The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook: Get fit, confident and skilled-up to go from 5k to 50k

by Claire Maxted, Vassos Alexander (Foreword), Emelie Forsberg (Foreword)

From your first 5k up to trail marathon level, this is the ultimate guide to trail running.

From complete beginners to seasoned off-road runners, The Ultimate Trail Running Handbook has all the training and nutrition advice, skills, gear and motivation you need to become a fit and confident trail runner.

There are training plans that take newcomers from 5k parkrun level all the way to a first trail marathon. And if you're already an experienced runner, you'll find the strength-work, injury prevention moves and training plans to take you to the next level with your best performance ever. To keep you enjoying every step, there are inspiring stories from real trail runners and the best advice from top off-road athletes, coaches and experts. Running myths are busted, excuses not to run are countered and there are great ideas to get friends and family our on the trails too.

Keeping you going strong, there are over 30 easy recipes to fuel you both in training and racing. And if you want to explore more, the navigation and route planning information makes it easy for you to create an exciting off-road adventure.

Trail running is such a wonderful way to see the world, so the final chapter covers the best races from all over the globe, with essential advice from the pros. This book arms you with the best possible chance of achieving your next trail running challenge, whether it's a fast time on a well-loved local hill, or a destination race to be savored in New Zealand. If you're a trail runner or would like to become one, this book is your new best friend.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Susy Dand · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a beginner to trail running this book is brilliant. As a dyslexic reader the breaking up of test with lots of pictures and diagrams make the book accessible. It feels like flicking through a magazine and so not intimidating. The book makes you feel that yacing longer distances is possible. It’s brilliant! Highly recommend it!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers a huge number of topics in a short amount of time. There’s lots of good information here, but nothing too in-depth. Lots of useful diagrams well. Don’t buy the kindle version.

[Kary Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved its high level, informative take-what-you-need approach. Beginner, intermediate and advanced training plans for a variety of races, warmup stretches, trail running techniques and cool down suggestions. Really enjoyed the nutrition section with the simplified recipes.
Quick read, loads of info and balanced presentation. Will revisit as my training progresses. Highly recommend this for beginning trail runners as well as quick check-in for those already well informed.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a 3.5! Very useful information and clearly tilted to total beginners (I’ve already dug a little deeper into the topic so it was a bit too basic for me). I liked the mix of pictures and quotes from other trail runners and I will definitely use the training plans provided! Overall good resource.

[Francesco De Rossi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Purtroppo un libro che non mi è piaciuto. Parla di Trail running ma in maniera superficiale, toccando un po' tutti gli argomenti in maniera talmente vaga da essere utile solo alle persone che sono curiose di capire in generale cos'è questo sport. Non lo consiglio a chi si sta avvicinando a questo sport. L unica parte interessante è forse la lista di eventi e gare

[Keisha Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brightly coloured and easy to read. Most of the info comes in small paragraph so it isn't overwhelming, but also never goes in depth.

It assumes you can already run 5km outside. Focuses too much on race preparation.

[Bob van Oort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended

Great book on tips, training, photos, food and gear, with focus on enjoying running, nature and life. If anything, I would have liked to read some more anecdotes and stories - otherwise, great read to get back to rereleasing tips and tricks!

[Linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay -- there are some good running tips but ultimately this book is about running off the beaten path which is something I am not entirely looking to do.

[Deane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good insightful book of athletes stories to information, tips & programs .

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, inspiring and lots of helpful information. I loved having all the quotes from runners through the book. A really lovely, friendly style of writing.

[Andrew Elson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book easy to read and full of good information

[Dria Sapundjieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my first book on running and I think it’s a must read. All you need is in the book. Great visual experience and inspiring too.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been running for the past 20 odd years give or take
Ran from 5k to 90k races Road n trail
This book helped refresh things I have forgotten
Great for the beginners or everyone else like me just to refresh and remind ourselves of the little things. Like it's still fun and let's keep enjoying it...
Dietary help
Running support
Post and Pre advice
Stretching and Yoga
Follow Wild Ginger on YouTube as well

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy reading but pretty basic. British based with nice pictures to give incentive to get onto trails

[Antonia Brydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good tips, very readable