WHy i realize trail running is not for me

[braveheart]

I tried to run on the grass as opposed to the sidewalk tonight...ya i could barely run without nearly rolling over on my ankle

me and trails would not get along

[Agent Provocateur]

But that's why trail running would be GOOD for you - strengthen the ankles and develop proprioception.

[ultraslacker]

proprioception

I don't think I can pronounce that. lol

proprioception

n : the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts

[Agent Provocateur]

THat's what Garry my massage therapist told me anyway.

[turd ferguson]

But that's why trail running would be GOOD for you - strengthen the ankles and develop proprioception.

I know exactly what you mean. I have terrible ankles from years of volleyball and baseball, but with trail running I've learned to sense my footing without looking, and when a foot is on unsteady ground, to "unweight" that foot quickly.

The closest thing I can compare it to is skiing where when you're "in the zone" you're sensing what each ski is doing and subtly shifting your weight and balance to keep the slippery side down.

[Jwolf]

Les,
Running on grass is not the same thing as running on trails. Start off on gravel trails without much uneveness... you'll like it! Someone shouldn't switch to all trail running at once, of course.

Running on trails is really great for developing those small muscles in the feet (arches, ankles, and all those ones that no one knows how to name except natalie ). And in general it's easier on the joints like the knees... which is why most ultrarunners do LOTS of the training on trails.

[SuperboB]

Dirt trails are fun. Trail running isn't such a great evening activity because you can't see the bumps and holes.

[pts]

Ditto on the bad ankles (years of volleyball!), and Nat is right about the proprioreception- my older sister (the physio) is always bugging me to run on dirt roads, trails, grass etc. to help, although she did say to wait til after my marathon.

Grass is by far the worst surface i find.

[MINITEE]

I agree that grass is spooky for me... You can't see the holes and things like that, so I'm constantly looking down. Yet another one with a bad ankle here.

Dirt, or a path through pine trees (plus you get the smell sensation!) is amazing... I compare it to running on carpet almost.. nice and cushy. I didn't even mind the mulch/woodchips at Paradise Lake!

[dwayne_runs_far]

Les,
Running on grass is not the same thing as running on trails. Start off on gravel trails without much uneveness... you'll like it! Someone shouldn't switch to all trail running at once, of course.

Running on trails is really great for developing those small muscles in the feet (arches, ankles, and all those ones that no one knows how to name except natalie ). And in general it's easier on the joints like the knees... which is why most ultrarunners do LOTS of the training on trails.

Actually, the trail surfaces vary quite a bit; often it depends on where you are geographically. About half the trails I run on are grass - the rest are dirt/pea gravel and even a bit of singletrack game trails. Case in point, the Blackfoot 25k trail is about 85% grass

Grass is a great surface to get started on, but only if it is something like a high school football field or soccer pitch, as it will be quite even and spongy. A poor grass surface to start out on is the boulevards, a park area or another area that might not be so smooth. With gravel surfaces, it should be the hard packed pea gravel type, not the loose gravel with stones 10 mm and larger, as they're very easy to roll on funny.

Like anything start on different surfaces slowly, all the smaller stabilizer muscles that don't have to do much road running will get a workout that you'll most likely feel!

One thing to be really careful about at this time of year is wet leaves on a slope! They are incredibly slippery!!! They look gorgeous, all the bright fall colours laid at your feet, but you want to stay off your butt.

Give it another try on a smoother surface, you might get hooked

Dwayne

[BaldGuy]

Lesley, you need to go for a real trail run to see whether it's really something you're not cut out for -- you might absolutely get hooked! Barbara took me out for three gruelling hours at Albion Hills, and I was hooked afterward.

I keep thinking we should organize some Southern Ontario maniacs to go for a short trail run on a Saturday up there, just for the fun of it.

[La]

I don't like running on grass, either. Trails are fun, though. I also have poor proprioceptive ability and roll my ankles quite easily. My AT suggested a wobble board to help that, or even practicing standing on one leg with your eyes closed.

[MINITEE]

Lesley, you need to go for a real trail run to see whether it's really something you're not cut out for -- you might absolutely get hooked! Barbara took me out for three gruelling hours at Albion Hills, and I was hooked afterward.

I keep thinking we should organize some Southern Ontario maniacs to go for a short trail run on a Saturday up there, just for the fun of it.

That, I would do in an instant... (cause someone is thinking 5Peaks for 2007...)

[Doonst]

Lesley, you need to go for a real trail run to see whether it's really something you're not cut out for -- you might absolutely get hooked! Barbara took me out for three gruelling hours at Albion Hills, and I was hooked afterward.

I keep thinking we should organize some Southern Ontario maniacs to go for a short trail run on a Saturday up there, just for the fun of it.

Plan! There are lots of places to choose from. I like Hilton Falls because it has a wide range of trails from easy and flat to Bruce Trail rocky. So you can try what you want and when. Right now my weekends are a little busy though.

[pts]

Lesley, you need to go for a real trail run to see whether it's really something you're not cut out for -- you might absolutely get hooked! Barbara took me out for three gruelling hours at Albion Hills, and I was hooked afterward.

I keep thinking we should organize some Southern Ontario maniacs to go for a short trail run on a Saturday up there, just for the fun of it.

Plan! There are lots of places to choose from. I like Hilton Falls because it has a wide range of trails from easy and flat to Bruce Trail rocky. So you can try what you want and when. Right now my weekends are a little busy though.

I'm in- maybe late November? I like Albion Hills, or we could all meet at one end of a Bruce Trail Transect, and then park one car at the start and one at the end... some of the milton area ones are nice.

[runjanerun]

If you wanted to plan a trail run somewhere a bit to the east of COTU, I could probably round up some people from here to meet and run with you. Not sure where the trails would be though. And we are busy on 21 Oct, 12 Nov and 25 Nov - running races!

I don't know if I could convince them to drive any more than an hour or so.....

[Doonst]

Lesley, you need to go for a real trail run to see whether it's really something you're not cut out for -- you might absolutely get hooked! Barbara took me out for three gruelling hours at Albion Hills, and I was hooked afterward.

I keep thinking we should organize some Southern Ontario maniacs to go for a short trail run on a Saturday up there, just for the fun of it.

Plan! There are lots of places to choose from. I like Hilton Falls because it has a wide range of trails from easy and flat to Bruce Trail rocky. So you can try what you want and when. Right now my weekends are a little busy though.

I'm in- maybe late November? I like Albion Hills, or we could all meet at one end of a Bruce Trail Transect, and then park one car at the start and one at the end... some of the milton area ones are nice.

There are indeed a lot of options. Hilton Falls, in the Milton area, would be better for beginners, and less intimidating than a Bruce Trail point to point. Although of course I'd be up for that as well!!

[BaldGuy]

I'm probably good the weekend of November 18 or December 2 ... November 25 is bad. Of course I'd also have to confirm with MrsBG -- I'm already racing twice in November, which translates to long days of solo parenting.

[Kristi]

I second a vote for Hilton Falls. It is a great choice! It has a great loop (22k) that will take you through all kinds of terrain! I would love to meet up with others for a trail run.

[Doonst]

I second a vote for Hilton Falls. It is a great choice! It has a great loop (22k) that will take you through all kinds of terrain! I would love to meet up with others for a trail run.

And, it has a lot of little loops, 4-5 K each, that you can stack and repeat. Something for everybody, including (esp.) those people dipping their toe in for the first time.

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1084

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/uploads/Hilton%20Falls%20Trail%20Guide%20reprint%202004.pdf

[MINITEE]

I'm probably good the weekend of November 18 or December 2 ...

Both great for me if we planned for Saturdays... Sundays are out for me for the next bit....

[pts]

I can do most weekends except the first weekend in November (i'll be in sunny florida!!!) and the 2/3rd of December... this will be FUN!

[Doonst]

Satudays work for me. Should we start a new thread with its own subject? Also extend an invition to newbys like CK and Dave Grant.

[SusanD]

I'd love to join in. Might work for me... 'cept I'm not a morning person (at all!). Just how early are you guys thinking of being out there?

[Doonst]

I'd love to join in. Might work for me... 'cept I'm not a morning person (at all!). Just how early are you guys thinking of being out there?

Well we won't have to run really early to avoid soaring afternoon heat. I'm easy.