Trail running,, how much slower are you?.

[juliahenry]

So today I went and ran a new route. It was mostly unpaved dirt paths through woods and fields. Best run I've had in a while! 

I loved being out there, but I was slower than usual. By like 1.5-2 minutes per mile. I know trail running is more challenging and I will be slower when I have to do stuff like jump over tree trunks and across streams, but that much slower?

if you run both trails and paved, how much slower are you when running trails? 

And will I get faster? I feel like a lot of my delay was related to working out how to run in a "new" environment, watching for obstacles, etc. I don't know if that gets easier or if I should just plan on gentle, peaceful trail runs and work on speed when I have access to paved paths and sidewalks. 

What do you think about trail running?

[mollyjean]

Our trail group does all unpaved, wooded trails and we are typically 1-1.5 slower at first. You will get faster though. And extra bonus? Your pavement time gets faster too! It's so great for leg strength.

ETA - I wouldn't work on/worry about speed on the trails though.  Focus on running at a comfortable place for strength and not falling over a giant tree root  

[chessie]

Much slower, sorta like mountain biking. Full terrain over tree, etc.

[mrs.jacinthe]

If they're well-used trails (read: nothing to jump/trip over, smooth-ish), maybe a minute per mile slower. If they're lesser-used trails, probably 1-2 minutes/mile slower.

All this goes WAY out the window if it's a seriously steep uphill. I am the slowest uphiller EVER.

[agrippa]

Significantly slower. 2-3 minutes a mile even, depending on how up and down the trail is. Like PP, I really really suck at uphills.

[RoryGilmore]

I'm at least a minute per mile slower -- sometimes 1.5. But man, do my joints love the break from the streets!

[kams]

It really depends on how technical the trail is, but usually about 1-1.5min/m slower.

[Deleted]

Yep 2-3 minutes slower depending on the amount of slopes, roots, etc.

[Deleted]

I am always a lot slower, usually because I am either negotiating sandy hills or watching my footing so I don't trip over a tree root or something...