Challenge the darkness!
Trail running can be done all year round. Just remember these tips from the expert.
Miranda Kvist is the founder of Team Nordic Trail and would rather run on the side of the road than on it. What she doesn't know about trail running, you don't need to know.
Sell trail running to someone who doesn't get it!
- I prefer to run in a snow-covered dark forest with a headlamp, it's like a completely different world. I usually think that I'm on an expedition. It makes even the ordinary everyday run an adventure! You should try it too, says Miranda Kvist.
Many people are reluctant to stand out now that it is getting darker, what is important to think about now a little later in the year?
- I suggest that you come and run with a trail group, for example us at Team Nordic trail, everything will be more fun and the darkness will not feel as dark! I also shy away from running alone in the middle of the forest in winter. Also remember to dress warmly, but not too warm, you will easily get hot when you run. Rather take a backpack with a reinforcement garment "just in case".
If I run with a headlamp, what is important to remember?
- Charge the lamp! We've all had that time when we didn't charge it and ended up in the middle of the dark with a dead light. Not so easy to find your way home with the flashlight on your phone. Also, keep in mind that it's worth investing in a better light for a more enjoyable experience - it's worth it in the long run!
What should I consider when trail running in winter in snow?
- Good traction is a must in winter, so it's worth investing in a pair of spiked running shoes. They are usually made for winter and colder temperatures, resist cold and water better than other shoes, and that's a good thing! Plus, they don't wear out too much and can be used for several winters in a row.
Do you have any tips on strength exercises I can do at home during the winter that will make me a better runner?
- Absolutely!!! Stand at home on one foot. Pull the other leg up so it is about 90 degrees at the knee. Close your eyes for a while. If it's difficult, keep standing; if it's too easy, do toe raises. Maintain your balance and train your ankle strength. Very simple, but so important.
What kind of shoes do you run in?
- Always Salomon! On a daily basis I wear Salomon Sense, otherwise I always run in Salomon Fellraiser and in the winter it's Salomon Spikecross.
Which running equipment can you not do without?
- My running skirt, of course. The world's best garment!
What do you prefer to run on, downhill or uphill?
- I love extremely technical downhill running. It's good to be at the limit of what you can handle, both in terms of the surface and the speed, because that's when the adrenaline kicks in. The best downhill run is down a winding mountain path that never ends and the sun is shining. Oh! Then life is alive!
Photo: Eric Forsner
