Trail Run West Midlands and Optimize Fitness have teamed up to provide you with a fantastic practical and interactive weekend of trail running specific skills, on the slopes of the Waseley Hills. Whether you’re improving your trail running or building up to an ultra, or have a few big races under your belt and want to take your training and race strategy to the next level, we’ve brought together a team who will help you build the knowledge and skills to tackle your next challenge with confidence.

Expert advice from UKA Fell Running coaches, United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA) Ultra running Coaches, L4 Strength and Conditioning Coaches, L4 Sports Nutritionist, and Yoga Instructor.

We are also pleased to have the support of Mountain Fuel, and Ultra Running Magazine UK.

Who is it for?

Any runner who wants to develop off road skills
Whether you are planning to tackle a trail event, fell race, ultra marathon, or enjoy off road running, this is for you.
This two day training camp will develop your skills and confidence to run off road.
Saturday
Injury Proof your Trail Runs: Strength and conditioning strategies for sustainable performance by Andy Pye and Graeme Woodward MSc

Learn how to build a bombproof foundation by incorporating strength training to help reduce the risk of injury and boost your performance in this no-nonsense, accessible workshop. We will take you through the basics and help you up the ante.

Mastering Uphill and Downhill Running Technique for the Trails by Andy Pye and Leah Atherton

Crush those climbs and master the art of downhill running in this workshop designed to improve technique and look at how best to use these in both races and day to day trail running. Led by a team with a wealth of experience across fell and ultra-running.

Unleash the Power of Poles: An introduction to running poles for trail running by Leah Atherton

If you are new to long distance events and wondering what all the fuss is about or got your first pair of poles for your next event and want to learn how to get the most out of this fantastic bit of kit, this workshop will teach you how to get the most benefits out of your poles on different types of terrain.

Fuelling the Trails: Optimal sports nutrition strategies for trail and ultra running by Graeme Woodward

Get the most out of our everyday meals, use food to optimise your recovery, and fuel well before and during race day, Graeme, a L4 sports nutritionist, will take you through all you need to know, an absolute foundation for happy, successful, and lifelong running. No diets or fads here!!

This will include tasting products from Mountain Fuel.

Flow and Flexibility: Enhancing trail running performance with mobility and yoga by Anna Fooks

Stretch, mobilise and focus with L3 Personal trainer and yoga teacher Anna – This session will not only be a relaxing end to the day but will also. equip you with the knowledge about preventing and rehabilitating injury through a yoga movement practice.

Sunday
Trailblazing Journey: A guided run to apply and enhance practical trail running elements

Soak up the views while putting your new skills into practice, taking in sections of the North Worcestershire path, Monarchs Way, and Midlands Tops Round. There are some real hidden gems in this area so it’s sure to be a fabulous morning out.

Hills and Healing: First aid essentials and self preservation in trail running by Rich Bonner

You have a first aid kit as part of your mandatory kit, but have you ever opened it or know what and how to use it?

Here we will take you through the basics, get you confident in what to use, and self manage on the trails. We will also cover feet, and how to prevent and treat blisters.

Unleashing the inner champion, building metal resilience for trail running by Andy Pye

The mental aspect of human performance is getting more and more attention, and so it should. The physical and mental sides of performance are intertwined and contribute to performance. We cover why its important, understanding goals and motivation, how to focus, race day specific skills, and how to avoid mental burnout.