Things I Learned from Running my First Trail Marathon

Last weekend I ran my first trail race, Kielder Marathon. It’s advertised as the most beautiful marathon in Britain, but being a proud Highlander and having previously taken in 26.2 miles along the banks of Loch Ness, I was reserving judgement.

This race lives up to it’s name…

The scenery is stunning. Yes it’s hilly, my watch recorded nearly 1800 feet of elevation, but the views take your breath away and make the challenging route enjoyable. Having my assumptions challenged is one of the things I learned from training for, and running, Kielder. In this blog I will share some others.

Trust the Training Process

I signed up for Kielder because the route takes you round the biggest man made lake in the UK. I rather naively reckoned that this would mean gentle shore-side trails, maybe with the odd few metres of incline. Then I checked the elevation profile on the race website and realised this was not going to be a gentle pootle!

After a panicked message to Coach Bob, a wonderful Jog Scotland run leader and respected friend, I had myself a training plan, involving hills, LOTS of hills!

I’m fortunate to live in a part of Scotland where hills are easy to find. The Tak Me Doon and Crow Road, well known in cycling circles are both close by, so finding routes was not a problem. Motivation and belief were somewhat harder to find on occasion, but apart from a week out when Covid struck, I stuck to the plan. There were easy runs, interval sessions and hill reps, all working on different elements of race fitness. Did I feel ready in the run up to race day…no! Did the plan work, hell yeah!

This lesson is not specific to trail running, it applies across disciplines, but this was the first time I really took my plan to heart, listened to Bob and (for once) did as I was told! Easy runs were kept really easy - pace was switched off on my Garmin and I worked to heart rate so that I would not be tempted to run faster. Anyone else have ego issues seeing a “slow” pace on Strava?

Hill reps were built slowly, both in terms of gradient and time, and this built confidence but there was still a niggling worry that I hadn’t run steep enough or long enough.

Intervals were there to help with pace, feeling into “race pace” and pushing beyond comfort for periods.

It all came together on race day. I smiled all the way round, felt strong and achieved my “secret” target. I had said to those who asked that “I just wanted to get round” and that I wasn’t really concerned about the time. My unvoiced hope was that I could come in under 5 hours. I did, and never again will I question the wisdom of Coach Bob’s training plans!

No one really cares about times…(except maybe the top 5% of the field)

While I have just shared that I had a secret goal attached to this race, that says everything about my road running background and very little about the nature of trail running. It really is all about the experience, cameraderie, enjoyment and celebration of moving your body, outdoors. There was a real sense of being “in it together", other runners were warm, welcoming, sociable, a source of inspiration and information. All keen to convert this trail virgin to a sport they participate in for the sheer love of running, not to smash PBs.

Kielder had the smallest by far, field of runners of any race I have entered - just 650 or so for the marathon distance. I started the race concerned about coming in last. I ended it with a lasting appreciation for the trail community.

Heroes are Humble…

Much of the success of Kielder is down to the brilliant organisation, engaging and encouraging marshalls and volunteers and being really clear about the type of race weekend it wants to create for those taking part. It is organised by Events of the North and takes place on land managed by Foresty England.

Old school pals !

Two of my childhood heroes, are involved with these respective organisations. Steve Cram, middle distance legend of the 80s, is a Director of Events of the North, while an old school pal of mine is Forestry England Public Affairs Manager for the North East. They are heroes for different reasons, one I had never previously met, another I hadn’t seen for nearly 30 years. One who inspired via achievements on the track in the public eye and the other who’s role is public relations but who has navigated a challenging private life with calm dignity.

I had the privilege of meeting both men this weekend and was struck by how similar in nature and approach to leading others they are. Service, empathy, care for others, pride in a part of the word they hold dear, and above all humility.

Yes, I learned a lot from this weekend’s run, and most of those lessons had very little to do with running!