Thank you for being so awesome a person. I appreciate your encouragement, dedication and wisdom. Blessing, my friend.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nancy :)

Darren your vids are immense and inspiring buddy, keep em coming. 🏃🏃💪💪

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chad, appreciate that :)

You did a great Job Darren! Top 10 is never a bad thing! Next race will be better I am sure! I have found both the Xtalon 255 and the Ultra just a bit dead when you want to pick up some pace. Both shoes ok for training in the mud, but even then they holding too much water! Recently using the Adidas Terrex Speed SG which are amazingly light and draining perfectly! Condition like you had on the race just need a pair of neopren socks and off you go! Fast responsive shoes, and accommodating my wide forefoot well too! Keep up the good work! All the best!!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Yes its something I wouldn't have turned down a few years back, but my form is so much better than the performance...important thing is to recognise that and not dwell there were reasons for it and that's OK, just need to get back running again now. Interesting on the Terrex Speed SG I have found all the Terrex range a little uncomfortable so far unfortunately.

Cracking video ..well done on the race..really tough conditions so you did great 👍

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon it was probably as bad as it gets underfoot, looking forward to spring 🤣

Unlucky Darren, this race will make you stronger for sure the need to train on the hills is priceless for fell races.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, just need to get over this injury and crack on with the hilly stuff now

Clears the mind.

Well done Darren, take the positives from the day and move on, looks to me like you ran really well but just needing some endurance which is sure to come once your back on the Moors 👍 well done and another really good honest vlog

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Matthew, the move on part is very relevant its important not to dwell on bad races which is what this was...the result certainly wasn't indicative of my form recently in training but that's OK, it happens and important part now is recovering from the injury and back to training as soon as poss to set things right.

Thanks for another great and honest video, I think you did amazing, it is all relative if I ran that fast in those conditions I'd been over the moon. Your out their doing it which is better than 99%. Wishing you a speedy recovery

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gemma, just not what I know I am capable of but on the day with the knee maybe it was...still nursing the knee which is a big spanner in the works but these things happen.

A beautiful video Darren, thank you for bringing us the moors. Super effort

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

Another belting video! Truth is rarely spoken these days but to come out and say it wasn't the best for you on the day gives you major plus points and why I and many others enjoy your videos. Keep your head up mate!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Chris, always wanted the channel to be 'real' and relatable as easy to fall into the smiley trap of its all OK on screen...its taken 5 weeks to recover from the knee injury unfortunately so now a mad scramble to regain my fitness for the 3 Peaks. Won't be where I wanted but hoping to salvage enough to at least challenge last years time.

Well done Darren, I couldn't even dream of running at your pace, but I understand very well the frustration of feeling that you had more to give. I hope your knee recovers soon.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kim, the knee is still an issue and unfortunately looks like it may be taking any chance of a good time at 3 Peaks but these things happen, its about acceptance and moving forward once my body allows now.

Getting out on the trails on your own is one of my favourite things. It's hard to beat, even when it's like a boggy swamp in places! :) I tend to wear my cap backwards when it's that windy lol. Very interesting points about the role of the mind in these situations. Will be interested to see what you learn from the book. 8th is a great effort anyway dude! Onwards and upwards. Careful with those bins!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Its easy to forget how much you enjoy the trails when its been a while focussing on other stuff, I certainly forgot how much I needed it. Mad how its always the mundane activities that cause the worst injuries.

You did amazing mate 💪🏻 don't be disheartened. For mental strength think of all the training and all the amazing things you've done. Keep telling yourself how strong you are and no one can touch you. Come back stronger for the next one. You'll smash it buddy!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Aaron, one thing I do take mental strength from is the training especially been coached, just about getting in the right frame of mind to dig deep.

Great video Darren…well done on a proper hoofin effort in tough conditions !

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate, proper Fell race that 😊

So many things need to go right for a race to go well, when it goes wrong it's always good mental training. Even minor injuries really mess with you.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more, its a fine line and I think thats part of the appeal but always something to learn from the bad ones.

Great video Darren, tough conditions out there!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers and well raced you were moving well!

You did fantastic mate in them conditions . Really appreciate what you are doing

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers, hopefully the knee settles soon and can get back at it.

Well done

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Stu 😊

Great vid. Thanks

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul

Great video and well done on 8th place. Hope knee is OK

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

Great video mate. We very often forget the mental side of a niggle or injury and exactly as you say, the brain can switch on "protection mode" to prevent further damage. Hope you get the knee sorted. 👌

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed mate, I think its quite hard to relate to this unless you're at the business end of a race (as you usually are.) And thats not to sound bad to those who aren't but you've got to dig to a whole other place when racing and it wasn't until this race I realised the brains role in this. Knee is still knackered so a spanner in the works unfortunately, just grasping at not losing the fitness.

@BanjoStu

2 жыл бұрын

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning I have a 20 mile trail race on Saturday and think I'll be digging deep on that one.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Great good luck mate!

Great video, Darren. I read a recent interview which said that 50% of performance is psychological…in the grand scheme of things I’m sure it’s not that high, but it’s certainly a massive factor so that book should do some good. Hope the knee sorts itself out and you keep pushing

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it certainly plays a big role, still waiting for the knee to mend unfortunately.

@bobmckenzie394

2 жыл бұрын

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning oh absolutely. I think I should have added a caveat, keep pushing (as much as your body allows). Haha

Well done Darren, what a great environment to be running in, I do hope you will take some positives out of the race. I'm curious to know if you use a running coach? As a trainee coach I have been encouraged to be very thoughtful about athlete goals and expectations. Is this something you have thought about? I am not sure if comparing yourself to other athletes is very helpful, but instead looking at measured progress in terms of your own strength, fitness and technique, and then letting these developments lead into improved performance? Your thoughts would be welcome; I am only learning, and I don't have a full picture, but really keen to understand more. Good luck!

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David. Yes I do have a coach, a very good coach called Jayson Cavill. He is constantly trying to manage my goals/expectations and general mental side as it has caused issues in the past, learnt a lot on this side from him. The comparison to other Athletes was a fleeting one and taking into account people I would not be behind on a normal day, just as I did not feel able to push myself as I would on a normal raceday. I think this massively comes down to the individual in a coaching sense and that may be the hard part to implement from your side with your clients. Jayson is very good at reading and understanding people on a deep level. And a big part of this is understanding what is driving someone...I am sometimes guilty of wanting to 'compete' which in its nature leads to unhelpful comparisons, but in Sundays race the comparisons were to people I'd have been a long way ahead of had my real form come out, not merely competing with, and I think theres a difference here...my coach for instance recognised this and said he knows my form and this was not it, on another day if my expectations were not helpful he'd have taken a different tact. Hope this helps.

Darren. I have a wide foot and I wear custom orthotics. Im looking for a good runner that fits wide in the midfoot and also the toebox. I also need a rocker profile. I find Hoka fits narrow, even in the wide fit. Have you tried any other rockers? Thanks

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Hi mate, I personally have a medium width foot but use custom orthotics to raise my arch and help with pronation...it could be worth considering the Scott Supertrac RC, those have a rocker system and worked for me. Other option if you like the idea of Hoka is trying their wide fit maybe?

@gilbert2303

2 жыл бұрын

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning i find the Hoka wide fit is still too narrow in the midfoot for me.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

You may be struggling across the board then as its quite an exact spec you need, I don't know any company who make a shoe with rocker system and THAT wide. Inov-8's Trailfly G 270 would be good for width if you can get on with the zero drop but no rocker system.

get some more great vids out mate

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning

2 жыл бұрын

Hoping to have something out next week for the 3 Peaks mate...bit more detailed in the build up this time so hopefully a better watch.