on the eyes as it is hard on the legs. This year around 500 runners took on the 21K route across varied terrain right through the heart of the Lake District. The course has a bit of everything – tracks, bogs, meadows, woodland and panoramic views of Lake
preceding nights. When I racked my bike on the night before the race, one of the officials asked me how old I was. "I don’t know," I said. He asked me what I wanted him to put, pointing at my leg. They mark you with your age category as well as your number
.lifetimehf.co.uk). After a run, turn your hamstrings stretch up to 11 by lying on your back and getting a partner to push your straight leg back towards your head for six seconds. Squeezing your quads – the opposing, or 'antagonist' muscle to your hamstrings – at the same
, but after resting up, I tested it tentatively on a long run. I really didn't want to miss a long run so close to race day, and my legs felt raring to go. Well, I sped past my opt-out halfway around the route, and even did the second half of the session much
:08:28 Strengths: An obsession with training plans, statistics and following instructions. Weaknesses: Making my legs go as fast as I want them too. And chocolate. Most looking forward to: Everything!I'm particularly
the hills? Put your legs in gear and forget about a PB – this is rural racing at its very best.What you say "Great scenery with great people. I've done all four and I plan to get back for number five." John Grimsey 96 98 51 ratings10Brathay Windermere
personal battle with the unrelenting terrain of the Marlborough Downs!" Geoff Twitchen 95 96 40 ratings10 Meon Valley Plod 19.5, Hampshire When? February 17 Why? Leg-crumbling hills and lashings of mud make this a punishing cross-country number
than 200 steps will challenge your legs on the way to a majestic finish at Corfe Castle. 89 98 23 ratings50 San Domenico 20, Glamorgan When? March 9 Why? Rolling off-road route between Merthyr Tydfil and Treharris against
and tracks, with a couple of bomb craters thrown in for good measure. 96 100 9 ratings 31 Machen Mountain Run 10K, Caerphilly When? August 25 Why? Gruelling fell run whose 300m of ascent is sure to ask questions of both your legs and your lungs
. By picking up the pace slightly for one to three minutes at a time, you'll keep your legs fresher. Share your big-race goals with training partners. This will let you feed off their encouragement as you train hard for the big day. Better yet, get them
