Trail Talk: Ultras aren’t just long marathons (we checked) 🏔️
Trail Talk | October 2026
Session one of the ultra course happened on Thursday and I’m still buzzing, the clocks go back next weekend (which means extra hour in bed, then a whole lot more head torch time), Halloween is creeping up on us with some very silly runs planned, and the Lake District camp is properly open now. Oh, and the kit bit, because I promised myself I’d never forget the kit bit.
This week on the trails 🌲
All the details are in the listings at the bottom as always, so just a quick roll call from me. Five of you are booked for Kesgrave parkrun and the trail loop on Saturday, five for the Martlesham 10km social on Wednesday, and two brave souls for the Jimmy’s Farm 10 miler on Sunday 25th (the clocks go back that morning, so that’s a bonus hour and no excuses). Levington on Tuesday and Monday’s daytime 6km are looking a bit lonely though, so if you’re coming, or even just thinking about it, please hit book so the run leaders know how many of you to expect.
The ultra course is off! 🎒
Thank you to everyone who came along to SeaYou in Felixstowe on Thursday for session one. Watching a room full of people go from “I could never” to “hmm, actually...” in about ninety minutes is one of my favourite things ever, and you should all have your homework in your inbox by now (yes, there’s homework, I’m sorry, but also not sorry), and been added to the private (already very active!) slack channel.
Next Thursday, 22nd October at 18:30, is Training Essentials, where we get into why ultra training isn’t just marathon training with more miles stuck on the end, and the week after that is Fuelling For Hours, which is basically me talking about snacks for ninety minutes and calling it science. If you missed the start, don’t panic, the sessions are still bookable one at a time, and they’re open to non-members too, so drag along that mate who keeps going quiet whenever someone mentions the word ultra.
The race simulation on 19th November is still very much happening and still very much bookable on its own. Treasure hunt goes race, aid stations, kit check, a leg where things go wrong on purpose and a debrief with snacks. You don’t need to have done any of the other sessions to come and play.
Spooky season is coming 🎃
Not this week but definitely worth getting in your diary now: Tuesday 27th is the 5k your way Halloween special from Eastward Ho car park at 18:30, and I want costumes, proper ones, I may well be judging. Then Wednesday 28th we’re heading into Rendlesham Forest at 18:30 for the Spooky Evening 10km, which in the dark, in a forest, at Halloween, is about as atmospheric as running gets. Saturday 31st is the Woodbridge to Westerfield point to point, where we hop on the train and run ourselves home, and that one’s filling up nicely already.
Lake District Run Camp is open ⛰️
The waitlist had their head start and now the Lake District Run Camp, 7th to 10th May 2027, is open to everyone. Four days of Lakeland 50 and 100 recces based at Rookhow Bunkhouse in the Rusland Valley, with guided runs, accommodation, all your meals, workshops and yoga, and you can pick three nights or two. You absolutely don’t need to be doing the Lakeland race to come, you just need to fancy a few days of hills, good food and our lot. Members get a discount, non-members are very welcome, and there are only 10 spots left! So, if you’ve been umming and ahhing, this is your sign.
Kit corner 👕
THE CLUB SHOP IS OPEN!! And I can’t stress this enough, it only opens twice a year, so this is your moment. It’s open until Saturday 31st October and then the doors shut again until next time, so if you’ve been eyeing up a hoodie for the winter or fancy being the one everyone can spot on a dark trail in a green ITR top, now is the time. Whatever you’re after, get your order in before the 31st, and anything we need to order in for you will take around 8 weeks once the shop closes, so it should be with you in time for Christmas. Miss the window though and you’re waiting until the next one, and I will be very smug about having warned you. With head torch season here and Christmas lists not far off (sorry, I said it), go and treat yourself, or drop some very heavy hints to someone who loves you.
That’s all from me 💚
Thank you, as always, for being the loveliest bunch of trail weirdos I could ever have hoped to run with. Pack your head torch, book your runs, dig out your Halloween costume, and if you’ve got any questions about the course, the camp or the kit, just give me a shout on Slack.
See you on the trails,
Emma & Team ITR
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This Week's Club Events:
Daytime 6km from Jimmy's Farm
Mon 19 Oct
Wherstead
🌿 Mud, miles, and post-run coffee, what more do you need? Join us for a 6k trail adventure from Jimmy’s Farm.. Trails, laughs, and good coffee guaranteed.
🌙 5k your way – Beginners 5K Trail Run (The Ship, Levington)
Tue 20 Oct
Levington
A gentle 5K trail run from The Ship in Levington. Build night running confidence with headtorches. Walk/run welcome – finish back at the pub. ///projects.chuck.levels
Martlesham 10km Social
Wed 21 Oct
Martlesham
///intestine.leathers.rushed Fancy a proper midweek reset? We’re heading out on a Martlesham route for a 10km social trail run: relaxed pace, lots of chat, and plenty of regroup points so nobody gets left behind.
2. Your First Ultra: Training Essentials
Thu 22 Oct
SeaYou Cafe & Restaurant
Marathon training and ultra training aren't the same job, even if they look similar on paper. This session is where we pull apart what actually needs to change in how you build toward the distance, so you're not just doing more of what you already know and hoping it holds up.
Jimmy’s Farm 10 Mile Trail Run
Sun 25 Oct
Wherstead
🌿 Mud, miles, and post-run brekkie; what more do you need? Join us for a 10 mile trail adventure from Jimmy’s Farm.. Trails, laughs, and good coffee guaranteed.
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