Team Geared Up

CHICAGO, US (TEAM GEARED UP) - Ever wondered what trail running feels like? I find trail running one of the best sports to be close with nature. If you are a trail runner, you know what I´m talking about. If not, check out the links below… and I´m sure you will be!

A Guide To Trail Running. Looking for a plain explanation of what is trail running? This article is what you have been looking for.

Trail Racing 101. Although from 2002, this article from Runner’s World is still perfectly valid to summarize what we mean when we say to someone ‘I’m stepping out for a short trail run’. It sums up what you can expect from a trail workout, emphasizing also on the techniques to run down hill and up, the cross-training and how to tackle the race day.

What Is An Ultra Marathon? Many times, trail running and ultra running go together. This is an excellent recap on what does it mean to be an ultra runner. Coach Neil L. Cook, runner and triathlete since 1978, puts together what is an ultrarunning 101 for those looking for a basic guide on what is and what it takes to run more than 26.1 miles.

Ultramarathon 101 – Basic Overview. Notes from a May 2008 Ultra Workshop at Fleet Feet Sports Rochester, NY, including the following topics:

• What is an ultra?
• Why run ultras?
• Expectation setting – ultras are different
• Training – modify your favorite marathon plan and make it specific to your target race
• Food & drink
• Recovery from the Big Race

What You Need To Know To Start Trail Running. A post at cascadegear.com about why you will like to switch to trail running, what gear you will need and what options you have to choose from when looking for a trails where to run.

Trail running can be dangerous too. Two participants died in the course of the annual Zugspitze Extreme-Berglauf, an endurance race up the highest peak (9,718 ft) in Germany. Aged 41 and 45, the two runners died of hypothermia and exhaustion and six other runners had to be hospitalized.

You Know you are a Trail Running Newbie if…

• You hate the very thought of getting your shoes dirty.
• You wash your shoes in the washing machine after each trail run.
• You buy an expensive pair of trail shoes because the shoe store people said “Tim Tweitmeyer loves these shoes!”
• You find out your expensive pair of trail shoes weigh nearly a pound each (closer to two pounds when coated with mud).
• You buy brown trail running socks only after you notice that all your nice white socks have already turned brown.
• ….

Finally, watch Get Inspired: Try Trail Running, a video by The North Face showing how fun trail running can be.

[Update 28/07/08]: What’s the difference between mountain running, ultra running and trail running? USAFT - Oregon has put on their website a definition of each of these running disciplines.

-Ed-
Interested in trail running? Read much more at trailrunningsoul.com

Image credit - Trail Runner, by ghecko13