How do I mountain run?

Tester46

I'm a total newbie to running. I've only been running for about three months or so. I run about 7km or 8km two to three times per week (in the morning, on a treadmill - takes about 45mins ). Every so often I get outdoors to run and I get to run on a beach, up and down hills, off-road, etc .

As I do a fair bit of hiking, I'd love to get into mountain running. What's involved? Will my regular runners cut it or do I have to fork out for even more gear? How do you train - do I just drive to the Galtees and start running the trails and off-road until I'm wrecked and just walk the rest?

I have no interest in races or setting amazing times - I just want to do this for fun. All advice appreciated.

donothoponpop

Tester46 wrote: »

I'm a total newbie to running. I've only been running for about three months or so. I run about 7km or 8km two to three times per week (in the morning, on a treadmill - takes about 45mins ). Every so often I get outdoors to run and I get to run on a beach, up and down hills, off-road, etc .

As I do a fair bit of hiking, I'd love to get into mountain running. What's involved? Will my regular runners cut it or do I have to fork out for even more gear? How do you train - do I just drive to the Galtees and start running the trails and off-road until I'm wrecked and just walk the rest?

I have no interest in races or setting amazing times - I just want to do this for fun. All advice appreciated.

You don't need much advice, you're pretty clued in. No off road shoes will be needed. Stick to the trails and routes you know at first, and take off. As you get more adventureous, keep an eye on changeable weather, try and run with a partner, let someone know where you are and take a mobile, map, compass, common sense, if you go off road.Any pace you like, have fun!

Also check out the Irish mountain running associations' website, (for safety etc) www.imra.ie

TheRoadRunner

donothoponpop wrote: »

Also check out the Irish mountain running associations' website, (for safety etc) www.imra.ie

Even though you are doing it for fun and aren't too interested in races you should still think about checking out the IMRA races. I haven't done one in years myself but they are great fun and are as competitive as you personally make them.

geld

Tester46,

Go for the IMRA races. They are a great way to see various hill/trail running routes and they can be as competitive or relaxed as you like. If you are Dublin/Leinster based the Wed Leinster league will start in April and is ideal for a beginner.

donothoponpop

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

Even though you are doing it for fun and aren't too interested in races you should still think about checking out the IMRA races. I haven't done one in years myself but they are great fun and are as competitive as you personally make them.

Physician, heal thyself.

RacoonQueen

geld wrote: »

Tester46,

Go for the IMRA races. They are a great way to see various hill/trail running routes and they can be as competitive or relaxed as you like. If you are Dublin/Leinster based the Wed Leinster league will start in April and is ideal for a beginner.

I might pop along then actually to have a go.

Tester46

geld wrote: »

Tester46,

Go for the IMRA races. They are a great way to see various hill/trail running routes and they can be as competitive or relaxed as you like. If you are Dublin/Leinster based the Wed Leinster league will start in April and is ideal for a beginner.

I'm based in Cork, is there a Munster one? When you say ideal for a beginner, do you mean no pressure? I ran for about 10km yesterday on sand, forest trail, small hills and loved every second of it. I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy it if there were another 100 people there and I had a number on my chest.

RacoonQueen

The IMRA website has info on mountain running in Munster aswell.

Krusty_Clown

Tester46 wrote: »

I'm based in Cork, is there a Munster one? When you say ideal for a beginner, do you mean no pressure? I ran for about 10km yesterday on sand, forest trail, small hills and loved every second of it. I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy it if there were another 100 people there and I had a number on my chest.

Is there pressure? Yes, but typically only as much pressure as you yourself decide to experience. I completed a couple of races last year with some friends, and at the time we were all absolute beginners, so we were competing against each other for fun, finishing mid-way up the field (which is made up of huge variety of standards). Success was measured by how much mud you had picked up along the route, how wrecked you were crossing the finish line, whether you could avoid walking up the steepest section of the hill (I still can't!), and where you came within our small peer group. It's as competitive as you want it to be. Most of your 'battles' will be with people who are at your standard as on the first hill climb you will gravitate towards people at your level.

This year not much has changed, I've moved up the pack a little, am enjoying visiting new hills/mountains, and hoping I can maintain my standard. I always take a moment to enjoy the most scenic of views. There is still a place for the solo (or group) 'back to nature' runs, so IMRA shouldn't be a substitute for this, the most enjoyable types of running. However, give it a go. You'll find new run locations, some camaraderie, and as much adrenaline as you feel you can manage.

DrPatrickBarry

Some very good info for Fell/Mountain/Ultra runners
http://www.perratt.me.uk/fun/fellrun.htm

and so is this

http://www.ultrunr.com/quiz.html

robinph

I've been talked into the idea of mountain side running and will find myself attempting a half marathon along some costal paths next week where there is a required kit list other than just your race number that they will check beforehand and of course the half marathon is actually 15.5 miles long.

I'm not good with going up hills, but this week while skiing I've been investigating a 10km then mountain marathon then half over a weekend based around the mountain I've been skiing down this week. The winner of last year's marathon was in 3:13. That's easily beatable by a sub 3 marathoner isn't it.

Think I might have to learn how to walk up hills.

b.harte

As others have said check the IMRA site.
Any of the coilte forests that have marked walks are good runs.
Mallow, Fermoy, Banteer, Tracton, Farran, Boghera's, Killavullen, all good.
I was on the (darkside - the other darkside, not triathlon) forum and ended up carpooling to the glen of aherlow for 30km of off-road goodness on Wednesday.
Planning another trip down before the end of the month.
There is an active thread there about Munster running at the minute.
I'm planning on doing some of the Munster races this year for a bit of a change.