"Those two just work so well together, what a cracking day."
A snippet from a conversation after a day’s training in the Peaks with Becki and Kelvin from Wild Souls Running Collective – a short but sweet comment that just about nails what they do so well.
Disclaimer (I have had the privilege to know and be friends with these two for a long while now, which in every way emphasises the below!)
Both outdoor experts in a wide and varying range of fields, from kayaking and climbing to ski touring and trail running, Becki and Kelvin have been starting to condense their considerable knowledge and skills in the last few years towards running and ultra trail running, having both found a love of running stupidly long distances. Constantly researching and discovering the best ways to enhance their own performances, they have been sharing this with other runners – from real beginners who are literally just starting running, through those already in clubs who want to improve their technique and beyond to other mad folk like themselves who love combining the countryside and mountains with ultra long distance runs.
I met Kelvin through Becki a while back, and he had the (unfortunate!) pleasure of ensuring I got back on the water safely in a kayak after 20 odd years’ gap – not an easy task! I learnt quickly then that his foundational understanding of skills and how to transfer these to students in a way that sticks is second to none. His passion for running and sharing this knowledge is no different – he is a sponge and soaks up all the research, technical details and skills relating to the whole approach to running and drops nuggets into his sessions, at just the right level, building up the students personal understanding as they go. Becki is a machine and again, has such a strong background here of personal experience and knowledge that shines through, having raced in the Dragon Back’s, the UTMB and led many Tour du Mont Blanc’s. It is a total pleasure to watch her doing her thing – leading groups and incorporating skills work, having that depth of knowledge and skill to hone in on areas the students need from watching their work and inspiring them to push that bit further.
Becki started the session and after a quick brief and kit check with some Nav work – maps and compasses at the go and once they’d taken bearings and started running, I took a short wander across to the lake to catch them towards the end of their session. I’d love to join in – not sure I’d ever be saying that about running but at the minute, my head says yes but my body says no – needs an override me thinks! After a nice rest – for me atleast! – the group appeared, stopping for a while to do some more micro nav and then made their way across the moorland to pass in front of me – good planning there!
A de-brief and questions on the Nav work and lunch time in the carpark, followed by a quick drink at the cafe before Kelvin took over and they headed onto the moorland around Burbage and Higger Tor for some technique work. The sun had come out and the temperatures had settled at a much more comfortable level for me to enjoy while waiting for them to run by! The sunlight was beautiful under trees by the brook and more runners were out in force in the Hathersage Hurtle.
