Back in March inov-8 launched a competition with a very special prize: the chance to be part of Team #GetAGrip. This international team was to be made up of 7 highly enthusiastic trail runners, who would get the opportunity to test out new kit and spend 4 days in the Lakes, learning some tips and tricks from top inov-8 athletes, and doing the Skiddaw Fell Race.
The 7 athletes have now been announced and the runner from the UK was Cat Simpson, who some of you might know as the recent winner (and new course record holder) of the Grand Union Canal Race. The Team Get A Grip weekend took place last weekend and we spoke to Cat about her experiences.
On Saturday we visited inov-8 HQ in Staveley to be kitted out in inov-8 gear and hear all about the latest products available, before being taken out on to the nearby hills at Loughrigg Fell for a fell running masterclass with inov-8 athletes Ben Mounsey, Ben Abdelnoor and Mary Wilkinson, focussing on techniques that would come in useful for taking on the Skiddaw Fell race the following day. We ran up hills and threw ourselves back down again, with a few stunts and flying ninjas in between.
Ben Abdelnoor grabs some air and Cat gets ready for take-off
In the evening we were entertained by local fell running legend Kenny Stuart, the course record holder of the Skiddaw Fell race, who presented a room of captivated Strava addicts with his handwritten training journal from his days as a road and fell champion.
On Sunday came the opportunity for Team Get a Grip to put our tips and gear into action at the Skiddaw Fell race, joining 136 other runners at this classic Lake District event over nine miles of rocky trails, taking in Skiddaw's 3,054ft summit. The race involved a challenging climb with views over the surrounding hills and lakes and a tougher descent (IMHO!) into race HQ at Keswick Running Club, for tea, cake and prize giving, then mandatory evening celebrations which involved Ben Mounsey introducing Team Get a Grip to the fine Lake District delicacy that is Kendal Mint Cake liqueur.
Cat and her fellow Get A Grip team members
