When Trail Becomes a Space of Our Own: 1st UTVV Women’s Training

✍️ Anja Klančnik

We held our very first UTVV training for women across the rolling hills of the Vipava Valley.

Many wondered: why women only? We female runners love running alongside men too, but this time we chose to take a day just for ourselves. We allowed feminine energy to create a sense of belonging, encouragement, and motivation. In doing so, we realized that many women—despite perfectly organized daily responsibilities—are searching for minutes in the day and kilometers in the week where they don’t need to prove anything. Moments where they can let the bora wind clear their minds, release their thoughts into the valley, and, with each footstrike on the ground, feel a new rhythm and renewed momentum.

The new knowledge we gained about training fundamentals—training content and duration, what our bodies need as fuel, and what our muscles require for recovery—was shared with us through a playful lecture and practical exercises by Barbara Jolič. It confirmed that our steps are heading in the right direction and that trail running makes sense as part of everyday life in many forms: from running and strength training to recovery and rest. Interesting insights—such as the fact that a family walk or a simple game of flipping caps can also be an effective workout—sparked new ideas. At the same time, learning about the importance of nutrition before and after activity presented fresh challenges in balancing responsibilities and encouraged a more holistic approach to how we think about movement and activity.

From the beautiful village of Goče, where the local community warmly hosted and welcomed us, we continued exploring neighboring villages—Erzelj, Gabrje, Šmarje, Planina, as well as Slap and Lože. Alongside climbs and breathtaking views over vineyards toward the Karst, Friuli, the Trnovo Forest, and Mount Nanos, the trail also opened up many questions: which distance to choose at UTVV, how to know when you’re ready, how to integrate the specifics of the female cycle, and how to truly listen to your body.

All groups reunited in Lože, where the locals from the UTVV refreshment point and the local community showed us that feminine energy connects even across distances. They took the time to surprise us with a warm welcome—tea, mulled wine, coffee, and freshly baked croissants, perfectly timed as our glycogen stores were already running low.

On the final climb back toward Goče, our eyes wandered across the Vipava Valley to the other side, toward Skrilje, where another gathering awaits us this year—the 4th UTVV training of 2025, the already traditional Skrlanka.

So, see you in Skrilje, where another great day awaits—shared with those shaped by nature, connection, community, and authentic trail energy.