Townshend Performance BLOG

Preparing for hilly races while living in a flat region might feel impossible, but with the right strategy it’s entirely achievable. After a decade of coaching runners from low-elevation areas around the world, we’ve developed proven methods to build the strength, confidence and efficiency needed to excel on demanding courses in the UK and abroad — all without daily access to hills.

Discover why British fell running is considered the most competitive form of racing—combining fitness, navigation, risk, and mountain skill in its purest form.

Off-road running reshapes every part of how you move, think and train. Hills demand strength, technique and judgement—yet give back confidence, resilience and long-term enjoyment. When you understand why the mountains change everything, you can train for decades of rewarding, sustainable running.

A Brief History of the Race: The Three Peaks Race The Three Peaks Race - often called “the marathon with mountains” - has been a cornerstone of British fell running since 1954. Starting and finishing in the beautiful village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the race takes in the Yorkshire Dales’ three highest peaks: Pen-y-Ghent (694 m) Whernside (736 m) Ingleborough (723 m) Over the years, the course has evolved in length and terrain but remains roughly 24 miles with around 1,600

English Senior Fell Running Championship 2026 – Preview, History & How to Prepare The English Senior Fell Running Championship 2026, organised by the Fell Runners Association (FRA) and proudly sponsored by Pete Bland Sports and Inov8 , promises another thrilling year of competitive fell running across some of England’s toughest and most beautiful terrain. A Brief History of the English Fell Running Championship The English Fell Running Championship has been a cornerstone of

1. Understand What Heat Exposure Does Before diving into tactics, it helps to know why  heat training works - and when it can backfire. Physiological Adaptations Plasma volume expansion: Repeated heat exposure forces your body to retain more fluid, increasing plasma volume. This aids blood circulation, reduces cardiovascular strain, and improves cooling capability. Earlier, increased sweat response: You begin sweating sooner and at higher rates, improving evaporative cooling.

A clear, no-nonsense guide on why gentle stretching, mobility, and foam rolling matter after running, cycling, or strength training. Learn how fatigue makes tissues more vulnerable, why a calm cooldown protects muscles and tendons, and which key areas benefit most. Perfect for anyone wanting smarter, safer recovery and better movement for the next session.

Introduction Brennan Townshend, a former professional road cyclist who raced for teams such as Raleigh  and Madison Genesis , is now one of the UK’s leading mountain, fell, and trail runners. Drawing on his unique background in both sports, Brennan explains how adding cycling to a running training plan can help runners improve performance, recover faster, and stay injury-free. Why Runners Should Consider Cycling Runners are always looking for ways to boost speed, strength, an