Running in a trail rut?

[wildfloweragain]

If you run on a trail similar to this type, where do you run/land your feet?  I usually run on a combination of sidewalk/road, so it is relatively even.  Today I took a different route on a railroad walking/running/biking path.  The sides were sort of steeper. than this.  Not crazy steep, but I was concerned about running on something so lopsided.  This is the first summer I haven't had either a hamstring issue or hip bursitis and I am determined NOT to get injured.

I tried running right in the center but felt like I was on a tightrope. I also alternated sides a bit.  Is that what you do?  Occasionally the path had 2 ruts, like where a car would drive down, so I ran in  the center of that where is was grassy but more flat.

Also, if it matters, my path is straight, not curvy.

[ktzmoh]

I do trails a lot and I have heard that the unevenness helps develop different foot and ankle muscles . The sections with a steepish rut are annoying and I try either to straddle it or run in the middle, depending in the terrain . I think of it as an opportunity to work on technical skills and agility lol

[blndsnbrdr]

I run a lot of trails and very little pavement -- I just go down the middle and curse every time I kick myself in the ankle. Of course, I manage to kick myself in the ankle on the smooth stuff too.

Like ktzmoh I use it as technical training. In your case, with the injury history, it could work to your benefit by strengthening the stabilizing muscles. Especially if you're not jumping into a long stretch right away.