Trail Running

Recently, the wife and I got into trail running as a way to change things up in our training and running experience.  The first run we did was in Indiana called Tryon Trail Run

http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=19390

Tryon was a great experience as a 10K trail run.  We did not adequately prepare, I would say because we were naive.  The race itself was awesome but it definitely pushed me to my limit due to the lack of trail experience and training I had.  Still was a great experience.  Even ran over a house!

Due to not all that many races close to my home, I didn't do another trail run for almost 16 months later.  Recently I connected with a group called Kennekuk Road Runners out of the Danville, IL area.  They run an entire series of trail runs in Kickapoo State Park.  They are awesome!


https://www.facebook.com/groups/57463279498/

http://www.kennekuk.com/

The wife and I did the Wild Wild Wilderness Trail run through Kennekuk recently and it was just under 7.5 miles.  We were much better prepared having done one before and even found some trails locally to train on (Thanks to our local running club. http://www.kankakeeriverrunningclub.com/ )

Both the Wild Wild Wilderness and the Tryon Farm run included a t-shirt and they fed us afterward which is always a great time.

We are signed up for one next weekend called Allerton Park Trail Run in Monticello, IL.

http://secondwindrunningclub.org/races/allerton

I'll let you know how that goes.

SHOES!

There are distinct trail running shoes.  Being a newbie a couple of years ago, I had no idea.  So recently I made the purchase of some Saucony's in the same type I use for my road shoes.  That has been an excellent purchase and I strongly suggest it if you are going to get into trail running.  They add a little bit of "grip" and stability that road shoes do not necessarily provide.

Here are my Saucony Guide 5 trail shoes

So there are all sorts of definitions and levels of trail running from just running on grassy prairie like fields to more rigorous terrain and single track trails.  For me the miles fly by and even though I cannot achieve PR's due to the terrain and elevation changes, the time seems to go by real fast.  It is truly a great experience.  You should try one!