Emily Taylor - Trigs & Teeth

Emily is based near Glossop in the Peak District and shares her awesome trig bagging adventures on Instagram. She is Harrier's first ambassador! 

"This is the reason for the name @trigsandteeth if you're wondering...
I like trigs 🔼 and I've got big TEETH 😁 I've been asked so many times now if I'm in dentistry 😬 but nope. Just got a big set of gnashers and I'm always smiling when I'm outside 🤣 "

We absolutely love all her stories and photos. Especially that she has worked up from hiking and isn't scared to do a hike/run which is such a good way to build up more and take the pressure off feeling like we have to be speedsters. 

Below is a bit on her recent challenges for Trigs Official who is trying to raise £5,000 to Fund 2 pilot projects providing outdoor counselling sessions for people in desperate need whilst they wait for NHS therapy to begin.

"I have always loved the outdoors since being a small child and rock climbing and hiking were my favourite hobbies, which is where my trig-bagging obsession began. There is just something about reaching the top of a hill with a trigpoint at the top! I decided during lockdown that I would start to keep track of the trigpoints I had visited and I am currently at 57/88 Peak District pillar trigs.

My running journey started when I was suffering with my mental health two years ago. Before then I was one of those people who said, 'I'm not a runner...I don't have the build to run...I'll never be fit enough...' but I hope to inspire anyone to have a go because if I can run, anyone can! 

I quickly realised that running on the road was not my thing and being into hiking, I prefer to be up in the hills. So I started running on the trails to begin with until I saw my brother-in-law running on the fells and I wanted a bit of that! Again, the self doubt was creeping in - I didn't think I'd be fit enough to run up big fells...but I gave it a go and I haven't looked back! 

Recently I have completed 3 challenges. The first challenge was The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, which is a 24.5 mile loop with over 5000ft of climbing and I hiked/ran it in 7 hours.

The weekend after, I completed The Peak District 3 Peaks in snow blizzards! 23.5 miles and over 3000ft of climbing in pretty awful conditions and this took 8.5 hours.

Finally, on the third weekend, I completed The Lakes 3000s - the 4 highest mountains in England. Over 18 miles, 10,000ft of ascent in 14.5 hours (including the drive time in-between). 

Fell running for me combines the joy of taking in the scenery of the countryside and the fresh air like hiking does, but you cover more distance in a shorter space of time. What I can see in a full day's hiking, I can see in a few hours running! This really comes in handy now I'm attempting to tick off all the trig points in the Peak District as I can 'bag' 2 or 3 trigs in one day out on a run!

I was over the moon when Kate approached me to work alongside her amazing brand. I bought the Kinder 10l race vest when I first started fell running in December and I loved it so when Kate offered to gift me some other gear to try, I jumped at the chance! I'm loving everything she sends me. The Curbar 5l vest is fab for shorter runs and hikes; the poles save the legs on the mountains and steeper fells and the Thorpe Tee is so comfortable and full of pockets, which come in handy for all those snacks! 

Not only does the gear support me on my personal journey, I'm also involved with a brand new Community Interest Company (called Trigs Official), whose aim is to raise funds to provide outdoor therapy for people in desperate need and waiting for NHS therapy. I've just completed a Triple 3 Peaks hiking and running challenge in order to help raise funds for this amazing cause. The Harrier Helvellyn poles were an absolute life saver during the final challenge in the Lake District!

Looking forward, I'm excited to begin training for my first Ultra run this summer and maybe even an actual race/event later this year if I can pluck up the courage to book myself a place! 

A million thanks to Kate and her fab Harrier Trail Running gear for supporting me on my trig-bagging and fund-raising mission!"

You can see more from Emily and her trig bagging on Instagram @trigsandteeth