My Favourite Trail Running Routes in Newcastle and Gateshead

I will admit that I only really got into trail running when I got slightly bored of running the same 5k near my house that was pretty much just through the streets near my house. You can read a bit more about that over on my review about the ADIDAS WOMEN'S TERREX AGRAVIC BOOST GORE-TEX SHOE.

This blog post is going to tell you about 3 of my favourite trail running routes and 4 routes that I would love to try out soon. Some of the routes have set route that has become Park Runs or race routes and some of them are routes I found online or just created on my own. I will say that I am not a professional runner and these routes are just routes that I really enjoy doing. 

1.       Newburn to Wylam 10k Route (Here)

The Newburn to Wylam route is a beautiful route that was originally part of the wagon way up in the north east.  The route goes along the river and heads up to Wylam Bridge. When on the Newcastle side you want to make sure that you take the route that is further away from the river as this is the trail route not the pathed route. The route is flat and is very simple to co-ordinate around. The Wylam side of the route is along the river and is beautiful. The route works out at around 10K and is a very simple loop. You can go either way depending on how you feel. This route is not got any lighting so is definitely a day time route.

2.       Rising Sun Country Park (Here)

I recently did this route after taking part in the These Girls Can Park Run takeover. I have to say this is one of the most beautiful routes that I have done. The route is a 5k and like the Newburn to Wylam is a simple route. If you go along to the park run which is on every Saturday the route has Marshalls at a number of locations to keep you on route. Once you’ve done the route a few time you could definitely do this alone. The park is has not lighting so again like main trail running routes you would have to run it through the day or early morning.

3.       Benwell Dene/Denton Dene

This route I made on my own, the route starts on Scotswood road and leads up to Benwell Dene which is than a straight route up to Denton Dene which you can then follow up towards Broadway Primary School. This route is not all trails but I still thought it would be a good one to attach as the route if you do just 1 way is around 2.5 miles but there and back is 5 miles. The route is maybe not the most beautiful route and is unfortunately not all trails but for being in the middle of the city you can’t really go wrong plus if you’re new to trail running this is route could be a good route to try out.

I’m definitely on the look out for more trail runs to do in Newcastle and Gateshead

Bucket list of 10K I want to try in the North

Below I’ve listed a few other trails that I’m looking forward to trying out in the New Year when the days start to get a bit lighter. Even tho these trails are listed as races you could definitely do the route whenever you want.

Gibside 5K Park Run (Here)

Gateshead 10k Trail (Here) 

Kielder 10K (Here)

Derwent Park (still trying to find a route)

I hope you enjoyed this post and gives you a few ideas of where you could maybe go running and mix up you running routes. If you going to start trail running do take a look at my review on the Adidas women's terrex agravic boost gore-tex shoe that will be great for starting your trail running journey.

Last Run of the Year.

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Well, I've done my last run of the year. GO ME! If you had asked me this time last year if I would be able to do as much running as I do now I would have laughed in your face. This blog post is looking back on my small running achievement I've made this year.

When I look back I've achieved a lot more than I ever thought I would. Here is a list of the small and big running achievement I've made this year.

1. Boxing Day 2014 signed up to run the Great North Run for the Guide Dogs UK
2. New Years day ran my first full mile.
3. February I ran my first 3 miles in 41 minutes.
4.  July ran 3 times in one week.
5. August ran my furtherest ever run alone of 7 miles in 1 hour and 30 minutes
6. Started volunteering with Active Newcastle at there running clubs
7. September I ran THE GREAT RUN which is 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 50 minutes. Also raising £175 for Guide Dogs ( ONE OF MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE)
8. December I did my Running Leadership course meaning that I can now official run my own running club.
9.  Through working with Active Newcastle I was able to helped 10 people do a full 10 week beginners running program meaning that they were able to run 3 miles at the end of the 10 weeks.
10. I've ran once a week every week for 5 months.

Can we please talk about how crazy that list is. It shocks me to see my own improvement let alone helping other people get into running. I've had massive ups and downs when it comes to running. Me and running had a love hate relationship but now I think it's more of a love relationship.

I've got a blog post going up soon about what I think about alone running vs group running and the difference it made to my running journey. Why not leave me a comment about what your biggest achievement of the year has been.

Fitness Gift Guide: UNDER £10

Sources are below

Hey guys,

I thought I would do a little fitness gift guide. I'm not huge Christmas fan but I do like gift giving. I can never afford to spend tonnes of money at Christmas so I always try and find gift that a person actually really wants or needs. 

The items I've put on this list are items that I would love for Christmas either in my stocking or as a present.

1. Mpow Running Sport Sweatproof Armband + Key Holder - £6.99 (In Sale)

I am remember when I got my first arm band when I started running and OMG it saved my life and my phone screen. I like the Mpow band because it is has a special sweatproof material band and they have added a velcro piece that stops sweat and moisture getting inside the band to your moblie which is essential in the British weather. It has a clear front which I like as it means if your using it out and about you can see your mileage or speed without having to pull it out to check it. The armband is made for a number of phone models so it is defiantly a good option to have a look into.

2. Spikey Massage Ball - 7 cm = £3.84

I think a Massage ball is a good stocking filler for people who have the new year running bug. I was given one of these from a lady that does my massages and it has really changed my life. These balls are great if your prone to tight and uncomfortable muscle as these little things are great at releasing that tension. It is available in 2 sizes I prefer the 7 cm as it great for getting right into the muscle.

3. NYKKOLA Sports Cup Water Fruit Infuser Bottle = £3.99

I think this type of water bottle defiantly became a bigger thing in 2015. I've even asked for one of these for Christmas, the point of this bottle is that you are able to put in fruit, vegetable and natural ingredients and flavor you water without bits of ingredients being left in your drink. With this bottle you are able to take out the infuser and make it just a water bottle if you prefer it that way. I like putting lemon in my water and it also has helped me to drink more water. The price is pretty low so the quality wont be amazing but I think if you are just using it as a simple water bottle to take to work or to the gym I think it would be great choice. The bottle does come in a million and one colours which I love as it means you can get something slightly more different from your typical black and white water bottle.

4. MiraFit 15mm Extra Thick Excercise Floor Mat = £9.99

Mats are always a great present for any type of fitness freak like myself. The reason I chose the Mirafit out of every other brand out there is because it is extra think, I've had a number of mats in the past that are just to thin and move around a lot. This mat is 15mm thick meaning it will be comfortable on your feet and hands if you do yoga and won't slide around when your jumping around doing burpees. It comes in 3 colours and comes with a strap (LIFE SAVER) which is great for taking to classes or even to take camping.

5. Fitness Mad Neo Dumbbell - £3.99 for a pair of 0.5kg

Dumbbell are dumbbells at the end of the day we all know what there for. The reason I've put this in my gift guide is for people that you know that might be scared a of weights. I have had many female friends in the past that hated the thought of lifting weights so I mentioned using really light weights just so they could get used to the thought of lifting weights now they lift weights like there is no tomorrow. If you know anyone that might have had an upper body injury this might be a good gift for them to get back into working out. Dumbbells are always a great present just make sure you don't get a weight that is to heavy for the person your buying.

What do you guys think of this gift guide. Tell me below if you would buy any of these items for your family members or friends defiantly tell me below. Why not tell me other items that are under £10 which you think I should add to my list.

I hope you enjoy reading this post and it's given you some last minute ideas.
Hope to see soon.
Love Melissa