|
|
Post by inday74 on Mar 14, 2008 19:18:10 GMT -5
This is my first trail run and truthfully, I haven't been training on any trails at all. Will I be struggling this Sunday at the Montana de Oro Trail Run? Need some feedback, please. Thank you!
Cristy
|
|
|
|
Post by marissaw on Mar 14, 2008 20:46:10 GMT -5
Hi Cristy,
Congratulations on signing up for your first trail run! As a previous road runner, I will never go back to pavement...
I don't think "struggle" is quite the right word for what you might experience; "different" is more appropriate. If you come from a road running background, some key differences will be:
1. Pace - don't try to re-calculate a road pace to a trail pace. The elevation gain/loss, weather, terrain, etc. will all affect your pace per mile. Instead, try to maintain an even effort both up- and downhill, e.g., walk uphill, pick up your pace on flat and downhill.
2. Leg/core strength - the uneven terrain and elevation changes will tax your core and your legs more than you'll realize. Don't be surprised if your hips and core are more sore than usual the next day.
3. Aid stations - you'll get more than just water and Gatorade if that's what you're used to seeing, and the aid stations are farther than 1-2 miles apart. Be sure to carry your own hydration/nutrition between aid stations, and as tempting as the food offerings look, don't try anything new (or your stomach may pay for it later).
4. LOOK AT THE VIEW! Nothing beats an amazing vista from the top of a peak; you can't replicate that in any road race.
Good luck, and see you on Sunday!
Online Coach Marissa
|
|
|
|
Post by harrywalther on Mar 14, 2008 21:10:39 GMT -5
Here's another suggestion:
when you're running behind somebody (especially downhill) your eyes will almost certainly focus on the feet of that person. Don't look there. Keep some distance and watch the trail or you might be in for some ankle twistage.
|
|
kr
New Member
Posts: 10
|
Post by kr on Mar 17, 2008 18:59:55 GMT -5
How long are your longest runs leading up to the 50k? Which do you see as more important, terrain, distance, or length (timewise) of the training runs? Or would you say all three?
|
|
|
|
Post by hippietrainer on Mar 19, 2008 0:24:22 GMT -5
Typically we tend to have our clients run a marathon distance, on similar terrain, as the longest effort prior to a 50k. All 3 of the considerations you mention are important, terrain specific training will get you prepared for the challenges of the course, going out for time will get you used to sustained effort over a long period and putting in the miles will ensure that you are physically and mentally conditioned to cover your chosen distance.
Online Coach Brian
|
|
|
|
Post by inday74 on Mar 21, 2008 2:03:58 GMT -5
Thank you for all of the informative advice that everyone has given me! Fortunately, I didn't suffer any ankle twisting, but I didn't anticipate on the steep hills either, which I consequently felt the day after. I live in Fresno and to find hills comparable to those hills are highly unlikely; therefore, I will have to find other ways to train for trail runs. Any suggestions?
|
|
andyb
Junior Member
Posts: 92
|
Post by andyb on Mar 26, 2008 0:46:17 GMT -5
You don't need to run hilly trails every time you run, so try to plan on hitting the hilly stuff maybe once a week. Fresno isn't too far from the Sierra foothills, and you should be able to find a good number of trails up there. If that isn't possible, find any elevation gain you can and do "hill" repeats as a weekly workout to help build hill stamina, then get up to the foothills as often as possible to train on the real stuff.
Congrats on running your first trail race, and keep at it!
|
|
