Make the most of your training with TRAIL 21.
This issue is filled with training advice: from making the most of every session with two simple rules, to using trail to prepare for road marathons and using natural movements to get stronger every day.
Take a closer look at your hip position to run efficiently in the second Under the Microscope article from running coach Sean Tait.
Relive South Africa’s biggest races from the last few months, and get the scoop on recent international events where South Africans waved our flag.
Embrace leafy wonderlands in spring with seven forest trails in four provinces.
For more inspiration, read about our cover athlete Kane Reilly‘s trail journey. This young and quick Salomon athlete hasn’t just trained hard to achieve his podiums: he has overcome auto-immune arthritis.
There’s tons more: discover it all as you immerse yourself in the pages of TRAIL 21, available here as a back issue.
What else is waiting inside TRAIL 21?
Reader experiences
- Take a peek into the lives of other trail runners in our reader photos section.
- Read about Nic Quinn’s recovery from an ankle snap to trail-addict on the letters page.
- Find out how to be the best second with Karoline Hanks, in her hilarious, illustrated 12-point guide.
- Should trail running be an Olympic sport? TRAIL readers share their strong views.
Locations
- Get your workout in lush forests across South Africa, from Alexandria Forest in the Eastern Cape, to Karkloof in KZN, and Outeniqua in the Western Cape.
- Catch up with South Africans racing across the globe: Armand du Plessis in Andorra, Lucky Miya in Spain, Thabang Madiba in Madagascar, Meg Mackenzie and Kane Reilly in Switzerland, Patrick Willcock, Misty Weyer, Anthony Rush Ryan Sandes, and Jock Green at Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, Hayley Preen and Chris Strydom in Italy, and AJ Calitz in Namibia.
People
- In attempt to tackle some amazing trails without the costs, pressure, isolation, or men associated with races, Kim van Kets and Lucille van der Merwe created Wild Women on the Run: a Wild Coast journey with a small group of excellent women.
- AJ Calitz had been flirting with the Fish River Canyon Trail fastest known time (FKT) for a few years before dedicating himself to the challenge, and setting a new record.
- Mount Everest is the final peak to be conquered in Kilian Jornet‘s Summits of My Life project. Find out why his team abandoned the speed attempt after three weeks of successful acclimitisation.
Jamie Marais has set himself a task: inspire people to change their mindset about what is possible, and raise money for the Sabrina Love Foundation by completing physical feats he dubs his Four Giants. The first: a record number of summits of Table Mountain in two days.- The future of South African Skyrunning is in the hands of Chris Strydom and Hayley Preen. Find out what 19-year-old Chris learned during the Youth Skyrunning Championships in Italy.
Training
Take your training sessions to the max with Coach Neville’s Law of Three and Six, ensuring that you get the highest gains in the shortest possible time.- Thinking of tackling a major road marathon? That doesn’t mean you abandon the trails. Find out how coach Maurtitz van Rensburg, Bennie Roux, and Kerry-Ann Marshall used trail running to train for the Boston Marathon, Comrades, and Two Oceans.
- Get your running form right, correcting your hip-position for maximum efficiency. This is the second installment of Sean Tait’s Under the Microscope series.
- Get strength and co-ordination with simple natural movement exercises from trainer Peri Zourides. The exercises are so simple, and take so little time from your day, but can have a major impact on your strength and co-ordination.
Experiences
- Hear from Bev and Richard Attfield at Team Eat.Run.See. They ran through the Peak District in the UK as part of their three-year vegan globe-running adventure.
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Mountain-goats-in-training look towards Rhino Peak in the Southern Drakensberg at the second Mountain Camp by TRAIL magazine. photo Heloise Hunter/TRAIL magazine 
TRAIL held its second Mountain Camp. Take a gander at their snowy adventure up Rhino Peak.
- The soul of trail running lives in Knysna. Discover the magic of Trail Town: a week-long trail festival encompassing the Featherbed Trail Run, Phantom Night Forest Run, and an array of Free-Range Runs. Kyle Smith ran every single event, and he can tell you exactly what it was like.
Nutrition
- Ever wondered what fruitarians actually eat? Trail runner Lourens van der Colf has been fruity for 17 years, and he’ll tell you exactly what he eats and how much. Nutritionists also weigh-in.
- Make your own sauerkraut with a recipe from Ian Craig’s book: Wholesome Nutrition.
- Figure out which protein powder is best for you, or if it’s even necessary to supplement your intake of this macronutrient with Lucy Etherton: there’s way more than just whey!
Body smart
- You might be surprised at the parameters we have for maintaining or losing strength. Find out how many days or weeks you can stay inactive before your fitness suffers with an article by Dr Mirkin.
- The shoes you wear during the week may be causing the injuries you experience on the trails. Podiatraist Nelfrie Kemp explains what shoes cause trouble and what to wear instead!
Gear
- Cut out page 78 and have it laminated! This is the ultimate packing list for stage races, from run kit to earplugs.
- This issue features a selection of some of the most popular options available right now, from Brooks, First Ascent, Hi-Tec, K-Way, Newton, Salomon, and The North Face brands.
Events
We look back at some of the bigger trail races that have taken place in South Africa, including Rhodes Run, Salomon Bastille Day, the Ultra Trail Championship at Hout Bay Trail Challenge, the Crazy Store 1,000 Hills Challenge, RCS Southern Cross (SOX), Wolkberg Trail Run, Mandela Day Trail Run, and Mont-aux-Sources Challenge.- There are 145 events lined up from October to May 2017 from across South Africa, and internationally. Get the details and start lining them up with the help of our calendar!
Planet
- Find out why Xavier Briel joined Pete and Cara Reynolds on bicycles, while Davey du Plessis and Jabu Tjeko ran 1,000km in Xavier’s Project 1,000.
- Discover the benefits of removing plantations and allowing the native flora to take over with ecologist Lauren Booth and botanist Zoe Poulsen.
- TRAIL sets out nine challenges to help save the earth. Take them on!
About
TRAIL magazine became South Africa’s first print publication dedicated to the booming worldwide activity of trail running in December 2011.
Since then the mag continues to enlighten its growing readership with the best places to run, the most suitable gear and the most popular trail running events from every angle; visiting the Himalayas, Sahara Desert, Amazon and many local trails, including the famed Otter African Trail Run, the Fish River Canyon Ultra, and the Salomon Skyrun.
Buy TRAIL magazine
TRAIL retails for R58 (print) in 600+ outlets countrywide.
So where do you find TRAIL? SA’s only trail running print magazine is available at CNA, Clicks, SPAR, Pick n Pay, Exclusive Books, Sportsmans Warehouse, and specialist sports retailers nationwide.
The digital version is available on the App Store and Zinio for iPad, Android, iPhone, laptop and desktop devices in single issue and four issue subscriptions.
TRAIL is also available through Magzter.
All back issues are available here, as a single issue or a package deal.
