Tag: trail running

The trick to progress is to be consistent. But how can you be when you have to travel? So, this is going to be a week full of surprises.

A week full of surprises

04/09/2023

Special day today. Record breaking day today, hopefully. Sara is doing an attempt to break her long distance record. Today’s goal: 13k.

Sara’s long distance record breaking trail run

27/08/2023

Highs and lows, downs and ups, the Trail des Fantomes in Belgium was riding on physical and mental waves of energy.

Trail des Fantomes; waves of energy

22/08/2023

Sara is a bad trail runner. We had a theory why she is bad, and now we know for sure; Sara is anemic. See, you need iron to run.

You need iron to run

16/08/2023

Two more days to the Trail des Fantomes. My race plan? No plan. Unless you call staying ahead of the cut-off times a plan.

I have no plan for the Trail des Fantomes

10/08/2023

Six days to go to the Trail des Fantomes. I am out for a run in the rain. Doing half a marathon today. It's going to be a low heart rate run.

Running in the rain

06/08/2023

Halfway through my run. I should do 4 minutes per kilometer now, I am not even coming close. No power. My legs need a rest, I need a rest.

My legs need a rest

02/08/2023

Pain, euphoria, on top of the world, ready to quit. All kinds of thoughts are racing through the mind of a trail runner during a race.

A look into the mind of a trail runner during a race

27/07/2023

The legs felt good this morning. That’s a long time ago. Maybe I’m becoming greedy, but I want a new personal record on the 30 kilometers.

I want a new personal record on the 30 kilometers

26/07/2023

My mind blank, my body hot, and my muscles relaxing. Sara and I are taking a little break in a sauna hotel; reading, relaxing, rejuvenating.

Taking a little break

20/07/2023

I have no power in my legs, an irritated iliopsoas after every run and cramp in my hamstrings. Why? I didn’t know. Now I do.

Me and my iliopsoas are not friends

12/07/2023

The birds are singing, the kilometers ticking off. There is just one problem. My mind. I’m asking myself; what did I get myself into?

What did I get myself into?

08/07/2023

I am in doubt. Should I race tomorrow or do a training run? And in both cases; where do I go to run? Far away or close by?

Race or training run?

07/07/2023

I wanted to run fast today, it didn’t happen. I am getting slow of all these ultra runs. It’s time to do some speed work again.

I am getting slow

02/07/2023

These stairs never felt this high. It’s the result of yesterday’s strength session and this morning’s run. But, I love painful legs.

In love with painful legs

27/06/2023

We’re out for a run. We are Sara, Bruni, my parents' dog and me. It’s our first run in the Netherlands after more than a month in Italy.

First run in the Netherlands

25/06/2023

We’re on the train to Frankfurt am Main. I’m updating my training schedule. The big question; could I run further than 55 kilometers?

Could I run further than 55 kilometers?

22/06/2023

No running these days. Instead, I’m looking back at the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. These are the seven lessons I’ve learned.

Seven lessons from the DXT

18/06/2023

A trail runner needs 4 pairs of legs. Each with its own specific goal: climbing legs, running legs, yoga legs and power hiking legs.

Every trail runner needs 4 pairs of legs

16/06/2023

The Dolomiti Extreme Trail is a tribute to the mountains. It's sharing the love of the mountains with each other and those who love running.

Sharing the love of the mountains

11/06/2023

The Dolomiti Extreme Trail is what the name tells you; extreme. 3.800 meters altitude, 57,5 km of running, and a fight against cut-off times.

DTX: fighting cut-off times

10/06/2023

It’s 5 in the morning. I’m wide awake. My mind is full of questions. The biggest one? What is going to be my race plan for the DXT?

My race plan for the DXT

09/06/2023

I have a new favorite book; The Rise of the Ultra Runners. It’s one of those books you start reading and don’t want to put aside.

The Rise of the Ultra Runners, a review

08/06/2023

We’re back Forno di Zoldo. What started as an idea, is going to be reality running the 55 kilometers race at the Dolomiti Extreme Trail.

Back in Forno di Zoldo for the DXT

07/06/2023

Maybe you’ve noticed yesterday, maybe not, but there were a few little changes on the website. The cool thing is; this is only the beginning.

Little changes on the blog

22/05/2023

Yeah, I’m running again. I missed it so much. The sun shines, the birds sing, and it’s around 20 degrees. What else can a man ask for?

Finally running again

21/05/2023

To prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I used the Albon app. Yet I’m stopping with it. The app is great, but not for me. Here's why.

Training with the Albon app, a review

18/05/2023

The new UTMB-index has been published. I moved up 178.925 places. I think Kilian Jornet is getting scared. I’m coming for his nr. 1 position.

Chasing Kilian Jornet

17/05/2023

One month to go to the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. ERYRI25 was my last preparation race. So let's look at the lessons I can learn from that race.

The lessons of Ultra Trail Snowdonia

16/05/2023

It’s sore leg day today. Tomorrow it will be I-am-tired-day. I think I’m starting to recognize the patterns of my body after a big trail run.

The patterns of my body after a trail run

15/05/2023

Normally I’m within the slowest 20% of the field on a trail run, but I have never pushed. What if I would? Like today, at the ERYRI 25k?

ERYRI 25K; a roller-coaster of emotions

13/05/2023

How do you qualify for the UTMB Mont-Blanc finals? You need 2 things: Running Stones and a UTMB Index registration. Here is a guide for you.

A guide to UTMB Running Stones

12/05/2023

How to train as an ageing athlete? Do we have to change our training schedule? Change how we train? Let's look at all the answers.

How to train as an ageing athlete

11/05/2023

Three days until the ERYRI 25 kilometers at Ultra Trail Snowdonia. So time to run up Mount Snowdon for the first time.

First run up Mount Snowdon

10/05/2023

Five days till ERYRI 25k at Ultra Trail Snowdonia. We’re in Wales. This is the sixth country I will be running a race in.

Wales here we come

08/05/2023

Out for a run. I’m testing my right knee and foot while getting soaked. Let’s say it’s a good preparation for the Ultra Trail Snowdonia.

Testing my right knee and foot

07/05/2023

During the Dolomiti Extreme Trail I will be running above 2.000 meters of altitude. At that altitude there is 'less' oxygen available.

Running above 2.000 meters of altitude

05/05/2023

Running Smart, a review

03/05/2023

Two ultras in 8 days is a little bit too much for me at this moment. That’s lesson one. Let’s look at the other takeaways from the BUT 50.

My takeaways from the BUT 50

01/05/2023

Only 5 kilometers into the Brabantse Ultra Trail 50k (BUT) and my gluteus medius are protesting. This is going to be an interesting race.

BUT: 3 personal records in one day

30/04/2023

Maybe it’s naive to spontaneously run an ultra, but I want to run another 50k before the DXT. So here is my race plan for the BUT 50.

My race plan for the Brabantse Ultra Run

29/04/2023

Sara Bigattii is mostly known as yoga teacher, but she's also a runner. In this podcast we will talk about both: yoga and running.

Podcast: Sara Bigatti, the runner

28/04/2023

Last weekend I ran the Mighty Marathon; 43,5 kilometers. Should I run another ultra this weekend to prepare for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail?

Should I run another ultra this weekend?

27/04/2023

Today my plan to run in the Alps went wrong. My legs aren’t ready to run again, so I gave them an extra day of rest. Although, I did walk.

No running in the Alps for me

26/04/2023

I am in shock. I just checked the DXT 2022 results. It took the last runners 14,5 hours to complete the race. I’m always among the last ones!

I am in shock

25/04/2023

Her smile … A quick kiss and I’m on my way. 12k to the next refreshment post. I can do it. Running is so much easier with a crew on my side.

Long live the crew!

24/04/2023

The Mighty Marathon was the start of a busy summer. So, what are the five lessons I can take away from the Mighty Marathon

Five lessons from the Mighty Marathon

23/04/2023

The last part through the forest was killing. It took all energy out of my legs, and I still have 22 k to go in this Mighty Marathon.

A Muddy Mighty Marathon

22/04/2023

I am in Lierde, Belgium. I got my Bib number. Now I only need a race plan for the Mighty Marathon of tomorrow. A race plan and polenta.

Running on polenta

21/04/2023

My legs don’t want to run anymore, but they have to. It’s time for distraction, for a podcast. It’s time for my Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones.

Shokz OpenRun Pro, a review

20/04/2023

I run by using heart rate, not by using pace. I’m a trail runner. But should I change this? Should I run with a power meter?

Should I run with a power meter?

19/04/2023

Bashir Abdi won the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:03:47. That’s 2 min. and 56 sec. per kilometer. I am in awe. My legs just can’t run that fast.

My legs just can’t run that fast

18/04/2023

Oops!… I Did It Again. I signed up for a race. This time for the Kullamannen. Oh baby baby I am gonna run in Sweden.

Oops!… I Did It Again

17/04/2023

We’re in the Amerongse Bos, running the Amerongse Berg Trail (12 kilometers). For us, trail running is a nice day out.

Trail running as a nice day out

16/04/2023

Next week around this time I’ll be running the Mighty Marathon. My legs are ready for it. At least, that’s how they feel today.

My legs are ready for the Mighty Marathon

15/04/2023

Just a couple of days and I will be in Italy to run in the mountains around Como. I am really looking forward to that. Real mountains!

Altitude training in Como coming up

14/04/2023

Running slow is the secret to be fast. That sounds like a contradiction, but there is logic behind it. Let’s explore why you should run slow.

Run slow to become fast

13/04/2023

Nine days to go to the MUT Festival. I am out for a run. My legs feel weird. I think because of the strength training of last Monday.

My legs feel weird

12/04/2023

Twelve days to go to the MUT Festival, 1 month to Snowdonia and 2 to the Dolomiti Extreme Trail. It’s time to work on my leg strength.

Working on my leg strength

10/04/2023

On bed, doing yin yoga. I should be out for a run now. My second run of today, but my low back doesn’t let me. It needs yoga.

My low back needs yoga

09/04/2023

Out for a run. I am happy to be out this morning. At the same time I should be behind my desk working. Time is my biggest enemy these days.

Time is my biggest enemy

05/04/2023

I’m old. Maybe not for a human being, but for a runner. I mean, I (re)started running at the age of 48. But it’s fun being an old runner.

The fun of being an old runner

04/04/2023

In my first running life, a marathon was regarded as far. Now there are ultra runs everywhere. So, where do all these ultra runners come from?

Where do all these ultra runners come from?

03/04/2023

Let’s get back to Ayurveda again. Let’s look at Sara. Maybe you can guess, maybe not. Sara is a Pitta-Kapha.

Sara is a non-sprinting Pitta

02/04/2023

Okay, I just finished my Garmin lactate threshold test. My score today is the same as my score on January 17. I am struggling to believe that.

Struggling with Garmin’s lactate threshold test

01/04/2023

What type of runner am I? I asked you the question yesterday, but what about me? The runner who is no good at any distance.

I am no good at any distance

31/03/2023

What type of runner are you? Are you a sprinter, middle distance runner or a marathon runner? One look in the mirror can tell you.

What type of runner are you?

30/03/2023

Almost 15 kilometers done of my trail run here in Lommel. I don’t feel so fresh anymore. I guess my legs are still tired from my ultra run.

The legs are still tired

29/03/2023

Yes, it’s done. We have booked a trail running holiday to Austria. It won’t be for a while, but it’s something to look forward to.

We’re going on a trail running holiday

28/03/2023

I just saw the Trans Alpine Run, a multi stage trail. It looked super cool. Not that I am able to do it, but it is something to dream off.

Multi stage running trail

27/03/2023

A question I’ve asked myself a lot lately is: Am I an ultra runner? A long distance runner? Or do I prefer shorter trail runs?

Am I an ultra runner?

26/03/2023

We’re out for a run. I’m hot, I'm cold, I feel fresh, I am getting wet. It feels like four seasons in one day.

Four seasons in one day

25/03/2023

Last day of rest. Tomorrow I’m allowed to run again. Not sure how far I will go, as I have to make a new training schedule.

Time for a new training schedule

24/03/2023

We run on our feet. That’s why it’s important to have strong and flexible feet. Here are some strengthening exercises for your feet.

Exercises for strong and flexible feet

23/03/2023

My first ultra in Sussex was four days ago. I feel a little bit low on energy. I like to run, but I should rest, which makes me restless.

Low on energy

22/03/2023

Sussex was a test. A test to see if I could run 50 kilometers. So, let’s see what five lessons I can learn from the Sussex ultra.

Five lessons from my Sussex ultra

21/03/2023

These few days have been amazing. I am super proud of Sara. My Super Sara, because Sussex was her biggest running success so far.

Super Sara’s success in Sussex

20/03/2023

Sara and I are out for a walk this morning. It’s the day after the Endurance Life ultra. I have to say my legs feel surprisingly good.

Out for a walk in Sussex

19/03/2023

My first ultra; running 50 kilometers at age 50. Although, this wasn’t trail running, this was mud wrestling, here at Endurance life Sussex.

Mud wrestling at Endurance life Sussex

18/03/2023

One more night to my first ultra run, here in Sussex. Should I come up with a race plan, or just run and see?

Should I have a race plan for Sussex?

17/03/2023

Where do you leave your trail running poles, when you're not using them? In the Quiver, an extra bag you attach to your trail vest. A review.

Trail running with a Quiver, a review

16/03/2023

Three more nights to my first ultra. We’re in East Dean, close to the Seven Sisters, the famous chalk cliffs on the English coast.

Seven Sisters Sussex

15/03/2023

With the race in Sussex coming closer, I wonder; am I failing if I don’t make it? Isn’t it an achievement to make it to the starting line?

Making it to the starting line

14/03/2023

Five more nights and I am going to run my first ultra run ever; the Endurance Life Sussex. So, how am I doing? Am I ready?

How am I doing?

13/03/2023

Fifty years. Fifty years and 4 months to be precise. So, what does that mean for me as a trail runner? That I am doomed. Too old to be fast.

I am doomed

12/03/2023

How to get started with Trail running? What to expect? If you’re new to trail running The ultimate trail running handbook is a must have.

The ultimate trail running handbook, a review

11/03/2023

When and where to go to the toilet during an ultra run? Especially when the start is early. Should I get potty trained?

Should I be potty trained?

10/03/2023

The world is white again. It’s the first week and I’m running in the snow. Not in Austria, or Switzerland, but at home. What a morning!

Wow, what a morning

08/03/2023

Yeah, I’m going to run up the Wall of Geraardsbergen. If you’re a cycling fan, you may know the Wall from the Tour of Flanders.

Running up the Wall of Geraardsbergen

07/03/2023

Only 2 weeks to go, and I’ll be running my first ultra, in Sussex. I have to admit I’m getting nervous. 53 kilometers sounds like a lot.

Getting nervous for my first ultra

06/03/2023

Out for another run. Today the legs are heavy., after the two runs I did yesterday. Today my legs don’t want to run.

My legs don’t want to run

05/03/2023

A bit more than 5 kilometers to go at the Halve Zolen Trail. My legs feel good. Sara should be not far in front of me? Can I catch her?

Halve Zolen Trail; chasing Sara

04/03/2023

Tomorrow Sara and I will be running the Halve Zolen Trail in Den Hout. It’s part of my last big training weekend for Sussex.

Last big training weekend for Sussex

03/03/2023

To help you prevent standing on the starting line of a Trail Run without your necessary gear, here is a Trail Running Checklist.

Trail Running Checklist

02/03/2023

Something big, dark brown with a mean looking head jumps out, of the bushes. The wild boar looks at me and quickly runs away into the forest.

Running with wild boar in Bergeijk

01/03/2023

Sara and I went for a run. My legs felt good. I can feel I’ve had a hard trail weekend in Spa, but I don’t have any crazy muscle pain.

The lessons from a trail weekend in Spa

28/02/2023

Left, right, little hill, puddle, bridge, rocks, trees. It’s hard and it’s fun. This has to be the coolest downhill I’ve ever done.

Trail Run Spa; the coolest downhill ever

27/02/2023

She smiles after 5 kilometers, after 7k, and she smiles after 11k and 400 meters of altitude. Super Sara is ready to shine in Sussex.

Super Sara is ready to shine in Sussex

26/02/2023

Tomorrow I’ll run a half marathon in Spa. This afternoon Sara and I did a little shake out run to loosen up the legs.

Shake out run to loosen up the legs

25/02/2023

No Zegama for me this year. Maybe next year I'll be more lucky. Although, I still feel blessed, because in May I’ll be running in Snowdonia

No Zegama for me, Snowdonia it is

24/02/2023