Comments on: Reflections on a Killer Trail Race

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 06 May 2015 20:48:47 +0000

In reply to Carlos. Thanks Carlos!

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 06 May 2015 20:48:36 +0000

In reply to Mike. Good point, forgot to mention that! Wore the Salomon Sense Pro, great except for the chunk of skin they tore off my heel...

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 06 May 2015 20:47:53 +0000

In reply to Ben. Congrats on the win! Yeah, I'm still feel sluggish when I run, and my heel hurts like hell where the skin came off. Not fun running right now!

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Wed, 06 May 2015 20:27:50 +0000

Well, that makes me feel a lot better that you averaged just 11 min/mile. I’ve got a tough 10.2k (the official distance) and I am hoping to average 10 min miles.

I just raced a 20k last weekend (on the road), making it more interesting.

You are absolutely right, muscles and bones hurt that don’t hurt after a regular long run. Including the bones in the feet.

Phil, when it comes to trail running, you run for time. You aren’t going to have even splits, and your per mile will be drastically worse than on the road.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 05 May 2015 14:17:06 +0000

I ran this race too Pete, and it was my first trail race…holy hell am I sore this week! I’ve been running these trails, but hadn’t raced on them before. I’m still shocked at how sore just doing the short course made me.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 05 May 2015 01:12:37 +0000

Pete, you know that this site is all about the shoes! :-) What shoes did you run in and how did they do for you?

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 04 May 2015 23:39:41 +0000

I just ran my first trail race ever a couple of weeks ago. It was 11 miles with an average altitude of around 9000 feet (in the Andes in Colombia, I should add) and I cannot believe how much slower I was than on the road. The first 3 miles were a steep single track, very muddy trail and I was ready to give up right after it. I ended up making it but it took me about twice as much as I would in a road race at a more reasonable altitude.

Thanks for your website Pete, I’ve been following it since I took up running not too long ago and it’s been of great help for me.

By: Steve Snyder

Steve Snyder — Mon, 04 May 2015 22:16:59 +0000

I have run a series of desert races last fall and winter from 9k-10 miles and feel your pain Pete. :) Just wait until you are 55,oh boy! Anyway, I find compression socks help support my feet, ankles, and calves. I couldn’t run a trail race without them. Farlek over a runnable hilly trail once a week is what I do for prep. Helps the body stay in touch and shape with trail running.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Mon, 04 May 2015 18:53:59 +0000

In reply to Phil. Yeah, felt a little in the glutes as well. Lots of new sore spots!

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 04 May 2015 17:31:49 +0000

i am a new-ish runner, and an even newer trail runner. I ran my first trail run two weeks ago and couldn’t believe the hit my pace took. I ran another one a couple days ago, and though easier, my pace was still so much slower than the road.

How funny you noticed tight hips after the trail run, I noticed something really similar, except it seemed to also include my glute.

Maybe your upper back is sore from keeping your arms out and up more in an effort to balance yourself on the uneven terrain.