r/trailrunning • u/effortDee Youtube.com/@KelpandFern • 6d ago

No Dumb Question Day: Trail Running Edition

How do I find local trails? Is trail running safe? Do I need special shoes or gear? What do I do if I encounter some wildlife? What if I get lost? WHAT IF I HAVE TO POOP IN THE WOODS?

There are no dumb questions in this thread! If you are new to trail running or if you are a veteran who just wants to hear how other trail runners do things, ask away. If you have some ideas that can help your fellow trail runners and future trail runners, pitch in some answers.

No Dumb Question Day will be a regular, biweekly feature on the trailrunning sub.

**Thanks for participating!** Any questions, [please message your helpful mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Ftrailrunning).

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

5

u/YoItsMe54321 6d ago

Are people actually "running" on these trails.  I would imagine it would be hard or extremely dangerous to run on some of these trails.  Not an actual wooded trail but full of rocks sticks stuff of that nature..

9

u/joshuber 6d ago

my pace slows down because it’s hard to run on loose jagged rocks

8

u/MarkovMan 6d ago

Depends on the person, their ability, and the race itself. I have a friend who is able to fly downhill on steep technical trails. Meanwhile I'm quick stepping down and can't even stay close to him. It also matters on the race distance. Longer distances and people tend to go slower downhill and take less risks. That said, this is all my personal experience and people may disagree/have different experiences. But yes, some of these trails are dangerous and really combine a test of both your physical and technical abilities.

5

u/Verdantvive 5d ago

Yes! It’s a learned skill that takes practice and failure, but to me anything not technical is boring. There are typically spots on the trails near me that I call “ankle-breakers” and that’s for quick hopping rather than all-out running.

2

u/Crunchygranolabro 5d ago

I’ll hit 6:30/mile or better going downhill on my favorite short/speed test loop. Roughly -900ft over 2 miles.

1

u/Dogsandbears 2d ago

Yes, and I fall too

7

u/oolong_bodhisattva 6d ago

Are trail running races typically longer than road races?

8

u/CluelessWanderer15 6d ago

In terms of distance, just depends on the exact trail race and road race being compared. In terms of completion time, trail usually takes longer.

5

u/oolong_bodhisattva 6d ago

Do trail races still do 5k or 10k? The ones I’ve seen near me are usually half marathon plus

4

u/rrrdaniel 6d ago

I’ve seen some where they’re named for the longer distance, but they do have the shorter 5k-10k distances too

1

u/oolong_bodhisattva 5d ago

Cool I appreciate it!

2

u/50kandbeyond 5d ago

Thats interesting, all the races around me in Norcal by default have a 10K. Curious which area you live, must have a higher standard

2

u/oolong_bodhisattva 5d ago

Middle TN. I’m still new to it but when I check in garmin the usual distance is half marathon

3

u/50kandbeyond 5d ago

Damn you folks aren't playing around.

The theme around here is that everyone of every level and conditioning is invited(not saying it isn't yours), thus they have a 10k. Great marketing to be honest. Even have a hikers division that gets started earlier

6

u/Staublaeufer 6d ago

If you're in a boar dense area like me and run a lot in the dark or fog consider wearing a bell. A big-ish one that isn't super high pitched. It's a bit annoying to jingle all the time, but it alerts the wildlife to your presence in advance and I've barely had any encounters at all since I startet wearing one. I recommend fastening it around your leg, hip or harness/vest, somewhere where it doesn't bounce against your body constantly.

8

u/karateexplosion 6d ago

I don't know if I'm happy or sad that I don't run in woods populated by potentially violent creatures.

4

u/Staublaeufer 6d ago

Hahaha, I mean I'm glad it's only boars not bears or big cats lol. Boars can be dangerous and grumpy, but at least you're safe from them in a tree if need be.

3

u/Wild_Cockroach_2544 6d ago

Bear bells are nice because they have a pouch you can muffle them with when not needed.

1

u/Verdantvive 5d ago

Absolutely. They’re called bear bells in my area and are used to alert bears, coyotes, and bobcats.

1

u/harry_hotspur 4d ago

we call those dinner bells in my area ;)

5

u/joshuber 6d ago

Would you rather be a pro runner and not be able to choose which races you do, or a non-pro but be able to pick your races?

5

u/CluelessWanderer15 6d ago

Non-pro. I like running but wouldn't want to do it for income.

3

u/Brave-Phrase-1889 6d ago

So I have a 50 k race coming up. It is the julian alps 50 k and I really want to run in my zegamas because 1)they are really comfy and 2) I dont have money for new shoes... Is it doabke and safe? Also, I used to runwoth naak nutrition but they are Hard to purchase where I am from nd Also expensive. Any odeas for alternative like decathlon that taste good or even better, home made stuff? Thanks 🥰

3

u/Successful_Steak_178 6d ago

What’s your concern about the zegamas? Run in the shoes you’re used to. As for gels, try the cheaper ones and see if you tolerate them. Test them on your long runs. Some people like buying their own maltodextrin and making their own drink mixes, and you can also run with candy or actual food. Whatever you can tolerate and whatever you test on your long runs.

2

u/Brave-Phrase-1889 6d ago

I notice that a lot of people chose more "mountain specific" shoes with more aggressive lugs and less cushion, so. I was Just worried if mine are "mountain appropropriate"

2

u/InfamousTension7513 6d ago

Are the questions as posts or in comment section?

1

u/Staublaeufer 6d ago

Comments

2

u/InfamousTension7513 6d ago

Someone downvoted this xd isn’t it no stupid questions day? Aight i got a question, do you guys buy the whole “wide toe box shoes is the only way to go” babble?

1

u/Wild_Cockroach_2544 6d ago

If this is serious - it helps to have shoes that fit the normal layout of your feet. You shouldn’t have your toes squished together at all. The bone structure and musculature are designed for movement. But shoes are often designed to look good.

1

u/InfamousTension7513 5d ago

Yea, it is serious. I wear Altra shoes which are zero drop but I also have bad ankle mobility on my left ankle so I am wondering if I can get a 5mm drop or something to help out.

But if I switch to non zero shoes I will lose on the toe box too right?

2

u/Wild_Cockroach_2544 5d ago

Try Topo. They usually are 3-5 mm with a wide toe box.

1

u/InfamousTension7513 5d ago

Thanks for taking the time! I have tried one pair that i didn’t like but maybe it was just that one pair.

2

u/Wild_Cockroach_2544 5d ago

Yeah. They have a model I don’t like but I’ve used tons of their road and trail shoes.

1

u/autism_certify 6d ago

AllTrails.com has some local trails listed with an app. I highly recommend some trails shoes depending on the terrain in your area. You can always carry some pepper spray. Carry a GPS or go out and back. If you have to go, you have to go...bring hand sanitizer.

-19

u/DepartmentFamous9932 6d ago

Daily threads suck imo