**Intro to off road running and map reading**
An introductory course for those wishing to expand their repertoire and think about a forray to "the dark side".
Saturday 21st April 9.30 - 11.30.
Meet at Trawden rec
The aim of this course is to introduce runners, old and new, to the enjoyment of running off road.
We will look at some basic map work, kit and planning of an off road run. The session will be some simple map skills and then a basic map-reading run, giving you the chance to work out how to plan a suitable route and where to go on your off road adventures. It is also likely (although not guaranteed) to improve your general attractiveness as you are able to wax lyrical about the joys of off-road running and generally being in the countryside. We might even identify the occasional flower or geological feature
Seriously - this is designed for helping folks make the step off the roads. It will be a slow and steady morning out, with plenty of time for chatting and reflection. Then aim is that you leave feeling able to take yourself out away from roads and traffic and make the most of our local countryside. It should also give you the confidence to come out on some of the Wednesday evening session if that's your bag - or even do some fell races.
You will need clothing appropriate for hanging about/running for a couple of hours in whatever the weather is doing and a good sense of humour (you will probably get lost). We'll spend the first 40 minutes or so looking at maps and then go on a run for about 90 minutes, covering up to 10km in that time.