Trail Running

spabblington

As I enter into the OS, I have considered adding trail running to my weekly mix of runs.  The likely spot would be the Sunday run since that would fit my schedule the best and my main training buddy is already doing it.  Reasons for doing this mainly have to do with adding variety (I am pretty sick of my local road run routes around my house) and, quite honestly, getting closer to nature and farther away from cars.

I was curious as to how that would affect my Sunday runs (either good or bad).  Because most trails I would be running on are fairly hilly, it would be difficult to hit any kind of prescribed pace.  It would also be difficult to manage any kind of pace for a set period of time.  IE - there's no way I could hold a Z4 pace for 0.5-1mi.  Perhaps holding a HR?  But again, on a trial I find this being difficult.

Any thoughts on this?  Good idea?  Bad?  Thanks!

Gordon Cherwoniak

The trail running while mentally better and physically (less body pounding that the asphalt or cement) is probably not the best for working on your speed.  The Wednesday and Sunday runs are the z4/TP work that is going to make you faster.   Having said all that if you melt down mentally then and stop working out then doing the regular loop is not worth it either. 

The second consideration is your training buddy's speed and goals.  If he's okay with doing your workout then that's fine or you just have to consider the Sunday workout a throw away if you are there just to socalize and run z1/z2.

You might be better off taking one of the second run day's say Saturday and use that for z2/z3 run with your buddy. 

Gordon

new2703

Trail running is much more challenging as compared to road running. Have to deal with sudden changes in course, ie short steep up hills. Quick cadence is also helpful in avoiding/ dealing with roots rocks or other hidden obstacles that may be hiding. Greater chance of injury. Having said that I love trail running

spabblington

Thanks guys! If I were to go, I wouldn't be going for an easy run. But I also don't want to risk losing out on any opportunity to gain speed. My run needs much work so I will probably stick with the plan as written. Maybe do some trails as the "brick" part of the short Saturday run on days I can ride to the parks outside.

cgres123

@ Greg, Go out and do your trail run without HR/GPS enjoy it.

(I am pretty sick of my local road run routes around my house) and, quite honestly, getting closer to nature and farther away from cars.

Saying that is why you want to do it in the first place. After you get your feet wet with trail running use your RPE to gauge the feel you are looking to mimic towards a training program. The GPS will just aggravate you as paces are impossible to hold on a trail. HR holds some value but you should be able to gauge the intensity by RPE , as it is said the fitness is in the muscle.

Robert Sabo

Another option is do the trail run and wear the GPS but don't look at it till your done and get an idea of what kind of paces you are actually doing. Then you can decide whether it is z1/z2 or has any z4 HR or pace.