Tel: 07901 684 579 | Email: ian@trailrunningscotland.com

Mountain running skills

Tempted to venture into Scotland’s high places? Leave the roads and low-level trails behind and you’ll be well-rewarded with beautiful views, surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery in the country.


Running on mountains

Leaving the security of the lowlands and taking to the higher mountains and summits is hugely rewarding. Exploring the mountains transforms our run from a bit of fun exercise to a full day’s activity, and it allows us to explore the country like never before. We can travel through the mountain environment surprisingly quickly, travelling light and covering lesser-travelled terrain.

But with this great freedom to roam comes greater risks and challenges - and an awareness of the extra skills needed to head into the high wilderness is vital to safe, enjoyable mountain running.

What to expect from the course

The main emphasis of this course will be to develop navigation skills away from defined paths and trails so that we can confidently head across open ground. This will include information gathering, from contour lines and features, and relating them to the map to find our position. We will also look at compass skills so that we can keep on track even in poor visibility and darkness.

The mountain terrain will also challenge our running technique. We’ll look at tips for uphill running and walking as well as refine our downhill techniques to find grip on loose surfaces, give us control on fast descents and fly over rocky terrain safely.

An important part of running in the mountains is being equipped in the event of an injury or emergency. We will look at essential equipment and emergency procedures.


Based near Aviemore we have easy access to the mountains and a huge variety of trails and locations that we can use for our training. This course includes a full day of instruction and does not include accommodation, allowing you the flexibility to choose your own.


“Still buzzing from yesterday’s Mountain Running course with Ian. It was fantastic to be running through the mountains with a likeminded group of people. I learned so much about running techniques, essential safety information and really useful hints to help with navigation. This course is such a great confidence boost - I feel inspired to plan my own mountain adventures!” - Jessie

Dates for 2023

Date Price Spaces Booking
28 May £85 Places available Book now

 If you can't wait for the next course please get in touch to arrange some bespoke training.

  

This course is ideally paired with our Navigation for runners 1 day course, setting the foundation navigation skills that we can build on in the mountains.

Experience and fitness

The day will be a continuous journey through the mountains, with some nice running mixed with steeper walking and slower sections as we explore the subjects. A good level of mountain walking fitness along with a base of off road running experience will help you to get the most out of the day.

A good understanding of the basic navigation skills of map reading and using a compass are useful. Our navigation for runners course is a good base for this course.

Kit you will need

We will be aiming for a full day in the mountains so we will have to be prepared to deal with everything that the mountains and the Scottish weather can throw us. Whilst we don’t want to be over burdened it is essential that every member of the team is carrying the correct equipment to deal with the unexpected. To ensure your safety the following kit list is therefore compulsory for each individual. Additional safety equipment will be carried by the guides.

Waterproof jacket (with taped or welded seams and a hood)

We recommend:

Montane Spine Waterproof Jacket (for men)
Montane Spine Waterproof Jacket (for women)


Waterproof trousers (with taped or welded seams)

We recommend:

Montane Minimus Waterproof Pants (for men)
Montane Minimus Waterproof Pants (for women)

Running vest

We recommend:

Montane Gecko VP 12+ (unisex)

Spare* synthetic insulated upper layer

*We recommend carrying approximately 300g of synthetically insulated upper layers.

We recommend:
Montane Men's Fireball Lite 360g
Montane Women's Fireball Lite 320g

Hat and gloves suitable for the weather conditions
For cold conditions, we recommend:

Montane Prism Mitt
Montane Via Stretch Beanie

For mild/warm conditions, we recommend: 

Montane VIA Trail Gloves

Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Waterproof Cap (unisex)

Headlamp

We recommend:

Black Diamond SPOT 400-R  

Survival bag 

We recommend:

Lifesystems Light And Dry Thermal Bivi Bag

Whistle

Compass

We recommend:

Silva RANGER

Adequate footwear - Fell trail shoes only

We recommend:

Inov8 TERRAULTRA G 270  
Inov8 Roclite G 275   

Food - Enough lunch and snacks to fuel a full day in the mountains

First aid kit 

The guides will be carrying emergency first aid supplies but if you can have a small personal kit with blister pack/compeed and any personal medication.

Maps - will be provided

Midge net.


If you have any questions or need advice about any of the equipment please just ask.

Getting here

We will meet at Aviemore Tennis Club

There is parking on site and it is 15 minutes walk from Aviemore train station.

Accommodation

Aviemore has a wide variety of accommodation options

visitcairngorms.com/accommodation

We recommend Hostelling Scotland hostels in Aviemore or Glenmore where you can get a 10% discount by using the code TRAILRUN

Hostelling scotland

We also recommend the wigwam accommodation at Badaguish outdoor centre and can offer a 15% discount. Just write in the notes on your booking 

"Course Member Trail Running Scotland 15%"

 

Testimonials

"Both days were really enjoyable, interesting learning experiences and I got a lot out of yesterday's run. You've got a brilliantly relaxed teaching style.  You're able to impart a lot of knowledge and experience effectively.  I feel like I learned a lot without it ever feeling laborious or unachievable.  I definitely feel a lot more confident about being able to navigate a new route somewhere I've not been before and will be more adventurous in route planning, especially when I'm out on my own. "

Kirsty, 2018

 

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