General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not? Rss Feed  
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2009-10-26 1:55 PM

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Expert
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Parker, Co
Subject: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

In a sudden loss of sensibility I have agreed to do a half marathon trail run in 3 weeks...the trail is mostly single track but not the technical stuff etc..so..would ordinary running shoes be ok or do trail running specific shoes provide any additional benefits.

I'm doing this on a low running base ( longest run 6.2 miles ) but have low expectations so should I invest in shoes or just use the broken in running shoes?

 



2009-10-26 1:59 PM
in reply to: #2480009

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Elite
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
I've used normal running shoes for trail runs before. If the course is not too technical, you should be fine...

as for running a HM trail run on a low mileage base like that, you're going to be hurting.

Trail running is a WHOLE different beast. you use different muscles and i would be careful to not hurt yourself, walking if you must and maybe taking it easy overall.

good luck!
2009-10-26 2:01 PM
in reply to: #2480009

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Runner
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

You can use regular shoes.  Trail shoes are nice for rough terrain, but certainly not a necessity.

2009-10-26 2:10 PM
in reply to: #2480009

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Expert
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Falls Church, VA
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
No, you do not need to have trail specific shoes.  You will probably want to tie them slightly tigher than normal, and lace them using using all the holes on the shoes(but be sure not to tie it too tight as you'll make your foot fall asleep).  This will keep your feet from sliding around too much with all the planting while you turn and go up and down hills. 

Now if you've lost sensibility, well the depends on the trail.  The elevation changes in the trails around here make them substantially harder than a comparable road run of the same distance (unless you know of one that is just as hilly). 

Edited by Bioteknik 2009-10-26 2:11 PM
2009-10-26 2:16 PM
in reply to: #2480058

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Expert
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Parker, Co
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

It's hilly...no doubt....link is below...I expect a run/walk combo to finish - thanks for the advise.

http://www.hrcaonline.org/PortalContent/SubContentPageImage.aspx?SubPortalID=1&TabID=34&ParentID=1&SubSectionID=34

2009-10-26 2:30 PM
in reply to: #2480009

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Pro
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Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

I love using trail shoes for trails but it's not necessary.  I have not run that HR race but I've run trails in the area.  The footing/surface is good and I think yopu would be fine in your regular running shoes.  That being said, if you think you will be doing more trail runs in the future I would recommend buying a pair.  The tread is deeper than regular running shoes and will give you better footing over more technical trails.



2009-10-26 2:36 PM
in reply to: #2480058

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

THIS IS IMPORTANT.  Just wanted to point it out.  I was a disaster on a technical trail run on September, including lots of tripping and ankle twisting.  It was mostly resolved by finally stopping to tie my shoes better.  Start smart and heed this.

Bioteknik - 2009-10-26 2:10 PM No, you do not need to have trail specific shoes.  You will probably want to tie them slightly tigher than normal, and lace them using using all the holes on the shoes(but be sure not to tie it too tight as you'll make your foot fall asleep).  This will keep your feet from sliding around too much with all the planting while you turn and go up and down hills. 

2009-10-26 2:43 PM
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Expert
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Falls Church, VA
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
I also bodyglide my feet, otherwise I get deep blisters under the callouses of my big toes and balls of my feet. 
2009-10-26 2:51 PM
in reply to: #2480108

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San Gabriel Valley, California
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
rayd - 2009-10-26 12:30 PM

I love using trail shoes for trails but it's not necessary.  I have not run that HR race but I've run trails in the area.  The footing/surface is good and I think yopu would be fine in your regular running shoes.  That being said, if you think you will be doing more trail runs in the future I would recommend buying a pair.  The tread is deeper than regular running shoes and will give you better footing over more technical trails.



I completely agree.  I have trail shoes and given a choice, I wouldn't go on trails in anything else.  I even hiked Mt. Whitney in trail running shoes.  I chose not to go with hiking boots because boots are too heavy. 
2009-10-26 3:02 PM
in reply to: #2480150

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
i do all of my trail running in the zoot advantage, no socks, up to some edcently tech stuff and have had no issues at all. runs up to 16mi like that so far.
2009-10-26 3:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
Bcozican - 2009-10-26 1:55 PM

In a sudden loss of sensibility I have agreed to do a half marathon trail run in 3 weeks...the trail is mostly single track but not the technical stuff etc..so..would ordinary running shoes be ok or do trail running specific shoes provide any additional benefits.

I'm doing this on a low running base ( longest run 6.2 miles ) but have low expectations so should I invest in shoes or just use the broken in running shoes?

 



Three words - Vibram Five Fingers!

Just kidding actually.


Trail shoes are not necessary, but they are nice. These shoes are generally beefier and can help your ankles and feet a lot and especially if the trail is full of rocks and roots, some of which you will invariably step on. I ran a half-marathon last weekend on a single-track trail and I think they helped me to avoid some ankle twists.  I'm not a really experienced trail runner, however, so my ankles are not accilimated to the additional stress.

I think that your run/walk idea is great.  As you have already figured out, this race is past your current fitness and you are going to feel it.  Just being honest here.  The distance compared to your long run is one thing, the hills are another, and the fact that you are may not be prepared for the lateral forces that most trails exert on a runner's ankles, legs and hips is the third.

In your run/walk approach, one thought is to walk up the hills, which will save your legs, and running down in a controlled fashion.



2009-10-26 3:41 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?

To your OP, no, you (most likely) don't NEED trail shoes. 

Have you done any trail running before?  If not, go out for a 40-45 minute run in the next day or two with the shoes you'd plan to wear for the race.  This will give you some early indications if the shoes WON'T work, but won't guarantee they will. 

As for the race, try to hit the trails 2-3X a week up until the race.  Run by time (I assume 12 min/mile for trail running versus 9:00 on the road) with a long run of 90 minutes or so unless you're really feeling GREAT on some of the shorter runs.  Walk uphill and any downhills that you don't feel comfortable.  Regular runners see a hill and think "ugh...this is gonna hurt..." while ultra trail runners see a hill and think "I get a walk-break in 200 yards when I start climbing that hill..."  If the trail run includes a creek crossing (and what trail run doesn't?) try running 40-45 minutes in wet shoes. 

Race day is not the day to try something for the first time. 

2009-10-26 3:43 PM
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Master
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
if it's damp or muddy, it could be slippery on single track, the trail shoes will help with that.

if you have hilly sections with gravel, and/or loose dirt, trail shoes will help as well.

Also grassy areas tend to be slippery.

I like my Brooks Cascadia trail shoes, but don't get to use them much. just do off-road once in awhile.
2009-10-26 5:52 PM
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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
I just did a 30k trail run last weekend with 8000 feet ish of climbing and 8 x stream crossing knee to thigh deep in regular shoes at an 8:22 mpm pace.  It can be done, but I will be getting some trail shoes before next year.  And yes my legs are feeling it 2 days later.  I definately need to add some aggressive hillwork in before next year. 
2009-10-26 6:28 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Huntington Beach, CA
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
After rolling my ankle (twice) on trails I bought a pair of Soloman Wings XT, which have quite a wide heel and some additional stiffness throughout the sole.  I'd rather run in regular running shoes (and do on fire roads, etc.) but any time I think I may be running somewhere where I may hit something I didn't see I wear these.  They are quite a bit more heavy than my regular running shoes though (NB 769), though but I just thought a little bit of a hedge made sense.
2009-10-27 8:11 AM
in reply to: #2480009

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Veteran
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Kalispell, MT
Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
I ran the Bridger Ridge Run in August in my regular running shoes.  No worries from my feet at all.  No hot spots, no slipping, no soreness, no ankle issues.  It was my thighs that were screaming, not my feet...

In fact, maybe I should redefine 'ran'....



Edited by MelH 2009-10-27 8:12 AM


2009-10-27 8:51 AM
in reply to: #2480009

Master
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Subject: RE: Trail shoes for trail running necessary or not?
Ironically, running shoes (road) work great for trails, but trail shoes work less great on the road - mainly because of the reduced cushioning (trails are soft) and added weight (stiffer) of the trail shoes which make them feel clunky on the road.
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