‘Fell running is all about mindset’ — Coralie Neil on getting into the fell running scene
When she’s not busy running her own personal training and fitness coaching business, you can bet that you’ll find Coralie Neil — known as @betterthanadaydream on Instagram — out in the mountains, either trotting up and down fells or on the ropes scaling rock faces.
Coralie has been based in Keswick since she was 18 and initially worked as an outdoor instructor before seeking out a personal trainer qualification.
“I lived in a city during my childhood so the weights room was the most accessible form of exercise,” said Coralie, who founded her brand, Rise Fitness UK, over summer in 2020.
Coralie qualified as a level three personal trainer just before the pandemic hit in early 2020. She noted that her journey to where she is now has been an interesting one:
“My certificates came through the week before we went into lockdown,” she explained. “Consequently, my PT business is mostly online based and while it’s been a difficult time, there’s a good market for clients.”
Coralie has always been enthralled with the Lake District. She grew up in Lancaster which is just a stone’s throw away from the adventure laden area:
“I could see the Lakes but it wasn’t always possible to get there,” said Coralie. “Weight training and cycling became my two escapes, until I moved up to the area and I could finally get out and about in the mountains when I wanted. It was a steep learning curve — I moved up just before winter — and I had to train myself to be self-sufficient when out in cold, harsh conditions. It was definitely intimidating at first, but I’ve always been the sort of person who can go off on my own, and I built up a good network of friends to head out with, too.”
Coralie began hiking in the mountains but soon found she preferred a faster pace:
“I loved picking up the pace and trotting along, covering more ground in less time. I find that some runners, like me, come into fell running through hill walking, while others move from road to mountain running.”
Coralie is also a keen climber. She began at the indoor wall and now regularly takes on tough climbs in different locations:
“Climbing has been a slower journey as I’ve had to learn all the techniques carefully and pick up good habits to keep myself safe. The Lake District is the best playground for climbing.”
Coralie has recently started gearing her fell running up a level, contending her first few competitive runs:
“I initially did it for the crack, but I have plans to contest some winter races before trying longer routes in the fells next summer,” she said. “While I’m keen to do more, I do just love being out on my own, with a friend or with my dog, trying new routes taking in different peaks with no set time limit.
“Latrigg is one of my favourite fells; it’s right on my doorstep and is the perfect summit for an early morning burst of fresh air.”
Coralie advises anyone looking to get into fell running to first become comfortable using a map and compass.
“Then, you can pick up the pace and try to navigate faster. Try and head out with a friend if you can, or take a navigation course. It’s key to know how to look after yourself, too, and be prepared for each eventuality. Fell running is all about mindset. Try not to get too hung up on running fast split times and realise that it’s fine to walk up the hills and trot down the descents; it’s not realistic to try and run the whole way! Eventually, you will cover the ground quicker and quicker.
“When you’re first starting out, don’t worry about having super light weight kit or buying from expensive brands. I initially ran with a 20l rucksack on my back as I didn’t have the funds to buy an ultra-light one. If you get more into it you can invest in some lighter kit, as you'll move faster carrying less weight in your pack, but having stuff fits and keeps you warm and dry is the important bit.
“When you do buy some kit, it’s handy to buy gear which can double up for hill walking.
“The Outdoor Gear Exchange is a great place to look for kit, and joining a club is also beneficial; not only could they provide you with some gear but you can learn from other people and meet like minded individuals who enjoy the outdoors.
“Currently, I weight train two times per week and aim to run between four and five times per week. Resistance training is done to support my other sports. As much as I love weight lifting, I know if I overdo it I’m not going to have the reserves for my runs. There’s no special formula to it, you have to find what works for you.
“I have so many plans for 2022; I’m aiming to go out to the alps again for some big mountain expeditions, and I’m hoping to get some longer fell races in during summer, including some ultra-distance stuff. I’m also keen to head back to Scotland, one of my favourite destinations, for some trips, and I have some plans for my business.”
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