Any trail runners around?

[bibblebobblebubble]

Hi, I'm thinking of taking the plunge with my first trail run in Jan 2019 (8 or 15km in W Sussex). I've been running 18 months or so but I'm not fast - 5k 32 min-ish / 10k 1 hour 5, and one half marathon in 2 hr 21 [proud!]

I'm worried I'd be the slowest there and also am slightly clueless about kit - I'm assuming it would be pretty cold and muddy in Jan! I know I'd need trail shoes but not sure what else and don't really want to spend a fortune.

Love to hear anyone's experience...

I don’t but my DH does. He wears same running kit just different shoes, Salomon trail shoes. Mostly runs coastal path stuff loves it especially if quieter. He makes more effort to tell me where he is going though and approx time as I suppose risk is higher if quieter route and off track.

Thanks. It would be a race not just on my own (Maverick races) so not worried about getting lost, more worried about keeping up with everyone else. Good to hear I don't need loads of kit though, much as I like buying it!

Trail shoes will help; there are many different ones so have a look at what the terrain is likely to be and pick good ones for that. Trail shoes tend to be neutral and less cushioned, although some , like Hoka, are cushioned. My first pair were Karrimor from Sports Direct and they were fine. Once I felt I would do more trail running I got fancier ones and currently use Innov8 X claws, as I like the wide toe box and the grip on mud. Otherwise you just need what you always need for running in January's! Good luck, trail running is a lot of fun. Try to do similar terrain in your training, especially if your race will be hilly.

Trail running is slower. Off road, going cross country my 5k is about 45 mins because of stiles/gates, mud and hills. In comparison, I do a road race 10k in about 57 mins.

I do some off road races mainly on grit tracks. They are fine in standard trainers. Walking up hills is fine, even for the gnarly experienced club runner types There comes a point when it is no slower to walk and it's better to spare the energy.

Trail running is great. Less traffic. Less noise. Pretty scenery that varies by season. I tend to head off onto public footpaths through fields, and it's very exciting if I cross paths with someone else out of sheer novelty! (So quiet I feel safer as anyone loitering with nasty intent would have a very, very long wait for a victim!)

You'll love it!
I struggle to find any enthusiasm for road running anymore, I just LOVE the trails. It's slower, but each route can vary so much in terrain and elevation that time doesn't matter anyway. And I find it far far less taxing on my body than pounding tarmac.
I mostly use normal running kit but with trail shoes, I alternate between Salomon Speedtraks and Inov8 trail shoes, not sure of the model. I also bought a race vest as I was doing long distance training runs, but I actually use it more of less all the time now. It's so handy for keeping things with me, obviously hydration being the main one but also carrying car key, snacks and layers without bouncing or chafing. I feel invincible when I put it on!

Thanks for the comments. Signed up to a trail race now! I'm still a little nervous as the email confirmation says there are 'steep stony climbs' - I might email the race organisers and ask for a bit more info.

Loving that I will have an excuse to buy more kit, though I don't think the length of this one quite justifies the cool race vest :)

I run in a club who do mainly trails. There are lots and lots of slower runners and they all do races. You would definitely not be the slowest in my club. You get a lot of older people running trails- better for the joints and means you can carry on running for longer.

As it's in Januray I would definitely invest in some trail shoes. I would also recommend building up the length of time you run on the trails relatively slowly e.g. don't just go out and run 6 miles straight on the trails. Trail running uses muscles that you don't use that often on the roads, and the uneven terrain can mean it's easy to go over on your ankle/trip over if you are not used to it. You need to pick your feet up more than on paths/roads, focus more on where you are placing your feet, gradients are usually more extreme and you end up using your core more than on roads. So, if you start of with shorter runs of a couple of miles and build up from there you should be fine! Be prepared to run a lot slower than your usual pace, and take a phone!! My usual trail pace is a couple of minutes per mile longer than my usual road pace. And in the race, don't worry about the steep stoney climbs...you can guarantee most people will be walking up them!

Don't let what I've said put you off...it's just I have been out with people who have gone for their usual length of run on road, on the trails despite not having done trail running for a long time, they've gone off at their road pace and they've ended up injured within the first few miles.

So glad you signed up! Reading your post and replies reminded me how much I love trail running. Not done much this year. Trail made my core much stronger and always feels more of an adventure! My home territory is too flat and arable farmland - love to run up hills, in woods and along coast paths when on holidays or visits to family.

And yes...trail shoes plus good battery life on phone essential

Thanks that is really useful info. As it’s a 15k I’m doing it’ll be pretty slow anyway so I’ll take it easy (and can always save the energy for a sprint finish!)

Last question, I always run with headphones / music, I’m guessing that’s not done in trail races?

I don’t think headphones are allowed in most races, road or trail. The last 3 road races I’ve done have stipulated no headphones, even bone conducting ones.

But part of the attraction of trail running is being immersed in nature- listening to music would kind of spoil that.

I did my first trail race last weekend, I got drenched but absolutely loved it. Much slower than my normal pace as the conditions were so slippery, and I have to admit I walked the steepest section of uphill. To be honest everyone else around me did too. I wasn't the last, at your pace I think there will be people slower than you so you'll be fine.

I've got a pair of Salomon Speedcross 4 that I love. I know lots of trail and fell runners rate Inov8 too, the company was created by keen fell and trail runners so they know their stuff. Under/over pronation is less of an issue in trail running but some people find they still need support. Can be a bit of trial and error really.

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!

Great info thanks. Just looked up those Salomon shoes, ooooh so gorgeous.

Should I go to a running shop with gait analysis etc to buy? Or does it not matter so much with trail shoes? I'd normally go somewhere like Runners Need but the shoes there look pretty pricey - not sure I can justify over £100 if I might only do one or two races. (I am London if that helps).

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'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 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.

That’s not a link in my post BTW.

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!

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?

*brakes

(I’m a teacher for heavens sake )

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 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 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.