Run the Wild Times

Exploring places... not running races.

2019 Summer Issue - No.22

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Welcome to our Summer Newsletter!

We've had such an inspiring season out on the trails with you, thanks for making it so amazing! The Run the Wild community is alive and growing as we all share a passion for running in the wild, and it’s open to all!

It’s been an incredible few months; welcoming a record number of groups to the Alps on our Introduction to the Alps and Running & Yoga trips; seeing many new runners discover trail running; getting out on the beautiful trails around the Chilterns with around 100 runners over our popular Summer 10k Series; meeting and being able to guide hundreds of runners at Love Trails Festival, and Summer is not even over yet!

In this newsletter you will find features on: 6 Things That Help Maximise Your Run; a brand new workshop on navigation; a Run the Wild insiders view on the Tour du Mont Blanc, Competition Time! - chance to win special edition UTMB Julbo sunglasses; and of course a round-up of our 2019 calendar as well as some new dates for 2020!

We hope you enjoy the articles. Best of luck to those racing this season, especially in the UTMB and UTMR series. See you out on the trails!

The Team @ Run the Wild

6 Things that help you maximise the effect of your run

Written by Simon James, Trail Running Guide and RtW Founder, for Trail Running Magazine UK

Trail running is all about how best to economise. I first came across this expression when guiding a run on the Tour du Mont Blanc last year and have been fascinated with it ever since. I'm not talking about watching my weekly grocery budget; I'm talking about the many facets that make up the trail running experience. This includes techniques as to what to carry on the trail and everything that becomes part of your #trailrunninglife and makes the best of your time and passion for this engaging sport. Here's how...

Continue reading...

Brand New Workshop! Technical Series - Navigation

UK Adventures - Navigation Workshop

Ever got fed up with doing extra distance in a race because you took the wrong turn?! Always just following the people ahead of you? Or maybe you just want to get to grips with map reading. In this series we will be teaching you navigation methods as well as practical tips of how to stay on the right path in wild areas of the UK and Europe as well as understanding how this can practically relate to trail running. We all hear far to often of people getting lost in the hills either in races or just indeed on leisurely hikes. Even a GPS has limited capacity in route finding but with the right knowledge you can be the ultimate GPS!

On this morning workshop you will be taught the essentials of navigating with a map and compass by a qualified International Mountain Leader and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Assessor. The first part of the morning is based at the Musette Cafe, based in the quintessentially English village of Aldbury. Once you've learnt some of the basics in a classroom environment (which serves the best coffee!) we move onto the trails before you get a chance to test your knowledge on a short orienteering route.

The event is easily accessible, just 40 minutes North West of London by rail or road and there is free on-site parking for all runners. All abilities are catered for at this event and although the workshop is aimed at runners, running is optional.

£25 Registration includes; instruction on using map and compass, practical navigation on the ground, orienteering course, bag storage, discounts with Runners Need, Cotswold Outdoors, Snow+Rock, Cycle Surgery and Montane.

Places are limited! Sign-up here!

Ahead of the UTMB, check out a write-up of our latest TMB trip!

Karin Voller Logistic Director for Run the Wild

A week ago, I woke up bright and early as usual, but this time with a sense of apprehension. No matter how many times we tell clients that it is not a race, so there is no need for pre-race nerves, here I found myself about to set off around the Tour du Mont Blanc, and yep… I felt nervous! A unique opportunity had presented itself, whereby a fairly late cancellation, and small group meant that I could join one of our trips as a client, leaving Si to support on his own. I usually am required as support crew, and the fact that the full TMB isn’t always suitable for canine companions (exposure, wildlife, national parks and livestock being the main reasons), meant that to date, I had never actually covered the whole route myself. The apprehension may have been at the thought of leaving my beloved Bailey and Lottie in Si’s capable, but often busy and distracted hands, or it may have been the thought of running over 100 miles with nearly 10,000m cumulative ascent with a group of strangers.

I won’t describe the route, as frankly there is a vast amount of information available, not least on our own website, where we fully describe the trip in detail. However, now from having seen it from ‘the other side’ I thought I would share some takeaways...

Continue reading...

Win a pair of special edition UTMB Julbo sunglasses!

Competition - Enter before the 18th August!

🌟🔥FANTASTIC JULBO GIVEAWAY COMPETITION 🔥🌟

Run the Wild is stoked to be able to offer a fantastic giveaway from Julbo ahead of this years upcoming UTMB race. We have one pair of each of the special edition UTMB Aero as well as Powell glasses to give away to 2 lucky followers!

So how does it work?
👉 Simply post your favourite picture of yourself running in the comments below on the comments section of the competition on our Facebook page found here (pls ensure you have photo permission), and the picture with the most likes by the August 18th 10pm GMT will receive a free pair of Aero UTMBs. You don’t have to be racing, we just want your favourite running shots!

👉For a chance to win the Powell glasses, post your favourite supporters picture, making sure you tag them. Most likes by August 18th 10pm GMT wins.

3-2-1-GO!!!!!!

The 2019 Running Adventure Calendar

UK Adventures

CORNISH COASTAL ADVENTURE
(3 places left)
Date: 11-14 October 2019
4 Days of Trail Running Fun!

DISCOVER RUN THE WILD HALF

Date: 19th October 2019 AM
13.1 Miles over 0.5 Day

BREWERY TRAIL RUN

Date: 9th November 2019 AM
10km & Brewery Tour & Tasting over 0.5 Day

TECHNICAL SERIES: NIGHT RUN

Date: 14th November 2019
10km over an evening incl headtorches

TECHNICAL SERIES: NAVIGATION

Date: 23rd November 2019 AM
Navigation and orienteering workshop

European Alps Adventures

INTRODUCTION TO THE ALPS
Date: 12th-14th June 2020
16 Miles over 2 Days

RUNNING & YOGA
Date: 28-30th June 2020
16 Miles over 2 Days

TOUR DU MONT BLANC
(Register interest)
Date: 9th-16th July 2020
104 Miles over 6 Days

Run the Wild gear!

Brand new and creatively designed is our Run the Wild cotton t-shirt that captures the very essence of what we do!

If you would like to show that you love exploring places and not just running races then this is the t-shirt for you! We also have Run the Wild caps available to purchase for £15. Also our high quality "Superdry" style hoodies for £40 and our highly functional morfs (like a buff) with Run the Wild logo for £10. All for sale on our website here.

Gear Partners

Our trusted partners are: Hoka One One,
Cotswold Outdoor, Runners Need, Snow + Rock, Julbo, Montane and Suprabeam.

We secure discounts with some of our partners so if you partake in a holiday with us you will also benefit. Kit is important and it's often a costly investment that is there to look after you. You'll also get plenty of gear advice on any one of our trips from packs to poles. If in doubt about what to buy before a trip please get in touch.

What makes us different?

When you join a Run the Wild trip you are looked after from beginning to end, you become part of the Run the Wild community! All our guides are highly qualified, members of the Run the Wild team, supported throughout the trip by a Run the Wild logistic team. We are not just trail running guides, but we also emerge you in the experience and the environment. There are no hidden charges. We are passionate about you having a running adventure of a lifetime, making friends and hitting the trails. Find out more here.

"Exploring places... not running races."

Keep in touch!

This newsletter is a regular feature but if you'd like to keep up to date please follow us on the usual channels as well as keeping an eye on the website. We also want to hear from you about your favourite trails. If you'd like to submit an article for the newsletter please email us.