Trail Running 101

[AnnPerkins]

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.

@AnnPerkins you sound like me 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!

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.

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?

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.

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

@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!

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

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

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.

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.