How do you cope with steep,very muddy slopes downwards?

[JohnBlake]

Hi guys, I went to look at my local ParkRun site today, in anticipation of the glorious day when I'm able to tackle a 5k run, and was amazed at how undulating it is! I jogged round the course, and at one point there's a very steep decline going between bushes, and it's totally muddy - at least an inch - for the entire width of the path. I nearly fell down it, because I couldn't get any grip. Is there a technique for getting down something like this, without sliding down on my back? Heaven only knows what it would be like with a pack of runners negotiating it en masse!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Sounds like you may have to wear a pair of trail shoes at the very least.

[MarlyParly Graduate]

I did our local one yesterday & was shocked at how trail-based it was. I think if I was doing this often I'd have to rethink my gear as bazza says. You could send an enquiry in to the local parkrun site and see if they can advise, maybe there's an optional bypass for that bit... Sounds hardcore!!!!

[DownNotUp Graduate]

The amount of rain we're having at the moment is creating a lot of mud everywhere. Maybe it'd be safer just to walk that bit, in crab fashion, very carefully in shoes with really good tred. That's probably what I'd do, but I'm no expert.

[Hidden]

I don't suppose avoiding it is an option?

[JohnBlake Graduate]

No, there's no opportunity to bypass it, huge areas of bushes. I'll contact the Parkrun people and see what they say. Thanks for the advice so far! But I need to buy a reasonable pair of trainers, and can't afford two pairs.

[TurboTortoise Graduate]

Hmm, does sound like you might need trail shoes. Having coughed up for some flash Nikes I was then told by my running club pals that I should have got a pair of cheap (£30) More Miles Cheviot 2s off amazon as they are as good as any. Sigh. Worth checking out though.

However if it's really slippy and hazardous, the run director should come up with an alternative route on the day. I know of at least one parkrun where they do that, ultimately they will make sure the route is safe and runnable for anyone wearing ordinary road shoes - they don't want people getting injured.