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Is it lunacy to take up fell running (erm, trail running probably more accurate around here) at 44 with no running experience to speak of? Friends seem to think injury is guaranteed...
At the moment I'm riding 3h, 4 days midweek, plus a longer ride Sunday, but the different routes I can do in 3h are finite and starting to get repetitive, so i have taken to walking in to work once a week, which is about 3h cross country. I was thinking about starting off by running that, if I can avoid having to carry clothes etc. with me.
No injury history, not knees anyway, though I haven't run at all for about 3 years (roads), and not off-road since fell running at school when aah wuh a lad in Cumbria.
The surrounding countryside (I'm in San Sebastián) is hilly and glorious, if not technically fells, so I'm thinking for the outlay of a pair of Walshes it's worth a go, surely?
No problem, get on with it. Walk/run to start with (a lot of uphill is brisk walking rather than running anyway).
I started running at 42, done 7 marathons since (now 50). trail running is meant to be a lot easier on your body as it is less repetitive.
As above try to get into it gently - like many cyclists I did too much too soon and had lots of niggles/
The problem I had when transitioning from cycling to running was though I was cardiovascualrly fit, I had no joint/ligament/muscle conditioning to run at all. So I repeatedly injured myself quite a lot (including snapping a hamstring) until I slowed down a lot and learnt to run properly.
To avoid poor form and because I like to knit my own hummus, I run in "barefoot" or "minimal" low stack/zero drop shoes which mean I can't heel strike as it hurts a lot. That makes me run properly. It also means that my dodgy weak ankles don't flop over and sprain.
Take it gently, however good you feel.
Go for it. If it's 'trail' rather than 'fell' then I would suggest getting trail shoes instead of Walshes. .Steady away on the ups and downs until you are comfortable/confident. Enjoy!
yeah, go for it. I only took up fell running in mid-40s though I'd done a bit of road running by then. No special injury risk other than falling over, don't be too reckless descending as 40+ bodies don't bounce that well. On balance it's better for you than not running, that's for sure. Actually I never got much good on the fells and don't really do it any more, but plenty of people enjoy it. Prefer the more steady (and faster!) effort of a road run, but that's just personal preference.
You should be able to carry some stuff in a small rucksack if you get a good design/fit that doesn't bounce too much.
Fell running, talk to me...
A strange past time full of skinny men on short shorts, strange shoes, vests and bobble hats. Said men look like they suffer from malnutrition and that they'd fall over in the first gust of wind. Yet oddly, these men love pain, they can climb quicker than the very best mountain bikers and can descend fast than almost all of them too. They can also drink you under a table and run quicker up a hill than you even thought possible on the flat. They are animals who only really enjoy themselves then the conditions are truly grim.
I've tried it but and simply not hard enough, a bit of light trail running is great fun though...
I'm also a fan of zero-drop shoes (don't need to be barefoot style tho) to develop a natural strike - more easily done when you start out than later, too.
Haven't considered posture yet, won't really know until I get started... That was worrying me, along with whther it would be a bad move to go straight into off-road running having no miles in my legs at all. I'm pretty good at picking up blisters too, so that'll add to the fun. Fitness level is OK considering it's november, but as Brant says I wasn't really expecting that to carry over.
Ta for the replies!
Talk to you? Fat chance! I'm blowing out of every orifice trying to catch that bugger that just passed me.
Give it a go, you'll be faster than some people, slower than others.
Build up gently. I got less joint problems since I got proper offroad fit FWIW. First fell race age 43 I think, quite a bit older now. Do very little road.
I've done a few hill races. Don't let nerves stop you taking part. I run unaffiliated and just make sure I'm going fast enough not to be last, that's about as serious as I can be bothered taking races. Seems a lot more enjoyable to me if not taken so seriously. If you go and do like it, you can become involved to a level that suits your requirements from running.
Yep, give it a go. Get some decent shoes, something like a pair of Innov8’s and see where it takes you. I only started running reasonably seriously in the last seven years but love it and it’s a good way of mixing it up off the bike. Damn site quicker to get out too, much less pre-faff for me at least.
Judging by the tinto tillrace last weekend. Take a hanky for the boogers.
Theres a knack to running down hill. Its the kerp accelerating to get your feet back under your falling torso.
On the shoe front get what fits I can pretty much walk out of inov8s
You never, ever regret going for a run in the mountains. Take it easy and enjoy it rather than trying to thrash yourself - you’ll undoubtedly do that later once you’ve got a taste for it.
Check out the FRA website and their forum which I've always found useful: http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/
Safety hat on - tell someone your route and what time you'll be back, maybe invest in a bum bag to take a windproof, emergency snack etc depending on your plans.
No fell trainers grip on wet rock.
Is it lunacy to take up fell running (erm, trail running probably more accurate around here) at 44 with no running experience to speak of?
Not at all but take it very easy, definately get a pair of properly fitted shoes. One of the lessons i learnt this year was to NEVER continue to run with any kind of injury no matter how small it may seem.
For example i got a mild blister on my left heel early this year but continued to run, what i didnt realise was that i was putting extra pressure on my right foot to compensate. I then developed a stress fracture on my right foot which stopped me from running altogether for two months. It took me a while to get my fitness back after that.
Running downhills puts an awful lot of pressure on knees and if you have even slightly poor shoe fit it will punish your feet badly!
Thanks for the advice so far. Injury-wise, I don't imagine I'll be overdoing the running as I still have to fit in training on the bike. Bumbag (ugh) looking favourite as I will have to carry some stuff if I am running into work. Shoes - there's a very respected running specialist in town, I'll leave it up to them. I was joking about the Walshes (I think...)
And while I was browsing for local races, I found this. How the **** does one train for a 168km ultra?
Tick.
Never did a hill race before, but love running, and love a summit, so it seems natural that I combine them. So I've entered one on Arran, Ultra trail Scotland it's called, 2 races, one is 26k and 2000m ascent, the big big boys race is 45k and 3500m. I'll be doing the wee boys one, looking forward to it/shiteing myself in equal measure. 🙂
Enter some small local races, they're usually cheaper and more relaxed atmosphere.
Trail running is fun, less focus on mile splits and more focus on gettin out.
If you ride trail centres, many have walking loops that you can run. Allowing you to do both on a day out.
Coed y Brenin even has waymarked running loops.
http://runcoedybrenin.com/trails/
Don't worry about distance to start with, try running your local mtb loops as well.
Have fun.
Trail running is fun, less focus on mile splits and more focus on gettin out.
That and you get to chat to people while walking up hill, maybe at the sharp end it's different but for the rest of us it's a social activity 🙂
How the **** does one train for a 168km ultra?
Lots of slow long runs, i do know of an ultra runner here in Slovakia that is running an average of 100km per week April to November with around 4-5000m of elevation gain to go with it.
Most runners doing ultra distance events spend 90% of the time powerwalking so dont worry too much about 10k and half marathon PR’s. Speed isnt really that important.
...by running 20 miles a few times and being pig-headed. And knowing how your belly works 🙂
[not run close to that distance but done a few ultras]
Trail running is far better for your body than road stuff, I do a short couple of miles on the road and I ache like I've been given a lead pipe massage! Plenty of trail shoe deals on tinternet and if you get a pair with normal laces look up how to fasten them properly so your foot doesn't slide in them going downhill 👍
if you get a pair with normal laces look up how to fasten them properly so your foot doesn’t slide in them going downhill
What's the secret?!
Well I ran in to work this morning, just under 20km/800m along the Camino del Norte if anyone knows it. Took it very gently, ran the flats and downs, walked the ups. Ended up being 50/50 tarmac/trail; some of the trails I wanted to use looked well overgrown and didn't fancy battling through brambles and ending up late for work, so some homework to do on the routefinding.
Will need some proper trail shoes and a better way of carrying my lunch etc, but can manage with what i've got for now. Also surprising how cold my hands got - it was around 8-10º and damp, wouldn't have worn gloves on the bike but really should have brought some.
Bumbag is ok for a very light (and compact!) load but a small rucksack is way better for anything bigger. A well-fitting one can be very comfortable and unobtrusive.
I always find hands, head and feet far warmer when running but I find it's still a good idea to start off in gloves and/or hat and take off as required. Light ones can be stuffed inside shirt or jacket pockets (which I also often start off wearing and tie round when I get warm).
I got one of these for doing long runs/ultras in. Cheap as chips and does the job.
I got a freebie rucksack at an event I entered. Being ultra-cheap and feature-light means it's also ultra-light but it happens to fit well and it does have waist/chest straps for stability.
A strange past time full of skinny men on short shorts, strange shoes, vests and bobble hats. Said men look like they suffer from malnutrition and that they’d fall over in the first gust of wind
Well this one is 16 stone...
Also echo what was said about Ultras. I have heard them described as a scenic eating and drinking comp with a bit of running thrown in.
Never thought I would say this but I am leaning towards a bumbag. For 2-3h runs I'll usually need to take water, and if finishing at work will also need keys, phone etc and a clif bar. Maybe a waterproof. If I'm organised I'll have left some food and clothing there the day before.
Nothing fancy required, nobody is going to see me! Pete Bland 3L should be big enough, right?
No reason not to start fell running at your age. I was a bit younger (40) when i started. As a reasonably fit cyclist I found the cardio aspect ok at first but my god it mangled my legs. As others have said start slowly and keep distances short. Build up gradually (in terms of time/distance but also in terms of terrain). To me, fell running should involve some proper steep and rough terrain not always on defined paths. Thats what distinguishes it from trail running.
I properly got the bug, pretty much replaced mtb for a few years. I really benefited from joining a good fell running club. Actually got to enjoy structured training and my running came on a lot, it all kind of suddenly 'clicked' and the runs and races amongst steep terrain in Lakes Dales etc were fantastic. Worth checking in your locality as running is quite a social activity.
Not a gear sport so nice change from mtb. Find some shoes you like and your sorted- Salomon Speedcross good ones to start with. Most people tend to find them comfortable and are good for drier terrain.
I keep having a go at road running but lately have been thinking about trail/fell running.
I might head up Whinlatter before work one morning and give it a go.
Not a gear sport so nice change from mtb.
Was one of the main things that started the itch I think. Other than being a cool way of getting a 2-3h workout in, while still being out in the hills. I have woken up without full use of my legs though. We live on the 1st floor but had to get the lift down this morning...
Been looking for races on the FRA site which coincide with a visit back to the UK over New Year, based in Ulverston. Nothing local though (probably for the best!)
Bob S - ha ha go canny.
New Years day , 9 Standards, BM from Kirkby Stephen. Hours drive from Ulverston perhaps?
Not a gear sport so nice change from mtb.
hahahahahaha The amount of crap I've got for heading up into the mountains...
New Years day , 9 Standards, BM from Kirkby Stephen. Hours drive from Ulverston perhaps?
I didn't click through, North pennines sounded a lot further away than it is! Might get on that.
if you get a pair with normal laces look up how to fasten them properly so your foot doesn’t slide in them going downhill
Whodathunkit?
I also just restarted some trail running in the last month after decades off. Thought I was superior by reversing the loop to secure the knot (from a TED talk years ago iirc). But tried this today for the first time and foot didn't slip around at all. Much more comfortable. Thanks biglee1 !
No problem 😁 glad to help 👍
Well worth trying, almost as fun as biking IMO and far cheaper and simpler 🙂
Well, if you don't get endless injuries like I've had... That's certainly not inevitable though, much of mine have been down to a chronically stiff left ankle, the effects of which propagate through my whole lower body.
Barefoot/minimalist shoes can help with injuries, but it depends on your body type. They can just relocate your injuries. If you have dodgy knees and hips but reasonably flexible ankles and feet, minimalist shoes are great and can help with your injuries. But if you have stiff ankles/feet and can't get them moving after a few weeks/months of work, minimalist shoes are potentially a bad idea and can give no end of soft tissue traumas.