High quality, lightweight trail running gear from CheapTents.com

Whether you take part in trail or fell running, CheapTents.com can provide you with lightweight gear advice, ultralight running gear and great service, and all at discounted prices. With over 20 years of experience selling outdoor and camping equipment CheapTents.com has become a respected discount outdoor shop.

What is Trail Running?

Trail running is a form of running that take part on paths and trails commonly used for hiking. It is an aerobic sport whereby people enjoy the challenge and experience of being outdoors.

Trail running often involves a great deal of fitness to face the steep ascending and descending gradients of the hills, although some people opt for more leisurely routes, taking them along valley bottoms. Trail runners enjoy the challenge of the endurance element, being outdoors and the social aspects. Other simply enjoy geting mussy, so take part in a form called fell running!

• Pace yourself - don't over do it too early on in the season - that's how injuries happen!
• Mental attitude - being positive about your achievements and the days' goals always gets better times.
• Rest injuries - if you do injure or ache, rest yourself to avoid worsening the injury, which also promotes repair..
• Vary the excercise - do a variety of targetted excercises to improve your running style.
• Always make your runs fun - change your scenery and avoid the doing the same monotonous routes.
• Run long and short - mix your running distance for both stamina and speed.
• Heavy footed racers don't win races - run softly and your less likely to damage knees - especially downhil!
• Hill running style - make it easier on your legs and lean into hills and make sure you shorten your stride.
• Fuel - drink and eat the rght foods for you to replenish and revitalise during your run, and energise before the run.
• Your sport is on your feet - take care of your feet and footwear. Make sure they're both in top notch condition!

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Trail / Fell Running Training and Preparation

Trail running is a very accessible sport, as it is free to run in the hills and costs very little for the gear compared to many other outdoor sports.

Lightweight running: Because of the gradients and distances that you will be running, lightweight clothing and gear is required. The reason for this is that your main enemies will be fatigue and gravity. The pull of gravity on heavy gear will become unbearable when your legs are tired.

Terrain: consider what terrain your going to be running, as this will help you prepare for what you need in regards to running gear, in particular footwear. Terrain is often categorised into these types: dry rock, wet rock, dry grass, wet grass, muddy, tarmac, loose rock and mixed terrain.

Weather: do a thorough weather check and also consider the likelihood of weather changes and the impact that will have on the terrain if for instance it rains or snows.

Running buddy: a good thing to have is some company on the trail, someone to share the experience and challenge with, but so too is it good for emergency situations. Although some people like to run to get away from it all, but seriously consider emergency scenerios and the value of running with another person.

Trail Running Clothing & Equipment

Lightweight, lightweight and ultralight lightweight gear! That's all you need! Consider these items as basics for your trail running needs.