Runners unite?

[Mindfondler]

My next race is in 2 weeks. It is a 5k trail run. I have never done a trail race before. Any pointers from people who have done it vs a road race?

I have competed in various cross-country races as well as road/track races. To me, the main differences are:

• footwear -- it's worth having separate trail shoes with soles that are more chunky and grippy compared to track shoes
• running style -- it's necessary to pick up one's feet more to avoid tripping up, whereas on a flat track it's possible to do a low economical shuffle (perhaps no more than one inch above the ground)

I imagine that more experienced trail runners can offer tips of greater value.
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[ryexxxtoast]

Holy hell that was a tough trail run. 9:30 pace for me. Ended up being closer to a 6k. I came in 4th!!!!! Outta 8 though haha... I was disappointed but it was crazy challenging. I have a 15k trail run in 3 weeks. I gotta get my butt in gear for that. I didn't expect it to be that much more challenging than a road race. Stomping through the mud was fun though!

 

[Mindfondler]

Holy hell that was a tough trail run. 9:30 pace for me. Ended up being closer to a 6k. I came in 4th!!!!! Outta 8 though haha... I was disappointed but it was crazy challenging. I have a 15k trail run in 3 weeks. I gotta get my butt in gear for that. I didn't expect it to be that much more challenging than a road race. Stomping through the mud was fun though!

Well done... those conditions do sound challenging!

I've competed in cross-country races that required me to wade through mud up to my thighs. As you say, it's something of a shock at first compared to road racing, but also strangely fun.
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[ryexxxtoast]

5 miles in the rain today. Love that feeling. I have recently gotten into yoga as well to increase my flexibility. Any one else practice?

 

[ryexxxtoast]

Just crushed an 8k. 8:15 pace which is crazy quick for me. Hope all runners are enjoying the spring!

 

[DonnaBeck]

Wondering if my foot fetish is related to my running obsession. I started fantasizing about a good foot / calf massage and my mind just kept going, and going, and going....I'm an endurance thinker for sure.

 

[DonnaBeck]

6 slow trail miles. It was very steep in parts and i have an issue with my right leg. I have ice on it now, but oh what I would do for a nice foot massage.

 

[jackflash81]

after 8 weeks unable to run due to either illness or injury, the physio on Friday said I could start building up slowly again....can't wait to get out again, I have missed it so much.

Before I got ill I was running 10 mile training runs...I am going to have to start back at 2 miles, slow, to test the knee...physio orders! It sucks, but I don't want to risk doing anything to it again!

 

[Mindfondler]

I've just beaten my 10km Personal Best by more than a minute in a race today.

I wasn't expecting to do that, as my previous PB was set on a firm and flat track, whereas today's course was mixed terrain with undulating cross-country sections that included inclines and obstacles. Fortunately, I had positive thoughts in my mind to elevate my mood, and I dug in to ignore some discomfort when I realised that I was in with a great chance of beating my own record.

I'm in good shape at the moment -- yippee!

*sends positive vibes to other Lit runners*
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[literateH]

I really want to start running. I'm pretty active, I do kickboxing workouts and fitness classes, but I want a bit of variety. Does anyone have any tips for beginners? I suck at running, I can't even run for a train sooo tips would be helpful!

 

[LoveBug21]

Looking forward to heading out this afternoon - I need to feel the crisp air today!

 

[Mindfondler]

I really want to start running. I'm pretty active, I do kickboxing workouts and fitness classes, but I want a bit of variety. Does anyone have any tips for beginners? I suck at running, I can't even run for a train sooo tips would be helpful!

If you're in the UK (or some other countries) then you may be able to join a 5km parkrun near you on Saturday mornings. They are an excellent way to get started as they attract a very wide range of participants (from good athletes to people who walk round the course), so you do not need to worry about feeling outclassed. I have joined many parkruns around the UK and have unfailingly found everyone involved to be very friendly and welcoming.

The other great thing about parkruns is that they are free-of-charge to enter. If you wish to have your time and placing recorded on the parkrun website (a good idea), then you need to register on that website and print off a barcode which you take along with you. However, there is no need even to do that; you can just turn up, run with the other people and then leave anonymously at the end. If you're anything like the many other people that I've met through parkrun, though, then you'll rapidly become addicted.

I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to insert a direct link here, but an Internet search for "parkrun" should lead you to the main site where you can find out more and search for a local parkrun.

I hope that this is relevant and helpful to you (or perhaps others if not). Good luck, in any case!
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[ryexxxtoast]

I agree with the out and back advice. Meetup can show you running groups in your area. The big thing is make sure you get good shoes. Maybe sign up for a 5k that way you have sunk cost and will feel more motivated to train. Then tell everyone around you about your race that way you have a bit of social pressure.

Congrats on the great race mindfondler!

Just got in 6.1 miles before the rain started.

 

[ryexxxtoast]

A hilly 4.3 miles for me today. Hope all the runners are kicking butt today!

 

[hard4younow]

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[lajuntaco]

Good morning...

After taking most of the winter off, I jumped into a local running series race yesterday...8.4 miles, uphill then down. Absolutely brutal on the calves but I feel great! Running is such a wonderful thing!

 

[Doctor Joe]

I completed Bloomsday Run in Spokane last week...12 k run up and down with 50,000 other runners! Such energy all around. I was a little slower than last year but blame it on the wind!. Getting ready for next Saturday Duathlon...3 mile run, 18 mile road bike, 3 mile run. I ran the 3 mile course yesterday and felt good. If you are anywhere near Tri-Cities in eastern Washington, come join us!

 

[ryexxxtoast]

4.8 hilly miles today... passed lots of milfs that were an encouragement to keep going

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

I completed Bloomsday Run in Spokane last week...12 k run up and down with 50,000 other runners! Such energy all around. I was a little slower than last year but blame it on the wind!. Getting ready for next Saturday Duathlon...3 mile run, 18 mile road bike, 3 mile run. I ran the 3 mile course yesterday and felt good. If you are anywhere near Tri-Cities in eastern Washington, come join us!

I'm thinking about the Seattle Marathon. Have you done that one?

 

[Mindfondler]

Wow! There was a massive crowd of participants at my regular 5km run this morning (over 500 for the first time). The warm spring weather here in the UK seems to have lured in lots of new faces of all ages to try our hobby.

I think I must have run another kilometre today just overtaking people. So... that's a new 6km Personal Best for me... no?
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[DonnaBeck]

Ran 9.5 today. My longest run in a quite a while. My craving for a foot massage has become an obsession. A fetish even. Is it a girl thing? Am I looped?

I keep thinking of that scene from Pulp Fiction about the foot massage.

 

[Mindfondler]

Ran 9.5 today. My longest run in a quite a while. My craving for a foot massage has become an obsession. A fetish even. Is it a girl thing? Am I looped?

I'll give you a foot massage. Unfortunately, my arms probably aren't long enough to cover the intervening distance.

Seriously, though, have you checked the cushioning and elasticity of your running shoes? Are they getting old? If you're getting pains or cramps in your feet then that might be a reason.

On the other hand, perhaps you just want a foot massage, and the 9.5 mile run is just an excuse. I can understand that.
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[DonnaBeck]

I'll give you a foot massage. Unfortunately, my arms probably aren't long enough to cover the intervening distance.

Seriously, though, have you checked the cushioning and elasticity of your running shoes? Are they getting old? If you're getting pains or cramps in your feet then that might be a reason.

On the other hand, perhaps you just want a foot massage, and the 9.5 mile run is just an excuse. I can understand that.
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My legs feel surprisingly great today. You should feel them. (Okay...I admit I am a runner with a foot fetish. This site should be where I fit in.)

 

[CoolDude397]

I am a runner too. Was part of the track team at school and mainly did 100, 200 and relays. Only for the past 3 years have I started running longer distances and have done a couple of half-marathons.

 

[sr328]

quite a past 2 weeks

Over the last two weeks I ran my first half-marathon, and ran in the self proclaimed world's toughest 10k. I have never run so much in my life. Let alone raced so much.

I have to admit part of what kept me going when the run got tough was fantasizing about the women who were still in front of me.