Starting a thread to generally share the experiences of trail running. We have a good thread going in shoes on trail shoes. So equipment discussion can be elsewhere. But in here let's hear about the great places you have found, wildlife you have seen, and funny experiences.

I'll start by asking who runs at night off road? I do and when I mentioned to a colleague that I didn't take a mobile or tell people where I was going they said "have you seen 127 hours". I am getting a spare mobile sorted and must print some routes off so I can tell my wife I am doing route A or B etc.

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Shoes : Trail--> Mizuno Harrier 3, Vivo Barefoot Trail, Brooks Cascadia 6, More Mile Cheviot, Adidas XT4

I've got loads of great trails near me - I get to pass medieval castles, 17th Century Hunting Lodges and David Livinstone's birthplace.

I'll need to post some photos.

My wife worries enough already when I go road running at night let alone off road.

I always carry a mobile and now I've got a headtorch I will be heading out onto the south downs to test out just how good (or bad) it is.

I'm just about to buy a bag (Inov8 Race Pro 18) for my ultra next year and when I run home from work.

Which headtorch did you get Darren?
I got a cheap Alpkit Gamma. Been working lates so havn't had to use it yet.

It's a US branded torch, http://princetontec.com/?q=fuel. I was given some company incentive scheme points and picked a few things and the head torch seemed a good idea, worst case it's cost me nothing and I can use it to change lightbulbs

It was more to see if I ever use it, if I use it enough then I'll buy a better one (assuming this one is rubbish).

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Target 38:30 10k, 18:30 5k

hard not to run at night with the dark nights and work. I am blessed with unploughed stubble fields around me so i run after work (in the dark!) with a petzl headtorch, inovat8 mudclaw -and a big dog!

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GOALS- SUB 40 MIN 10k (done 40;43 Jedburgh) done 39:12 at galashiels!! goal now sub 39 min 10k
SUB 19 MIN 5K (Done 18:54 eyemouth 5k)
first half marathon at the great north this year 1:32:35 no bad!
Just beat that at the jedburgh half, 1:28:50 well pleased.

As I'm retired I don't need to run offroad in the dark. Occasionally compete in the dark

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"If you want to be a runner, run a 100 metres: if you want to experience another life, run a marathon"
Emil Zatopek

Will be interested to see how u get on fella! Its something I've often thought about but never got around to.

Oh a thread for Mr Twinnies, he did his first trail/fell run on Wednesday and loved it!

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"It's not on the smooth days that you find out what you're made of, it's when it all falls apart and things seem to go wrong at every turn". Wise words from Miss Lilyloo.

just a hint of jealousy over here

I now have an emergency phone setup, an old handset with £10 worth of credit on Orange. Now need to print my two main routes and put them somewhere so my wife has my routes. I tend to stick to only 2 or so routes at night. I find being in a farming area I have to adjust so I don't go through certain places at night due to loose dogs. The level of adrenaline from hearing the pitter patter of a Rottweiler in a farmyard is more than the body can take

Round here also we've just come off the cattle season, they are all in barns now. But the mud in a lot of fields is a toxic combination of mud and cow poo/wee, which is pretty corrosive of running shoe material.

One funny story not so recent. I turned the corner of a forest off a road sometime last year to find a car parked up and a pair of bare cheeks in the windscreen followed by a rapid pulling up of trousers! The lady underneath did not conceal how amusing she found the situation, and of course had me chuckling for several miles about the new "wildlife" I had spotted. I daresay that might not be the chaps kinky hideaway of choice any more!

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Shoes : Trail--> Mizuno Harrier 3, Vivo Barefoot Trail, Brooks Cascadia 6, More Mile Cheviot, Adidas XT4

Think everybody knows how much I enjoy running off-road... ....

Night runs with the head torch are great, especially if its misty and/or there`s snow on the ground... Scanning for eyes and being hooted at by owls... great fun..

Ro, when you gonna show me one of your great routes? I'm down your way 19th December, you around? Send me a PM and we could arrange to meet up.

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Shoes : Trail--> Mizuno Harrier 3, Vivo Barefoot Trail, Brooks Cascadia 6, More Mile Cheviot, Adidas XT4

I've never been offraod in the dark. Not something I really fancy, TBH.

I did the same a couple of years ago, I banged on the car roof as it was really blocking the track
- bloke's head shot up and he banged it on the car roof - I didn't hang around to see any firther reactions!

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"If you want to be a runner, run a 100 metres: if you want to experience another life, run a marathon"
Emil Zatopek

It can be amazing Grant, sometimes I find it more enjoyable than running during daylight hours....

Theres a nightime orienteering event not far from here in a couple of weeks, going to pop along because it should be great to watch...