Advice from Trail Runners?

PowerfulHunt
PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am visiting Augusta, GA in one month and am considering running a half-marathon while there. The race is detailed as "technical single track mountain bike and running trails through densely wooded pine forest with moderate elevation changes". Does anyone have experience in trail running?

My concerns: Trail running, cold weather (I'm from Florida & have never run in cold), elevation changes (see: from Florida), and this would be my first half-marathon (have previously ran 15k : 9.3 miles). Should I try it? Thoughts?

Replies

  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Here's what you can expect:

    "technical" means roots, rocks, creek crossings, and other crap on the course that make footing difficult

    "single track mountain bike and running trails" means you're gonna need to give space to people in front of you, and there is no avoidance zone

    "through densely wooded pine forest with moderate elevation changes" well, "moderate" is subjective to who you ask, and to me, would mean ~100ft/mi of climbing.

    A trail half marathon as your first has every bit of potential to be a disaster. As having done trail races from 5K-50K, I would give this some serious thought as you'll be on your feet for 2-3min/mi longer than you would running on the road. Also, expect less support than a road marathon, and if you don't invest in a good trail shoe, some foot pain to go along with.

    If you're going to do it, I hope it is timed at the beginning of your trip so that you can walk off the insane soreness you are going to have. Nothing like being cooped up in a car/plane after something like this.
  • throoper
    throoper Posts: 351 Member
    You should definitely do a fair bit of running on trails before doing a half on them. I personally LOVE trail running but it does affect your body differently... less jarring impact on knees and ankles (yay) but also requires more strength/stability from your ankles and calves, as well as just using different muscles for particularly hilly parts.

    And I agree with PP - "technical" means there will be a fair bit of roots and rocks that you will need to keep an eye on.

    Hard to speak to the cold issue, but I can't imagine Georgia is that cold in November?? I live in Wyoming though so a slightly different perspective, lol. In general, I always start a run underdressed when it's chilly... running tights and a short sleeved shirt, even if I would normally be wearing a longsleeved shirt or hoody if I was just standing around. You immediately warm up and don't want to have to carry a bunch of layers.

    In general though, it sounds like a great challenge! And trail running is SO FUN. Beautiful scenery, keeps you engaged because the trail is always changing, etc.
  • jrline
    jrline Posts: 2,353 Member
    edited October 2014
    If you are going to do it make sure you do some training on hills. Not just flat courses.

    29509743.png

    as for temperature in Georgia could be 80 could be 30 you never know.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    SonicDeathMonkey80 wrote: »
    Here's what you can expect:

    "technical" means roots, rocks, creek crossings, and other crap on the course that make footing difficult

    "single track mountain bike and running trails" means you're gonna need to give space to people in front of you, and there is no avoidance zone

    "through densely wooded pine forest with moderate elevation changes" well, "moderate" is subjective to who you ask, and to me, would mean ~100ft/mi of climbing.

    I agree with most of this. It sounds like a lot based on what you are accustomed to, but I say go for it and allow yourself to walk as needed. Going into it with the expectation that you can run it start to finish, at your typical run pace, with no problem would well lead to disaster.

    Trail runs are AWESOME, and one of my favorite things to do... but trail running is soooo much harder on the body than road running (IME).
  • PowerfulHunt
    PowerfulHunt Posts: 281 Member
    Ahh thank you all for putting this into perspective. Yes, it would be the first day of the trip, but I'm probably not equipped enough (no trail shoes, experience etc). It says the temps will be ~50, which is a little chilly for me LOL .. Anyway, I think I will practice trail & hill running a little more before taking it on!
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    You should try it bc why not. As for mileage concerns, I would look more at this as trying to just run it rather than race it and you should be just fine.

    That said, expect your pace to be much MUCH slower than it would be with the road with the same effort. A minute or two slower shouldn't be a shock to you. AND that perfectly OK.

    Don't be afraid to slow down and power walk up steep or really technical trail grades. Not face planting into a rock or blowing your legs up at mile 3 is very important.

    Expect a few aches and pains from places you never felt from road running. You should do some trails once or twice a week until then to give your body a heads up about whats about to go down.

    With the description you gave = no headphones. For realsies. It is dangerous not only for you but for others out there. You need to spend your time in the here and now so you are constantly surveying the terrain and placing your footing. The second you get distracted is the same time where you foot catches a tree root and you go down to pound town.

    Check and know the races aid stations. Many trail races do not have much so you may be carrying water and nutrition with you. May also need T.P. ...just saying be prepared.

    Enjoy the scenery. You will get to see things that most people will never by doing these runs. If you can hit a runners high while on the run in the woods then it is a special kind of ecstasy. I got hooked on trails through a similar situation and so glad I did.
  • TAsunder
    TAsunder Posts: 423 Member
    50 is a pretty good temperature. It will be cold at first but once your body warms up, it will be just about perfect. That said, it sounds quite challenging to me. "technical" to me means "ankle wrecker"
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    I did a technical trail race (15K) for my first race longer than a 5K. I wasn't really prepared... hadn't trained on trails, hadn't run many hills, etc. But I tell you I LOVED IT. I personally think that the more technical a course is (i.e. the more stuff for you to wade through and trip over), the faster the time goes. For me, even though I'm running slower than I would on the road, the time just flies by because I'm so hyper-focused on not tripping.

    So I say you should go for it. You'll be a bit sore, but probably not incapacitated if you have 9.3 mile runs under your belt. JMO.
  • maybyn
    maybyn Posts: 233 Member
    If a mountain bike can pass through the trail, then it's not that technical!

    I also say go for it and even if you don't get to the cutoff on time (if there is one), it will be a fantastic experience!

    Safety is extremely important in trail runs especially if it is a remote and very technical trail. Whatever advice the organizers give, follow it. Also, watch out for injuries because the ground will be uneven. You should try out the trails near your home and do lots of hill training if you're thinking of doing the race.
  • throoper
    throoper Posts: 351 Member
    dharkan wrote: »
    If a mountain bike can pass through the trail, then it's not that technical!

    Lol, as a mountain biker, I beg to differ. "Technical" singletrack mountain bike trails can be CRAZY. That's what the "technical" denotes. As we say, you're not really biking if you're not walking your bike at least some of the time...

    e.g.: https://www.google.com/search?q=technical+singletrack&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=LHNFVLPYGqqCigLWjIG4CA&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=997&bih=617
  • maybyn
    maybyn Posts: 233 Member
    Ha, ha, I checked out your pics! Nice!!

    I think our version of "technical" may be a bit different, lol. My meaning of "not that technical" is exactly what I see in your pics :)
  • LoneWolfRunner
    LoneWolfRunner Posts: 1,160 Member
    Go for it. That's the beauty of running...but I would at least get some decent trail shoes and be prepared to be sore. Trail runs have a way of finding things to make sore that road runs miss.
  • throoper
    throoper Posts: 351 Member
    dharkan wrote: »
    Ha, ha, I checked out your pics! Nice!!

    I think our version of "technical" may be a bit different, lol. My meaning of "not that technical" is exactly what I see in your pics :)

    Ha, wow! I guess so. It sure feels technical on a bike, or when trying to run up it :)

  • watchhillgirl
    watchhillgirl Posts: 597 Member
    I would get out and try a trail run near you just to give you an idea. I love it and when I am running thru the woods I always think of Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans! Lol
    I wouldn't expect a fast race but try it closer to your home and if you like it (beware it is addicting) then give it a shot. Get some good shoes and have some fun!

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