KS4 · Physical education · Year 10
Trail running
Outdoor adventurous activities: outdoor pursuits and team challenges
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can adapt my style to safely navigate a range of terrains during a run or walk.
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Trail running: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can adapt my style to safely navigate a range of terrains during a run or walk.
Key learning points
- Move: engage your core and leg muscles for better stability and control on uneven surfaces.
- Move: keep a slight forward lean to maintain balance and control, especially on downhill sections.
- Think: access to a range of environments, open space and nature supports positive mental health.
- Feel: setting individual targets on distance or speed allows all participants to appreciate the environment around them.
- Connect: a running buddy can increase enjoyment and provide support in case of an accident.
Words to know
- pacing
- adjust your pace according to the trail's difficulty, slowing down on inclines and technical sections
- terrain awareness
- stay alert to obstacles like rocks, roots and uneven ground to avoid tripping or injury
- scanning
- combining the monitoring of the terrain in front of you with taking in the wider environment for aesthetic appreciation
Common mistakes
Pupils think that fast running throughout will be the best pace to use in trail running.
Using smart pacing means the pupils can use variable speeds, across different terrain, to keep safe, save engery and complete the run.
For parents, carers and teachers
- If your school allow off-site visits, complete a risk assessment in advance and take your pupils to an outdoor space where you have access to undulating routes and a variety of terrains such as grass, gravel and footpaths. Ensure correct footwear for these activities.