Any trail runners around?

Which race is it, OP?
I love trail running but am v v slow. Love the scenery and the varied views. Apparently different surfaces are good for your core strength too.
My two recommendations are good trail shoes (mine are Saucony) and decent socks. I like the Sealskinz waterproof ones.

You can take a walking pole if you like, some people strap them to a runniing backpack. Personally I don't find they are much use, but it if gives you added confidence then it might be of use. Id make sure you can run and carry one without it continually bashing you in the back or hip though. Also not sure how you'd carry it if you're not planning on using a backpack.

This mobth’s Trail runner magazine has a set of ankle drills in OP.

Love a trail run, been out this morning for a good long one. Some minor country roads and then footpaths between them. I'm much slower on trails than road, but the scenery and headspace is fantastic. I use a Garmin running watch and Strava Beacon so my husband can see what I'm up to. If I stop for too long, he does text me to see if I'm OK, but he knows I stop for a drink and a snack periodically as I'm often out for 2-2.5 hours.

Depending on the race and terrain, actually you might need to buy more kit and train for the conditions.

However I've looked up that race and the terrain around there is fine. I used to marathon train around those hills. I'd just recommend some shoes that can handle wet chalky mud. I would imagine most of it's on the chalky paths of the South Downs way and offshoots. But some of them are ankle deep mud in mid winter and the downhills can be very, very slippery.

justwhatisneeded I need to charge my head torch up too.

And I’ve signed up for a trail race off the back of this thread too! It’s pretty low elevation and only 10k but still, given this time last year I was mainly crying every time I thought about not being able to run, feels so good - so THANK YOU op for getting us all enthused. How’re you doing?

Squats and sprints are good for building leg strength for going downhill. My fell tactic is try not to get dropped on the ups, leg it down the downs and dig in on the flats. Brain disengage and no brakes is the best way down, forget trying to breathe on the way up and hope the end comes soon when you get to the flat.

I also find spotting foot placements about six strides ahead works for me.. long enough to change tack but short enough to not forget the other 5.

Different shoes work better in different conditions and geology. Ask people who run your local area what they use.

I've just returned from a 6k head torch trail run - inspired by this thread. Amazing. Thanks ladies 🏃🏻‍♀️

ragged I’m running trails with 2 sorts of prolapse and vastly stretched-out levator ani muscles. Don’t write it off if you love it.

Has taken me a year of faffing around rehabbing my pelvic floor (Pilates to work it alongside the rest of my core, 4 sets of kegels daily using nhs Squeezy app to work it on its own, plus using an electrical stimulation thingy because I’ve also got nerve damage from my birth injuries and it’s meant to help), and exploring support strategies (got fitted for a ring pessary to support wayward bladder, which I just use for running, and wear EVB support shorts to run as well), but I’m back out and loving it and my body seems to be coping fine if I keep on top of kegels.

My Achilles is a bit cranky too but I’ve found plenty of heel drops and yoga sort it - I don’t have diagnosed tendinitis though and know that’s a bugger, so please ignore if you’ve tried stretching it and it’s not helped.

My understanding is that gait analysis is 99.8% irrelevant to trail running. Gait analysis is for people who run on flat surfaces (ie, roads or track). You need neutral shoes for trails, b/c your ankles have to constantly adjust, anyway.

The only time I overtook people was going downhill... opening out my stride for less effort. I have developed Achilles tendonitis & PF that stop me running so very jealous of all runners, now. I wonder if my PF has to do with downhill running.

Oh yes I have a race vest too. I love it. So much easier than carrying stuff.

I look a bit strange wearing it during parkrun but I don't care. It's like my comfort blanket. My favourite bit of kit.

I love running on trails it's so much nicer than running on the road. I basically no longer do any road races, I did one road half this year and it confirmed that I won't do another.
I've run 14km races up to 50 miles this year on trails/mountains.
On shoes I've got several pairs that vary from pretty much a road shoe with a bit of grip to a full on fell shoe.
You'll find shoes vary like road shoes do, I run mostly in La Sportiva Akasha for longer rougher stuff. I've got La Sportiva Helios 2.0 for faster smoother trails. I use Salomon Fellraiser for really muddy stuff.
I get mine from specialist stores.
I use a race vest for most of my runs over 10k to carry water, gel and phone.
I've already entered 2 trail half's, 1 Marathon and a 50 mile next year.

Oh this is a great read. I always used to run on trails (canicross) but joined a road running club.

I'm feeling the call of the trails again.

I've signed up for 10k Burnham Beeches next weekend and bought some trail shoes as I'm doing more off road.

Parkrun is on trail surface here too. Any excuse for new kit!

(I’m a teacher for heavens sake )

*brakes

Yes yes to training for downhill. It’s joyous but also 1) a bit terrifying and 2) really hard on your joints/pelvic floor. The best advice I had was “make sure you’re strong, then when you get to the descent, breaks off and brain off until you reach the bottom”.

You’re all getting me really enthused. Am recovering from injury so still on tiny distances but so excited to properly get back to it! How’re you getting on OP?

I run mostly on trail. I'm not a lover of tarmac.

I agree with the advice above about trail shoes. I wear brooks cascadia. The trail version of your usual road shoe is a good starting point.

Also another tip. In my first fell race I was up with the pack for the long uphill and feeling very smug. The final third of the race was a long stony descent and at least 25 people passed me. I finished 97th out of 99.

It didn't occur to me that I'd need to train to run downhill but it is a specific skill that road runners don't have.

Google downhill off road running techniques and include it in your training. Enjoy!

That’s not a link in my post BTW.

I spends loads on road shoes and get them fitted at a proper shop. My trail shoes I get online, and spend around half of what I do on road shoes as I can get them from sports shoes.com.

I'm in West Sussex as well, I mainly run off road much more fun. Most trail shoes are neutral so no need to get them fittes

I just tried them on to check they were comfy and have had no injuries. I think because your foot strike will vary a lot on tougher ground, you don’t get the same kind of repetitive impact issues that you would on tarmac.

I have salomon fellraisers and they’re great for mountain/trail running. It’s the best, totally addictive. Walk up and run down if needed. Definitely don’t wear headphones - you need to be really present in the moment so you don’t fall over!