Running my first Trail Race - The Seven Sisters Skyline

[@Bendeenswaray]

Dude, hope you heal up soon and get back out there on those beautiful trails! Great video and storytelling. I can tell you'll love trail running. From a barefoot shoe runner, look into them...they might be of help. Take care bud, heal fast!

[@hike_mor]

Thanks, Ben! Been thinking about taking a look at barefoot for a little while. Might give em a go!

[@davidsrunningvlog7679]

Great video and welcome to trail running! This race is on my list of ones I want to do. Sorry about your ankle. When I first got into trail running I messed my ankle up pretty bad as well. Took a lot of strength and conditioning to get back at it, but the time passes quickly. Ended up spending a lot of time on the stationary bike. A fellow runner friend broke his shoulder during a race a couple years ago and he is back to doing 100 milers. It’s rough but keep moving forward!

[@hike_mor]

Hey David, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Really kind words, thanks a million. Very heartening to hear that you can get back out there after a big injury! Hope your ankle is well these days. If you have any inside tips on what you found worked best for strengthening yours I'm all ears!

[@davidsrunningvlog7679]

@@hike_mor There were two big things. The first was spending more time on the trails. I had been a road runner for about 15 years before I started trail running, and injured my ankle during my first real technical trail. I found that spending more time on the trails running slowly really helped build strength. I had to adapt to a completely different style of running--shorter steps and strides. The second thing was ankle strength exercises using the Bosu ball. I found several Bosu ball ankle exercises online via KZbin and started incorporating those into my strength training routine, which really helped a lot. My injury was about 10 years ago and I'm still out here on the trails and haven't had any major injuries since then.

[@hike_mor]

@@davidsrunningvlog7679 More time on the trails is definitely something I need to get better at. I almost exclusively road ran before breaking my ankle, so makes sense that my ankle wasn't quite as resilient for the off road as it should have been! And thanks for the shorter strides tip. I'm 6'2" so definitely have a long stride! Bosu ball looks like the tool for the job alright. I'm going to work it into my strength training! Thrilled to hear that ten years later your ankle has had no major injuries since. Very heartening. Thanks for all the advice. Really appreciate it. Onwards now to my first Ultra in May. If you ever find yourself in Ireland, get in touch!

[@davidsrunningvlog7679]

@@hike_mor Great to hear! I’ll be sure to reach out if/when I get back to Ireland. Last time I was in Donegal was back in 2007, so I’m due for another trip. A runner friend of mine and I looking to do this race, but probably won’t be for another 2-3 years before I can get the time off to make it over there. But it’s on the list - will reach out for sure! Best of luck on the recovery.

[@hike_mor]

@@davidsrunningvlog7679 Great to hear you have plans to come back. Donegal is a beautiful part of the world. By the time you make it back, I'll run the 55k with you! All the best. Beir Bua.

[@neilcarton5646]

Sorry about the ankle Eanna, but well done and nice video! speedy recovery!

[@hike_mor]

Thanks, Neil!

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Crikey. Sorry to hear about the ankle. Best wishes with it. Traffic jam at the start. Good luck with you channel. Just subscribed.

[@hike_mor]

Thanks a million! Really enjoyed your Wray Scarecrow race. Beautiful part of the world!

[@patrickchambers4947]

Hows the ankle now? Are you coming back this year?

[@hike_mor]

Ankle is all good and ready for go! Aye running the 30km again next week. Excited to finish this time!