{"id":17108,"date":"2015-04-27T10:03:19","date_gmt":"2015-04-27T16:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foodembrace.com\/?p=17108"},"modified":"2015-04-27T10:03:19","modified_gmt":"2015-04-27T16:03:19","slug":"trail-running-tips-for-newbies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/2015\/04\/trail-running-tips-for-newbies\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail Running Tips For Newbies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Trail<\/a>As I’ve started this new running journey I have taken to the trails around Fort Collins. \u00a0I like the peacefulness of the trails and enjoy the added challenge of running on rocky uneven ground while going up an incline. \u00a0It’s hard, I kind of suck at it right now, and it’s glorious. \u00a0Trail running also makes me feel like a badass.<\/p>\n

But I’ve learned a few things\u00a0along the way. \u00a0Things that others don’t seem to talk about when they post tips for trail running or write up their experience with trail running.<\/p>\n

Obviously I’m not a pro, I’m just a beginner trail runner but these are the things that I’ve learned during my experience\u00a0so far.<\/p>\n

Get trail running shoes<\/strong><\/p>\n

This seems like a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people don’t and then end up with a twisted ankle. My shoes pictured above are not trail runners so don’t get those. \u00a0You need shoes with more stability and more\u00a0cushion between your feet and the trail. \u00a0In those shoes pictured I can feel every rock and it’s not fun. \u00a0Plus they aren’t as stable as a trail runner would be.<\/p>\n

Trails are uneven and rocky,\u00a0some of the rocks might move on you as you run. \u00a0You’ll need stable shoes to handle the terrain and give you support. \u00a0Plus trail runners will have much better traction. \u00a0I’m currently in the market for some good trail runners. \u00a0Once I get some, I’ll share that experience as well.<\/p>\n

Don’t tie your shoes too tight<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don’t want your shoes so loose that your feet are sliding around, that isn’t going to do you any good. \u00a0But tying them too tight means your foot won’t have the flexiblity to move around. \u00a0Remember you will be running over rocks and sometimes going up an incline. \u00a0Your feet need to be able to have full range of motion to be able to handle the terrain. \u00a0Tie your shoes too tight and you risk having your shins and calves cramp up as you run.<\/p>\n

Also, make sure to pick up your feet!<\/p>\n

With road running, we can get by with shuffling our feet as we run. \u00a0That kind of running on the trail will set you up for a tumble.<\/p>\n

With trail running you really can’t shamble along because the trail is so uneven. \u00a0You have to make sure to pick up your feet so you don’t trip over a rock or something else. \u00a0The minute you stop picking up your feet, you’ll stumble. \u00a0Trust me, I’ve done it plenty of times! \u00a0Thankfully I haven’t taken a header on the trail. \u00a0That would be no fun!<\/p>\n

\"Trail\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Trail running is dirty business<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trails can be muddy but most often they are going to be dusty. \u00a0And trail dust gets EVERYWHERE. \u00a0It gets in your clothes, all through your shoes, and if it’s a breezy day, expect it all over you.<\/p>\n

You’ll discover that you have specific socks just for trail running. \u00a0They will be easy to spot because they’re the ones completely stained with trail dust. \u00a0Trail dust does wash out but only so much.\u00a0\u00a0It leaves skidmarks on your socks. \u00a0 Once you take to the trails is when your trail sock collection begins.<\/p>\n

You will encounter wildlife on the trails<\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on where you live, this could be as benign as seeing deer while running, or it could be as serious as seeing rattlesnakes or bobcats on the trail. \u00a0Pay attention to your surroundings! \u00a0This is also why I am completely against listening to music or a podcast while running or hiking. \u00a0Even if you leave one earbud out, you still aren’t going to be fully aware of your surroundings and won’t hear a rattlesnake if you happen upon one. Getting people to quit music while running is harder than getting people to quit sugar. \u00a0But trust me, leave the music behind and just hit the trails and enjoy your surroundings.<\/p>\n

Wear Sunglasses<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even if it’s not that sunny out, you will still be dealing with bugs and trail dust. \u00a0Especially if it’s breezy you want to make sure that your eyes are covered so no dust or small rocks get in your eye. \u00a0Speaking of bugs….<\/p>\n

You will eat a bug<\/strong><\/p>\n

It happens, you’re breathing hard and then all of the sudden, UGH, down went a bug. \u00a0Don’t sweat it, take a drink of water and keep going.<\/p>\n

Always take water with you<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unless you’re only running a short distance and by short, I mean like a mile, then you’ll need water. \u00a0It’s a trail so it’s going to be a little more challenging than just running around the block. \u00a0Trail dust (see, it is everywhere) can get in your mouth and throat. \u00a0Plus if you’re going up in elevation, you’re going to be exerting yourself more and will require more water.<\/p>\n

Stopping to walk is OK<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some parts might be too rocky and unstable to fully run on. \u00a0Some parts might be a little too challenging at the moment to run. \u00a0Some parts the incline might be a little too steep. Stop and walk it out. \u00a0No shame in taking a small walk. \u00a0Better to walk until you have more stable footing than risk an injury or a fall.<\/p>\n

If you’re thinking about hitting the local trails for running or if you’re just starting out,\u00a0these are just a few things to keep in mind. \u00a0The main focus is your safety. \u00a0Always keep that in mind as you head out for your trail run and you’ll have a successful run!<\/p>\n

Are you a trail runner? \u00a0Any lessons you’d like to share?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As I’ve started this new running journey I have taken to the trails around Fort Collins. \u00a0I like the peacefulness of the trails and enjoy the added challenge of running on rocky uneven ground while going up an incline. \u00a0It’s hard, I kind of suck at it right now, and it’s glorious. \u00a0Trail running also […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"status","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[58,52,51],"tags":[53],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4KYWa-4rW","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17108"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17108\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodembrace.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}