Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2024 från Trail Run

On a recent trail run with my pre-teen daughter, our leisurely expedition through a short 4km out-and-back fire trail early on a Sunday morning, turned into an unexpected adventure that required a little bit of navigation through caution and awareness. Firstly, no one got hurt, so that was a relief. But our sudden encounter with a runaway horse certainly gave us both a bit of a fright, and was an important reminder of the unpredictable factors or occurrences we face on the trails. There we were, with me leading the way at the 1.5km mark, both of us with our headphones on, when I heard a horse’s whinny a little way behind me and galloping hooves getting closer. I’m going to preface this by saying just the day before, I…

Throughout my running journey, which spans over a quarter of a century, I have participated in seven marathons. Six of these races saw me crossing the finish line, with times ranging from 3:19 to 2:47. However, I also faced setbacks, such as having to drop out of one marathon due to an overly ambitious pacing plan. In this article, I share the five major mistakes I encountered while training for the marathon distance. These lessons can also be applied for racing between half marathon up to ultra distances on the trial. Chances are, you might be making one of these errors in your current training regimen. And while it’s often said that learning from mistakes is crucial, I believe that learning from the mistakes of others is even more valuable.…

The sharp Himalayan wind bites as dawn breaks over Everest Base Camp, painting the peaks of the world’s highest mountains in shades of gold and rose. At 17,600ft, where the air is thin and every breath comes harder than the last, a small group of runners gathers at the start line for what is heralded as the most challenging marathon on the planet – the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon. Above them, the towering face of Mount Everest looms, the eternal guardian of the frozen lands. Snow crunches beneath the racers’ feet, and the distant sound of prayer flags flapping in the breeze adds a haunting serenity to the moment. For these athletes, this isn’t just a race though. It’s a spiritual journey, a test of human endurance, and an homage…

FIVE KEY CONSIDERATIONS: 1. TWICE WEEKLY TRAINING • Appropriate work:recovery ratio • Switch programs monthly 2. CHALLENGE YOUR BODY • Two different, but complimentary programs each week • Appropriate balance of exercises in every program 3. INCLUDE EXERCISES FROM 7 CATEGORIES • Lunge, squat, push, pull, hinge, lateral/twist, core • Choose different variations of the above every month 4. TARGET STRENGTH AS PRIMARY GOAL • 3 sets of 12 reps works well for most exercises • Select weights/resistance to perform 9 to 12 reps comfortably; reps 10 to 11 and/or 12 should prove challenging; rep 12 of 12 is your final rep • Every rep should be performed slowly 5. AIM FOR STEADY, LOGICAL PROGRESS • From body weight only movement, add weights/resistance • Work up to your target number…

One of the most exciting yet challenging decisions is choosing the right trail for your current fitness level and skill set. Trail running offers incredible diversity, from gentle bush paths to rugged, steep climbs; but the key to a rewarding experience lies in selecting a trail that matches your abilities. Running on the wrong trail can lead to frustration, exhaustion, and even injury. Let’s explore how to choose the right trail for your skill level and ensure every run leaves you feeling energised and eager for more. ASSESS YOUR FITNESS & EXPERIENCE It’s important to take an honest look at your fitness level and previous experience. Trail running differs significantly from road running due to uneven terrain, elevation changes, and at times harsher conditions. If you’re new to running altogether,…

We all know the great outdoors can be a dangerous place. Whether it’s the weather, wriggle sticks or wandering off-trail, we consciously (or unconsciously) accept the risks when adventuring in the wild. Our appetite for risk varies greatly within us, and as someone who has ended up in the hospital one too many times after an adventure, I have learnt that the hard way. Over the years, I’ve become a sponge for information – squirrelling away ideas and experiences from other people to become a safer, more prepared lover of the outdoors. That love comes with respect for the elements, the terrain, and maybe most importantly, my fellow trail users. Many of these elements are captured within the seven principles of ‘Leave No Trace’, a US-based organisation that has been…

When I first started running, the trails were a peaceful escape from the humdrum of every day life. Trail running still serves that purpose, but it’s also become something joyful that I want to occasionally share with my kids. So far, I’m not having much luck convincing them that a trot through the bush is more fun than playing video games on the couch…but I live in hope. Simon Byrne is an endurance ultra coach with the esteemed Mile 27, a high school sports and science teacher, leader of the Byron Bay Runners Club kids’ trail running group The Goats, and a dad of two keen runners. I asked Simon and his 13-year-old daughter Stella for their tips on how to get kids into trail running, and their answers didn’t…

Trail running events offer an exhilarating challenge, blending endurance, nature and technical skill. Whether you’re a seasoned road runner trying your hand at trails for the first time or a regular trail junkie gearing up for your A Race, proper preparation is key to having a successful and enjoyable experience. #1 TRAINING FOR THE TERRAIN One of the most important aspects of race prep is understanding the terrain. Trail races can vary widely, from smooth bush paths to rugged and hilly ascents. Research the course you’ll be running to understand the elevation changes, technicality, and distance. The more familiar you are with the course, the better prepared you’ll be to handle the specific challenges. To prepare physically: - Incorporate Hills: Hills are the backbone of most trail races. If you’re…

TRM: What is the Australian Ultra and Trail Runners Association (AUTRA)? SH: AUTRA has a long and rich history promoting and governing ultra running, starting in 1987. Now officially including trail running of all distances, AUTRA’s purpose is to promote and grow ultra and trail running in Australia, grow the quality and quantity of events we offer, support the well-being and development of athletes from the grass roots up to the elite level, and advocate for a positive culture within the sport while maintaining the ethos of camaraderie, community and sportsmanship. AUTRA’s role in Australia is also to vet and ratify records and maintain them for history and set standards and guidelines for ultra and trail running events. We also host an annual racing calendar that we continually aim to…

PATAGONIA HOUDINI JACKET REVIEW BY KATE DZIENIS Trail runners love the word ‘lightweight’ – we’re always looking to pack as much as we can for a day outdoors with as little impact on our bodies. Enter Patagonia’s Houdini Jacket. Despite heading into the summer months, sometimes the weather can be less than what we expect, and its material – once you that jacket in your hot little hands – will attest to that. Known as the brand’s most lightweight and packable wind jacket, the Patagonia Houdini Jacket features one of the best Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coatings we’ve had the pleasure of testing since getting a hold of it at the end of winter. Keeping me dry enough from the elements, the jacket gave me confidence in my run to…

It was late in the afternoon of the race, with about 50kms in my legs and some serious climbing completed. My head was throbbing, and for the last few hours, I’d not been enjoying myself. As I walked into the checkpoint though, I knew I wasn’t leaving it. Sitting down and pondering my life choices, I sent a text to my wife: I’ve withdrawn from the race. Not my day. Am OK. It was all I could muster at the time. I then proceeded to have a good cry and feel very sorry for myself. It was my first DNF (Did Not Finish) even after years of running many ultras and trail races. I then started to think about why this had happened to me. Was it my training? No,…

CAPTURED THE MOST SCHMICK TRAIL, LANDSCAPE OR VIEW WHILE OUT FOR A RUN? TAG OUR SOCIALS HANDLE @TRAILRUNMAG ON INSTA.…

Eager to improve your running? Extra effort in the right area is an intelligent route to better results. But which area? Perhaps you’ve already tweaked your run program, revolutionised your fuelling and optimised recovery and are searching for the missing piece to the puzzle of superior training and racing. So add strength training to your weekly training diet. Countless runners baulk at the mention of strength training, despite being aware of its value. It’s true: runners love to, well, run! Logging more kilometres out on the trail can sound preferable to spending your limited training time lifting weights. However, this view is short-sighted, because strength training is a worthy investment in your overall running performance and ultimately, your longevity in the sport. RUN FURTHER, FASTER, FOR LONGER Strength training improves…

You’re not alone if you’re finding it hard to stay active. Less than 50% of adults in New Zealand and Australia are meeting the global guidelines for physical activity. So what can you do to be more active and get outside? It’s easy – simply log off and hit the trails! Switch your desk for dirt and recharge in nature. A quick 30 minutes in nature per week will not only improve your physical health but your mental health too. With New Zealand laying claim some of the best trails in the world, you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by lush green rolling hills and spectacular views of iconic landmarks like Lion Rock and the Hunua Falls. Overwhelmed by the choice of trails? Don’t worry, we’ve handpicked 10 of the best…

Battling horrific morning sickness wasn’t part of Maggie Lennox’s original training plan, but after weeks of nausea and intense fatigue, she discovered she’d be racing against the world’s very best trail runners in the Swiss Alps – at 17 weeks pregnant. But far from letting that stop her, the Tasmanian is determined to show other women that pregnancy and motherhood don’t need to stop them from achieving their goals and desires. “I have run throughout my life, but it wasn’t until my mid-20s that I got serious about it,” she says. “Running became a huge part of my life, especially after having my first child, Peggy, in 2022. During my first pregnancy, I kept running, right up until the day before I gave birth, but listened to my body and…

THE RACE THAT CHANGED RUNNING BY DOUG MAYER, PREFACE BY KILIAN JORNET Twenty years ago, a small band of runners came up with an idea: hold a race around the Alps’ highest peak, covering more than 100 miles through Italy, France and Switzerland. They expected a few crazy souls. Instead, more than 700 runners showed up. And running was changed forever. The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB is about how the event became one of the world’s greatest sporting races even as it set new limits of human endurance. It’s a story of how the world’s best runners, in the historic home of mountain adventurers, brought about a revolution in running that has been felt across the globe. For this unbiased inside look at the past,…