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First Ultra! Progress Update - 18th Jan 2021

Progress Update

First Ultra! Progress Update - 18th Jan 2021

Covering: 11th Jan 2021 to 18th Jan 2021 Current Long Term Goal: Run a 50k Ultra Marathon I need a new one! Following a few months of training I finally took the plunge and attempted a 50k run. Geared up and ready to goThe route would be a mixture of

Prior's Wood, Portbury - Friday Route Recommendation

Route Recommendation

Prior's Wood, Portbury - Friday Route Recommendation

Distance: 6.25km Elevation Gain: 170m Type: Trail Route Link: Strava Link [https://www.strava.com/routes/2785063461635521062] A short route good for practicing climbs just past Portbury. Start parking outside The Priory pub (a good place to visit afterwards once all this lockdown m'larky has ended) -

A Journey In Running Shoes

A Journey In Running Shoes

A love letter to the (many many) shoes I've worn running. Based on the number of shoeboxes under the bed, I may have a problem... The Starting Shoes Merrell Intercept [https://www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/intercept/16225M.html]As with most people; when I started running

Progress Update - 11th Jan 2021

Progress Update

Progress Update - 11th Jan 2021

Covering: 4th Jan 2021 to 11th Jan 2021 Current Long Term Goal: Run a 50k Ultra Marathon in Q1 2021 Hit 55k last week in spite of the colder conditions, with ample opportunity to test out my new SealSkinz winter gloves. They've been a lifesaver and like chalk

1,000 Miles Trail Sock Review

1,000 Miles Trail Sock Review

Update 27th Jan 2021: Unfortunately I've now had to throw all 4 pairs brought in November 2020 as each one developed a hole over the big toe 😢 As the winter months crept in my usual summery Under Armour socks were starting to suffer with the cold and wet,

Blaise Ultimate Green Trail - Friday Route Recommendation

Route Recommendation

Blaise Ultimate Green Trail - Friday Route Recommendation

Distance: 9.95km Elevation Gain: 157m Type: Trail Route Link: Strava Link [https://www.strava.com/routes/2735800288926239626] A friend of mine took me for a run around Coombe Dingle up through to Blaise Castle just before the lockdown began way back in March. It was a cracking route and

Under Armour Convertible Run Glove 2019 Review

Under Armour Convertible Run Glove 2019 Review

Under Armour Convertible Run Glove [https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QXMDVPS]Having run mostly with some cheap if cosy woolen gloves for that majority of 2020, I wanted something more substantial for those long cold winter runs. Being a big fan of Under Armour (I look like a

Progress Update - 4th Jan 2021

Progress Update

Progress Update - 4th Jan 2021

Covering: 28th Dec 2020 to 4th Jan 2021 Current Long Term Goal: Run a 50k Ultra Marathon in Q1 2021 Had an absolutely cracking week over the holidays and pushed through a long standing weekly mileage barrier with a total of 76.6km run! Wednesday I did my second marathon,

Leigh Woods Circular - Friday Route Recommendation

Route Recommendation

Leigh Woods Circular - Friday Route Recommendation

Distance: 11.4km Elevation Gain: 209m Type: Trail Route Link: Strava Link [https://www.strava.com/routes/2759708620727513810] An all time favourite route that covers the whole stretch of Leigh Woods above the River Avon It starts on North Road, where you can usually find a parking spot right next

Salomon Adv Skin 12 First Impressions

Salomon Adv Skin 12 First Impressions

Need to know when you should start looking at getting a running pack? See here [https://leave-the-road-and.run/when-should-i-get-a-running-pack/] Having used the Adv Skin 5 [https://leave-the-road-and.run/salomon-adv-skin-5-review/] (that is, the 5 litre capacity version) for 6 months; I needed an upgrade that could hold more gear as my

Staying Engaged With Running In The Winter

Staying Engaged With Running In The Winter

In the warmer months; getting out there onto the trails just seems to be that much easier. It gets lighter earlier, the ground is drier, the weather brighter and you only need shorts & t-shirt to enjoy it. In the winter I like to think back and pretend every day

Salomon Adv Skin 5 Review

Salomon Adv Skin 5 Review

For a guide on when you should look to buy a running pack, see this article. [https://leave-the-road-and.run/when-should-i-get-a-running-pack/] I brought the Salomon Adv Skin 5 [https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/adv-skin-5-set.html#color=21149] way back in January 2020 (Which, especially due to the lockdown life

Progress Update - 28th Dec 2020

Progress Update

Progress Update - 28th Dec 2020

Covering: 21st Dec 2020 to 28th Dec 2020 Current Long Term Goal: Run a 50k Ultra Marathon in Q1 2021 More evenly distributed the weekly mileage this week with lots of 7-13km runs rather than one big long run on the weekend. On the plus side it meant running on

When Should I Get A Running Pack?

When Should I Get A Running Pack?

I have been running with a Salmon Adv Skin 5 Pack [https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/adv-skin-5-set.html#color=21149] for 6 months now and it is game changing for me, so much so I've recently upgraded to the 12 litre version for longer runs. However

Progress Update: 21st Dec 2020

Progress Update

Progress Update: 21st Dec 2020

Covering: 14th Dec to 21st Dec Current Long Term Goal: Run a 50k Ultra Marathon in Q1 2021 Now entering the Christmas holidays and looking forward to two things: 1. Loosening the belt buckle a little over our time off 2. Getting out and doing some longer runs As of

Chepstow to Tintern - Friday Route Recommendation

Route Recommendation

Chepstow to Tintern - Friday Route Recommendation

Distance: 19.55km Elevation Gain: 593m Type: Trail Route Link: Strava Link [https://www.strava.com/routes/2733614445552987218] One of my all time favourite routes; one I've done multiple times with friends and enjoyed immensely each loop. Starting at Chepstow Castle, where there is a car park (paid

Coaley Peak to Stroud Loop - Friday Route Recommendation

Route Recommendation

Coaley Peak to Stroud Loop - Friday Route Recommendation

Distance: 24.6km Elevation Gain: 745m Type: Trail Route Link: Strava Route [https://www.strava.com/routes/2770363251635188754] Every Friday I'll be posting a new route suggestion; showing off trail runs around Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and South Wales. First up for this week is one of my favourite

The Bristol - Stroud Loop 2020

Achievement Featured

The Bristol - Stroud Loop 2020

During 2020 I started to struggle in finding new trails to do a long run over each weekend. This issue wasn't a lack of choice, but choice paralysis: there were just too many places I could go that I ended up struggling to pick one! To combat this;

Welcome To Leave the Road & Run!

Welcome To Leave the Road & Run!

This is a brand new blog focused on trail running in the South West of England, around the gorgeous landscapes of Bristol, the Cotswolds and South Wales. Set up by Luke Merrett [https://leave-the-road-and.run/about/] as a project to help others get into the sport, find new routes near