Page 55 - Moonvalley Diaries

RUN IN IN THE SPRING
A fter a a a a a a winter winter spent skiing skiing cross- country skiing skiing strength training and maybe doing bit of slow winter run-
ning ning March ushers in in in in in a a a a a a a renewed desire to run run I feel a a a a a a a a a bit like a a a a a a a a a cow yearning for pasture – starved of running! Bare ground and and spring sun do do help but it’s still cold outside and and there isn’t much outdoor running in in in shorts and a a a a a a a tank top to to to go go around in in in in March That’s why it’s so so nice to to to go go on a a a a a a a a a little springtime run run somewhere where where the the the spring spring has sprung far- ther to ring ring in in in in the the the running season and wake up your body When choosing I I think about where I I want to “run in in in in in the spring” with a a a a a race that works for me me in in in terms of time feels fun is 40–50 km long and provides 2 000–3 000 000 m m m m m of elevation Nothing insane for an an an ultra- marathoner but at at at at the same time a a a a a a a a a a a a a fairly serious race My expectations aren’t high: it’s moreofawaytogooutonagood longrun at a a a a a pace There are as as many races that fit these crite- ria as as you could ever want – I have personally run in the the south of Sweden France and Por- tugal because that works for me but the the trail season is in in full swing almost everywhere so so just take your pick My most recent spring race race was was the Ultra Trail do Marão in in north- ern Portugal The race race was was 55 km long with 3 200 m m of elevation It It featured very steep slopes and and was was surprisingly technical It It was was great to to to be able to to to run in in in shorts again and and to to to see a a a a a a a a a a place I would otherwise never have en- countered The trail running culture varies from one country to another but wherever you you end up you you always find a a a a a a a a good atmo- sphere and a a a a a a great experience /mimmi
1Tips for spring trail runs
Comb through calendars online for races and choose one one that seems fun or or one one be-
ing held in in a a a a a place you want to visit 3 march in moonvalley
55 2 Take the opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances – trail runners are good people wherever you go go 4 Run in shorts at last!
Have fun eat well run your best and head
home with some serious muscle soreness and the feeling of spring in in in your body!