This was the first time my housemates and I had ever tried trail running. It was also the first trail race of half the people I spoke to in the queue for the last minute nervous wees. But as with many running events, the veterans around did their best to reassure and encourage us. One pair of women told us that we’d be back next year for round two and that there was no pressure as they’d definitely be bringing up the rear.

One thing that always puts me off even trying trails is the question of shoes. I don’t own trail shoes and I didn’t want to buy a pair before I’d done an event. At this race, however, Adidas had come with a haul of Terrex Speed running shoes and we were able to swap our clean road runners for new, flashy shoes. Given how muddy and difficult some of the terrain was, I thanked Adidas continuously for most of the race – particularly when I misjudged a puddle and plunged up to my ankle in mud. All I had to do was leave my own shoes and a bank card back at the site and I could get this pair as muddy and battered as I liked. I’m now seriously tempted to buy a pair myself… but I’m going to need to sign up for a few more trail events first!

Learn to love running: what an inclusive trail race taught me about enjoying every run