Trail running technique and tips

[xsquared]

Hello,

I've recently signed up to do a 10 mile trail event local to me, although I mostly run on roads.

Having read up more on trail running, I appreciate that it is a very different experience to doing a road race due to varying terrain.

I can run a half comfortably and I've recently been on a 10 mile hike with elevation of well over 2000ft, so fitness isn't a problem. However, can anyone me some tips on training and improving running techinque, particularly for running up and down non concrete hills?

Thank you in advance.

If you can hike and run you should be fine.
Main thing is to concentrate on where your feet are going and make sure you pick them up enough over roots, rocks etc and it’s v easy to trip.
Use your arms to balance-don’t keep them as close to your body as you would when road running.
A kind of ‘gallop’ down hills, rocky sections or steps can be useful
Lots of people won’t run up the hills-it can conserve more energy to walk up so actually be faster overall unless you are super super fit.

Thank you @Nomicron for the tips. I shall be practising on sections of the route in my normal running routine.

Love trail running! I slow down lots for uphills and mud, and take it steady downhill if muddy. Avoid long grass!

Mud is a much bigger hazard for slipping than uneven ground, tree roots, rocks etc.

What's the surface like? There's a lot of variation in "trail"

Speed matters less on trail compared to road as there are so many variables.

You may need trail shoes for muddier/ rougher terrain. They'll have more grip and protection around the edges.

Trail is great exercise, has less impact than road and is good fun!

Thanks @Dozer and @BogRollBOGOF. It will be a mixture of concrete footpaths, woodland so leafy and rooty, grass and I know for sure there will be muddy parts. I just hope with it being in May, it won't have had a recent spell of heavy rain!

I've just bought a new pair of of trail shoes, so I will be road (or should I say trail ) testing them at the earliest opportunity!

Just forget about target times and pace, every trail course is different so you can’t compare it to flatter road times. Go with the flow and enjoy it! If it saves energy then walk up the hills.