The mornings are lighter sooner. The evenings are lighter later. Trails are firmer, there are more races and adventures to be had. Almost everything about running is better in summer. Here’s how to make the most of it…
1. Take a holiday abroad
A running holiday, that is. That could be signing up for a race in sunny foreign climes, followed by several days of recovery at the beach. It could be a training camp somewhere fancy, to really push your performances up a notch. For example, MR’s Robbie Britton arranges fully guided recces for UTMB and CCC in the French Alps (robbiebritton.co.uk). Even if you don’t run the races, it would make for a great experience: running in spectacular scenery and learning from an elite runner. The ultimate running holiday is of course a multi-stage race, where every day you simply get up and run, then relax with like-minded loons, with all the logistics taken care of.
2. Take a holiday in Britain
It’s perfectly possible – not to mention a whole lot cheaper – to have a wonderful running holiday in Britain. Contours Trail Running Holidays (facebook.com/Contours-Trail-Running-Holidays) do all the accommodation and luggage transferring for you, so you can just go running all day somewhere pretty. Followed by posh nosh and a local ale – plus a full change of clothes and your laptop delivered to a cosy B&B so you tell everyone what an annoyingly brilliant time you’re having. Truly, the best of both worlds.
3. Do an evening race
More light in the evenings means more races. From 5Ks to 10Ks to fell races, there’s simply more going on for runners during the summer months. Which means more chances to excel and break PBs. Alternatively, you could use an evening race as a speed session, or simply as a way to increase you medal or t-shirt collection.
4. Run a trail marathon
Undulating, mixed and softer terrain means PB chasing is out of the window at a trail marathon, and it’s all about enjoying the scenery and sense of adventure. Plus, with their being maybe 200 people in a trail marathon, you’re more likely to be proud of your placing (top 50 rather than top 5,000) than you would in a big city event. And if you like that sort of thing (and this writer does), it’s a chance to race people rather than your watch. Trail Marathon Wales (June; trailmarathonwales.com) comes highly recommended and the races are great bridging events to ultramarathons…
5. Run an ultramarathon
Summer is time to do a challenge that scares you. Be rash, be brave, and give yourself something to be proud of and reminisce over during those long, dark, winter nights. If you’ve not run an ultramarathon – and most people haven’t – this writer promises they’re easier than they sound. You can go really slow. You don’t need to train any harder than for a marathon, just extend those long runs a little. Because terrain is usually softer and undulating, they’re easier on the body than pavement pounding. While the sharp end of an ultra are all looking to win, further back the atmosphere is one of easy camaraderie. You can walk bits, no one cares what time you do and you can eat loads of cake. Find a race at racebookuk.co.uk.
6. Run a mountain marathon
Mountain marathons are another brilliant way to get very muddy and sweaty this summer – and get super fit while you’re at it. As the name suggests, they are usually in mountains, or at least hilly or moor regions. But they’re about as close to a marathon as this writer’s PB is to Dennis Kimetto’s. They are navigation events, often completed in pairs, with camping out in between. Distances vary from below 10 to 30-plus miles and they’re as much a hill-walking adventure as a running race, with a friendly atmosphere and spectacular terrain. Beginner-friendly options include the Great Lakeland 3Day (April-May, greatlakeland3day.com), the Rab Mini Mountain Marathon (Lake District, April and August, minimountainmarathon.co.uk) and OMM Lite (Chilterns in July, North Yorks in September, theomm.com/events). While the classics are the LAAM (Scotland, June, lamm.co.uk), Saunders (Lake District, July, slmm.org.uk) and OMM (location TBA, October, theomm.com).
7. Run in a relay race
Not that thing on the track where we always drop the baton. A better thing. They’re usually running-club based, but growing in popularity. The classic is the Welsh Castles Relay (June, welshcastlesrelay.org.uk), which runs the length of Wales over a weekend, in 20 stages with 65 teams. They are as much about the experience and camaraderie as the racing.
8. Do an FKT
And if all that sounds a bit boring, how about doing an FKT attempt? The acronym stands for ‘Fastest Known Time’ and you can set one anywhere: on the Ridgeway National Trail, across the Isle of Man, or around your nan’s garden. The ultimate DIY running adventure.
9. Go to the pub
Summer means recovering is much more fun. There are pub gardens awaiting those who can be disciplined with their rehydration, as well as swimming pools, the sea, and even some wild swimming river spots. All excellent recovery options after a long run or race. “Ice creams are also excellent recovery,” said a sports dietician, probably never.
