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Original poster

Trail Running 101

35 replies

AnnPerkins · 14/05/2018 13:47

Can I have some advice please? I've recently moved to a village and want to try running on footpaths instead of roads. I'm the sort of person who needs to know everything about something new before trying it so I have questions:

  1. How do you map a route? Is there a preferred mapping website for off-road running? I'm worried about getting lost, or ending up on someone's land, or being chased by a farmer's dog.
  1. What's the difference between road and trail shoes? Just more grip? Or more stability for uneven surfaces?
  1. What else? Any handy tips for a newbie would be very gratefully received.

Thank you.

OP posts:
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Original poster
AnnPerkins · 19/05/2018 07:49

I like that idea. I’m northern Home Counties but expect I could find something similar here.

SocksRock i meant to say £4.99 is reasonable, not unreasonable! 49p sounds even better.

OP posts:
Ridiculouslyso · 18/05/2018 16:40

London based Runaway Adventures are great, similar name I know! They do runs all over really including Surrey. They have a website and Facebook page too.

applespearsbears · 18/05/2018 16:32

Ooh that's good to know - anymore you would recommend @Ridiculouslyso ?

Ridiculouslyso · 18/05/2018 15:56

I'd recommend Running Adventures. I have done one run with him and a group and it was good.

applespearsbears · 18/05/2018 12:39

@AnnPerkins have you thought about going on a trail running course this chaps based in Guildford www.runningadventures.uk/

Did you say you were Home Counties?

I'm considering doing a trail running and navigation course so I spend less time getting lost and more on the move!

SocksRock · 17/05/2018 22:20

If you go into the subscriptions bit of your phone, for some reason the OS maps app might be £4.99 a month - but it's only £0.49/week... I cancelled the monthly one and now pay weekly

Trail Running 101
Migrant2 · 17/05/2018 11:51

Trail is brilliant for building joint strength because the uneven surface forces your joints to constantly adapt in order to balance you. The reduced pounding on your joints when you leave bitumen behind is also a real plus. What’s not to love?
Fancy a trip? Have a look at “ Margaret River Ultra “ online or on Facebook. Stunning scenery. Western Australia.

Original poster
AnnPerkins · 17/05/2018 10:54

Hi ragged, I'm talking about public footpaths because I'm only in the not-so-wild Home Counties.

I'm probably complicating things at the moment; mainly because I can't seem to relate the OS map online to the ground and can't work out where the footpaths go. I'm going out again tonight to try some paths in a different direction.

That's interesting what you say about trail shoes being neutral. I have had terrible trouble with my ankles running on roads, perhaps the off-road surfaces will strengthen them a bit?

OP posts:
ragged · 16/05/2018 19:48

When you guys say trails... is that just like public footpaths? Or cross fields (right to roam in Scotland)?
It sounds so complicated here. What I do isn't complicated. But then I don't have time to go > 1 hr.
I wear the same shoes for road or trail (don't like road, though).
I study OS map before I leave & don't have any tech.

I know trail shoes are supposed to be 'neutral', gait analysis shoes not appropriate.

applespearsbears · 16/05/2018 19:13

@AnnPerkins you sound like me Wink I love watching the Salomon you tube channel which leads to the REI channel which leads to the Billy Yang films
I follow Ginger Runner and Run Steep podcasts.. and after all that my evenings are gone!

Original poster
AnnPerkins · 16/05/2018 18:13

Wow, there are loads of you out there doing it!

Thanks JustGettingStarted, there are loads of bridle paths near me so good to know it's ok to use them.

And dangermouse, lots of helpful info there. I wore my road shoes last night and felt like I needed a bit more support round the ankles; the footpaths are really bumpy at the moment from where they got churned up in the rain and then set hard in the warmer weather.

I checked my legs for ticks when I got home because I had run through quite a lot of long grass. And I am very attractive to bitey things; mosquitos love me, so I will have to remember the Skin So Soft next time I go.

I'm going to have to get my head round the OS maps app I think. I've registered for a 7-day trial and £4.99 a month seems unreasonable.

applespearsbears that's an interesting link. I'm going to have a browse around the rest of the site as well.

I have read loads of books by ultra-runners and similar. I'm currently reading Vassos Alexander's new book: Running Up That Hill which is quite good, his books always make me feel very positive and keen to get out there.

Just been through what's in my Kindle account and these are some highlights:
Mimi Alexander: Beyond Impossible
Martin Thomerson: It Kept me off the Streets
Helen Croydon: This Girl Ran (more triathlon than ultra)
Anna McNuff: The Pants of Perspective (more of an adventurer than ultra-runner)
George Mahood: Operation Ironman - read this twice.
Christopher MacDougall: Born to Run - read this twice too, it's awesome

I've read Run, Ride... I'll have to look out for Feet in the Clouds.

I also enjoyed watching the Barkley Marathons on Netflix.

As I said, I have a bit of a habit Blush

OP posts:
dangermouseisace · 16/05/2018 17:07
  1. I try (ha) to map routes by going on OS maps. I've got a subscription on my computer so it is nice and big...you can plan and it shows you how far you are going. I prefer OS maps to anything else as you can see the gradients clearly and around where I live (extremely hilly) that's important. You can also plan on strava etc. I've just got a new watch that you can download maps onto as I get lost so easily, even on routes I've been on before. I'm a member of a running club that is very trail focussed- this helps with getting an idea for what's around you. Well, unless you are completely useless at direction like me.
  2. Trail shoes tend to have less of a drop between forefoot and heel, so that your foot is closer to the ground. This makes sense when you think that your ankles are more likely to get twisted if running trails (and maybe not concentrating on where you are putting your feet like wot I do). They also have lugs on them to grip. What kind of lugs, depends on what sort of ground they are for. E.g. muddy trail shoes will have deep multidirectional lugs, whereas stoney trail shoes would maybe have square lugs. Some trail shoes have rock plates which means they are stiffer and you're less likely to get jabbed by a stone, aparently. I've never had a stone jabbing problem. Trail shoes often have stiffer protection around the toes (to prevent stubbing) and gussetted tongues to stop stones getting in. In the summer I wear my road shoes on trails if they are very hard as I don't want to wear out the lugs on my trail shoes, and they aren't as comfy on hard ground.
  3. Some people get problems with stones getting in their shoes but a lot don't- I've never had that as a problem, but my friend that I run with gets it all the time- on the same run! Around my way shes the only person I know who does, and bought gaiters. I've never thought them necessary.
If I'm doing trail running I take water and a phone. I've got a belt thing for shorter runs and a backpack for long runs. I've got a nathan backpack which is extremely comfortable- the straps are so light and soft. The backpack usually has other things in it too- gels/sweets, a bladder full of fluid and a bit of cash just in case I get lost or injured. At this time of year it's necessary to take water even for short runs because of all the flies that are around waiting to be swallowed. Trail running is slower than road running, so expect to be out longer. And as you are out longer sometimes a 'bush toilet' wee stop is necessary and most experienced trail runners have done this. The coach at my running club, when I first joined, said that he knew I was a seasoned runner when I shouted to the others- I'm just going for a pee, I'll catch you up, whilst we were running through the woods Grin Also at this time of year- you need to check for ticks when you get home. They can get everywhere, including bits of your body that are covered in lycra.
JustGettingStarted · 16/05/2018 15:30

I just looked it up and bridle paths are open to walkers and cyclists in England and Wales.

Scotland has free right of way so the only concern is that you don't annoy livestock.

applespearsbears · 16/05/2018 15:03

@AnnPerkins which books would you recommend? I've read 'Feet in the clouds' about fell running and 'Run ride sink or swim' and I'd like to read more.
As for ultra running being 49 and a women is the best time apparently: www.runultra.co.uk/Articles/March-2017/Why-do-women-win-ultras

I'm always getting lost on my runs! I think it is ok to go on bridlepaths - it was certainly included in an organised event I went to.

Original poster
AnnPerkins · 16/05/2018 12:37

I'm loving reading all these posts, gatecrash away applespearsbears Smile I read a lot of books by ultrarunners; at 49 I'm never likely to reach that level now but I love reading about it.

I went out and tried a few miles following footpaths last night. I went the wrong way a few times and ended up where I didn't intend to but it was brilliant. Hard work on the bumpy paths but I loved the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere (even if it was only the other side of a farmer's field).

I had a look at the local OS Explorer map online when I got home and I think some of the tracks I thought were footpaths actually weren't Blush

Is it ok to run on bridlepaths?

OP posts:
Migrant2 · 15/05/2018 23:10

Apples, it was part of my bigger plan so I didn’t train specifically for this one. I’ve got a 24 hour race in August so this was part of the training for that.

CalmConfident · 15/05/2018 23:00

Love trails, it is like exploring - I use a OS map to plan. GEt one for where you live Smile

applespearsbears · 15/05/2018 22:52

@Ridiculouslyso done!

Ridiculouslyso · 15/05/2018 22:07

@applespearsbears a dedicated thread sounds good to me!

applespearsbears · 15/05/2018 18:39

I did wonder about the heart rate monitor but I heard a talk from an ultra marathon runner extolling the virtue of heart rate training.

Would anyone be interested in a trail running / hiking thread to talk all things trail I feel like we've crashed your thread annperkins

Ridiculouslyso · 15/05/2018 18:25

I really like the Suunto. I have an Ambit 3 Sport. Previously had a basic Garmin. I don't generally do any further than 15 miles due to time constraints. It comes with a HR strap and that's the only thing I'm using less than I thought i would. Lots of data to analyse if you like that sort of thing! The route navigation is very good. Haven't used it much but it's quite easy to use.

applespearsbears · 15/05/2018 18:23

Migrant2 your race sounds amazing that's the kind of thing I really want to try. How long did you train for?

applespearsbears · 15/05/2018 18:04

Ridiculouslyso I'm training for a long distance event so I go out and try and cover 15-20 miles but I will slow run half hike half.** I just love being outdoors!

I agree with everything you said in your first post, I was looking at the Suunto Spartan and the Apple Watch 3 because of their navigation and battery life. How are you finding Suunto?

Ridiculouslyso · 15/05/2018 16:44

How many miles do you do apples?

applespearsbears · 15/05/2018 16:34

I also love gear and use the Salomon skin 10 which comes with an insulated bladder, on hot days it's fab. You can fit an awful lot into something so small. I use the viewranger on my iPhone and I take a battery pack with me but I can be out for a number of hours. Trails take longer!
For energy I've started using Tailwind powder in my water which has none of the nasties in other drinks other than sugar electrolytes and caffeine- I was dubious at first but it keeps me going for ages.

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