A Road Runners Guide to Trail Running, Part 1

Many of us started our running careers as road runners, whether as kids who were members of a track team, or adults who just decided to hit the streets and start running. There is good reason for this. Roads are everywhere, and it is a wonderfully pure sport. Just lace up and head out the door.

For me the jump to trail running came when a friend suggested we do a trail race together. I went to the local running store to buy a pair of trail shoes. There I met Narissa who helped me select a pair of shoes, some compression socks and nutrition gels. Narissa eventually became a dear friend, and we partnered in co-ed stage races. That theme of good friends in the trail running community has never wavered.

As I transitioned into trail running, I made all of the mistakes! I got lost. I ran out of water and food. I stubbed my toes and wiped out. You name it, and I did it. But I have learned a few lessons along the way. In this blog post and more to follow, I am going to share some of those lessons with you. This first one may be the most surprising for you.

“Go With the Flow” - Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski

In comparison to road running, trail running has a completely different “flow”. The most definitive aspect of this is pace. In road running, it’s all about how fast you can turn over your feet. In trail running you get the additional aspects of rough terrain underfoot, more frequent and steeper hills, tight turns, stream crossings, low limbs and the occasional wild animal. All of these aspects make it fun and exciting, but they also slow you down and make pace unpredictable. So leave whatever pace expectations you have at the start line. Even if I have run a specific trail course before, there are many factors on the day that can change how I feel. The only rule of thumb is that your trail pace will be slower than your road pace, and probably by more than you think.

Going with the flow also means interacting with the nature around you. A great trail run is a full sensory experience. You can smell the flowers or the skunk. You feel the trail under your feet and the cobwebs around your face. You see all the trees and brush going by... or see it zoom in your vision before you hit the ground! And the sounds are the best part. The scamper of a small animal who hears your approach, the wind in the trees and the birds relaying your progress to others. All of this is why you get away from the city and the hum of traffic. This is why I rarely run trails with earphones. When I do wear them, I never wear the type that plugs my ears. For one thing I can’t stand the drumming of my own body in my ears, but they also block out all other noise. There is a safety factor as well. Unlike the road, traffic from bikes, other runners, horses and animals doesn’t follow any set pattern. And finally, I never wear headphones during races. The traffic of other runners is constant, and I miss out on the encouragement of others.

Shared expriences are often the best.

Finally, going with the flow means balancing competitiveness with the shared experience with other runners. The trail running community is wonderfully special in that it is both competitive and community oriented at the same time. There isn’t prize money to be had, and the vast amount of variation in trail courses means your fast 10K time doesn’t mean anything to anybody who hasn’t run that course. Enjoy and encourage those around you. Some of my most memorable days on the trail are when I have met others and adjusted my pace to be with them. If you see me out there plodding along, please say hello and chat for a minute and I’ll do the same.

Stay tuned for my next blog post that will help you from looking like Elmer Fudd whenever that rascally rabbit tricked him!

About the Author:

Dave Smithey is the owner and a guide for Top Out Adventures. His passion for the outdoors and people comes from his experiences as an ultra runner and mountaineer. You can contact him at DaveS@TopOutAdventures.com.

Photo Credit: Andrew Holmes. Check out Andrew’s work at www.aholmesphoto.net or Instagram @aholmesphoto