Trail running

[Tasha99]

I’m itching to try it out. Going to try a ParkRun on Saturday different to my local, flat course. It has one steep incline and is much more more trail-like. Next week there is an evening 5k trail run near me. I’ve contacted the organisers to check that relative newbies are suited and they said I’ll be fine. I’d be going on my own though. What are your experiences with trail running? I’m apprehensive but intrigued 😳

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Trail running is all I like but I only get to do it at weekends.... it is tough as underfoot can be very undulating, muddy, rooty etc so takes longer. However in my book it’s way more fun.... enjoy 😎

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

That’s what I’m hoping. I like the sound of mixing it up. Road running can get boring. I might try it 👌🏽

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Just great fun

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I like the idea of fun! Slower but more interesting is what I hope. I think I’ll give it a go 👌🏽

[Sqkr]

I think a good portion of my runs are possibly considered trails, once I get five minutes away from my house there are some really wild bits. I like being up high, under foliage, by the sea, I like the feeling of running on different surfaces. (Except scree, which gives me the fear of death when I'm up on a hill.) Roads are easy and boring, I just switch off when I run on roads and I think my form suffers. They're a necessary evil due to time though :/ I'm looking forward to heading out to the pentlands when I get a more appropriate shoe 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

Ooh yes. That’s another reason to get into trail running - more expensive trainers 🤗 I wish I had someone to come with me. At least to my first one anyway. I might see if I can collar one of my colleagues who does the ParkRun with me sometimes 🤔

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate in reply to Tasha99]

I love my trail shoes 😊

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

I love trail running and find it is really great for regulating pace and also just adding general enjoyment to the experience. For me trail running is running on unmetalled roads, field margins, bridleways and marked trails etc. Round here in cambridgeshire there are lots of dykes and watercourses that can be run but don't forget to explore your landscape with googlemaps, the local councils bridleways map and even a history book as you can run things like the antonine or hadrians wall, offas dyke, leylines you name it, world is your oyster.

I find it helps strengthen the ankles and gives you rigour road runners lack

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Thank you for that! Some good ideas 👍🏽 I’m just wary of the unknown I guess. Just been researching this ParkRun for Saturday. Fills me with dread. Only 50 people do it compared to at my usual of nearly 300. And very few slow runners as it’s notorious locally as the hardest ParkRun in the area.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

The best thing about trail running is you quickly develop a "I don't give a $%^& about the time I do this in as the challenge is doing it, getting knee deep, soaking wet, completely lost over hill, through dale and up the khyber or down the swannee whatever is your pleasure

Park runs are so friendly that no matter how hard it is noone will let you fail. Just do it, it will be great and noone will care if you walk up a bit of hill etc.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Yes you’re right! Thank you 😊

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Had to happen.. at least once

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

😳😂

[Macmac Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Ooh yes great idea! I love trail running - 90% of mine is trail. The most enjoyable parkrun I have done was in pouring rain, a boggy run up one of the most challenging in the UK (Wepre). It was also my slowest, but as so few do it compared to my regular parkrun I got my highest position finish 😀. I hope you enjoy the trail too 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Talking about trail running, I was out on my rest day on Sunday cycling and I met a man who organises the local trail run near to where I live, this trail run takes place on the last day of October, first Sunday of GMT. He told me that he prefers that half marathon trail run to a usual HM road run because it is more interesting, softer on your feet, ups and downs makes the run more interesting and exciting compared with a usual HM. On this particular HM trail run, there are two quite steep his on the second part of the run, very tough undulating routes as well through forest trails, past old quarries as well, this particular trail certainly lives up to its name, I was very happy to meet the man responsible for that particular run.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Yes I think the variation might make running more interesting! Are you tempted?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

As I said, I was speaking to the man who organises that race, he didn't ask me to run but hoped just like last year that I would be a spectator and cheer the runners on. As far as me taking part, well, I am still only at the 30 minute consolidation run stage on C25K, last two runs this week then I'll do the 10% rule or one of those podcasts up to 10k, I dought that I will run the HM trail. The date this year of that run is 28th October, I have walked about 90% of that trail, not all at the one time, I know it is a very challenging run.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Oooh no not HM! Just a short trail 👌🏽

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

No experience but do post about it after as sounds great!! 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Will do! You’ll have to have a go!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Do love exploring woods etc so guess just need to add running into too! I am a bit clumsy though!! 😬😬

[Millsie-J]

I tend to do a mix of runs, road, trail, parkland, riverside, canalside, etc. It keeps things interesting and helps strengthen all parts😀

Hills are everywhere around where I live so I learned very early on to embrace these. Now I can run anywhere.

There are a few Parkruns within driving distance of where I live. The flatest of these I find is also the most boring. But those wanting a 5k PB frequent this rather than the other more challeging routes.

Many faster runners try my local PR trail route only once because it is an additional challenge, with very little hope of a 5k pb. Particularly when it is very wet, muddy, couple of inches of lying water etc. At this sunnier time of year there are also the hardened ruts to deal with.

I love it! Just because its fun. I dont chase fast times (Im built more for distance than speed😆). But it is great trying to improve your course times. Thats why each parkrun gives you a different pb, every route is different so you finish times will change accordingly.

Give it a go, you will have a grand time Im sure. Its also a good excuse for more new (trail) shoes 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you for your reply 😊 My local ParkRun is flat and fast too. My idea is to do some ParkRun tourism and return to that course once a month on pacers’ week to check my PB. Meanwhile I can try out some different courses. Variety is the spice of life (I’m hoping 😂).

[Millsie-J in reply to Tasha99]

That sounds a very good idea, have fun!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Love hitting the trail. Yeeeeha!💪👍🙂. It’s awesome. Do it. 👍

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

He he he I’m trying to be brave d ought to do the race alone as can’t convince anyone else to come with me!

[Hidden]

Trail running is lovely, a great exploration, but i think it needs a different mindset as it slows you down, and part of the time is spent scrambling over gates and stiles or - as happened to me with the 11k I did the other day because i got lost - you are sometimes forced to walk when conditions get impossible for running. If you do it regularly you really need different shoes.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I don’t mind slowing down. And I definitely don’t mind getting new shoes 😂 I’ll see if I like it first though 👌🏽 thanks flick 👍🏽

[Hidden in reply to Tasha99]

Most of my runs are a combination, like this morning where most of it was road but about 1k was the salt way, which is a wide earth road. The hot 11k run was half and half. Trail running really does open up more scope, like river and canal paths for example. Most road shoes will cope with light trail conditions like public footpaths and river routes.

[misswobble Graduate10]

You’re bound to like it! What’s not to like 😃