Over the last few weeks, our regular Tuesday night run club runners have been taking to the trails on our doorstep here in the Peak District.

So far they’ve tackled a variety of routes over White Edge, Burbage Edge, Higger Tor and Stanage Edge (below) with every run resulting in a coating of thick mud, wet feet and plenty of smiles all round from everyone who’s taken part.

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So what’s so good about off road running and why, if you’ve not already tried it, should you give it a go?

Lost your mojo?

Let’s face it, road running can get very tedious. Pounding the same streets week in, week out on your runs is not only boring it can often lead to a distinct lack of motivation to get out and train. We always advocate mixing up your training, particularly in the off-season, and off road running offers the ideal wake-up you may need to rediscover your running mojo.

Variety is the muscular spice of life

Fact. You can find yourself in entirely new surroundings by heading off road. You may even get lost! You’ll face a variety of different terrain from muddy woodland paths and fast flowing streams, to rocky outcrops and peat bogs – yes, there are plenty of those around! – all of which will demand that you recruit more muscles than you would do with road running. Your core will have to work harder, you’ll need to pump your arms faster to get up steep hills and your plyometric skills will undoubtedly be tested as you try to remain upright and maintain good technique.

Mental challenge

Picking your route when running off road is a real mental challenge. Stanage Edge here in the Peak District is a mix of sand, rocky paths and huge boulders all of which you really have to concentrate on getting over, around or under. Off road runs present a mental as well as physical challenge giving you the ideal opportunity to de-stress and tune-out for an hour or so.

Run, walk, climb, crawl…

Many people try to maintain a similar speed to that which they’re used to running on the pavement. Our advice is: don’t. There is no way, unless you’re a highly experienced fell runner, that you can do this and stay injury-free. There is a much higher propensity to turn an ankle or even slip and fall head first into a peat bog (see photo evidence below!) Don’t be ashamed to walk up a hill, it may well be the safer, and quicker, option of getting to the top, plus you’ll conserve energy and get a chance to appreciate the scenery.

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