Are you planning another book about running? Would love a collection of pieces about various runs/challenges you have undertaken. I know you have blogged about some of them but a book anthology would be great.
I definitely think about this, it's just trying to work out a structure for it that would actually be interesting/people would want to read? I'm worried it would come across a bit braggy, like here's all the things I've done!
I don’t think it would seem braggy at all. You have always shared your doubts and fears in your writing, so even the most “successful” stories will have that sense of realism. And you have a sense of humour, which really helps. Plus, the ones that were difficult or went wrong will be just as interesting.
I generally go by an extremely unscientific 'how worn out do they seem?' method. I find with trail shoes (which I wearing 90% of the time) the tread wears down so the grip goes or the upper gets holes long before the cushioning feels depleted. I think the rule of thumb is 300-500 miles, but I always wear them a bit longer than that and I normally end up demoting older pairs rather than getting rid of them entirely, e.g. wearing them on less technical trail once the grip is past its best. I do keep meaning to looking into resoling too.
Something I do find works to eek out their life is alternating between a few pairs. Apparently this means the foam can bounce back between uses. Also properly drying and cleaning them after wet/muddy runs between uses stops the fabric rotting (not alway great at practicing what I preach here but I did get a shoe dryer for Christmas which I'm exciting to use!).
Hi. Question: outside of the big events that you write about, what does a typical running week look like for you? Do you have a minimum weekly/monthly mileage to maintain fitness? Are there set distances that you regularly run for “fun”?
It tends to vary a lot (I'm not great at sticking to a plan!) but I try and run four times a week. I'd say most typically that looks like a couple of runs in the 3-6 mile region, one slightly longer say 7/8 miles and then a long run at the weekend. I like to go to parkrun on a Saturday morning so that's normally attempt at pushing myself to go a bit faster, but I'd love to get back to doing some proper interval training this year as it's something I totally neglected last year! Obviously if I'm specifically training for something longer that will all increase a bit and the long runs get longer. I can be quite injury prone though so I try and supplement running with walks (hillier the better) for more time on feet, rather than running tons of miles.
Ahhh I'm not sure. Never say never but I'm not in any big hurry to enter the 100+ mile territory. I'm quite injury prone (largely all my own fault for being rubbish at doing enough strength and mobility work) and I think I need to figure that out so I can train more miles, to have any chance of getting through something longer without it being totally miserable. It's one of those races I furiously dot watch on though, and would be really cool to be part of.
I haven't got my book with me where I've got them all written down but I think I'm on just over 100 now?! So over half way but all the ones I have left are in really inconvenient places. I've got a few faves. I LOVE the ridge that makes up half of the Kentmere Horseshoe, over Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick. Caw Fell overlooking Ennerdale is beautiful too (although I might be biased because I got an amazing day weather-wise). Then old faithful is Loughrigg. Only just 335m high so a relatively easy walk from Grasmere or Ambleside, but amazing at sunset.
Ooooh this is a tricky one. The first thing that comes to mind is such readily available internet access. I think the sweet spot was dial-up internet, so we could access information/communicate at home/work/in a specific setting but everybody wasn't so addicted to their phones and we weren't consuming it 24/7. So rather than totally erasing, I'd maybe just halt progress? Super interested to hear your thoughts though!
I'm rubbish with famous people but my non-famous are obviously Sophie Mac (I don't know anybody else as dedicated to a regime as she is) and Dave Downing (for being more easily persuadable to deviate from the regime).
Thanks so much Julie, that's really kind of you to say. It's out early Feb, and will be available to pre-order mid-Jan. Will obviously share more about this when it's happening!
Thank you Tim, really appreciate that. My top one is to get into a better routine with strength and conditioning/specifically ankle strength. I'm constantly rolling ankles which really gets in the way of running, so really want to work on that. My other main one is I want to make an effort to eat more ethical meat, so commit to mostly veggie meals at home and just occasionally buying meat from a better source, rather than lazily chucking chicken from Tesco in meals that don't need it. I also really want to finish a full draft of a new book, so I'll stick that down as a resolution too! Have you got any?
Are you planning another book about running? Would love a collection of pieces about various runs/challenges you have undertaken. I know you have blogged about some of them but a book anthology would be great.
I definitely think about this, it's just trying to work out a structure for it that would actually be interesting/people would want to read? I'm worried it would come across a bit braggy, like here's all the things I've done!
I don’t think it would seem braggy at all. You have always shared your doubts and fears in your writing, so even the most “successful” stories will have that sense of realism. And you have a sense of humour, which really helps. Plus, the ones that were difficult or went wrong will be just as interesting.
How often do you replace your trainers? And do you do it by mileage/months/some other method. Would be genuinely useful to get your advice
I generally go by an extremely unscientific 'how worn out do they seem?' method. I find with trail shoes (which I wearing 90% of the time) the tread wears down so the grip goes or the upper gets holes long before the cushioning feels depleted. I think the rule of thumb is 300-500 miles, but I always wear them a bit longer than that and I normally end up demoting older pairs rather than getting rid of them entirely, e.g. wearing them on less technical trail once the grip is past its best. I do keep meaning to looking into resoling too.
Something I do find works to eek out their life is alternating between a few pairs. Apparently this means the foam can bounce back between uses. Also properly drying and cleaning them after wet/muddy runs between uses stops the fabric rotting (not alway great at practicing what I preach here but I did get a shoe dryer for Christmas which I'm exciting to use!).
Hi. Question: outside of the big events that you write about, what does a typical running week look like for you? Do you have a minimum weekly/monthly mileage to maintain fitness? Are there set distances that you regularly run for “fun”?
It tends to vary a lot (I'm not great at sticking to a plan!) but I try and run four times a week. I'd say most typically that looks like a couple of runs in the 3-6 mile region, one slightly longer say 7/8 miles and then a long run at the weekend. I like to go to parkrun on a Saturday morning so that's normally attempt at pushing myself to go a bit faster, but I'd love to get back to doing some proper interval training this year as it's something I totally neglected last year! Obviously if I'm specifically training for something longer that will all increase a bit and the long runs get longer. I can be quite injury prone though so I try and supplement running with walks (hillier the better) for more time on feet, rather than running tons of miles.
Will we ever see you be a part of the Spine Race?
Ahhh I'm not sure. Never say never but I'm not in any big hurry to enter the 100+ mile territory. I'm quite injury prone (largely all my own fault for being rubbish at doing enough strength and mobility work) and I think I need to figure that out so I can train more miles, to have any chance of getting through something longer without it being totally miserable. It's one of those races I furiously dot watch on though, and would be really cool to be part of.
How many Wainwrights have you bagged so far,and which one gives you your favourite view from the summit?
I haven't got my book with me where I've got them all written down but I think I'm on just over 100 now?! So over half way but all the ones I have left are in really inconvenient places. I've got a few faves. I LOVE the ridge that makes up half of the Kentmere Horseshoe, over Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick. Caw Fell overlooking Ennerdale is beautiful too (although I might be biased because I got an amazing day weather-wise). Then old faithful is Loughrigg. Only just 335m high so a relatively easy walk from Grasmere or Ambleside, but amazing at sunset.
If you could erase one technological advancement from the world, what would it be?
Ooooh this is a tricky one. The first thing that comes to mind is such readily available internet access. I think the sweet spot was dial-up internet, so we could access information/communicate at home/work/in a specific setting but everybody wasn't so addicted to their phones and we weren't consuming it 24/7. So rather than totally erasing, I'd maybe just halt progress? Super interested to hear your thoughts though!
Who is your biggest inspiration? Famous and not famous.
I'm rubbish with famous people but my non-famous are obviously Sophie Mac (I don't know anybody else as dedicated to a regime as she is) and Dave Downing (for being more easily persuadable to deviate from the regime).
Really enjoy your blog and Instagram posts . When will your new book be published ?
Thanks so much Julie, that's really kind of you to say. It's out early Feb, and will be available to pre-order mid-Jan. Will obviously share more about this when it's happening!
Love your blog, Ellie. So, what New Year resolutions do we need to hold you down to?
Thank you Tim, really appreciate that. My top one is to get into a better routine with strength and conditioning/specifically ankle strength. I'm constantly rolling ankles which really gets in the way of running, so really want to work on that. My other main one is I want to make an effort to eat more ethical meat, so commit to mostly veggie meals at home and just occasionally buying meat from a better source, rather than lazily chucking chicken from Tesco in meals that don't need it. I also really want to finish a full draft of a new book, so I'll stick that down as a resolution too! Have you got any?
Excited for your new book! What are you doing for a living at the moment? I know you’re self employed- mainly just looking for inspiration 😅
Happy new year from Amsterdam