YOUR SHOPPING BAGIntroduction to Trail and Fell Running
ISBN 978-1-905444-40-3
Price: £7.99 each.
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The second edition of this popular book is now available.
Trail and fell running, collectively known as off-road running. As more and more runners leave the boredom of the roads and seek the challenges and pleasures of running in the open countryside, what can they expect to await them, how can they train and prepare for it and what knowledge, skill and equipment is required to ensure maximum enjoyment and safety.
This booklet takes the newcomer to this, the most rewarding and natural of all the athletics disciplines, and guides them through their baptism of off-road running.
Contents
- Introduction
-
What is Trail and Fell Running
Why run off-road
Governing bodies
Clubs
Types of event -
Preparing for a Trail or Fell Run
Choosing and entering an event
Grading of routes
Using the Grading System for progression of ability
How many events should I do in a year -
Physical Aspects of Trail and Fell Running
Running style
Strength
Energy consumption
Slow running and walking
Load carrying
Suppleness -
Training for Trail and Fell Running
General training principles
Endurance work
Uphill work
Downhill work
Speed-work
Terrain training
Strength work
Constructing a session
Length of sessions
Putting it all together
Warming-up
Mental attitude -
Technical Aspects of Trail and Fell Running
Equipment
Footwear
Clothing
Rucksack or bumbag
Water carrying
Safety items
Navigation aids
Required kit for events
Safety considerations
Meeting animals -
Route Finding, Waymarking and Navigation
Waymarking and marking of courses
Navigation training -
Participating in a Trail or Fell Run
Pre-race
Registration
Toilets
The event
Post-race - Summary
The Walks
Introduction to Trail and Fell Running Photo Gallery
Both trail and fell running
When you are tired on a long run
Both trail and fell races
Virtually all trail and fell events
Whether trail or fell
Introduction to Trail and Fell Running Reviews
This is an excellent book which, whilst designed, as its title suggests, to guide the newcomer to the sport through the basics, will also appeal to the more experienced hill runner who wants to revisit the fundamentals of their chosen activity. It covers a range of off-road activities, from trail running through to hill races and mountain marathons. There are chapters on progressing from running off-road to racing, different types of training, technical aspects (including equipment, clothing, safety and navigation) and a final section which takes the runner through a typical race day.
The sub-text throughout is to encourage you to enjoy training off-road, at the same time as having the ambition and inspiration to improve fitness and progress with care to the challenge of racing further and faster. Author Kev Shevels is an experienced runner, coach and race organiser. The guide is the first in a series, with others looking in greater detail at specifics such as uphill and downhill techniques, long and ultra races, and mountain marathons.
The sub-text throughout is to encourage you to enjoy training off-road, at the same time as having the ambition and inspiration to improve fitness and progress with care to the challenge of racing further and faster. Author Kev Shevels is an experienced runner, coach and race organiser. The guide is the first in a series, with others looking in greater detail at specifics such as uphill and downhill techniques, long and ultra races, and mountain marathons.
Scottish Hill Runners Association Newsletter September 2007
This booklet is very much aimed at the runner wishing to take up trail or fell running for the first time. In an easy to read style Kevin describes the different types of terrain you may expect to experience when participating in trail, fell and mountain running. He also, includes a brief summary of the nature of each of the different types of off-road events (eg. Fell, trail, long distance walking, mountain marathons and orienteering ) so that you can familiarize yourself with what to expect in each type of event. He goes on to consider the different running styles required for the various types of terrain; identifying the limbs and muscles used and the impact on these as a consequence of running off-road. The importance of stretching is emphasized giving examples with diagrams of some of the basic exercises which will need to be done. A more detailed analysis can be found in a sister booklet ‘Strength and Conditioning for Off-Road Runners’. Basic details of specific training, encompassing Endurance, Uphill, Downhill, Speed, Terrain and Strength work are described and an example of a four week training schedule is included as a general guide, together with diagrams of basic circuit training exercises.
The technical aspects such as types of footwear and clothing to be worn, kit requirements, survival bags, navigational aids and safety considerations
are covered in some depth. The importance of ensuring that you do not stray off course and lose your way is explained, as is the need for navigational skills in some races. However, for more detailed information on navigation and map reading see a sister publication ‘Navigation for Off-road Runners’.
This is a good comprehensive booklet, which should prove useful to anyone setting out on the wonderful and enjoyable journey of discovering off-road running.
The technical aspects such as types of footwear and clothing to be worn, kit requirements, survival bags, navigational aids and safety considerations
are covered in some depth. The importance of ensuring that you do not stray off course and lose your way is explained, as is the need for navigational skills in some races. However, for more detailed information on navigation and map reading see a sister publication ‘Navigation for Off-road Runners’.
This is a good comprehensive booklet, which should prove useful to anyone setting out on the wonderful and enjoyable journey of discovering off-road running.
Newsletter of the Welsh Fell Runner's Association April 2007
"In seven sections, split into concise chapters, it guides the newcomer through all aspects of off-road running"
"Advice on training and racing, the equipment needs of the runner, the terrain encountered and its demands on the body - its all covered."
"Particularly useful are the sections on the physical aspects of and training required for trail and fell running. Not only will these sections prove useful to the newly converted road runner, but they can also be of use to those of use who have already discovered the magic of mud, rock and forest paths, but have not yet considered a structured approach to our improvement."
"An Introduction to Trail and Fell Running does offer a really good overview - "just what it says on the tin" so to speak."
The Fellrunner Magazine Spring 2007
"While this book seems to me to be aimed at the beginner trail or fell runner it is also aimed at this beginner who wants to do well. The narrative is a mixture of basic advice and more specific training methods for those who have no real experience of running off-road."
"So, a very useful book, aimed at a runner who wants to know how to progress into the trail running scene and how to train for it. Other books in the series, either already out, or in production, will take you further but, along with "Long and Ultra Distance Off-Road Running" a perfect compliment to those just wanting to get out there."
Newsletter of the Trail Runner's Association Spring 2007.
