before the trials!

An intense debate with myself then ensued; was it sensible to race the trials in a weakened condition? In the end I decided against risking exacerbating and prolonging the illness and regretfully pulled out of the trials. After a nervous wait though I was delighted to gain a discretionary place on to the team.

The conclusion from pre-trip analysis was that the course in Argentina was to be a tough one. We hadn’t quite expected however the challenge of crossing a fast flowing, icy cold river, twice. Blue skies and sunshine during the week gave way to icy rain and high winds on race day, almost frightening us into running faster along the forest trails to avoid getting crushed by ominously creaking trees.

Many rivers to cross

An unfortunate incident during the second river crossing resulted in my teammate Andy and I both losing time in one way or another; I ended up submerged in the fast flowing water with the proposition, as I struggled to breathe, of descending the 700m of height back to the start a lot quicker than I’d expected.

With feeling in any part of my body virtually non-existent, and energy levels sucked away, it wasn’t the optimum second half performance I was after. Yes, it wasn’t ideal, but I’m not one to shy away from a challenge and do enjoy competing against the terrain put in front of me, even in this more extreme case!

With all the team making it around in one piece, with a great many incredible runs, it really was a fitting way to finish what has been a challenging but uplifting year.

This summer was more than just Instagram photos; it was a memorable story of my life that I shall always have. It wasn’t long after the final race before a warming pint was in my hand and we were toasting the end of the season and to a long-awaited break – the road trip continues.

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There are three events taking place: the junior and senior World Championship races on Friday 15th and the World Long Distance race on Saturday 16th . The courses are based around the K42  Adventure Marathon course and take in some stunning highlights of the Province of Neuquen in Patagonia.

The juniors will race over a route of 6.6k with 393 metres of ascent. The course will initially take them north into the forest with a steep and technical climb. When it reaches the highest point of the race (1246 metres) the runners turn south and begin a steep descent. They will then have to contend with a stream crossing (with ropes), before a fast, runnable descent on a wide path all the way down to the finish.

The seniors World Mountain Running Championships will take place over a 14k course with 754 metres of ascent. They will start in the streets of Villa La Angostura and head north along a dirt track and into the forest. The first 2.5k are quite flat, but then it starts to climb up through the forest and becomes steep and technical. This is followed by a section of technical descent, before the runners head to the Inacayal Waterfall, then start to descend again on a faster path. This takes them down to the street which heads to the finish line.

World Longs

The World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships takes place the next day and the course is 41.5k with 2,184m of ascent. Again, it starts in the streets of Villa La Angostura and then starts a climb on forest tracks. It climbs steadily until around 7k, then there’s a long, fast descent.

The middle section is generally flatter, but with some technical sections and a creek crossing, then the big climb begins just after 20k. This long climb will take the runners up to the summit of Cerro Bayo at 1785 metres, where they will be in snow. They will then begin a long and fast descent, mainly on dirt tracks, back down to Villa La Angostura.

Countries who will take part include the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, France and Spain, who have all featured heavily in this year’s World Cup. So competition will be fierce. 

The courses look fantastic and varied and should test any runner. The championships are going to be really exciting and we look forward to bringing you all the news as it happens live from Patagonia. Follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates.

Photo: Robbie Britton

Women’s senior race

The 2019 World Cup winner, Sarah McCormack, will be running for Ireland. After a very successful season, where she won the Snowdon Race and was second at the MaXi Race, Drei Zinnen and Smarna Gora, she must be one of the favourites. She will face strong competition from many women.

Firstly, the World Cup winner from 2017 and 2018 (second this year), Lucy Murigi, proved that she will be a contender, winning Smarna Gora a few weeks ago in a thrilling race with McCormack. The Kenyan team will not feature at the Champs.

Sarah Tunstall of GB will also be a strong contender, having finished third in the world championships in 2017 and having won Grossglockner and Drei Zinnen this year and finished fourth at the European Championships earlier this year. Her compatriot Emmie Collinge must also be one to watch. She was second in the world championships in 2015 and won the European Mountain Running Championships the following year.

Other women to watch include Italy’s Elisa Sortini and Alice Gaggi, France’s Elise Poncet and Grayson Murphy. Collegiate stand-out Murphy is an excellent road runner who has recently returned to the trails and was the clear winner of the US trial. Her excellent leg speed could be a huge factor in the mountain race.

Photo: Alex Donald

Men’s senior race

The men’s World Cup winner, Andrew Douglas, will also be in Villa La Angostura, and will be among the favourites, having had an incredible 2019 season. Joe Gray won the US trials and as 2016 world champion and 17-time national champion, he must also be one to watch.

GB’s Jacob Adkin, this year’s European Champion, is a favourite to be up there. Watch out for young Adkin starting sensibly and finishing with his trademark blazing strength. Anyone new to the champs could well learn from Jacob, as if you’re ahead of him in the first few kilometres and not expecting to podium, then you’re going too fast.

The Italian team is strong as ever with Xavier Chevrier, Luca Cagnati and Casare Maestri among others who could well feature in the top 10. Fast Running’s man in Italy, Francesco Nicola, believes his team can challenge for the gold medal and we think he’s right.

The French team is a very experienced one with Julien Rancon and Alexandre Fine. The Kenyan team contains Robert Panin Surum and Timothy Kimutai Kirui, who, as ever, could very well feature or not trouble the front at all. It seems the latter was correct as the Kenyan team will not feature.

Ireland’s Zak Hannah, who finished sixth in the World Cup this year, will also be a strong competitor, and will be looking to build on his strong top 20 position from the European Championships earlier this year, as will Slovenia’s Timotej Becan, who finished fifth in the Mountain Running World Cup.

Other runners to watch include Hans-Peter Innerhofer of Austria and any number of strong Czech, German and South American athletes.

Women’s long distance race

Over the longer distance the women’s race should also be really exciting. One of the most interesting athletes to watch will be Laura Dahlmeier of Germany, who has famously swapped an incredibly successful career as a biathlete for mountain running.

France’s Blandin L’hirondel won this year’s Trail World Championships, so it will be interesting to see how that translates to mountain running. Judith Wyder of Switzerland should also be up at the front, having had a hugely successful season in Skyrunning.

Her compatriot Maude Mathys will also be a strong contender [Although we should add that the Swiss mountain running star has previously been reprimanded for anti-doping rules violations – Editor].

Spain are fielding a very strong team, with Sheila Aviles (who was 3rd at this year’s Trail World Championships) and Azara Garcia de los Salmones (4th at the Trail World Championships, 2nd at this year’s OCC), among others expected to feature.

Ireland’s Nicola Duncan will be relishing the fast, runnable climbing and could well feature well this weekend. The ultra distance athlete has been racing well in recent weeks over the trails and has been focusing on this event for the Autumn.

Several runner to watch include Italy’s Sylvia Rampazzo and GB’s Charlotte Morgan, both former champions, Adeline Roche of France, who’s best performance to date remains her 2017 World Trail Champs win and Kellie Emmerson of Australia, who is more of a longer distance specialist but could surprise many in the final kilometres.

Men’s long distance race

The men’s long distance race has had a couple of big names pull out – Luis Alberto Hernando of Spain and GB’s Tom Evans [although as Evans was strong enough to finish third in the Milton Keynes Cross last weekend it is disappointing to hear he won’t be representing his country – Editor]  – but it still has plenty of incredible athletes.

The 2019 World Trail Champion Jonathan Albon from GB will be among the favourites, as will Italy’s Francesco Puppi. But it’s perhaps the US team which has aroused the most interest. Jim Walmsley, Hayden Hawks and Mario Mendoza are strongly expected to feature in the race.

Hayden Hawks especially has some of the best leg speed in the event with a 13:54 5k PB and great experience over the longer ultra distance events. The show down between Hawks and Walmsley could make for real entertaining watching, but Fast Running is backing Hawks to come out on top in the US battle, but the fierce competition could put the team atop the podium if Mendoza runs well.

Other runners to watch include Switzerland’s Stephan Wenk, and France’s Nicolas Martin, both excellent on the trails and over ultra distance so look for strong finishes.

Ireland’s Paddy O’Leary and Gavin Byrne both broke the Wicklow Round record in 2019 and O’Leary has been in South America for a number of weeks preparing for the race… or just on an extended holiday with some races. We’re not sure. Look for both to run well in their national vests after great seasons so far.

Junior races

The junior races will be hotly contested and the future of mountain running is looking very bright. Among the runners are the British junior Joe Dugdale, who won this year’s European championships, and Joslin Blair of the US, who won the 2018 WMRA International U18 Mountain Running Championships.

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Among those securing their place on the team are multiple World & European medallist Sarah Tunstall (Kendal), 2016 European champion, Emmie Collinge (Alta Valtellina) and 2017 world bronze medallist and 2019 European senior men’s and junior men’s champions, Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson; Keswick) and Joe Dugdale (Copeland).

Tunstall, who was fourth at the recent European Champs in Zermatt, leads the senior women’s team alongside Collinge which sees the experienced medallists joined by Phillipa Williams (Sheffield RC) and Heidi Davies (U.S. Malonno).

Williams will make her debut for Great Britain & Northern Ireland following a solid performance at the trials where she finished second. Meanwhile, Davies, a junior bronze medallist from the 2016 European championships, completes the quartet.

Admin en route to winning the European Uphill Championships in July. Photo: Robbie Britton

A strong men’s team, but only three

After his European success earlier this year, Adkin will be a contender once again in the senior men’s race. Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett; Inverclyde), winner of the trials, will go into the championship in supreme form having already secured the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup title with one race to spare.

Following injury, Joe Steward (Harry Kelly; East Cheshire) makes his comeback appearance after a second-place finish at the trials in Wales last weekend.

It’s a shame there is only three men named in the squad as it takes three to score and the men’s senior team, that consisted of Adkin, Douglas and Robbie Simpson, are the current European Champions. Steward can be a strong third counter, but a bit of insurance to support the stand out pair of Adkin and Douglas would give a higher chance of medals.

Junior mountain running looking strong

European champion Joe Dugdale spearheads a strong junior men’s team which includes fellow European team gold-medallist, Matthew Mackay (Steve Duxbury; Rossendale). Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley; Keighley & Craven) and Matthew Knowles (Lancaster & Morecambe) will make their first appearances for GB & NI.

In the junior women’s team, trials winner Lauren Dickson (Andrew Henderson; Lasswade) joins debutant Eden O’Dea (Deeside), and Eve Pannone (Derek Hurton; Eden Runners) – the highest placed Briton at the European championships earlier this year – as the trio to face the best in the world.

A word from the management

Team Leader, Anne Buckley, said:

“This year’s championship in Patagonia are going to provide a unique challenge to all teams, so I am pleased to have selected such a strong British team who are contenders for the top positions, both individually and as a team.

“The team includes several athletes who have previously won individual and team medals on the world and European stage, so they have experience of the championship environment which is invaluable. For the debutants, they have earned their places on the team and demonstrated they are ready for this level of competition.”

The British Athletics team for the World Mountain Running Championships (up and down) in Villa La Angostura, Argentina on Friday 15 November 2019.

Senior men:

Jacob Adkin (Robbie Simpson; Keswick)

Andrew Douglas (Sophie Dunnett; Inverclyde)

Joe Steward (Harry Kelly; East Cheshire)

Senior women:

Emmie Collinge (Alta Valtellina)

Heidi Davies (U.S Malonno)

Sarah Tunstall (Kendal)

Phillipa Williams (Sheffield RC)

Junior men:

Joe Dugdale (Copeland)

Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley; Keighley & Craven)

Matthew Knowles (Lancaster & Morecambe)

Matthew Mackay (Steve Duxbury; Rossendale)

Junior women:

Lauren Dickson (Andrew Henderson; Lasswade)

Eden O’Dea (Deeside)

Eve Pannone (Derek Hurton; Eden Runners)

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Running to Your Best Degree

Heading to university, one of the biggest causes for excitement was the prospect of having a greater focus on running (the reality of studying dawned later) and all the fast new people I’d be doing it with.

It was almost dreamy; I left school where there were few who’s enthusiasm for the sport matched mine, and jumped into a place where, after finding the right circle, the feeling was shared amongst many. However, I experienced and witnessed first-hand the negatives and positives with running at university. To this end I have compiled a tips from the mainstream university guides, and given them a running twist.

Learn to budget

During your time at university, you will more than likely have moments of panic at the sight of your bank balance, regretting falling for those Sainsbury’s cookie deals (if you know you know).

I wished I had kept a track of my spendings instead of avoiding the bank app, the thought process being that if you ignore it, it’ll work itself out. This was sometimes the case for the running ‘budget’ too. 

Although you should defintely be adventurous with your running, exploring new surroundings, new training groups, it’s well worth the effort to keep a track of your training. Reflect on it week by week and change it accordingly to balance the books in a healthy way amongst all your commitments.

It’s much easier to save yourself from edging into an energy overdraft if you are able to spot early on the signs that your bank is being overworked. There are few loans of good value in running, unfortunately.

Make friends with lots of people

A big network of friends is not only handy when it comes to deadline season, supporting each other through long library stints (and then celebrating afterwards), but also essential when applied to in your running.

Make an effort to get to know a wide range of runners, as this will ensure there is a number of run options available. I agree that it’s nice to have a conistent training group to bash out sessions and the like, but giving time to at least easy run with others outside of this core circle is very beneficial.

It prevents the risk of unconscious competition within every run, which left unchecked will lead to undue tiredness and leaves you susceptible to all the risks of overtraining. Running at a wide spectrum of paces while enjoying different craic will keep you feeling fresher, more motivated and happier in general – win, win. 

Deal with chores before they get out of hand

Nothing seems more bothersome than the stack of used pots and crockery from dinner, still sitting at the side of the sink from the previous night, or week. It plays on your mind as you ignore it for another day, until the pile builds up to toppling heights, until one day it creates a more serious mountainous, and mouldy problem. In some way, this is similar to the neglected strength exercise plan (sorry to say).

When you’ve maybe progressed to two runs a day, or have only a short gap in the day to fit one run around your univeristy schedule, there’s not the same motivation to hit the yoga mat for some planks, or take to the weight room to prove to the bodybuilders that runners can lift.

However, it’s much more beneficial to start a routine early on so that you don’t put cracks in the crockery, and run the risk of injury to a point of no return. Strength training is a key component to building a stronger body and greater injury resistance. It can be just important as physically running, so it shouldn’t be seen as a lesser to that, but something that can replace it without guilt. 

Seek to create a simple exercise routine, one that doesn’t take an age to complete. It doesn’t even have to require a multitude of gym equipment – one can base a very beneficial plan around a theraband in your bedroom, which can be completed after a run session for example. Keep it sustainable and it’s much more likely to be maintainable.  

Learn how to sniff out a good deal

It’s a skill that is truly honed throughout life as a student and one that has as much right to a place on your CV as any other. Running kit can be costly, but take a little bit of time and confidence and you may be able to wangle yourself some treats.

Get to know which shops offer discounts to athletics club members, scour the internet for discount codes for online retailers, or even check out the job availabilty of local running shops (free shoes are often a perk of the role). [Maybe check out some pre-loved clothing at ReRun too – Editor]

Figure out the washing machine

This one is a given. Unless you enjoy pulling on muddy wet socks…

You can thank Jacob at the end of your first semester

So there you have it – a hopefully handy pocket-sized guide of tips that I believe are good essentials to keep in mind so that running remains healthy and happy throughout university. Be open minded, it’s not so much a time to be writing plans and goals in stone but one to enjoy and explore what running can open up to you.

Most important of all, speaking from experience, university is about finding the balance in your life. Running should not and cannot be something that overides everything else and becomes so prioritised that it prevents you from enjoying other parts of life.   Training is important, but you will look back more fondly on a time when you chose a night in the pub with friends over an extra 5 mile run in the rain. 

RELATED: How to regain your running mojo

Jacob Adkin features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share his running journey. You can follow Jacob on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

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PB’s were plentiful in a weekend rammed full of 10ks and the Gold Coast and Leamington Spa half. The weekend was kickstarted with the spectacular and buzzing Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PB’s, a night of PB’s it was no less!

British fireworks at Night of the 10,000m PBs

As thousands of spectators took to the track in Parliament hill, the race which has been dubbed the Glastonbury of Athletics, did not disappoint. The Night of 10,000 PB’s, which incorporated the European 10,000m cup, saw some extraordinary performances from both men and women.

The standout performance of the night from a British perspective came from Aldershot and Farnham’s Steph Twell. Twell again proved her impressively strong form, delivering what is believed to be the race of her life, to cross the line in a cracking 31:08 (a 1 minute 8 second track 10,000 PB!) and claim gold at the European cup.

Not only did she top the podium, but she achieved an Olympic and World qualifying standard. Steph Twell stormed round the last lap to complete a 2:58 final kilometre and comfortably give her the win by 7 seconds. Twell said, ‘I can’t believe how easy I felt and I’m delighted’.

British European Cup Victory

Only 8 seconds behind her was the second Brit, but first GB vest, Eilish McColgan. McColgan ran a strong race, finishing as always with a gutsy final lap to put her one second behind Chemtai Salpeter of Israel. Whilst it was not the win McColgan was aiming for, McColgan said she was ‘pleased with that and the time’.

It didn’t stop there, other highly placed Brits included, Alice Wright 9th in 32:27.57, Verity Ockenden 12th in 32:34.47, Charlotte Arter in 32:40.63 and Sarah Inglis in 32:52.51. The impressive performances from the GB team, led them to team victory at the European cup!

The Night of the 10,000 PB’s truly lived up to its buzzing reputation. To give an atmosphere like no other. In the words of Twell, ‘The crowd were amazing. I’ve never heard a roar like that and it really lifted me’.

Connor delivers

The men’s A race saw more outstanding PB performances delivered. The win went to Italy’s Yemaneberhan Crippa, but in a solid third was Great Britain’s, Ben Connor in a cracking time of 27:56.60, with a 22 second personal best!

The next Brit across the line, in his 10,000m track debut, was Belgrave’s Nick Goolab in 28:10.49 (8th). Slightly further down the field in 21st and 23rd, were Matthew Leach in 28:47.24, and Jack Gray in 28:49.53.

A night to celebrate the best in club racing

The success of the event could be said to come as much from the depth of the racing as the stand out performances in the A races. The senior races kicked off with a close fought race won by South London Harriers’ Ollie Garrod (31:36.92) with Daniel Kashi (31:42.39) and Patrick Roddy (31:44.48) second and third place respectively.

Will Green was a popular winner of the Men’s E race as the temperatures warmed up. The V40 athlete sliced a healthy chunk of his PB to win in 30:50.38. Sam Johnson of Birchfield Harriers was second in 31:00.19 and Jack Bancroft of Bristol & West third in 31:07.00.

Glasgow City athlete Sean Fontana was narrowly missed out on sub 30 on his way to victory in the D race in 30:02.81. Gaert Jorritsma (30:09.97) and Thames Valley’s Daniel Mulryan (30:11.49) rounded off the top three positions.

Top quality women’s field

The women’s C race saw international athletes go head to head demonstrating the ever increasing depth of the meeting. Hanne Verbruggen was the winner in 33:30.67 ahead of Julia Mayer (33:53.69) and Abbie Donnelly (33:56.13). England 10km international Dani Nimmock was fourth in 34:38.56 (editors note – Fast Running’s own Hannah Irwin had a strong run finishing just outside her PB in 34:46.50).

The women’s B race was an all international affair won by Belgian athlete Nina Lauwaert in 32:52.29.

Photo: Gill Bland

Mohamed Mohamed storms to a new PB

Hillingdon’s Mohamed Mohamed dominated the Men’s C race to in in 29:00.24, a full 35 seconds off his road best. Romanian athlete Stefan Gavril was second 29:33.44. Birchfield Harrier Omar Ahmed came home in third in 29:34.89.

Speaking after the race Mohamed said “I’m very happy with my performance and I want to thank all the officials and volunteers and the organisers of the Night of the 10,00m PB.”

As with the women the men’s B race was all international and saw a fine run from Isreal’s Yitayew Abuhay to win in 28:44.74.

Photo: Robbie Britton

Adkin is European Champion

Miles away from the track, the European Mountain Running Championships took place in Zermatt,  Switzerland.

Keswick’s Jacob Adkin took the win in the men’s senior race in what looked like a fine day for mountain running. Adkin’s win comes after a fine run of recent success with a win in last week’s Mont Blanc Marathon Vertical KM and the European trial at the start of June.

The young star started patiently and overtook his coach Robbie Simpson around the four kilometre, before storming past everyone for the win. The course did a fast loop of Zermatt and then was all uphill, at a very steep gradient, to Riffelberg at 2582m.

Adkin, helped by Robbie Simpson (seventh) and Andy Douglas (ninth) took gold for the senior men’s team.

In a highly competitive race Sarah Tunstall took fourth in the senior women’s event. The Kendal AC athlete looked strong throughout, showing her international class with such an excellent performance. It is worth noting that two of the podium athletes ahead of Tunstall, Maude Mathys and Cristel Dewalle, have had anti-doping rules violations in recent years.

Joe Dugdale won the U20 men’s race, leading the young team to their own victory.

Top class performances in Australia and the States

Further across the field in Australia, was the Gold Coast Half Marathon. There were some cracking female performances, with the top 2 athletes crossing the line in under 70 minutes. The Irish-born Australian long-distance runner, Sinead Diver, took gold in a beaming time of 69:45. Diver was closely followed by Ellie Pashley, only 5 seconds behind in 69:50. Just above the 70-minute mark was Lisa Weightman in 70:30.

Also across the world, in another of many 10k races, the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race took place. Belgrave’s Tish Jones crossed the line in a very respectable 33:30, competing against some of the best.

Slightly closer to home, was the Leamington Spa half marathon. Rugby and Northampton AC’s Alistair Mcdonnell ran all the way to the men’s victory in a respectable 01:13:10. Mcdonnell was shortly followed by Andrew Savery and Sean Jones in 01:13:26 and 01:15:09 respectively.

Leamington AC’s Natalie Bhangal was first woman to cross the line, claiming gold with 01:28:49. Separated by only 22 seconds was Natasha White of Northbrook AC (01:31:33) and Bonita Robinson of Hermitage Harriers (01:31:55).

Inaugural Porthcawl 10km a success

The Porthcawl 10k really did shine under the sun with some cracking times across both the men’s and women’s races. Griffiths, the resounding favourite, crossed the line in a time of 29:55, confirming his place as one of the current top Welsh road runners.

Having begun the 2018 Healthspan Wales 10k Series with a third-place finish, Griffiths was happy to have reaffirmed his place within the series. He said, ‘I wanted to win, and it is always nice to get under 30 minutes, but he really made the race. That is my first 10k win this year and it is always nice to cross the line first.’

James Hunt had a breakthrough race, cracking the 30-minute barrier for the first time! Hunt of Cardiff AC crossed the line in 29:58 to secure second place. James Hunt dug deep, but it wasn’t quite enough to take the win from Griffiths. Hunt said, ‘Josh just came on strong in the last kilometer and I couldn’t hold onto him’. Coming across the line in 3rd place was Phil Wylie of Cheltenham & County Harrier in a time of 30:41.

Excellent return for Cockram

Natasha Cockram, part of this year’s Fast 10 class of 2019, took the victory in the women’s race in a time of 34:51. Cockram continues to show improvements since her return from Tulsa University and having struggled with injury since London Marathon.

Cockram reported, ‘I’ve been back running for the past three weeks and I’m just happy to be back racing again. It wasn’t about the time […] it was just about getting back into a race’. Second across the line in a time of 35:20 was Manchester Marathon winner Jenny Spink. Ruby Orchard of Cornwall AC claimed bronze in a time of 37:31, completing the women’s podium.

Photo credit: Porthcawl 10km

A busy weekend of domestic 10ks

Sunday continued to add to the 10k buzz that filled the warm weekend with races across the country including the Great North 10k and others in Brentwood, Newmarket, Porthcawl, Manchester, Gloucestershire, and Leeds.

At the Asda Foundation Leeds 10km the men’s victory was taken by Scott Hinchcliffe in a time of 31:29, followed by Marcos angwl Valero Palacios in 31:54. Only 3 seconds behind the Roundhay Runner was Gareth Joste in 31:57.

The women’s race saw the top 3 women easily dip under the 39-minute marker. The win went to Nik Tarrega of Knavesmire in 38:06, followed by Aisling Wall in 38:18. Third over the line was Ackworth Road Runners’ Sarah Hunter, in 38:28.

Further up north, in the Great North 10k in Gateshead, Tombridge’s Ashley Gibson took the win in a noteworthy 35:40, running her fastest time of the year so far. The silver medal was claimed by Hannah Wood in 38:06, and the silver by Laura Havis in 42:30.

In the men’s race there was less than a minute between the top 3. James McKenzie of Heaton Harriers won gold in 33:1, a massive 59 second PB! Second place went to Sparrow Morley in 33:44, followed by Dean Williamson, 20 seconds behind in 34:04.

Aburezeq wins again

For yet another year, Mohammed Aburezeq of Altrincham & District AC defended his title at the City of Manchester 10k. Aburezeq crossed the line in a cracking 31:14, claiming the win by over 40 seconds. Second place went to Tom Charles, who achieved a time of 31:55, ahead of Salford Harriers & AC’s Gamar Adam in 32:20.

The UKFast City of Manchester 10k women’s race was won by Kirsty Longley of Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton in 35:29. Longley was followed by Carol Parsons with a time of 36:55, and in 39:59, just dipping under the 40-minute barrier, was Rachael Rozhdestvenskaya of Sale Harriers Manchester.

At the Brentwood Running Club 10k in Essex, Springfield Striders dominated the men’s podium. The men’s race saw Pete Robinson claim gold in a rapid time of 32:09, a solid 1 minute 23 second PB. Robinson was only 10 seconds ahead of Crispian Bloomfield of Billericay Striders who was followed by James Sullivan of Springfield Striders in 34:25.

The Striders however didn’t feature in the women’s podium where Ruth Wallace of Fleet & Crookham AC cemented the win in 39:15. Crookham was followed by Jennifer Lovelock in 41:10 and Hayley Lamkin in 41:24.

A great weekend for Cambridge & Coleridge AC

To add to the long list of 10k’s happening over the sunny weekend was The Marcus Gynn Newmarket 10k. Ben Jones of Cambridge and Coleridge AC claimed the men’s title in 33:24, whilst the women’s gold went to Odette Robson of Saint Edmund Pacers in 40:31.

Cambridge and Coleridge AC have had a fine weekend overall with fantastic performances from the Night of the 10,000m PBs through to the Lord Mayors 5km.

After a slightly dramatic start to the day with an unexpected route change due to road works, the Gloucestershire 10k took place. The win was taken by Richard Dare in 33:36, with Alastair Campbell taking second in 33:53. The women’s race was won by Kelly Lyons in 40:30 with Alice Doggrell crossing the line second in 41:25.

Sesemann and Archer win Lord Mayor’s 5k City Centre Classic

Leeds City’s Phil Sesemann stormed home to victory on the challenging course at the Lord Mayor’s 5k in Norwich. Sesemann’s time of 14:35.3 was enough to edge out Jonathan Escalante-Phillips (14:40.3) and Brighton’s Stephen Ferroni (14:44.8).

Holly Archer was a dominate victor in the women’s race finishing in 16:50.6. The Cambridge and Coleridge athlete has had a fantastic 2019 setting a new 5km best of 16:04 at Ipswich Twilight. Joining Archer on the podium were Isabel Rodriguez (17:44.6) and Faith Viney (17:58.3).

parkrun UK

Kevin Skinner and Naomi Taschimowitz are your fastest athletes at UK parkruns this weekend (July 6th). Full rankings here.

If you would like to run faster at parkrun, top tips to help runners of all abilities can be found here.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

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The post Steph shines and Adkin is European Champion – the weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

It’s a funny old time in the running world. Another world has become a holding presence, a set of laces tying it all together with a seemingly unbreakable knot. The online world.

It has never been so present or had such an effect. Has it changed our view of running? And for better or worse? Currently, one of the biggest tools used by runners and other athletes is Strava. Does it offer a positive influence, or does it hinder us? I decided to take some time out of uploading my daily runs and scrolling through the activity feed to contemplate it.

Striving for the future

Back in 2009, a new kind of activity tracking platform was established that would soon go on to see the upload of over 2 million activities per day. Named after the Swedish term for ‘strive’, it represents the attitude of both the company and the athlete that uses it. Building a community of sportspeople from around the world, it has become a natural instinct for many to track, upload, analyse and compare the activities of both themselves and others.

Sure, Strava has no doubt become a source of motivation and encouragement for many runners, providing inspiration through features such as weekly goals and challenges to keep us tying those laces up. You would be lying if you weren’t just a little bit enthused by the pull of segment rankings and course record times – I am.

All of this is meant to create an environment that makes the sport we love more fun, and it certainly does. But sometimes it seems that the reverse occurs, and the orange thumb can feel like it’s pointing in the opposite direction to usual.

Photo Credit: Dan Evans @sickofthecity

Where it all started

I signed up to Strava as I began university life, enjoying the extra amount of running geeking it offered. At the beginning, for me it was just what Instagram is to most today, an addiction to the catch-up scroll. Sharing my runs and seeing what my friends had completed, feeling slightly insecure if I hadn’t done so.

Classic modern-day technology addiction but pretty harmless, for a time.

The natural by-product of being a runner, and especially one that loves the details of the sport, is to be intrigued by the training of others. Although done so in what I thought was a non-consequential, ‘I’m just interested’ manner, looking at other people’s Strava – their paces, distances, number of reps in a session, lap times – began to be a subconscious comparison test instead.

Training with a competitive group of athletes is invaluable in improving your own performance. However, with the presence of Strava tying them all together, it means that the whole group becomes present in your personal running psyche for every day of the week, not purely key session days.

The pressure of comparison

There comes a feeling of pressure for your whole training plan or routine to compare equally with a fellow runner’s – to up your weekly mileage distance, do more reps in a session, add more cross-training sessions in. This is one of the fundamental drawbacks to having the constant means of seeing what others are doing. This pressure which I began to impart on myself, to do more, is what led to my few years of setbacks, and I can remember what especially wasn’t helpful – those damn weekly mileage graphs.

At a time when I had come into a much larger circle of competitive runners, a number of who much better than I, my use of Strava was leading in only one direction. Overtraining. The pressure to put out a performance everyday, to desire Strava to say you achieved a ‘PR’ for your usual easy run route every time, or a better ranking for a segment, isn’t healthy.

If you’re PR-ing on your easy run every week, then your training isn’t being led by how you feel at the present time, but how much you can push your body each day.

Even when I had turned completely to cross-training because of injuries caused by this very way of approaching running, I was still striving to obtain certain hours of activity per week; clearly a stress an injured body doesn’t need when all it craves is recovery time.

What a pickle I had got myself in, and I know I’m not alone there. It’s a dangerous wind that off-balances a large proportion of runners to some extent or another. The true reasons for putting on trainers and the correct objectives for each run become unclear; lost to the need to feed the graphs. It shouldn’t be about maintaining their upward growth, but it is this exact ‘goal’ that lends itself to obstacles further down the line. Ultimately, and tragically, the enjoyment of running goes astray.

The goodness of a CR

That’s not to say CR’s and the like aren’t good in any way (in fact they can be great fun and lead to some interesting sessions). It’s looking upon these features of modern running technology in a measured way that matters. View them with a pinch of salt.

It’s similar to over-analysing rep times for a session, whether your own or others; yes, it’s good to hammer out some tasty km splits, but to keep aiming for CRs is to the detriment of consistent and most importantly, enjoyable, running. Considering the game of segments as just that, a fun ‘family’ game (exclude Monopoly here), goes a long way to making that happen.

It’s not all hate, but balance is key

You may think by now that I hate Strava and all that it stands for, but I’m not a total cynic. It’s been a great way of sharing big adventures into the hills, having a friendly competition over a segment with some mates, and feeling proud when a session or race goes well and others comment to concur. (Strava, I might add, is also extremely handy for route making in new surroundings!).

It’s just through several years of experience, and a number of weeks of going M.I.A. on public activity sharing, that I’ve learnt that we don’t need to rely on Strava to tell us if we’re going well in training or if we’re improving. It’s a great way to track training, and to have fun with running too, as that’s what it’s designed for.

However, I believe it is so important to find the balance between focussing too much on a virtual world of comparison and focussing on your own present. Allowing Strava to dictate training rather than your body has only one outcome. Being mindful of that, it becomes easier to find consistency and longevity in your running.

(P.S. I have rarely looked at a weekly distance graph over the last couple of months, and I have to say it’s most revitalising).

RELATED: How to regain your running mojo

Jacob Adkin features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share his running journey. You can follow Jacob on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Chasing those crowns appeared first on Fast Running.

At the BMC meeting in Watford earlier this week Jake Wightman brought the heat to an already sweltering track meet by coming back after nearly a year off with a stress fracture. He delighted those who have been hoping for his healthy return by winning the 800m in a very confident-looking 1:45.55.

It was a veritable who’s who of domestic middle distance talent in that one sprint finish with Elliot Giles, Charlie Grice and Karl Langford all fighting for every inch at the tape.

Langford may face a sanction for an altercation with an elderly track referee after initially being disqualified for warming up in lane two whilst the 5000m race was still ongoing. The athlete later apologised on Twitter.

In the women’s race New Balance’s Sarah McDonald PB’d in empathic style, using the last 200m to pick the pace up, bringing it home in 2:00.15.

Andy Butchart also featured on the track winning the 1500m in 3:38.84. He then casually went on to do pacer duties in the 5000m! That race was won by Hillingdon’s Mohamed Mohamed in 14:07.25 while Emily Hosker-Thornhill made the most of her race’s pacer, Jess Judd, for an 11s PB and a win in 15:46.22.

Over in the US at the Pre Classic there was an outstanding performance from Laura Weightman in the 3000m. It may only have been good enough for fifth on the night, where two runners, Siffan Hassan and Konstanze Klosterhalfen ran inside the European record, but it puts Weightman second on the British all time list, only behind Paula Radcliffe.

Weightman’s PB moved from 8:43.46 to 8:26.07, a massive jump at that level and a fine reward for the hard-work of the 2018 Commonwealth Games medallist.

Laura Muir also raced and posted her 10th sub four minute time for the 1500m, but was beaten to the line by Faith Kipyegon.

Alpine success for British athletes

From the flattest of flat to the Mont Blanc Vertical K – a race which is “ not recommended in case of vertigo” and travels up 1000m metres of vertical gain in less than five kilometres. It’s basically just straight up the side of a mountain from 1000m to 2000 in Chamonix, France.

Fast 10’s Jacob Adkin (Keswick AC) and Joseph Morwood (Aldershot, Farnham & District) showed that you don’t have to come from the Alps to be able to run up them quicker than everyone else. The returning champion Adkin took first and Morwood an excellent second in the French mountain town.

Adkin, who won the European Mountain Running Trials at the start of the month, powered up in 35:05 and will be putting that speed to work at the European Championships in Zermatt next weekend. Morwood, who may have less hills to train on than his Keswick based compatriot, still managed to stay 26 seconds ahead of Frenchman Yann Gedufin to finish second in 37:21.

Hannah Russell of Helm Hill was first GB lady to the top, finishing eighth in 51:09 and Clare Prosser finished ninth in 52:42, both having to battle higher temperatures than Adkin, who had the earned the right to start last due to his win the previous year. There was a notable performance from Ireland’s 2:33 marathon runner Nicola Duncan who placed fifth.

Georgia Wood ran the Cross du Mont Blanc 23k and had a cracking race, coming home third lady. After some excellent front running, Wood finished in in 2:49:03 behind two locals – Lucille Germina (02:35:52) and Céline Jeannier 02:46:41.

It was an excellent performance in mountain terrain for the runner who clocks up most of her miles on Bournemouth Prominade. GB mountain runner and Sale Harrier Chris Richards was 11th in the men’s race in 2:27:25.

Going the (ultra) distance

Tom Evans was in action on the dusty trails of California to take part in the prestigious Western States 100. He finished a fantastic third place in 14:59:44. It was the first 100 mile race for the impressive British ultra runner, who was paced to the finish by the British 100km champion Charlie Harpur.  Hoka One One’s Jim Walmsley won in a new course record of 14:09:28.

British doctor Beth Pascall also made the iconic journey from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Despite saying she prefers cooler, more mountainous races she showed that she is in brilliant form, coming home fourth in 18:06:51 in a field of fiercely competitive women. Pascall started conservatively and stormed through the field in the latter stages in an excellent display of ultra running.

Over in the Italian Dolomites at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail even more British runners were having an impact. Anne-Marie Watson (Avon Valley) and Sophie Grant (Beta Running) took eighth and ninth place in their 119k trail race past the iconic Tre Cime mountains. Watson finished in 17:17:29 and Grant in 17:24:09.

Welshman Harry Jones was seventh in 13:30:32, 1 hr 11 min 45s off Hoka Team-mate’s Tim Tollefson’s win in 12:18:47. Keep your eyes peeled for an in depth interview with Jones in the future.

A busy weekend of UK trail running

On the edge of the Scottish highlands it was the Arrochar Alps race and the heat that were challenging our athletes on their home turf this Saturday. Mountain running legend Angela Mudge was first in the Scottish Hill Racing fixture, followed by Helen Fallas and Andrea Priestly. For the men, it was the Ben Nevis race legend Finlay Wild who won (3:07:39). Andrew Fallas came second and Tim Morgan third.

It was truly a jam-packed week for off-road antics. Sabrina Verjee followed in Jasmin Paris’s footsteps to become the outright winner of the Montane Spine Fusion. She covered the summer edition of the 268 mile race in 82 hours, 19 minutes and seven seconds. This was a full six hours ahead of the nearest competitor. That is an incredible feat considering Verjee finished second at Dragons Back only three weeks ago and won The Fellsman a month before that.

Back on the roads

Back to the roads and there were some fast times at Springfield Striders Friday Night Five with their own Pete Robinson finishing first in 25:51 ahead of Braintree & District AC’s Tim Woulfe (26:05) and club-mate Chris Burgoyne (26:32).

Rachel Sweatt of Grange Farm & Dunmow Runners, who has already gained half and full marathon PB’s this year, ran 29:35 for 13th overall and the women’s win. She was followed by Nikki Brockbank (Springfield Striders) in 30:55. Rebecca White of Saffron Striders RC took third place in 32:23.

The Lordshill 10k rounded off the Hampshire Road Race Season. It did so in pleasing fashion for the hosts as their women’s and men’s team won the meeting and look in a strong position for a top three in the league overall. In the race itself it was Ruth Thom of City Of Salisbury AC who topped the table, coming home in 39:19. Abigail Woolaston of Andover AC was second in 39:26. Local lady Kirsty Wood in 40:49 completed the podium.

Photo: Lois Elliot

For the men 25 seconds separated the top three. Aiden Lennan ran 33:03 for first place. Gosport Road Runner’s Ben Toye was second in 33:10. Stuart Holloway from City Of Salisbury AC was third in 33:28

Elsewhere on the roads

In Norwich at the Humpty Dumpty 10k Juliette Watkinson of Wymonham AC took the crown in 39:48 with a hot day seeing a slower finish than Dani Nimmock’s 35:14 last year. Waveney Valley AC’s Matthew Jefferies was the men’s winner in 33:47

Southport Half Marathon was won by Mandy Dohren of Victoria Park Harriers in 1:24:24 and Matthew Crehan (St Helens Striders) in 1:10:41.

At the North Devon AONB Half Marathon Mara Yamauchi took her Olympian legs for a spin to win in 1:36:54. Bideford AAC’s Ronnie Redmond was the men’s champion in 01:20:30.

Callum Elson was back to defend his title at the Humber Bridge Half Marathon taking over a minute off his winning time from last year to finish in 73:14. Elson was well clear of second place Ben Evison (76:46) and third place Gary Couzens (79:03). Naomi Bright of City of Hull AC was the first woman with 92:08 ahead of Caroline Teasdale (94:49) and Jessica Walker (96:31) in second and third.

High quality top 10 times at UK parkruns

Photo of Hayley Carruthers, our top parkrunner again this weekend : Stephen Lee

Despite the heat it was a fast weekend at parkrun. Hayley Carruthers kept her winning form but just with a few seconds knocked off at Walsall Arboretum (16:05). Omer Ahmed ran 14:26 to nudge tantalisingly close to his 5k PB at Brueton parkrun.

RELATED: 7 ways to run faster at parkrun

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us and become a patron. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Strong performances at home and abroad – UK weekend roundup appeared first on Fast Running.

The frequency of runners making their way to fields, barns and boots of cars to register their name and pin a number to their vest is once more on the rise. Across the country, they group together on start lines and look up to see the ground rise above them, the path their studs will tread disappearing from view.

As a collective, they are called hill runners (or fell runners, if you’re reading this in England).

Runners of every age, and every level, have a spot in these gatherings. Brushing shoulders are the people who will finish at the front and at the back, and they are as likely to share a post-race coffee and cake or something stronger as with anyone else in the field.

Everyone, bar maybe a couple of unfortunate injuries during, will make it around the pre-set checkpoints, and then recount their unique tale of the race, highs and lows, afterwards. And that is the purely lovely thing about this sport – fastest known times are kept track of and record chasing times congratulated, but the real stories are between the individuals and the hills.

It is a feeling shared amongst all who take part. It is a mindset engrained in the sport.

Speaking of mindsets, there are some who query the logicalness of these hill people who congregate to run around wilder landscapes. So for those who wonder, here is (a very small) idea of what a hill runner’s mind is like.

A hill runner never stops thinking about hills

The more time I started to spend in the hills, getting to know the fell running community and acquainting myself with the sports history, the more my outlook of the outdoor landscape changed.

No longer did I just take in the views as they were, appreciating only their natural beauty; I also began to see what they could offer to satisfy my craving for more. This craving is shared extensively among those who have been absorbed into the sport. The hills have a hold, and they continually tug at our thoughts, our minds unable to resist wandering among their majesty while on the work commute or eating dinner.

Hill runners relish seeking out new challenges for themselves, whether that be mapping out a new route through familiar hills, bagging a set of Munros, or taking down all 214 Lakeland Wainwrights in one sitting. Granted the latter is a more ‘hardcore’ example, but whatever the level of the challenge, it is relative to the person who’s conjured it up.

It’s about self-progression and fulfilment. Each and every one of these is to be admired, and I never fail to be inspired on an almost daily basis from hearing of remarkable feats from the many individuals that make this sport what it is. The act of running in hills is unconfined, the sport is what the person makes of it – there are no limits for you here.

A hill runner is impervious to adversity

Mad – the word that most commonly follows in a runners wake as they pull themselves up steep ascents and dive with seemingly complete lack of control off summits.

Hill runners possess a slightly different type of common sense. They have a tenacity and almost ignorant mindset towards extreme conditions and levels of physical pain. I don’t think I’ve met a people that are as resolute in pushing on into the wild, unknown depths of unpleasant places, in landscape and head. Give them a ferocious winter storm, give them baking hot summer days, they will drive on with unfaltering assuredness to see it through, or until they sink on broken legs to the ground.

I was about 11 or 12 years old when I first took part in a hill race. Following in my older sister’s footsteps, I stepped onto the start line of Scald Law junior hill race in the Pentland Hills just outside Edinburgh, having just pulled on every layer of clothing I possessed. These were reluctant beginnings for an obsession with elevated lands – a bitterly cold day, snow up to my waist at its deepest, I almost cried my way to the turn-around marker.

I can’t lie, this experience put me off for a few years after. Returning to the sport however, I found a new understanding and acceptance of hills and their frequently testing moods. A desire to spend more time in these places regardless of the elements started to grow, and I believe it came from the seed that was planted in that first wild experience (it just took some time to flourish).

A hill runner has a single-minded approach when it comes to their pastime, almost considering nothing other than their next footsteps. Anything that the natural world throws at them they can almost disconnect from. They enjoy the individual moments, the present, and no matter how bad the conditions, this focusses their mind on completing what’s ahead of them.

There is an engrained spirit in all hill runners and no matter when things go wrong, the situation is never too bad because of it. A recent junior fell championship race characterised this. I was acting as ‘sweeper’ marshal for the day, and during one race a young runner was struggling at the halfway point. They could easily have given up and sat down at the side of the path, but instead they continued putting one foot in front of the other.

The perseverance was clear to see, and although their face told a different story, I imagined there to be a small but discernible burning light of strength and heart deep inside them, keeping their belief alive. This not only kept them going, but on making it to the final stages, lifted them to greater speed. From a place of pain to a place of exhilaration, it was inspiring to see the energy and motivation they had.

A hill runner enjoys the experience

For many, hill training is repelling. For hill runners, it is empowering. A common trait of training is the repetition of a set distance or time, until such a quantity is reached to make a perceived benefit. On flat ground, the sanity of this routine is only occasionally questioned, yet the slight variation used in a hill runner’s training diet gives way to a much higher frequency of disbelieving looks.

The concept of running hard up and down a hill repetitively, undoing all the energy used to gain the height, could be seen as counter-productive. To a hill runner however, they can finish this relentless punishment and stand back to say “I just conquered that hill and felt good for it”.

The slightly nauseating feeling akin to a stormy sea as the built-up lactate tips around upon turning to descend or ascend once more is part of that conquering. There’s a perverse sense of enjoyment in the discomfort. A “glutton for punishment”, an onlooker described my friend as they ran on higher.

Those days of a beautifully painful repetition then give way to the ever-growing freedom found during long escapades across hilly lands. Rising and falling, the hills provide a multitude of soul-satisfying moments, all connecting to create this great story that will always have a place on the bookshelf of memories. I don’t believe you can get that anywhere else.

RELATED: How to regain your running mojo

Jacob Adkin features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share his running journey. You can follow Jacob on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Inside the hill runner’s mind appeared first on Fast Running.

Self-confidence. Runners need it. Not in the arrogant sort of way though, but in the belief that the time they are putting into their training day in, day out is of value. Sometimes however, a runner can lose this feeling of security, and it is hard to know what to do.

So everything is going well. You are following the training plan, ticking off the easy runs and sessions, feeling good. With each passing race in the build up to the big one your performance improves, and head into each week of training with greater vigour and motivation.

You feel like you can achieve more than ever before, and you possess a certain air of self-confidence. And then it happens. You lose your running mojo.

It could be a niggle that has crept up on you. It could be an illness that has knocked you down and still hangs around long after you feel you have recovered, it could be that you have lost the mental will to keep churning out the miles or it could be that your body feels lethargic and reluctant to do what your plan asks it to.

The initial reaction to any of these is frustration, almost anger. All that effort you put into training, the happiness you had with your fitness and an eagerness to see where you could go. Then suddenly that all seems so distant. You could not feel any more different.

There is sadness thinking about the new speed sessions you’re now not going to be able to complete, the planned future races that hang in the balance. You begin to feel lost.

Our natural reaction is to feel anger, but why should we? Why should we be angry at our bodies and minds for losing that confidence? Something is clearly not right, and we can’t keep pushing further into the treacle and further from recovery. We need to accept, listen, and address it.

Recently I lost my running mojo. And it wasn’t for the first time. In the past, I have lost that drive to get out there – I have experienced that feeling of being lost and not knowing how I was going to overcome it.

Sometimes it has been the result of injury or illness, and other times for trying to do too much, aiming too high. Each time there has been something to learn about how I react to and how I overcome these moments, and I’d like to highlight a few of them here.

Change your plans

Losing your running mojo often suggests that your current routine has put you in a bit of a rut. It takes guts to realise this and then accept that it isn’t working, and confidence to break the cycle and change your plans to fit your individual circumstances.

Don’t over commit to certain races or training schedules – it requires patience and listening to how you are feeling from day to day to understand where you are at and what you are ready to do, both mentally and physically.

Don’t be scared to take time off

At first, it can be daunting to stop running – you’re scared to lose fitness, and you feel guilty for missing races. You can still run, but take a more spontaneous approach to it.

Don’t follow a plan, but add things to make it different from usual – find new routes, try that rock scramble that you always pass by on your local trail, run with other people.

Photo: Lucas Cheskin

You don’t need to set sessions, walk out the door and just start running, and as you run listen to what your body feels like doing. It may want to run easy the whole time, and that’s fine.

Sometimes it may want to stretch out, and you’ll fancy sprinting to the top of a hill, or legging it from one side of town to the shop at the other. By no means are you going to lose a great amount of fitness.

In fact, it can be so much more beneficial to unfollow the training plan – your body will absorb the training it’s been logging, and you will allow it to recuperate at its own natural rate.

Try other things

It is actually quite beneficial to sit around not doing much for a time, it goes some way to recharging the batteries. At some point though it is more advantageous to be busy again, but that doesn’t have to be running.

Find something new to pursue – book yourself onto a climbing course, take up sewing, it can be anything, sporty or otherwise.

Whatever it is, the important thing is that it creates a new stimulus and provides that sense of purpose and satisfaction that runners live off from doing running.

Make exciting plans

Making future plans can be very motivating. From organising a road-trip and running in places you’ve yet to discover, or entering an event that is unlike what you’ve usually done.

Going out of your bubble of usual activities is exactly what brings your running mojo back to life. Keep yourself flexible and willing to try new things, and the motivation will return.

Set new goals

Eventually, the time will come when you start to feel that tingle again to get back out there and train for a bigger goal.

There is no rush, however, so plan for races or other targets further into the future than you would normally.

At this time, it is much better to err on the side of caution. That way, you don’t run the risk of pushing yourself too hard from the off, and you will only surprise yourself as your training progresses.

Running is, in essence, an individual sport. We strive to better our own performance, but we can only do this if we are in the right place both physically and mentally.

Losing your mojo isn’t a bad thing. It’s a useful indicator for ensuring long term healthy and happy running.

Jacob Adkin features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share his running journey. You can follow Jacob on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post How to regain your running mojo appeared first on Fast Running.

I went to see a film recently. Never have I sweated quite so much or inhaled sharply as many times. I was watching a person attempt something that no-one thought possible, something that appeared absolute lunacy.

The man was Alex Honnold, the film was ‘Free Solo’. Having never been as immersed in the world of climbing as I have in running, Honnold’s greatest success nevertheless grabbed my attention back in 2017, as it did the general public.

Now in film form, the jaw-dropping scale and emotion is brilliantly brought to life, drawing many renewed and louder gasps of astonishment.

At nearly 3000ft, Honnold’s swift scaling of the solid granite wall El Capitan in the Yosemite National Park is seen as the biggest feat in the history of the sport. I’m unsure if my recent exploits on the local wall’s 5b route, taking all of a few minutes, quite matches the 7c+ Honnold was flowing up for almost four hours straight, but whether you’re into climbing or not, it’s a rather good watch.

I will leave most of the film in all its raw emotion and mind-boggling scale for yourselves to discover if you haven’t already. There were a few aspects of the film however that I found particularly relatable to running and to what I’ve seen, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts.

Let’s start with the title – Free Solo

The sport of free soloing is climbing, but free of a rope attached to your body; bouldering, but in an outdoor, limitless space rather than an enclosed room. The risks you’d say are higher than that of running. It is an activity in which you are free – free from physical boundaries, and free in the mind.

“What do you mean free in the mind?! He [Honnold] must have been mentally s******* himself!”

I am almost inclined to agree. But then I recall the times when I have been running on a narrow, twisting trail winding along the edge of a mountainside. Or running across a knife-sharp ridge with a sheer drop either side of me. I remember thinking of nothing much in those moments, yet possessing an acute sense of peace: a clarity of meaning, purpose and happiness. I felt alive. Honnold does what he does to be on the edge of life as that is where he feels most alive, living his purpose.

So I disagree, and say that running is not as dissimilar to free soloing as it would seem. We runners aren’t as far from that state of mind as we think. We don’t necessarily have to be attempting anything quite as exposed as he did (I think the suggestion “don’t try this at home” is more appropriate than ever here!) and I certainly haven’t and most likely won’t be!

Running should be solo inspired

Going out for a run shouldn’t make you feel like you’re trapped in an enclosed room. It should open the space and yourself up.

Photo: David Gonthier

Yes, you’re not going to feel like you can shout at the top of your voice “OMG I’M ALIVE!!” every time you lace up your shoes. Instead, your running is a bit like an infinite jigsaw, with all of those ‘OMG’ moments created from many smaller experiences. These experiences are your everyday runs that go a certain length to help you find a little more freedom, to feel a little more alive.

You may go running with a regular partner, within a big group, or just on your own. Whichever way you decide to embark onto the road or trail, to me running should be solo inspired. We all have our own reasons for being out there putting one foot in front of the other. It shouldn’t be something you do to satisfy others.

In the film, the emotional struggle of the family and friends around Honnold as they see him risk his life is hard viewing. They accept, however, that if they stopped him in his particular pursuit, they would be stepping in between him and what defines him. Although not quite as intense as this case, running should be to fulfil your own dreams and wishes, not those of others. In the past I have compared myself to my peers, wanting what they were achieving.

It was detrimental to my body because it couldn’t keep up with their training and broke down injured. In terms of my mind though, it was far more damaging: I lost confidence and belief in myself and my ability, but most sadly of all, I lost the motivation to do a sport I love. It’s something that I am very aware of other athletes experiencing too, burning out because they see only the short-term benefits, rather than planning long-term sustainability.

Doing it for yourself is what running is about first and foremost, otherwise, you lose your freedom. It’s not about failing others or succeeding where others have not; it’s about your journey to achieving something, either to better yourself or to develop in a particular way.

You can follow the lead of others, but at the risk of losing sight of why you are running. Or, you can create and develop that ‘solo’ attitude and relationship with yourself, running on your own terms and in a way that befits you.

It will be flexible and constantly changing as you do, not restricted by the plans of others. You therefore will not only live for yourself, but see resounding improvements and happiness in your running.

Honnold prepared meticulously for his attempt on the rock face. The year before his successful climb, he woke up one morning and went for it. It wasn’t the right day.

As runners, we prepare in just as much detail for races and personal challenges to make the act of doing them as relatively straightforward as possible. We have a very direct mindset about going through with that goal. Training is done so that we can handle suffering and to push through it to succeed, that’s sport.

Self awareness

Conversely, I have learnt that it is essential to possess a certain amount of self awareness, so that you know when it is right to turn back. Honnold free soloed Yosemite’s Half Dome some years ago, and although he stood on the summit at the end, he admits it was not the experience he wanted.

His ill preparation cast doubt and fear into his mind as he climbed, a dangerous mix when clinging on many metres above the ground without a rope. If he had been more aware of how inadequately prepared he was, both physically and mentally, to bring about a fulfilling climb, he wouldn’t have started.

Being mindful of your body, being ‘in tune’ with it, is what can save you from a negative outcome such as this. I regret my failure to realise until too late that the increasing soreness I was feeling was a signal telling me my body couldn’t cope with the training load.

Continuing to run through races in pain, I damaged my body further, had disappointing experiences, and increased my mental anxiety. I’ve known several other athletes to truly feel that the training they’re doing is right, that it will eventually give them a performance they desire. They do not realise that it is that very training leading to those negative outcomes, but it is so hard to stop and have the self-assurance to change.

Taking the time to step back and pay mindful attention to your body will greatly improve understanding of yourself and the benefits of this are extensive.

It will help you if injury or illness strikes, having to process this as well as the change to your training and racing plans it brings about. You will become more aware of when a tight muscle is in fact a precursor to an overuse injury. When your body and/or mind is just plain tired one day, you will have the ability to acknowledge this, and have the confidence to cut a run short to benefit you in the longer term.

If you have greater confidence in knowing your body and mind, and in what you are doing, then the risks decrease accordingly. A moment now will pay dividends in the future.

Jacob Adkin features in the ‘Fast 10: class of 2019’ and over the course of the year will share his running journey. You can follow Jacob on Twitter and Instagram, while further information about the ‘class of 2019’ can be found here.

Are you a fan of Fast Running? Then please support us. For as little as the price of a monthly magazine you can support Fast Running – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The post Don’t try this at home appeared first on Fast Running.