Ep 6 EcoTrail Wicklow founder Fred Verdier
· Trail Running Ireland Podcast
Eoin Flynn talks to Fred Verdier about bringing a world-class trail race to Wicklow, from his own late start in trail running to the risks and rewards of EcoTrail Wicklow. Simon Kelly has news of real races on the way, and René Borg explains how to choose a training plan and why speed matters even in the mountains.
Simon reports two recent Wicklow Round completions, and IMRA's plans for the Reeks Skyline, the Carrauntoohil race and a long-distance trial for the World Mountain Running Championships. He also previews the Seven Sisters races in Donegal, the four Kerry Way Ultra events and the new Dublin Mountain Trail Festival in November. Eoin covers the new Spartan Trail World Championship series and UTMB's virtual races in aid of WWF France.
René explains the difference between a coach's individual plan and a template plan. Beginners benefit most from a coach, and anyone using a template should make sure it starts close to their current training load. He builds step-back weeks into plans as a safeguard. On speed, he explains that keeping your top speed makes every slower pace feel easier, so short strides and hill sprints belong in plans from the start. He puts most of the hill focus on climbing, since runners typically spend about 60 percent of a hilly race going uphill.