So....trail running

[Herding_Cats]

I'm making a foray into a trail run in late summer, and am looking for tips. And maybe not just generic things, but some "this is how you work on that" tips.

During DATW I got some good tips about practicing on trails, how mentally taxing it can be watching for tripping hazards, turning ON the fall-alert on your watch if it has that option, etc.

I am a very shuffle-y runner, and I know I'll need to pick my feet up more for trail running....but how does one work on that? What drills/exercises?

So let's talk trails!

 

[superchime]

Just following along out of curiosity. I have a neighbor who trail runs (with her dog!) and I am just in awe because I trip over nothing but my own two feet on the road often enough. All she said when I asked her about falling is "it happens." I can ask her for tip on drills and things, though.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I know very little about trail running, but @avondale does most of her runs/races on trails!

 

[Professor_Cookie]

I’m not certain what your trails look like, but compared to road running you do a lot more looking down at your feet, especially on technical/rocky terrain. If there’s a lot of climbing be comfortable with walking/power hiking to save your energy to where it’s useful. I never really trained anything different before trail running, but the more you quiet your thoughts down, the better. My falls have all been when distracted by my thoughts.

If you want to look around, stop and look around. It’s the trails. Aside from bro mountain bikers, most people out there are to chill in nature. They will get it. Just step out of the way, and keep your wits about you a bit.

There is also trail etiquette as far as right of way, especially if you share trails with horses and bikes, assuming summer running. Bikes are supposed to yield to horses and foot traffic. This doesn’t always happen. Foot traffic yields to horses. Uphill has right of way. I’m a relatively slow and chill runner, so I tend to just yield all around.

And I know I’ve said it ad naseum, you will fall single track trail running. It’s just part of it. Don’t be hard on yourself when it happens. Take inventory, dust yourself off, and press on.

Falling downhill does more damage than falling uphill.

I don’t know if I’m being helpful or not.