Beginning trail running; or hills like white elephants 
By Sidewinder | November 8, 2008
For me, there is no greater pleasure than being defeated by the hill. At a distance of 7.8 km across country, and involving an ascent of 440 metres, it measures out its victories in bee stings, bloodied knees, and blisters. But its margin of victory is less than it was a year ago, and now, like the boxer who takes the bout when his opponent retires with sore fists, I stay on my feet.
Let me explain. The hill in question is Dumyat (pronounced Dum-eye-at), the highest of the Ochil range that overlooks Stirling University, and (according to the Scottish Hill Running Calendar) “probably the most scenic and least boggy of the Bog and Burn races”. For on a Wednesday evening early in May each year, 200 or so runners take up arms and legs against its slopes; a tradition that began in 1971, when (explains the Stirling University website) a member of the Psychology Department staked one pound on a bet that no member of the University could, without mechanical assistance, do the return trip from the university to Dumyat in less than an hour. In 1971 the bet was lost by 3 minutes. Today, the record stands at 0:32:52. The times they are a-changing then, even if the psychology department continues to justify its existence one pistole at a time.
As some of you may know, the allusion in the title to this piece refers to the King of Siam who is reputed to have made a gift of a white elephant (a notoriously difficult creature, if it exists at all) to courtiers whom he wished to ruin, and which is rather the effect my brother first achieved when he suggested that we enter the race in 2007. In the event, I withdrew through injury (there are no such things as accidents, said Freud), while Ken finished the race in a downpour, developed a chest infection - he says - from breathing in leaf mould along the route, and has referred ever since to his nostrils as being the keyholes of infection. Next year would be different, we said. And to a degree, it has been.
For what I have discovered is that inside every thin young man there exists an even thinner trail runner, his calves scraped tight against the horizon, ready to whip up the nearest watery ravine. And this year, upon ebb of the winter rains which render Dumyat impassable to all but the most soon-to-be-committed, this blade has slipped his traces. My devil, let me tell you, had been long caged; he came out roaring! So, having been training regularly on the hill since February, as well as having completed the race proper, I wonder if I can impart the following sparse scraps of uncertain observation for consideration in relation to your own beginning trail running.
1. The mud will eat themselves. It’s the vegetation, rocks, streams, wasps’ nests, ankle-deep mud, and occasional furtive couple that make it special. Although such varied and sometimes tricky terrain may induce a spill or two, with due care and attention it’s actually somewhat gentler on your legs than the remorseless open road. Your mind too will come to crave the shifting scenic vista as a distraction from the effort. And while the introduction of an ascent into your route might leave you asking if your body is about to rebel, tip all those pasta meals, vitamins, and aerobic sessions into a thicket of ferns whose shape resembles Boston Harbour, the chances are you’ll simply be left sucking breath through a wound of a mouth.
2. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stranger. While it might appear from out of the corner of your eye that the regular trail runner has changed out of his epidermis as well as his tracksuit, the resemblance to pages nine and ten of the pop-up Grey’s Anatomy is entirely explicable to the demands of their chosen discipline. None of them play the banjo, and for the love of god don’t try to keep up with any one of them. Also, don’t stare; in twenty years time, and with the right amount of application and no sunscreen whatsoever, this could be you. Ah, yes: the more white hair, the more likely it is they’ll stitch you into a hole in their chaps.
3. Trampling on an enemy who is helpless. Orwell was wrong in picturing the future as an “image of a boot stamping on a human face - for ever”. To be fair to the great man however, trail running shoes were probably unknown at the time of writing Nineteen Eighty-Four. If trail running is for you, then I suggest investing in your choice of shoe the same amount of diligence that you would your selection of a pair for the road. Also, keep them in the garage; that leaf mould will kill you. If you want to take a look at Ransacker’s choice of Trail Running Shoes then please click here.
4. Lessons learned from the Rocky IV training montage. Every generation gets the Rocky it deserves. My own was the Urals-busting, West is best mountain man, who took to running through the Russian snow in order to defeat the Red Army’s steroidal boxing weapon. Stranger things have happened, at roughly the same time too, the covert supply of guided missiles to Soviet occupied Afghanistan by the States for example, or the fact that Russian soldiers of the Cold War era could probably have beaten the combined might of the West to death with their mess tins. Still, irony isn’t everyone’s slug of Vodka. But the lesson is, incorporate some uphill trails into your otherwise flat training programme, and your opponents will fall back into your clutches come that next 10k. Eye of the tiger, my friends, eye of the tiger.
So there it is. See you at the sticking post, compadres; time now to head for the hill in a pair of too-tight ASICS Gel Enduros, bursting with anger. Cry havoc, you might say, and let slip the bogs of war.
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Our Blogger
This post was kindly written by The Sidewider Speaks Tonite a.k.a Allan. In case you were wondering what Allan’s writing alias refers to it’s one of his favorite REM songs, and “tonite”, it turns out, is not a misspelling of “tonight”, but is actually a form of dynamite, hence the odd explosive rant.
Somewhat faster and more cheerful than in his youth, Allan is an educational researcher living and working in Central Scotland. Although most of his writing is today directed towards academic ends, he has in the past reviewed popular fiction and interviewed best-selling authors for The Express newspaper and Bookseller magazine. He is pleased now to be able combine whatever penmanship he can be said to possess with the pastime of running, and thus make various and contrary contributions to Ransacker.
Tags: asics gel enduros, running blog, the sidewinder speaks tonite, trail running advice, trail running lessons, trail running shoes, trail runninng, train running shoesTopics: Discussions, Running, The Sidewinder Speaks Tonite | No Comments »
Shoe Review: Hi-Tec V-Lite Trail Eruption
By Angus | September 5, 2008
Hi-Tec V-Lite Trail Eruption is a “nice” trail shoe. Which is probably its biggest failing; it doesn’t offer the rugged functionality of Inov-8’s or the stylized good looks of Salomon trail shoes.
On the upside
The cushioning and support of the EVA midsole and TPU shank made this a stable a comfortable neutral trail shoe. Whilst it’s can withstand some abuse; the dispersion shield, a custom-designed Vibram outsole and a TPU toe cap meant it won most out door battles.
On the downside
The Eruption just isn’t suited for the extremes; the grip works quite well on rugged terrain and the shoe remains stable on uneven surfaces. However, it reminds me more of 
a lightweight hiking shoe than a trail running shoe. They are slightly heavy, have too many overlays and stereotypical Hi-Tec styling. If you want a trail shoe that can be used for walking and moderate terrain the Eruption does offer reasonable value for under £60.00
Topics: Tried and Tested | No Comments »
Product Review: Salomon XT Wings
By Carl | August 28, 2008
For the last four months I have been running in a pair of Salomon XT Wings. To be honest with you I have had them for five months but it took me a month to pluck the courage up to wear them! Firstly because they are bright red (also available in black for the more discerning customer), secondly I was afraid of looking like the guy with “all the gear and no idea” and thirdly these things are built for speed and I needed an extra month to get some in my legs!
The Salomon XT Wings certainly have curb appeal and if left by the door you can almost feel them beckoning you like a dog to be taken for a run. The bright red colour, gusseted tongue and asymmetrical Quicklace System make them instantly recognizable as a Salomon shoe.
Out of the box the feel is great; its snug and the Quicklace system allows for accurate tension. A clever little design feature is that under the top of the tongue there is a small flap which you can tuck the end of the lace loop so that there is no flapping.
On Road Performance
On the road the XT Wings perform well for an off road shoe - if that makes sense. They are light weight, have a degree of pronation control and an Agile Chassis Skeleton that ensures smooth heel-to-toe transition. Initially I found the cushioning to be a little rigid however after a couple of runs I found the EVA midsole to soften up and provide greater spring.
Off Road Performance
Off road the XT Wings make a perfect Spring & Summer trail shoe. Salomon’s versatile, Running Contragrip sole tames hard packed trails and provides grip when cornering. The Agile Chassis also reduced side-to-side movement of the foot allowing for quick changes of direction in moments of desperation! One other noticeable factor was the shoes ability to maintain your forward momentum even when you were running on uneven surfaces.
Personally I would like to see how the XT Wings fair during the Winter months. However from the soakings received at the recent Urbanathlon I can say that the drainage is excellent and they remained breathable. However, I’m still yet to be convinced by the Contragrip performance on heavy wet trails.
Versatile, stylish and comfortable
If you were to write down a list of requirement from a trail shoe then the XT Wings would 
tick most of the boxes. Great support, light weight, grippy, bold styling, cushioned and breathable. They are quite expensive; Ransacker price of £72.00 but they are versatile and could be worn as walking shoes or leisure shoes, so value for money is not an issue. Personally I have yet to find a fault with the XT Wings but with the Winter Months (roll on HellRunner Up North) around the corner I’ am going to reserve my final judgment and give them a provisional 9/10.
Topics: Tried and Tested | No Comments »
Deal of the Week - Time for some off road fun!!
By Angus | June 23, 2008
If you are like me and spend half of your time on-road and half of your time off-road then the Puma Rock Hopper 3’s are a great choice. Also the fact that they cost under £40.00 makes them almost irresistible!
The Puma Complete Rock Hopper III is a new versatile running shoe, offering great 
value for price. It grants the freedom to run wherever you want, whether road or trail. A rugged solid rubber outsole and trail lugs insure durable traction, while the midsole offers lightweight shock minimization. Midfoot stability and a comfy fit round off this shoe.
For the Men’s Rock Hopper 3 from Sportsshoes please click here.
For the Women’s Rock Hopper 3 from Sportsshoes please click here.
We hope that you enjoy your new running shoes. We are positive that you wont be disappointed. Please let us know how you get on…
Tags: Cheap puma running shoes, puma rock hopper 3, trail running shoesTopics: Deal of the Week | No Comments »